Chapter 7

• Arianna didn’t sleep that night. She was thinking her father’s words.  She couldn’t understand why he would want Keiran dead. He treated them nice, and overall nothing went bad. 
• But then again, there was a moment where they went outside, Keiran and Eris, and talked about the deal further more. 
• Maybe something went wrong on that point. 
• At the same time, her father was trying to convince her that he is truly a barbarian. The truth is she knows nothing about him and she has heard the bad things he has done. 
• But she doesn’t feel unsafe when she is around Keiran. She feels that he gets her even though they had like three conversations. 
• The day was passing by planning about the wedding. Not many nobles were invited, just the people of the city.
• Keiran is meeting with Eris to make plans about the future after the wedding. Arianna hasn’t seen him all day as she is trying on dresses that are just made for her. 
• A woman enters the room. She has black hair and black eyes with a scary look. She smiles wide and that’s even creepier.
• “My beloved princess, you look so beautiful” she says but Arianna can see it’s all an act. She actually knows her. She is the woman that appeared a little before her mother’s death and since then has been the mistress of her father. 
• “Cecile, I didn’t see you coming with father”.
• “True, You father had to leave as soon as possible since he learned you are alive, but I wasn’t in the Kingdom at the time so, I arrived today for the wedding my dear!”.
• Arianna holds herself from punching her. Cecile is the reason Arianna was matched with the previous Emperor. Deep down she knows; Cecile is the reason Eris killed his wife, Arianna’s mother. 
• “Let me help you my princess!” she forces herself in between the maids and grabs the cloth that Arianna wears. She pulls it hard, making it impossible for Arianna to breathe. 
• “Stop this!” a voice screams. It is Zoe, finally arrived in the room. 
• “Who you think you are?! Do you know who are you talking to?!” Cecile screams like a wild dog and raises her hand to hit her.
• Arianna grabs her hand and won’t let go. 
• “Don’t you dare touch what is mine. Get out now” her voice is intimidating and makes Cecile feel terror. Immediately, she runs outside.
• Zoe grabs her dress and puts it in place. 
• “Thank you” Arianna speaks. 
• “No, thank you. I won’t let that bitch near you” Zoe defends her. 
• Arianna laughs and grabs her in her arms, hugging her. 
• Outside, the place was getting decorated for the wedding. The people started arriving and there was no hustle just like Keiran had it planned.
• He is standing there, wearing white silk clothes. Arianna’s dress is made from the same material, it looks like they are matching. Her hair are made into a low bun with her bangs showing on the front. 
• She stands right next to him, feeling her heart beating fast. This isn’t the first time something like this happens to her. She got married before, but this is different. 
• She isn’t afraid of their first night. 
• Her father is standing there with his mistress next to him and Cassius a bit further away. She wants to fix her relationship with her brother. He has always there for her, protecting her from harm. 
• She sees Roen and a man she hasn’t seen before; it’s Yaro. Till now he was trying to put order in the whole city and taking care of things. 
• She realises Eve isn’t there. 
• ‘Of course. Her lover is getting married’. 
• The ceremony seems different. She notices that the priest is saying different words. This must be another ritual. 
• “...The strings of fate brought you together” he says while tying a red ribbon across their hands.
• “No one can separate that bond that is being created now. Whichever decision one of you makes, it will affect the other. You are bound, forever”. 
• Suddenly, everything clicks. It’s like she can see the red string spreading across the world and connecting them. She feels that he was far away from her, all this time, but the string brought them together. 
• She stares at him with pupils dilated. It seems he also got the flow and won’t take his eyes off of her. 
• “Now, kiss so the bond will be sealed” and with that, Keiran bends over.
• His face is close to hers now. He gently grabs her cheek and pulls her forward. He then presses his lips on hers. Arianna’s heart is beating so fast, she feels like butterflies are in her stomach. 
• She feels that this small moment is happening in slow motion. 
• ‘Why a small thing like this makes me feel this way?’. 
• Little did she know that this night will turn up bloody.