Chapter 7
"Let's stop being formal now, Just Alex is okay," Alex said, and Bella glanced up at him, blinking curiously "Your Highness?" she said, just to make him repeat himself "Alex," he corrected. "Okay... Your... I mean... A... Alex," she stammered "Will you excuse me? I have important duties to take care of," he stood up, and Bella nodded in acknowledgment "Okay," she responded as he exited the dining room.
*****
Isabella stepped out of the dining room and encountered Lady Charlotte and her stepmother, Annabelle, engaged in a conversation. "What are you talking about?" she asked, moving closer to them. Lady Charlotte turned to her with a bright smile and said, "Oh... Bella!" Annabelle, stroking Isabella's hair, exclaimed, "Prince Alexander has just scheduled your wedding for tomorrow! Isn't that amazing?" Annabelle said, grinning with excitement. Bella's eyes widened in shock "What?!" she exclaimed. "Surprise, aren't you?" Annabelle said with a smile. "This is total nonsense! You brought the proposal just days ago, and today I agree to it. You brought me to this strange land on the same day, and now we're getting married tomorrow... What about getting to know each other? Shouldn't we spend more time getting to know each other before rushing into marriage?" Bella ranted, her frustration evident in her voice, Lady Charlotte sighed and stood in front of Isabella "Bella, I understand what you are concerned about, but things don't work that way here. It's our tradition to get to know each other after marriage," Lady Charlotte said. "And what if I don't like his attitude? Will I be trapped in a cage?" Bella responded "Bella, you should comply," Lady Charlotte said with concern, glancing at Annabelle before leaving. After Lady Charlotte left, Annabelle turned to Bella with a wicked stare "Listen, young lady. You will do as I say, and you are getting married to Prince Alexander tomorrow" Bella's heart sank at the thought of getting married to a man she knew nothing about. "I quit," she declared, her voice filled with determination and despair. "Stepmother, can't you see he is cold and heartless? He is just like another prison. I am not marrying him tomorrow," she replied, her voice trembling with conviction Annabelle let out a mocking laugh and sneered, "Very well, quit and prepare to die" she threatened Bella before arrogantly walking away. Tears streamed down Bella's face as she realized that she had no choice but to marry Alexander tomorrow. All of her plans and dreams had vanished, replaced by a future with a stranger.
******
Lady Charlotte led Annabelle, Henry, and Bella to their respective rooms. Bella looked at the extravagant room sadly and went to sleep immediately, not thinking of anything else.
The next morning, Bella woke up hastily, realizing that today was her wedding day. She hurriedly opened the curtains and looked out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the castle servants diligently working. However, to her surprise, she saw none. The courtyard was empty, with no sign of anyone performing their duties "Something's wrong," she said to herself. She remembered coming here yesterday and noticed that the castle was empty even during the day. Lost in her thoughts, Lady Charlotte entered the room, clutching a white gown in her hand her wedding dress "Good morning," Lady Charlotte greeted with a smile. "I want an explanation. There's no one in the castle, so when am I getting married to Prince Alexander?" she questioned, her voice laced with concern Lady Charlotte sighed, her smile fading slightly "Oh... The wedding will take place at night" Lady Charlotte responded and Bella's eyes widened "Night? I've never heard of such" Bella said "Well that's how it is done here am sure you will adapt to it with time" Lady Charlotte replied "But..." Bella said trying to interrupt "Shh... No more questions," Lady Charlotte said and left.
*******
As the night fell, casting long, eerie shadows across the grand hall of the castle, Bella found herself sitting in her room, her mind swirling with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Lady Charlotte's words still echoed in her ears - the realization that she was about to be bound in marriage to someone she barely knew and whose true nature she had yet to discover. The weight of the impending ceremony pressed down on her, making her heart flutter with anxiety. A soft knock on the door pierced through her thoughts, and Bella turned her attention to the entrance. It creaked open to reveal her stepmother, Lady Anabelle, accompanied by a handful of servants, her brows caressed with curiosity how could there be a servant when there was none when she came in "Isabella," Lady Anabelle greeted her with a forced smile, her voice dripping with sweetness. "It is time to prepare for the wedding"
Bella's gaze shifted to the servants, who silently moved around the room, laying out a magnificent ivory gown, adorned with delicate lace and shimmering crystals, her pulse quickened, realizing that this was the precise moment her fate would be sealed.
Her brother, Henry, stood off to the side, his expression a mix of concern and sympathy. He approached Bella and held her hands tightly. "I am sorry, Bella," he whispered, his voice trembling with an undertone of helplessness. "I wish there were another way" Bella mustered a weak smile, grateful for Henry's support. "Thank you, Henry. But this is the path I must walk now. I will face it with as much bravery as I can summon" she responded, Bella took her bath and returned to her bedroom, where the maids were ready to assist her in getting dressed for her wedding. A beautiful, floor-length white wedding dress lay on the bed. The maids carefully seated Bella in front of the dressing screen and reached for the lotion bottle to apply it to her skin. "Allow me," Bella insisted, but the maids declined. "I'm afraid I can't, my lady. We must serve you," one of the maids said politely. They continued to rub the lotion onto her skin, doing their best to be gentle and ensuring Bella's comfort.
As they finished applying the lotion, another maid carefully picked up the wedding dress and held it up for Bella to step into. The maids worked diligently to zip up the back and adjust the dress to fit perfectly on her. After that, they seated Bella in front of the mirror and began applying makeup to her face. Her red hair was tied up in a bun as they put on the veil. Bella looked at her reflection in the mirror, tears streaming down her face. She knew she wouldn't be in this situation if her parents were alive. A tear fell on the face of the maid who was applying makeup, causing her to pause and look at Bella momentarily, but then she continued "My lady, your tears are ruining the makeup," she said politely Bella took a deep breath; she knew she was already on the edge of marrying the mysterious man, but she knew she had to focus on her survival.