Bride Of The Shadows

Chapter 1: Sin

In the grand hall, the twins' eighteenth birthday celebration was filled with the sounds of chattering and clinking glasses, murmuring, laughing, and giggling, along with soft instrumental music wafting in the scented air and other echoes. Standing beside the guests, the king and queen were dressed in their parsimonious robes. Blair's eyes were full of mirth, warmth, and welcoming as she looked around the hall.
Her family being together and everyone happy brought her joy. She had nothing else to wish for than the safety and happiness of her people.
"Shouldn't you check up on Hermione, she's getting late" She heard her husband say from beside her. She lowered the glass in her hand and responded.
"She'll be here any moment from now, let's give her a breathing space, shall we? She's an adult already" She coaxed her husband who silently shrugged before returning his gaze to the guests.
An announcement regarding the arrival of the princes from Eagle's Lane was made, and as expected, the first prince always drew the attention of many because of his gorgeousness and tall appearance. He walked across the carpet to acknowledge the King and Queen of Ardenia with a lingering smirk on his lips.
"Your majesties" He lowered his head, while his deep voice echoed to those listening.
"Father insisted that we come on his behalf, he was enveloped by some prominent issues and couldn't make it here," Prince Daemon said.
Blair smiled, gazing at the Walter family who had made their intimidating presence known, her husband only gave his nod in approval of their words and the men began to walk away, she called upon the one walking behind,
"Lloyd" Her gaze narrowing as she pondered where she had seen him. He seemed like a familiar figure, but at the same time, he seemed to be unknown.
To her surprise, the man stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her, offering a polite bow. "Yes, your majesty"
"Aren't you the son of Rayna?" she inquired with narrowed gaze.
"I am" He responded in his deep velvety voice.
" Rise dear, your mother and I were acquaintances. Tell me, how is she faring?" Blair inquired, drinking in the prince's regal appearance. Her previous encounter with him as a baby had led her to believe that he had grown into a handsome man with golden brown skin and a strong build.
" She is doing fine. Thanks for caring, Your Majesty" He lowered his head once again. Blair smiled at how respectful he was, and after a little chitchat between them, she excused the prince to enjoy the party.
Away from his brothers, Lloyd decided to conceal his identity behind a pillar, where other individuals who didn't want to participate in the dance sat with wine in their glasses.
He stopped one of the maids from passing with the wine by reaching for the tray and retrieving one of the glasses.
Upon lifting it to his lips to take a gentle sip, Lloyd's hands stopped in mid-air as his hazel eyes noticed a yellow gown and he gazed up at the princess. He swallowed, while his hands lowered the glass to the table.

***
A while ago, Hermione was sitting by the dressing table as Lulu, her favorite maid helped her fix her hair. She gazed at her reflection, and she saw her fair, glowing skin and beautiful appearance. She looked down, and her hands began to shake as she realized she was going to be in the company of people.
Noticing the apprehension of the princess, Lulu wanted her to feel at ease,
"Don't worry, your Highness, you'll be fine. You just need to smile and wave your hands" She relayed to her, a smile brimming forming on her lips.
Hermione wasn't sure she would be fine, she thought in her head.
Lulu informed her that she had completed fixing her hair and it was time to exit her chamber as everyone in the hall waited for the celebrant.
When Hermione stood up, she felt her legs wobble and she almost fell to the ground if Lulu hadn't held her in place.
"You need to be calm Your Highness, nobody dares to hurt you here" Her maid continued to speak to her. "You'll be fine. Just take a deep breath"
Hermione breathed in and then breathed out when she was told to. "You see, it's that easy," Lulu said.
Only if she knew that nothing was easy for her!
Hermione was still unsure if this party was a good idea. She was scared to go into the hall and smile at people as instructed. She was worried about getting tripped or acting clumsy, and then become the gossip of the day.
Although she wished to stay in her room and do nothing, her parents wouldn't allow it. Today, she will be an adult and it's necessary for her to celebrate it.

