Dawn of Arcane Destiny

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Are you sure that you’re ready?” Drayce asked Lillia.

“Yes, Drayce. That’s that fourth time you’ve asked me that. We’ve put this off long enough. Are you ready?” Lillia responded.

Drayce nodded. They stood outside the doors to the throne room, where hundreds of people were gathering, waiting for the couple to be wed. In Remulon there was superstitions about seeing the bride before the ceremony, but apparently there was no such thoughts in Kamasia.

The King would officiate the ceremony, and Lillia knew Drayce hated that detail, but it was traditional. Many Kings in Kamasian history had been wed in the throne room by the King before them. Lillia took a deep breath. In truth she was just as nervous as Drayce, but she made an effort not to show it. She took Drayce’s hands in hers.

“We can do this. Compared to us almost getting killed twice, this is nothing.” She said, trying to instill confidence.

Drayce smiled, “Indeed. I’ll see you in the throne room.” He brought her hand up and kissed it tenderly. Lillia blushed. And then Drayce was gone.

Lillia looked down at her wedding dress, admiring the flowing skirts, in Remulite fashion. The sheer sleeves, trimmed with pearls went down to her elbows before flaring out, long, almost to the floor. The lace on the bodice was exquisite, woven with golden thread. Holy Zavian, was she really doing this?

She was finally marrying Drayce. Drayce Shalddwell.

She smiled thinking back to their first meeting. He had been exceedingly rude and immature. He had deeply hurt her, as well as many times after that. She could smile about it now because she had seen a dramatic change in him. It had taken him forever to except his position, but now that he had, he was going to do great things.

She wasn’t entirely sure where their relationship stood, but they had time to figure that out. For now, things were okay. They were getting along, and believe it or not, that was a big step in the right direction.

Her heartbeat hard with anxiety. Sometimes she wondered if she was meant for this life. If she had been born under different circumstances, she might have been happier. Happiness. What was happiness? Sometimes that felt unattainable. Was she going to be happy with Drayce?

“Lillia.” A voice snapped Lillia out of her thoughts. She looked over at Queen Valloma approaching.

She curtsied. “Your Majesty.”

“Come with me, I have some advice for you.” Valloma said.

Lillia nodded and followed the Queen to a private room. The Queen shut the doors and sat across Lillia.

“Lillia, you’re getting married today, and soon you’ll become Queen. It’s a huge responsibility, but not in the way I think you assume.”

Lillia knit her eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”

Valloma laid her hand on top of Lillia’s. Lillia tried to conceal her surprise. This was the most kindness she had ever received from the Queen.

“You need to understand and accept that you mean nothing to Drayce.” The Queen said.

Lillia almost reared back. “That can’t be true. I must mean something. Even if it’s a small something.”

The Queen shook her head. “Lillia, all you’re here to do is to provide an heir. You’re meant to sit there and look pretty. Your job is to make the King look good.”

Lillia opened and closed her mouth again. What did one say to that? What an atrocious thought. Lillia strongly believed, and always hoped, that her marriage, whether there was love or not, they would be able to treat each other as equals.