Engagement
“Daphne… Daphne!” Called my lady in waiting, Elora, whilst I sat stunned by the message I had just received. Waving her hand in front of my face, my best friend attempted to get my attention. “Daphne… I’m sure we can figure something out. Would you please look at me!” Blinking through the haze, my mind latched onto her voice, allowing me to pull myself from my stupor. After a few seconds, my stormy grey eyes met with her worried chestnut ones.
“Father has agreed on a proposal.” It wasn’t a question, though I hoped Elora would answer that this was all a joke. Her usual playful nature, however, had faded which reassured me this was actually happening. I didn’t realize I had been holding in a breath until I began to feel faint. Releasing the air held captive within my lungs, I glanced back at the letter Elora had delivered just minutes before.
I could feel her eyes on me as my eyes trailed the paper again, wishing this time it would read differently. “Tell your parents how you feel.” Elora commented, fully understanding the consequences of breaking off such an engagement.
My eyes remained glued to the letter in my hands. After a few more minutes of silence I closed my fist, molding the once seamless paper into a crumpled heap within my hand before tossing it rather carelessly into the trash bin beside me. “I assume my father will hold a ball as a means of celebration?”
Elora gave a small nod, chucking lightly while she did so. “You know it, your mother has already sent for a dress to be made. I overheard gossip in the kitchens, the ball is set three days from now. The Prince is going to parade you around like a prize… it’s sickening.” Although I felt more like a possession rather than a prize, I understood the meaning. It would take a miracle to break free of this engagement, a miracle I probably wouldn’t get. “I’ve also been told to inform you that the Shadow Moon Alpha has arrived.”
Pushing myself abruptly from my desk, I stood before turning to capture Elora’s eyes with my own. “Please tell my father I feel faint and wish to be left alone until dinner. I will be back with enough time to get ready.” Instead of waiting for a response, I turned towards the doors which led to my wardrobe before letting myself inside. Its spacious walls displayed hundreds upon hundreds of tailored dresses, mainly because of my status. Without so much as a thought, I grasped one of the many wooden hangers before sliding off the long, black cloak which hung from it. I pulled the cloak on, securing the large hood over my head as a means to effectively hide my features before turning back to my friend. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so…”
Without a moment's hesitation, Elora smiled sadly. “I can’t begin to understand what you are feeling right now. Go, get away from here and clear your head.” She began to bristle past me and towards my bedroom door, pulling my arm along with her as she did so. “Be safe. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.” Was all she said as she opened the door before quickly scurrying off.
I stood in the doorway for a few moments, my mind still attempting to grasp the information for which it was just given. Unshed tears threatened to spill, burning my eyes as I swiftly made my way down the empty corridor. This day had been bound to come, I just thought I had a little bit more time before my father made a decision. This man - this prince - was someone whom I had never met, someone who had never attempted to court me before and it filled me with uneasiness. The letter was clear, not only was I to marry this man in a matter of four short days, but I was to move back with him to reside in his kingdom.
I wondered if he was nice. If he was honest and smart, or if he was handsome. What if I was being forced to spend the remainder of my life in a dreadful marriage with a monstrous husband? I took comfort in the fact that Elora would be by my side throughout this change. As my lady-in-waiting, she would be accompanying me to my new husband's kingdom. We are stuck with each other for life, though I don't think either one of us would ever complain about such an arrangement.
As I turned the corner which led outside, I was surprised to collide with something- no, someone. The impact had pushed me against the wall, but the other girl was sent crashing to the floor.
“Oh!” The gasp that left my lips was futile in helping the poor girl. A soft grunt met my ears and I rushed forward to assist in any way I could. “I’m terribly sorry… I didn't see you…” I extended my arm as I spoke, grasping her hand while she attempted to sit herself upright.
The young woman's face was concealed by her curly blonde hair which looked to be a tad bit shorter than mine. Her free hand came up and moved it away, revealing warm, forest green eyes that resembled the forests surrounding our kingdom. Her dress was a few shades lighter than her eyes, but I think it complemented her exceptionally. It was a very stylish dress and looked to be made of cotton with a trail of dark brown buttons trailing along her chest and down to her waist.
