Fangs Of Rebellion.

CHAPTER FIVE.

 SERAPHINA'S P.O.V

   I stood amidst the blossoming beauty of the garden. As I started to walk through the magnificent space, the lush flowers, their colors bright like vibrant jewels, enveloped and surrounded me in a fragrant embrace. The beauty of the garden was undeniable and much like every other part of the Shadowmoor Castle, it fascinated me.

    As I walked among the blooms of the castle's garden, surrounded by the beautiful riot of the colorful flowers, I could not help but allow my thoughts drift back to the past few days that I had spent in the Shadowmoor palace.

   The past few days had been a whirlwind for me. I had tried my best to adapt to my new surroundings, and true to my nature, the walls of the palace had slowly become more familiar. Although, the castle's grandeur still felt foreign and somewhat intimidating and its stone walls seemed to whisper ancient secrets that I was very curious to learn about.

    In the first three days that I had spent in the palace, I had searched, very diligently, for the courtyard in which I could continue to practice my swordsmanship. Gerald used to tell me, all the time, that lack of practice would make me stiffer than the steel poles that held our kingdom's emblem and more ungraceful than Dron Fincher, the palace's footman.

  And so, because I wanted to avoid been so stiff and ungraceful, I had searched every nook I could reach and inquired from as many servants as I could come across with, but my efforts proved to be in vain. I would have continued with my search if Leana had not told me that I was doing our kingdom a disservice by going around in search of what was considered a taboo for all women. Frankly, I could not care less about the reputation I was supposedly inclined to uphold, but she managed to persuade me into stopping- albeit for a little while as I refused to give up my search.

   In substitution, I had resorted to going off to the gardens whenever I wanted; which eventually turned out to be more often than Leana could stomach. The garden, with its lush, vibrant flowers, had soon become my one sanctuary in the entire Shadowmoor palace. It had, very soon, become my favorite retreat within the daunting walls of the castle. It reminded me very much of our gardens but it could never replace the warm familiarity of Ravenscroft Castle- my home.

Whenever I was in there, I found solace from my duties as the fragrant flowers offered me a semblance of peace within the unfamiliarity of the palace. I let out a heavy sigh as the thoughts of my duty came back, flooding my mind. Duty- it was a very heavy burden that rested upon my shoulders. My duty to my family and to our kingdom.

I knew my duty very well. I had been called upon to become Olivia's substitute- to marry the Prince of Shadowmoor in her place. I had been thrust into such a role; one that I had never imagined.

It was quite a funny twist to my life. I was standing in for my older sister, Princess Olivia, the one person that had tormented me since the very second that I took my first breath. Even now, she had found a new way of tormenting me by ripping me away from all I had ever known and loved, thrusting me in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people.

In Ravenscroft, my home, I mattered- to the people and to my family. But here in Shadowmoor, I had no friends and I had no foes. I was unseen.

Ever since my childhood, I had refused to walk in Olivia's shadows and when fate had demanded that I step into her shoes, I still refused to do so fully. Revealing my true identity to the King of Shadowmoor was my way of turning the tides of fate in my own favor.

Although I knew, very well, what my duty was, it's execution and fulfillment was not as simple as I had once envisioned it. Especially when the Prince I was to marry was everything the rumors said– cold, calculating, and rude.

I could not help but heave a heavy sigh as I thought of the responsibility that I had to bear; the responsibility to secure the alliance between both of our realms in marriage. But the prince was not what I had expected, and I could not shake off the unease that settled in my heart.

Notwithstanding the rumors, I had hoped to find something different; a flicker of warmth or a bit of kindness, but so far, I had seen none. As the sun-kissed flowers swayed in the gentle afternoon breeze, I sighed, wondering if I could ever truly find my own place within the walls of this unfamiliar world.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sounds of heavy footsteps as Leana came rushing into the garden.

"Princess Seraphina," She started, her brows knitting tightly into a frown, "What are you doing here when you know fully well that you are needed inside?"

"I was just collecting some fresh air." I said, dropping my arms from their fold across my chest.

"You could have taken the fresh air on the balcony of your chambers. Why do you keep wandering this part of the palace?" She asked as she raised up her eyebrow in question.

"It's not the same." I said, letting out a chuckle as I took in her amusing expression.

"My princess. You really cannot dawdle here. You have a wedding to prepare for and you need ample time to begin your preparations for the evening's activities. This is a very important day- you can not afford to waste any more time." Leana chided before approaching me and holding my hand in a firm grip.

With a reluctant nod, I let Leana pull and lead me back to my chambers amidst the bustling servants who were preparing for the activities that would hold later that evening. Once in the four walls of my chambers, the relentless preparations began. I was thoroughly washed, prodded and prepped for the evening's event. Leana's hands were the only familiar ones amongst the four pairs of hands that took part in preparing me.

After several layers of silk, jewels, perfumes and cosmetics had been placed on me, my body felt heavy from the weight of the materials. And as the last touch of rouge was applied I let out a sigh of relief and thanked the Moon Goddess from my final reprieve from their painful prodding.

