Story of my lives||LeeJooyeon||

3

I was forced awake way before the sun had risen. After I left the throne room I couldn't find Jooyeon and felt helpless as I made my way back to my chambers. My eyes were red and puffy from how much crying I did and I was exhausted from lack of sleep. I had a headache and my head hurt as my mother forced me to sit in front of my mirror as a maid ran a brush through my hair before styling it.

I'm getting married today and it's all against my will. After today I would no longer be a princess; I would be a queen, but not of my kingdom. I would instead be their queen. The queen of twilight, our enemy since the beginning of time, and I would rule with Seungmin by my side.

"What's wrong Ms.Scarlet?" My servant asked in a mere whisper. Mother always said they are not allowed to speak to a royal without being called on or spoken to first, but I never listened and let my servants know how I felt about that dumb rule. I shook my head as she continued to brush and style away.

"Scarlet, why do you look so down? You're to be married. It's what we've always wanted, aren't you excited? You, my child. A queen." Mother was very happy as she paced around the room. Getting married and becoming queen was never my dream, but hers. She wanted me to follow in her footsteps, but I didn't. I wanted to go off the path set for me and explore on my own. I wanted to be my own person and not a copy-and-paste version of my mother.

"And that Seungmin, he's quite a looker now, isn't he? I just know my grandkids will be beautiful." I blush at my mother's comment.

"Mother can we not talk about kids please." I heard her scoff before she walked over to me, looking at me through the mirror.

"Why not? It's inevitable. You will have kids with him. I'm not saying you have to have kids right away, but you will have to eventually." My face twisted into something of disgust. I don't have a problem with kids, I just don't want to have them with Seungmin. I don't want to have them now.  I don't even know him and my mother is already pressuring me to have kids. Is she out of her mind?

"Elise put her hair higher, I want her to show off her beautiful face." Elise did as she was told and styled my hair into a floral-like bun that sat as high as it could on my head, with two pieces of hair down to frame my face.

"Like this miss?" Elise asked before stepping away to the side for my mother to examine my hair. A smile appeared on her lips as she placed her hand on my shoulder. She looked down at me with loving eyes before turning to face Elise.

"Yes. This is perfect. Now hurry up and do her makeup so we can get her dressed for the wedding." Mother grabbed Elise by her shoulders bringing her back to me. I saw Elise wince but then play it off by smiling slightly while nodding at my mother's request. I however noticed, while my mother stayed oblivious. I gave Elise a sad nod and she returned my gesture with a quick pat on my back before starting on my makeup.

My makeup was now long ago finished and I stood in front of the mirror. I hated to admit that I looked pretty all dressed up. The dress my mother picked out for me is a long white fitted dress that expanded out at the waist. It was covered in a floral-patterned lace, with a deep v-neckline. My mother's obnoxiously loud claps took me away from my thoughts as I tore my gaze away from my reflection and instead, my eyes rested on her.

"Oh my, you look more beautiful than I thought. Your waist could be a few inches tinnier, but you still look breathtaking." My mother's smile reached from ear to ear, as if she hadn't just insulted me. My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I listened to my mother. I knew I couldn't talk back or there would be consequences for me, and I didn't want that so I just stood and listened.

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I stood and watched the closed doors in front of me; they taunted me as I waited for the moment they would open and lead me to my undesired future. I was about to get married and I didn't have a choice. I couldn't back out even if I wanted to. I never did have choices and the feeling made me queasy. I felt like throwing up but sucked it up and squared my shoulder, holding my head high. The doors opened revealing a red velvet aisle that would lead me to Seungmin. My soon-to-be husband, and future king of the Twilight Kingdom. I took a deep breath before walking down the aisle, passing the rows of people who sat waiting to watch the union of both kingdoms.