The Dark Miracles

Chapter 2

The drive to Merit Manor didn't take as long as I'd thought. It was located in the northern part of Merit, the capital of Kidra. I looked out of the windows to see all of the citizens standing on the edge of the streets, I moved my gaze to the posters they held and watched as they threw gorgeous flowers alongside the curb. "We've arrived Ms. Vidris," my driver says.

I wait for him to exit the vehicle and open the door for me, when it flings open, I'm met with the bright flashes coming from hundreds of cameras. People yell my name asking for me to stay still, I keep at my driver's side and walk up the burgundy carpet that runs all the way up the staircase that leads to the inside of the building. The grand doors before me fly open and I'm greeted with the sight of a filled event room crawling with public figures in every corner.

The entire room's eyes turn to me and suddenly, an announcer begins to share my presence. "Ladies and gentlemen! President Vidris' daughter has arrived!" he yells.

I try my best to fight off the red that threatened to rush to my cheeks, and in return, I offer the room a smile and a wave. The crowd erupts in applause and I look up to a corner of the room where I see a screen, I see that I'm being broadcasted on almost every screen in the room. It dawns on me that all eyes really will be on me tonight. People are to watch at home, and here. I subtly take a deep breath and keep my smile on my face until a new figure has taken my place on the screen.

I turn to my left and see my mother and my father hand in hand, speaking to who I can only assume is Senator Reta. The man had gained quite a few pounds since I'd last seen him, and his brown hair had been defeated entirely as his hair was now snow white. I walk towards the group and offer everyone a smile. The three all turn to me and grin right back. "Mother, father, Senator Reta!" I say offering my hand to the senator.

He takes my hand in his, I slowly shake the abnormally cold, calloused, and sweaty palm. I looked down for a second to see that his fingernails were almost a nasty green hue. I cringe to myself and return my eyes back to his. I study the man's face and take in the unflattering details he has plastered across it. He had a white stubble and a gold tooth that glistened when he smiled, and a nose with a hump almost like a camel. "Ms. Vidris, how lovely to see you again," he states. I'd known the senator since I was a child. I cringed every time I had to interact with him. My father has wanted me to marry since I had turned sixteen, and Senator Reta was his first choice. Of course, I objected --many times, but the senator would cease with his smirks that held a disgusting underlying message.

Our hands finally parted ways and I subtly wiped my palms on my dress. I hug my mother and smile at my father.

Our first stop was one of my good friends, Felicity. We met in primary school and had done almost everything together. We both had powerful families so our parents had approved of a friendship such as ours. When I spotted her golden hair from across the room, I immediately felt a huge grin form on my face, tiring out the muscles beneath the flesh my face held.

Her mouth turns up into a smile as well when she sees me and she elegantly speed walks towards my direction. Felicity was a sweet girl, she had beautiful curly, blonde hair, and eyes green like emeralds, tonight, she wore a dress that matched the golden trim around the giant event space. The gown flowed delicately for every step that she took.

"Rina!" she chimed, "How lovely to see you!"

Felicity and I both say our hello's and start to make our rounds through the room, followed by just some minor gossip that's been spread around Merit. "Tonight, I overheard that Congressman Rembish is planning to marry a strag! Isn't that so bizarre? My mother wouldn't dare to let me smile at a strag man," she scoffed, taking her arm and locking it around mine.