EMILY POV
My life had taken a sudden turn when I realized I was being sold to the highest bidder in the bidding war my father had conducted last week. He had proposed to sell me for the alliance of the Sol Kingdom, where it was rumored to be the most dangerous and powerful kingdom in the world.
"Miss Emily, are you thinking about it again?" Sarah asked me. She was the only companion and friend I had here in our kingdom, apart from my mom.
"What if the rumors are true? What if I am going to the devil's hell?" I replied.
"I heard you are going to marry the last prince of the Sol Kingdom, who is the most wicked human being ever known."
My father had married me off because of the war we were currently facing; he needed an ally. The best way to make an ally was through marriage, and females were always sold for a marriage pact. We didn't have a say in our lives.
"I need to get ready; today is the wedding. Bring me my clothes; I don't want to be late for my own wedding," I said, looking down and feeling like I had no choice.
I gazed at the elegant blue dress in front of me, something beautiful I had never seen before. I had always imagined this day, but with the man from my dreams, not this Demon I had never met.
With Sarah's help, I put on the clothes and turned back to look at myself in the mirror. I couldn't believe what I saw; it looked like I was not the person in the mirror but an angel who had been sent from heaven. Yet, something deep inside me made me unhappy.
"It is time, my princess. You need to go to the ballroom now," my personal guard yelled from the door as he opened it. Sarah helped me with the gown from the back and walked with me down the corridor. I could see all the flowers and chairs in our garden, indicating that many important people were attending this wedding.
Some were just waiting in line to see the princess who had never shown her face outside and the Demon prince she was about to marry.
"Oh, see my beautiful sister! I wish I could marry you myself, but it is not possible. You look like an angel, Emily," Darion complimented me. He was my twin brother, and we were very close. He always helped me when I was alone and lonely, but our father didn't allow him to see me or talk to me often. He was always training and hunting; he was the child everyone admired, while I was often overlooked.
"Let me walk you to the ballroom," he smiled brightly, and he was very handsome. I had seen some handsome men in the books of the library—young princes and beautiful knights from other kingdoms. But my father had decided to sell me to an unknown man who had never allowed any painter to draw him.
Some people speculated that maybe he was a Demon and had horns and red eyes with a long tail, which was why he never allowed them to take his image.
My brother and I walked down the stairs of the hallway to the ballroom, and I was surprised to see many powerful people in the room. They were all gazing at me.
I could hear whispers, people saying things like I was unlucky to be getting married to the rumored wicked and Demon prince. Some were whispering, while others were mesmerized by my dress.
We walked toward the chairs, and I saw my father and mother sitting beside each other. I bowed down in front of them; my mom smiled happily toward me, while my dad paid no attention to me. He just wanted to sell me off, gain his ally, and become one of the most powerful kings in the world.
As I sat down in my chair, my brother gave me a peck on the cheek and left to sit down in his chair.
Immediately, as my brother sat down, my father stood up to give his speech. The way he stood and spoke showed his commanding presence.
"Today, we come here to celebrate the wedding of my lovely daughter, Emily," he started.
Did he just call me his lovely daughter? He had never said any nice words to me before.
"As she weds one of the princes of the Sol Kingdom today, Prince Eron, please stand up and let us welcome him."
As my father mentioned his name, I looked down because I didn't want everyone to see the sadness on my face as I faced the Demon I was about to marry. I heard the gate open; suddenly, there was a lot of noise and murmurs because of him.
Even my mother gasped, and I was sure it was because of the way he looked. I didn't know if he had a long tail or a short one.
I decided to summon some courage and face my fears to look at the man I was getting married to.
To my surprise, I was astounded, and I lost my breath. I couldn't breathe for a few seconds because of how he looked. I had never seen someone like this before; I expected to see red skin with big horns and a tail, but none were there—just a handsome young man.
I could see the faces of the other ladies in the court; some fainted while others were at a loss for words. The way he walked commanded presence; his perfectly chiseled jaw and flawless skin made me realize he was the opposite of what people said about him.
He walked toward me and stood in front of me. He extended his arm for me to grab onto and took me forward as my father formally offered my hand in marriage.
As the guards stood in formation, we walked toward where the priest was now at the pulpit.
"Prince Eron, do you hereby proclaim my daughter, Princess Emily of Arendell, to be your lovely wife?" the priest asked, and I could feel the tension in the air.
He stood tall; his face never changed. He looked at me, and I could see that he was forced to do this.
"Yes, I promise to protect her and guide her. She will have a place at my table and at my bed for now and forever," he replied.
Women never had a say in the wedding; only the men did. We were regarded as property to be sold off
to anybody.
"You can now lock your bride," the priest said.---