Binding Fate: Betrothed to the Otherworldly Duke

Chapter 11: City of Wonder and Magic

A gentle but insistent nudging stirred me from the shadowy embrace of sleep. Slowly, I opened my eyes to find Adelia's figure hovering above me.

"Come on, Mara! Up, up!" Adelia's vibrant and excited voice cut through the remnants of my slumber.

A groan escaped my lips as my consciousness gradually anchored in reality. "Adelia, what's the rush?"

"You're going into the city with Jean today!" Adelia's reminder hit me like a jolt, instantly propelling me into alertness. I sat up, swinging my legs over the bed's edge, feeling a flutter of excitement in my stomach.

"Oh, right!" I scolded myself lightly, a bashful warmth spreading across my cheeks.

Adelia rushed to the wardrobe and selected a dress for me. It was made of light beige fabric with tiny blue flowers embroidered along the neckline and hem. I admired its simplicity, suspecting it once belonged to Adelia's mother.

Instead of pulling my hair into the customary village bun, Adelia tied a blue ribbon around my head like a halo—the deep blue of the ribbon matching the flowers on the dress.

"Your hair is so lovely."

"Thank you, Adelia," I replied, my voice filled with genuine gratitude for the young girl's kindness since my unexpected arrival.

Adelia then retrieved a small wooden chest from the trunk at the foot of the bed. The chest bore intricate carvings on it.

"Inside are my mother's makeup items. I'm sure she would be okay if you used them."

My fingers delicately traced the carvings, feeling the whispers of the past beneath my touch. When I opened the chest, I found cherished cosmetics inside. A warm smile bloomed on my lips as I carefully selected a modest blush and a dark pot of mascara, perfect for highlighting my brown eyes.

"Perfect," Adelia whispered as I turned to face her.

A light, tentative knock on the front door abruptly interrupted our moment. Adelia's excitement bubbled over into an exhilarated squeal. My cheeks warmed, and my heart fluttered at the realization that Jean had arrived earlier than expected. The muffled sound of Tomlin's welcoming voice greeting Jean filtered through the house, soon followed by another knock, this time at our room's door.

"Father!" Adelia cried out, her eagerness evident as she flung the door open to reveal Tomlin standing there, his face etched with a gentle smile that shifted into a more contemplative expression as his gaze fell upon me.

"Jean's waiting for you," he said, his voice carrying a note of paternal concern.

I entered the living space to find Jean standing there, momentarily lost for words at the sight of me.

"Samara, you look..." he started, his voice trailing off.

"Thank you, Jean," I replied, my voice steady even though my heart was racing.

Tomlin, breaking the momentary enchantment, reminded us of practicalities. "Don't dawdle now, or you'll be caught in the queues into Aeloria."

As we were about to step out, Tomlin handed me a cloak. "Wear this in the city. Your hair might attract unwanted attention."

I tilted my head, a flicker of confusion in my eyes.

Tomlin let out a knowing chuckle. "You'll understand soon enough."

As we embarked on our journey, the familiar landscapes of Verdantvale faded into the background. The road to the city stretched before us like a ribbon across the vast, open plains. The relentless sun hung high in the sky, and not a single cloud offered us no shade or respite.