Chapter 1: A Stranger’s Name, A Stranger’s Groom

After what felt like forever, the headache soon stopped leaving Kaelith panting heavily for breath with sweet beads on his forehead.

'Tho..those memories?' Kaelith began, his eyes still widened in shock. 'They're not mine but another person called Kaelith memories.'

Knock knock knock

"My Lord Kaelith, I hope everything is alright there?" the masculine voice from outside came again making Kaelith turn his attention towards there.

'What... how did I end up here?' he wondered. Just what is happening to me?

Just moments ago, he was in a car....rain slicking the windshield, he was about to deliver some packages, then the clash came.

Now… this

Panic surged through him. A sudden flood of memories slammed into his mind like a storm, forcing him to stagger back.

"Oh no. No, no, no… this is bad. This is really bad. How… no, it can't be.

He nearly screamed as he shot up, breath hitched, chest tight, all while he rushed to the mirror, to take a proper look of this new face again.

Just how can this be?! Is this some sort of transmigration that happens in movies? How the fuck is it real?

His fingers trembled as he peeled off gloves in his hand without even knowing and just then he found himself examining it.

They were slender, elegant, long-fingered but then this hand had killed thousands of people. The memories he has already showcased him and him thinking about him now made him stagger back as he felt fear.

I actually got transmigrated as a dangerous man.

His chest tightened.

Another knock interrupted his frantic thoughts.

"Lord Kaelith?" A feminine voice came this time around, soft, polite but urgent. "They're waiting for you, my Lord."

'Who the fuck is waiting,' he thought bitterly, gripping the edge of the dressing table before the mirror.

And just then the memories of his wedding came crashing down on him again.

"Oh yeah...the Kaeleith of this world was getting married today. Why the fuck did he die then? Yeah I got his memories but I don't have memories of the main reason why he died."

"The King is growing impatient. The wedding should n't... " The feminine voice came in again, further sending waves of anger down Kaelith's spine.

Kaelith didn't let her finish before storming towards the door and yanking it open... silencing her.

The handmaid bowed immediately. "My Lord. I must apply the final touch."

Kaelith wanted to push her away, to shout....but something in her expression, the nervous crease in her brow, made him stop.

'They don't know that I'm not their young master. If they find out...what if they kill me?' Kaeleith thought as he swallowed hard.

'The best is to keep cool for now...till I'm able to understand why in hell I'm in this world. I can't really afford to get killed now and not wake up on earth. That would be very terrible.'

He straightened up as he took a deep breath.

The clothes clinging to his body felt regal but not heavy like the thought going through his mind and head.

"You may carry on," He finally voiced out after what felt like forever and without wasting any more time, the female stepped forward and began adjusting his robes with practiced precision, fastening a small golden pin on his shoulder. Kaelith stood still, body tense, thoughts racing.

He caught his reflection again.

This time, he studied it.....less horrified, more cautious.

'Thank goodness the stranger I'm getting married to, is an enemy. That way... I'll be able to avoid unnecessary drama and just focus on a way to return back to earth.' He thought to himself all while he nodded his head in determination.

****

The temple walls soared above Kaeleith, carved from ivory stone etched with glowing oceanic runes as he was led by two females who actually helped with his garment.

He stood still as the servants adjusted his red garment with silver embroidery one last time.

His fingers twitched, not out of excitement but nervousness.

Now that he thinks about it...he doesn't believe he is ready for this body. He wasn't ready for this marriage.

And yet here he was, about to marry someone he never knew.

The silver towering doors before him doom creaked open with a deep groan all while Kaeleith was led inside. More like being led into hell.

And for a moment, the room seemed to stop breathing.

All the sounds he had been hearing when he was still outside the room vanished into silence.

Even the air seemed to hold its breath.

Kaelith continued to move slowly, each step deliberate with all eyes fixed on him.

He didn't even bother to lift up his gaze but had them fixed on the ground instead as if someone would spot the truth....that he wasn't the real Kaelith the moment he made eye contact.

Kaelith soon reached the altar and stood waiting for his so-called groom while the two female servants who had accompanied him until now took their leave.

'Please don't show up,' Kaelith screamed inwardly with his eyes closed. 'Let this marriage fall apart before it begins.'

But unfortunately....the door of the temple swung open again with strong wind and Kaeleith need not to be told that....it was the Sea Witch Prince.

Which made him open his eyes all wide while he swallowed hard as his eyes fell on his groom to be.

Even though Kaeleith had memories of the former Kaelith, he only knows his groom is the sea witch but never saw what he looks like but now that he's seeing him...he couldn't help but to gasp in awe.

The sea witch had sharp features, silver hair falling in elegant waves, tied back with strands of pearls. His skin glowed faintly.

His eyes?

Damn! They were blue and sexy but then it was devoid of warmth but rather had coldness in them.

Kaelith sighed under his breath.

"Well....," he muttered. "Here we are."

The Prince soon reached Kaelith all while he climbed the altar as he stood before Kaelith.

Neither of them bowed. They simply stared like they're in a staring competition.

'What the fuck is wrong with him? Don't tell me something is on my face or what?

'You want to keep staring? Well we might do that all day.'

"You're shorter than I expected," the Sea Witch Prince finally said flatly, cutting Kaelith off his train of thoughts.

Kaelith arched her brow. His lips curled into a slow, lazy smirk.

"And you're....ugly than I expected."

A murmur stirred through the crowd.

Before tension could rise, a high priest stepped between them.

"As per the terms of the Sea and Land Accord," he announced, "this union shall be sealed today in Varies, the land of stone and flame."

Clearing his throat he continues, "A second ceremony will be held in the Ocean Capital of Thaloris in twenty days, to honor the sacred customs of the deep."

Kaelith's eyes flicked back to Caelum's.

Yeah, the Sea Prince's name was Caelum.

Twenty days.

That was all the time he had before being dragged into the sea. Like seriously? Now that he thinks about it.

'I'm actually going to be living in the sea?!'

The thought stunned him and yet, deep inside, something stirred.

A part of him that wanted to refuse. A part that wanted to turn and run far from this moment now that he realized the dumb decision he just made by agreeing to go with the wedding.

Kaelith barely had time to think before a faint tremor of magic passed over his skin.

Caelum reached for his hand.

Kaelith flinched instinctively but didn't pull away.

There was no warmth in the touch.

No affection, desire but just duty.

The High Priest stepped before them, and lifted the old ceremonial scroll in both hands. His voice was clear and formal.

"Kaelith of Vireas, do you take Prince Caelum of Thaloris to be your bonded spouse, as agreed in the Accord between Sea and Land?"

Kaelith swallowed hard. His heart was racing, but his voice stayed steady.

'I don't, but I don't have a choice.'

"I do," He answered maybe a little too firmly.

There was a brief silence.

The priest turned to Caelum.

"And do you, Prince Caelum...."

"I do," Caelum interrupted, cold and precise.

A wave of ocean-blue light shimmered over their joined hands....brief and final.

It was done.

They were married.

Kaelith stared into Caelum's storm-colored eyes.

Neither blinked nor smiled.

And in that moment, images flashed through Kaelith's mind as he held his head in pain. A wave of dizziness hit him, and everything went black.

Just as his body was about to collapse, Prince Caelum caught him, he frowned as he looked down at the unconscious figure in his arms.