One Night Of A Thousand And One

O N E (1)

The street lights brighten up the dark alley as the cold night invaded the busy town. The place was noisy as it was in the day, a woman has been chosen for the king to marry, yet the town folks know nothing about it.

Is she an earl? A marquis? A daughter of a duke? A countless? She could be one of those, but she may not be.

The metal gates slid open, allowing the horses to pull through. A minute later the clacking and clicking of the carriage has come to a halt-- and so was her breathing. She have arrived to the place which might be the place of her demise, and if she's lucky, she might be able to see the sun rise again.

It's terrifying.

She could hear her heart beating loudly, as if screaming to run away, runaway from the huge and dark mansion owned by the king she never met but heard a thousand stories. No one in town knowns how their king looks, how he talks, all they know is that he live in his castle far away from the town, doing his job as a king, to rule his kingdom.

"Madame, we have arrived" said the coachman. The carriage door open, revealing the huge mansion.

Lucia gather her skirt with her delicate hands and step down the carriage, the cold wind touch her bare skin softly. Her eyes roam the feature of the castle, just like any fairy tales she read, it was huge, surrounded with roses, but unlike the books, this castle looks so empty.

The double door opened, revealing an old man in a suit. "Your Majesty, I am the head butler of this manor, together with ten other maids, we will do our best to serve you well" Lucia gave off a slight smile, "Please follow me to the dressing room" and so she did.

Lucia walk behind the old man without any questions. She doubt to receive an an answer so she stayed silent.

The corridor filled with beautiful decorations felt empty and lonely as the two of them walk, only their footstep was audible. Lucia felt a sort of relief when they didn't encounter any servant, she doesn't want to be welcomed by any of them, to be greeted as a queen. Lucia felt herself scoff from such thought, the thought of being a queen. She doubt that she's suited for the role, she's just a young girl living in the woods, and oh god, it was peaceful until those men knock on her small, oak, door.

The old man stop in front of a door which seem to be the dressing room. Knock, knock, knock, and the door was open, revealing a young girl in a maid clothing. "Your Majesty, this is the handmaiden, she'll be assisting you from now on" The old man, with his hands on his chest, bowed down and left, leaving the two young girls alone. "Madame, please do come inside." And so she did.

The room, despite being called a dressing room, was insanely huge. It was painted with white and red with a touch of gold from the corner, a huge floor to ceiling window was on the opposite direction which Lucia was standing with a huge red curtain attached to it, paintings on the ceiling and a chandelier hanging on the middle. The place was magnificent, but it wasn't enough to convince herself on staying.

The handmaiden did her job, despite being uncomfortable, Lucia let her change her clothes. She wanted to insist doing it by herself, but she doubt she'll win the argument and so she stayed silent like a good girl that she should be.

Lucia stared at herself on the mirror as her handmaiden braid her golden hair. "I haven't receive your name did I?" Lucia look at the handmaiden who was baffled by the sudden question. "Oh, forgive me your majesty, my name is Arees" The young handmaiden continued her work and Lucia watched her through the mirror. She looks so young, maybe she's at the same age as her, or maybe younger. She let out a soft yet short chuckle, "No need to be so formal with me," A soft smile, yet full of sorrow was etched on her face.

The wedding ceremony started with only a decent amount of visitors from the king and she knows none of them, nor can she make a clear view of them because of the veil that covers her and the the people around her.

Lords and ladies, count and countess, duke and duchesses, high people that are close to the king were present, it was just a day ago that they received an invitation that the king, the man who rule the estate is getting married to someone they know less. Oh sure they know who the lady beside him, but only by the information given to them by the king, they have known about her existence long before, but they only know her name, and a little of her background, just like every other lady in town who are chosen as the king's woman.

Fear have invaded her mind, she was told before she came in this place, that she will die the morning comes. She's scared, but what soothes her mind is the fact that she will no longer have to live in such a hell of a place.