I gazed my reflection in the mirror. I could barely recognize the woman that stood before me as I stared into the intricate mirror piece. The transformation from my usually natural self into a glorious bride, sent a thrill of excitement running through my spine. The weight of my responsibilities suddenly pulled at my shoulders and I could not help but wonder how my life had taken such an unexpected turn and how different this new path was from the one I had always expected for my life.

As they were done with their tasks, I dismissed the other maids. They all dropped into curtsies before scurrying out of my chambers, leaving Leana and I alone. The latter walked around me in circles that nearly sent me into a dizzy spell as she appraised my look.

"Moon Goddess. You look absolutely stunning, Your Highness." Leana gaped as she took in my overall appearance, "The prince will have no clue of what hit him. He will be knocked straight out of his breath once he sees you." Leana said, a teasing smile on her lips.

"Let's hope not. What is a wedding with an unconscious groom?" A familiar deep voice said, accompanied by equally familiar footsteps. I turned around quickly, my dress whipping as I did so.

"Gerald!" I squealed in pure delight as I met the teasing smile on my brother's face. I sprinted across the room towards my older brother and launched myself into his open arms.

"My princess!" I heard Leana exclaim.

In a matter of mere seconds, she had rushed towards my side to adjust the creases that my movement had made on the several layers of silk I was clothed in.

"My princess, you should not have done what you just did." Leana berated, her brows knitting into another frown.

"What did I do?" I asked.

"You know what you did, Princess Seraphina." Leana said.

"All I did was greet my older brother. What is so wrong about that?" I asked, putting on a confused expression on my face.

"The turning, running, jumping, and hugging. You should have done none of that. It was very well near the ruin if your dress." She scolded.

"How would any of my actions lead to the ruin of a dress." I asked in further confusion.

"You need to be more careful now, Seraphina. You are, after all, going to be a married woman very soon. You need to start acting more like the refined woman your governesses have taught you to be." Gerald said, joining in the chiding.

"Unfortunately, Your Highness, our princess knows nothing about being refined. She spent all of her time dreaming about swords while her governesses taught." Leana said, giving me a coy look.

"Why am I not surprised?" Gerald said, letting out an amused chuckle.

"It isn't my fault that they continued to prattle on about things that did not concern me." I defended.

"Now, now. Let us leave all of that in the past. Right now, you are only a few minutes away from marrying, Sera." Gerald said, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Where is Papa and Mama? They could not make it here?" I inquired.

"They are both occupied with other stately matters at the moment. They send their regards and best wishes for your nuptials." Gerald replied.

I nodded in understanding, although I was a bit disappointed that I would be unable to see my parents.

"I did not know you would come. I thought you would be unable to make it in time for the ceremony." I said.

"I would never miss my favorite sister's wedding ceremony. Not for anything in this world." Gerald said.

"I only wish Olivia were here. Oh, how I would love to gloat to her about being your favorite." I said, a wide smile pulling at my lips.

"I would give three quarters and more to see the sour expression on her face." Leana commented, stifling a chuckle with her fist.

"You two sure are something." Gerald chuckled.

"It is the least way to get back at her." I defended.

"I can think of at least a dozen ways to get back at her." Leana quipped.

"Yeah, yeah. I know all about the vengeful fire that burns in the pits of your stomach. But right now, we have more important things that require our attention." Gerald said.

"Indeed, we do." Leana agreed, "I'll give you two a bit of privacy."

I watched as Leana walked out of the room, closing the doors softly behind her.

"I can barely believe my eyes." Gerald said, grasping my attention.

"Why, brother? Is this your first time seeing a woman so beautiful?" I asked with a smug smile on my lips.

"I would not go so far as to call you a woman. You are still, in my eyes, a little cub." Gerald teased.

"I am no cub, Ger. I am a full grown woman now- a big wolf." I protested, my brows creasing into an offended frown.

"A little wolf, you mean." My brother continued to tease with an amused smile on his lips.

"You are simply impossible." I said, letting out a huff.

Gerald's laughter echoed in the empty room. After his laughter had subsided, he placed his hands on my shoulders once more.

"I'm sorry about all of this." He started, looking at me with imploring eyes, "I know this is not what you planned for yourself and I know that you have your own problems at hand- your former mate's rejection must still dwell in your heart, I know. And I also know it must have been hard for you to take this responsibility upon your shoulders. I want you to know I am proud of you, Sera. Father and Mother and even more proud of you."

I nodded in understanding as the tears that welled in my eyes threatened to fall.

"It's time." Leana said, peeking her head into the room.

"Come now, Little Wolf. It's time for you to begin a new chapter of your life." Gerald said, stretching out his hand towards me.

   As I took his arm, I felt myself shudder at the thought of my impending nuptials. And even as Gerald looked to me with a bright smile on his face, I could not shake off the unsettling feeling that crept it's way slowly up my spine.