The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

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'No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.' -Terry Pratchett

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- Rosalyn

One week later...

"Rose..."

"Rose?"

I hardly register Cora and Lydia calling my name. I've spent the past week not saying much of anything, trapped in my own head. Though, currently I'm trapped by my own reflection. I see hollow, blue eyes staring back at me, knowing that today Richard will steal my identity along with my humanity.

He's already stolen so much and yet I hope...

There is still this paralysing hope at the back of my mind, hope that Caleb gave me. I've been let down constantly, shame on me for believing it again.

Hope has caused me so much grief and heartache.

Why do I keep giving in to its empty promise?

I stand on a small platform as Lydia, Cora, and a few other women I don't recognise, flutter around me, adjusting and fixing my dress. The wedding dress that Richard picked out himself. It's your traditional white but like everything else, Richard added his own distasteful flare to it. The thick, white material of the dress barely reaches my mid thigh with only a thin piece of white, transparent material flowing from my waist and then to the ground. The plunging neckline is completely inappropriate for a wedding and it causes me to cringe every time I look at it.

I've also been given white heels to match. They make it difficult to stand, the backs of my feet begging for me to take them off. I'm not going to give in, right now pain is the only thing reminding me that I'm still human.

And if that wasn't all, he's ordered to have my hair styled up into a decorative bun. Only a few ebony curls are left to frame my empty blue eyes, my eyelids covered in light, red eyeshadow, and my lips painted with red lip gloss.

"Earth to Rose." My eyes focus on the hand Lydia's waving in my face. I arch a brow at her and she smiles sheepishly, "I thought that would get your attention."

"Sorry." I frown, unable to focus on too much of anything. All I can think about is tonight. The thought of me walking down that aisle causes a shiver to run down my spine. I fiddle with my fingers, my eyes flashing apologetically, "I just wish this wasn't happening."

"I know," Lydia sighs softly, the woman around me still fluttering about, fixing my dress. Lydia places her hand over my interlocked ones and I glance at the action, appreciating it. "I'm not going to sugar coat it for you but I can promise that I'll always be here when you need me."

Cora stops fiddling with the ends of my dress to add, "Me too."

A single tear trails down my cheek as I wrap my hands around Lydia's, "Thank you." I glance down at Cora, "Both of you."

My eyes fall on the open doorway when Caleb's entire body fills the gap. His features are hidden by his robe but I know it's him, waiting to escort me closer and closer to Richard.

Is it time already?

"We're finished, Mistress Rosalyn." One of the women announces as the other women filter out of the room, Caleb moving to let them out.