(Other Realm)
Alethia gracefully glided through the opulent halls of Greg Minister, her destination set on the tailor's room. The wedding was fast approaching, and she needed to have her dress fitted. After the appointment, she had arranged to meet Zepher in the garden to discuss the remaining details of their impending union.
Pausing outside the door, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay beyond, and rapped three times.
"Enter," a melodic voice beckoned from within.
Turning the handle, Alethia stepped into the room, where garments and dresses adorned every surface. Three mirrors formed a crescent moon around a stool at the center, and the tailor, engrossed in making last-minute alterations to her wedding gown, had his back to the door.
"Princess, please take your place on the stool. I will be with you momentarily."
Closing the door behind her, Alethia moved further into the room, ascending the stool and gazing at her reflection in the mirrors. She tried to ignore the gnawing emptiness in her stomach, the unease that had been plaguing her.
"You must be filled with anticipation, my dear," the tailor remarked, his fingers snapping, causing the dress to materialize on Alethia. "The wedding is the talk of the kingdom. The joining of our realms. Witnessing the most beautiful, albeit headstrong, princess walking down the aisle to her future husband." He approached her from behind, gently adjusting the gown's skirt.
Alethia studied her reflection, her discomfort with dresses exacerbated by the sight of herself in the wedding gown. Her stomach plummeted, her heart quickened. She was not the type of princess to succumb to tears, but they threatened to well up in her eyes nonetheless.
The tailor, noticing her tears, mistook them for tears of joy. With a gentle hand on her bare shoulder, he stood up and smiled sweetly. "You look stunning, Princess. Lord Zepher is a fortunate man to have you as his bride."
Wiping away her tears, Alethia forced a smile. "Thank you, Master Donror. You have done a splendid job with the gown."
He continued to smile, his hands adjusting the silk that caressed her bare skin below her shoulders, ensuring the dress fit perfectly. "This garment pales in comparison to your beauty, Princess."
"Do not underestimate your own craftsmanship, Donror. People come from far and wide for an outfit crafted by your skilled hands."
A hint of crimson tinged the tailor's cheeks as he continued his work. "Thank you, Princess. Your praise is too generous."
An hour later, the dress was complete, and Alethia returned to her more comfortable attire. She thanked the tailor once again before slipping out of his room, the door shutting behind her. Leaning against it, she allowed herself a few moments to collect her thoughts and push aside the despair that loomed over the impending wedding. With a deep breath, she pushed off the door and made her way down the hall.
Navigating the palace's corridors, she passed servants and guards, each bowing or curtsying as she passed. Finally, she stepped outside into the sun's warm embrace. Letting out a soft sigh, she headed toward the garden, walking along the stone pathway that wound through the vibrant flowers and lush shrubs.
She took her time, knowing Zepher might not have arrived yet. It would afford her a moment of solitude, a chance to be herself without the weight of expectations. As she neared their designated meeting spot in the center of the garden, she heard soft giggles.
Alethia froze, listening to the lilting feminine voice that carried through the air.
"My lord, I really should return to the castle. I will be missed soon."
Realizing that a couple sought a private moment in the garden, Alethia contemplated turning around and taking an alternate path to give them more time alone.
"Don't fret, Sarah. As the lord of this castle, no one would dare cause you any trouble. Besides, our time together is dwindling, and I yearn for every moment I can steal with you, my love."
Alethia's body stiffened, a sinking feeling overtaking her. Zepher? Her heart skipped a beat as she pivoted, once again facing the heart of the garden. Drawing nearer, she took cover behind one of the statues encircling the center. And there, on one of the benches, sat Zepher, his arm draped over the shoulder of a young maiden.
Heat rushed to Alethia's cheeks as she silently observed their intimacy. Though she did not love Zepher, they were betrothed to be wed in a mere three weeks. And here he was, entangled with another woman.
Zepher gently caressed the girl's cheek before leaning in, pressing a tender kiss upon her lips. Pulling away after a moment, he locked eyes with her. "Every second spent apart from you is an ache within me. My heart belongs solely to you, my love."
Sarah blushed, her hand entwined with his. "Your wedding is fast approaching, my lord. We knew this could not last forever," her voice trembled, pain evident as she fought back tears.
He shook his head, a defiant expression etched upon his face. "That matters not to me. The wedding is a mere formality for the kingdom's sake. I do not love her. I love you!" Unable to bear witness any longer, she made her presence known, stepping out from behind the statue. The two figures on the bench quickly sprung apart, Sarah sinking into a low curtsy.
"Princess," she murmured.
Zepher appeared uneasy, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. "My love, you have arrived earlier than expected. Sarah was merely assisting me with wedding cake ideas."
"Do not continue this charade, Zepher. I have been standing here for several minutes," Alethia declared, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she observed the color drain from his face. "Do not fret, I do not love you, and evidently, you do not love me. Thus, my decision becomes all the more effortless."
Inhaling deeply, she watched him squirm. Shifting her attention to Sarah, Alethia beckoned her to rise. "My dear, please stand. I will not condemn you for following your heart, something I should have done long ago."
Sarah slowly rose, her cheeks flushed crimson. "Princess..."
Alethia shook her head, dismissing any protests. "I hope the two of you find happiness together and navigate the labyrinth of obstacles that arise when a lord and a commoner aspire to be as one."
Puzzlement flickered across their faces, yet neither uttered a word, allowing her to continue. "The wedding is off. I refuse to marry someone who does not love me, and whom I do not love. Zepher, it will be your duty to inform my father of this decision, and not because I commanded it. Remember, this is your doing. If I hadn't caught the two of you in this embrace, I would have obediently followed the path of the dutiful daughter."
Zepher opened his mouth to speak, but Alethia raised her hand, halting his words. "No, I do not wish to hear your excuses. You have granted me the justification I have long sought, and I express my gratitude. However, I will not be the one facing my father's wrath—that responsibility lies with you."
Turning away, she cast a final glance over her shoulder at the pair. "I genuinely wish you both the best of fortunes." And with those words, she vanished, teleporting away from the scene.