The dazed look on her face only lasted for a few moments before she accepted my aid and allowed me to help her stand upright. I stifled a smile when she exaggerated a motion to dust herself off from the fall. Once the girl was confident the dirt on her dress had returned to its home on the floor, she turned to address me with a smile.
“It's quite alright, I've surprisingly had worse.” She joked while regarding the bits of fabric that poked from beneath the cloak. I realized my face was still concealed by the hood, so I quickly folded it back to rest atop my shoulders. My waist length, wavy brown hair tumbled out of its confines and rested against my back as her eyes widened in shock. “You’re in all of the paintings around the palace… youre the princess, aren’t you?”
Of course she had seen the paintings. My parents, the king and queen, were insistent on displaying our royal lineage throughout the entirety of the palace halls. Each generation had multiple, if not dozens of portraits drawn throughout their lifetime which now hung for everyone to see. “You are very observant.” I said with a laugh as I gave a slight bow. “I’m Daphne Ellsworth.”
“Goddess,I was right - I ran into the freaking princess!” She gasped, a bow similar to mine immediately following her exclamation. “They’re not going to charge me with treason for running into you, are they?” It was easy to tell the girl was joking, but I thought I sensed a bit of fear in her words as well.
I chuckled. “I’m fairly certain you’ll live, Mrs…” I trailed, waiting for her to finish my sentence.
“Oh, I completely forgot to introduce myself! I'm Opal from the Shadow Moon pack. We are only here for a few days since Alpha has business with the king - er, I mean your father.” A blush formed along her cheeks as she stumbled over her last few words.
“I was informed by my friend that the Alpha had arrived, it's very nice to meet you! I’m guessing you are the luna of the pack since you’re here with the Alpha?” She definitely looked like a luna with her calming smile and perfect posture. “You should know, Alphas and Lunas are treated as royalty here. The title carries here just as it would if you were back home with your pack.” I added, wanting to give her reassurance of her safety within the kingdom.
Opals blush grew deeper as I spoke, turning from a light pink to a bright crimson. “Oh no, I'm n- not… the Alpha doesn’t have a mate. I am mated to the beta of the pack, Westley.” I didn't miss the stutter in her voice when she mentioned the Alpha.
I felt embarrassed by my misjudgement. “That must be so lonely for him. I hope he is able to find her soon so you all can have your rightful Luna.” I wasn't too familiar with wolf customs, but I knew the importance of the Luna within a pack and how she brings the Alpha the light he needs to rule.
“Honestly, I hope so as well. Alpha Sorin has been on edge lately… his mate will be able to calm his beast once they meet. We are holding a ball in a few short weeks and inviting all unmated females to attend so he can hopefully find her.” Opal said while she brought her leather purse to her front. I watched as she rummaged through the contents for a moment before removing a thin piece of colored paper and holding it out towards me. “Here, this is an invitation for you. I think it would be unique to have royalty attend our little soiree.”
Sadness overcame me as I realized I would not be able to attend. My prison sentence was set to begin in just a few days, and I was sure the prince would not allow me to leave his palace to attend a werewolf ball. Just as I was about to tell her my thoughts, her eyes suddenly shifted towards the wall beside us. They held their position, unmoving as the seconds ticked by.
I counted to a full minute before Opals trance seemed to break, causing her eyes to meet mine once more. “Speaking of mates, that was mine. I’m sorry to cut this short, but they need me in the library.”
“Nonsense, there’s no need to be sorry. It’s just around this corner at the very end of the hallway on your left!” After giving her the instructions, I pulled the hood back over my head to conceal myself once again.
Her eyes glazed over once more, seemingly focused on nothing in particular as the seconds ticked by. Her eyes then came back into focus, “That’s him again, I’d better get going before he hunts me down… literally. I’ll see you later, Daphne!” Opal chimed before slipping around the corner and towards the library
After watching the blonde disappear from sight, the heaviness which had previously occupied my mind made its presence known once again. It was weird, I thought, how speaking to someone could free me of such darkened thoughts. With a heavy sigh, I hugged my cloak tighter around my body before making my way to the stables.
