Inferno's legacy (On Hold)

Chapter 37

"Your highness, you look amazing."

Gwen merely smiled, one that didn't reach her eyes. She looked amazing, she didn't feel amazing. Her handmaid had outdone herself but the layers of beauty couldn't hide grim look in her eyes.

"It's your wedding, the least you can do is smile."

She glared at Wil through the mirror. "Remind me why you're here again?"

Wil cleared his throat as he placed his hands on her chair.

"I'm your older brother, of course I have to walk you to the altar."

"Exactly, not lecture me on how I look."

Wil chuckled. "If you don't fix up your expression, you'll be receiving the real lecture. Not from me."

Gwen rolled her eyes. "I believe you can wait outside until I'm done."

Wil took a pause before speaking, "Is something bothering you?"

"Why will you think that?" She said, plastering a smile on her face. He could practically hear the sarcasm in her voice. The she tucked a loose strand of hair, looking away.

"Everyone's worried about her."

"Doesn't seem that way. Do you have an inkling what the gossips say? I do not care about what people have got to say, but it's simply upsetting to hear them speak that way. Yet, father proceeds as though nothing happened. I always knew I'd marry for the kingdom but I never thought I'd feel this.... guilty doing so."

"Eretria doesn't want to be found. She has her reasons for staying away and I want to respect them, no matter what they are." Wil said.

"Or something terrible could have happened to her and we're all believing it's simply her wish to stay away. But of course, father has to rule and make the kingdom stronger so we don't get overthrown by father many foes, so she has a home to come back to, if she ever wants to." When Wil raised a brow at her, she added, "Ander's words, not mine."

"All I'm saying is that you should at least smile."

"Just leave already."

Wil smiled. "I'll meet you outside."

She returned his smile as he walked away.

"King Adams is a charming man, don't you think?" Her overly chatty maid said, placing a few pearls in her hair.

Gwen glanced at her through the mirror.

"I had the opportunity to serve him during his first visit and I must say, he really is a good man. His kingdom was in rumbles after his father's reign and he shouldered all that responsibility and pulled the kingdom back to it's feet." She continued her chatter, her voice a buzz in Gwen's ears.

"Katie." She called.

Her eyes immediately widened and she bowed low. "I'm sorry your highness, I spoke out of turn."

"I think the pearls are too much." Gwen said, a smile on her lips as she touched her hair.

Katie's lips pulled into an "oh" making Gwen to chuckle.

"I'll never take offense in your chatting, Katie, you should know that. Right now, you're fueling my mind with nice thoughts about the king and I appreciate that. Now, let's get rid of some of these pearls, shall we?"

*-*-*-*

She landed on her feet, thankfully.

The soft sunlight and vibrant flowers were a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within her. She had risked everything to return, driven by a desperate longing to see her sister one last time before the wedding.