Lost in her thoughts, the sound of a knock on the door jolted her. She glanced at Lulu, who in turn told her that she would check who was by the door.
It was Alistair, her brother. "No wonder why you kept everyone waiting, you were attempting to catch their breath once you entered the hall" He spoke with a knowing look, while approaching her with his arms behind him.
He approached her and said, "You look lovely, dearest sister" A kind smile spread across his lips as he said those words. Hermione could sense the genuinity and she was happy things had become better between them.
Alistair jerked his head to the side, "Lulu, I give you this one" He continued, while the maid chuckled.
Returning his glance to his sister, whom he had grown to cherish and accept as his family for the past few years, Alistair made a commitment to protect her, maintain her happiness, and make her comfortable as long as he was alive, for he was partially to blame for her becoming this way.
"Shall we go?" He inquired, bringing out his gloved hands for her to hold.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine" He insisted, noticing the hesitant look in her eyes. He smiled when she placed her hands in his and led her outside to the hall.
Their presence was announced as the twins made their way through the crowd. Just like her brother had teasingly said in the chamber, she had caught the attention of every living thing in the hall. They all turned their heads toward the attractive woman wearing a yellow ball gown with white gloves, her head lowered as she walked alongside her brother. Alistair felt her clenching his hand and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, he was there for her.

The party continued, with everyone giving gifts to the prince and princess and wishing them well. Hermione's gifts mostly came from men, as they were enraptured by her radiating beauty, while Alistair's gifts mostly came from women.
"Hermione!" She turned her head to the side to see her friend Celeste approaching, "Sorry I'm late" She said, while enveloping her friend in a gentle hug. "Here, this is for you, I had a tough time in searching for it" She giggled.
"T----thank you" Hermione whispered with a smile.
Alistair saw that she was becoming more relaxed and his lips widened into a broad smile. He departed so that they could have their discussion.
"Let's go meet my mother, she has been asking about you"
Hermione nodded and they both headed to meet Agnes, who was standing beside Blair. The two friends were absorbed in their thoughts since it had been quite some time since they had seen each other.
"Oh my, Hermione, I always knew you were a darling" She leaned in to kiss the princess's cheeks, and they all chuckled.
" Here, this is for you" She presented Hermione with a gift and she accepted it with joy. The jacket was white and furry, and it had a pleasant smell, she thought to herself. Agnes then came up to hug her.
"Happiest birthday"
"T---thank you A---aunt Agnes" She whispered.
"Now, where is that naughty brother of yours?"
Celeste interjected, "He must have gone to mingle with the ladies" A look of disapproval adorning her face as she said that.

Shortly thereafter, Hermione departed from everyone because she was exhausted from roaming around.
She stood by the balcony, her gray-green eyes staring innocently at the round moon and she expelled a long sigh.
She whipped her head to the side to listen to the chattering happening in the hall. Sigh... She had no desire to go back.
She was fine staying alone, she thought to herself as she returned her gaze to the sky which was now adorned with stars.
Her dress swayed back and forth when she placed her hands on the rails, leaning forward. Her hands slid across the rails and she breathed out heavily before a hiss erupted from her lips. She had mistakenly run her fingers across the sharp edge.
Hermione brought her hand to her mouth to suck on her blood- An habit she had grown fond of for the past ten years.
Clumsy! She yelled at herself.
"I was wondering whose scent was driving me crazy" It was a deep velvety voice that spoke, it rolled into her ears smoothly and she gasped, whipping her head to the back, she saw no one. Her eyebrows pulled together.
When she had entered the balcony, she was certain it was just her. So who was the owner of the deep voice?
"Turns out to be you" He continued and she pivoted to the side to see an attractive-looking man standing in front of her. Her round eyes widened, and her lips parted. She was unable to avert her eyes as she drank in his
appearance.

He was attractively tall, with thick dark lashes hovering above his hazel eyes which were narrowing down at her. He was staring right through her, and she felt like he was trying to pry into her soul. He had dark wavy hair that reached just above his shoulder, defined eyebrows that seemed to arch at her, a pointed nose, and alluring thin lips. She had never seen someone like him before, he was different, strongly built, and possessed golden brown skin. Who was he?
"Eden" He recalled the name she had told him ten years ago and paired down at her, "Do you by chance possess a forbidden apple, I've been tempted and cannot help but sin" He drawled, gaping at her as if she had cast a spell on him.