The Wings of the Beautifully Fallen

Chapter 23: Illiana

Chapter 23: Illiana

My eyes ached horribly from yesterday, the hours of crying that ensued. Why did this have to happen now? Then again, what was I supposed to expect? I knew that I would have to marry him, I just thought I had longer.

Why could they not understand why I was so against this whole idea? Why could I not have more than what everyone was forcing me to do? I wanted more than this, this life in this world. It was not fair.

"Princess, come on, we need to focus!" Isabella's voice sounded beside me and I turned to look at her, watching her in confusion as she walked forward and her hand wrapped around my arm, gently tugging me forward. "There is not much time, my lady, so we need to get you ready as quickly as possible."

For the wedding.

The words hung in the air as she pulled me forward before stopping in the middle of the room. Everyone was so happy about it, except for me. Or was it only me? The look on his face yesterday was disturbing, his eye looked ready for murder when he asked to speak alone with his mother.

She gave a small smile before stepping behind me, her hands fighting with the ties of the dress and I tensed, jumping away from her and she sighed.

"Normally, my lady, we would respect your wishes, but we do not have the time to wait." Isabella sighed behind me as the fabric loosened around my middle. "The wedding is only a couple hours away and we need you dressed, your hair done, and everything properly situated in time for the ceremony."

"I wish the queen gave us enough time, but she did not so now we all have to make some sacrifices." Elizabeth rushed forward with the dress in her arms. "It will just be for today, my lady. That much we can promise."

"Exactly." Isabella agreed quickly as she stopped in front of me, her hands grabbing at the dress and lifting it up over my head. The cold air slid passed my body, kissing my skin, and causing shivers to slide down my back.

"By the gods." Elizabeth's voice was soft and fearful and her eyes matched the fear. "What happened to you?" She demanded, her feet carrying her forward and stopping in front of me.

"No wonder you wanted to change yourself all the time." Isabella's hand brushed against my arm, her voice whimpering slightly and I glanced away.

It came out and now they knew. It would only be a little longer until he knew. Until he was told about what had happened and then everything would change. I swallowed nervously, refusing to look at the both of them. I could not.

"After the wedding, make sure you tell Prince Reginald." Isabella told me and I turned to look at her, confused about the smile on her face. Why would I tell him? Did she really not understand what was going to happen to me from now one?

"I guess it is a good thing you are getting married to our prince." Elizabeth smiled as she lifted the dress over my head, the both of the working at pulling it over and tying the strings.

Good? What was good about it? What was it that they thought about marriage? Did they really think that I could be happy with this? That I could love my life where I knew nothing but pain?

"Indeed, he will take good care of you." Isabella giggled loudly, but I could hear the forcefulness of it.Whether she believed that comment, believed that things would be alright, I knew she was forcing herself to not focus on the scars. To not talk about them and I could not understand why. There was so much that I did not understand and I did not know how to learn.

"Now, come over here, my lady, let us fix your hair." Elizabeth's hand slid over my arm as she led me over to the table and pulled out a chair.

"Then the queens want to see you before the wedding." Isabella sighed exasperatedly as she guided me into the chair and then her fingers slid into my hair, pulling at it, entangling it backwards out of my face. Strands of hair tickled the back of my neck as she moved bits of it around, weaving it together. "At this rate they will only have a few minutes to speak with you until the wedding."