The tiara was encrusted with numerous diamonds, and looked like a thousand stars upon fire when Holly placed them her red hair.

"Call me Bianca."

​​

Holly's eyes became wide. "Oh no, Your Highness! I can never do that!" she said and adjusted the tiara. Over that she made her wear a pale crimson veil.

Bianca rolled her eyes. Getting used to this would take a long time. "Why do I have to wear a veil?"

Holly lifted it and folded it back. She said, "Others can't see the queen until after the coronation." She puffed up her sleeves. "It's a small ritual we follow, and it's something we, as your subjects, would love you to follow because— because—" her voice wavered.

"Because?"

"Because we've found you after a long time and want to do everything that we ever wanted to… with you."

Bianca chuckled. The woman sounded so cute.

The doors of the room opened and Brantley walked in. His eyes met hers in the mirror and he froze. Bianca noticed the purple underneath his eyes. He looked tired.

Holly bowed to him and said, "My work here is done my Lord." She rushed out immediately.

Bianca blushed and bit her plump bottom lip and then lowered her gaze.

Attracted like Icarus to the sun, he walked up to her. "You look incredibly beautiful!" he breathed as he traced her blush with his fingers. Lowering his head to her forehead and brushing lips over there, he inhaled her scent. He lowered his mouth to her neck and instinctively Bianca leaned away to give him more access.

'Bite me!' she shouted on the inside. She was not able to control her feelings and a groan escaped her mouth. As if to add to her torture, Brantley grazed his fangs on the skin of her neck and she clutched her dress to stop herself from throwing the man on the bed and exploring him. "Do we have to go to meet some people?" she asked hoping to avoid the embarrassment, which she was about to propel herself in.

He backed himself immediately and chided himself internally for getting swayed by his emotions. "Yes, we have to meet them," he said. "You must meet all of them. They are all eagerly waiting for you in the council meeting room." He lowered her veil and then extended his hand. She took it.

His hands were so soft and warm that she let him cover hers. As he walked through the main hall, every guard stomped their spear and stood straight with the right hand on their heart. "You will be able to meet the rest of my people after your coronation, which is going to take place after we get married."

She didn't say anything. Her heart was throbbing against her rib cage. "Would your people like me?" she asked.

He stopped to look at his veiled mate. "I think they are going to worship you."

"What? Woah!" she almost jumped.

He laughed. "Don't be so nervous at everything I say." He walked tugging her hand lightly.

"What do you expect, Brantley?" she breathed. "I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow."

"Do you want to know?"

She shook her head. She had decided that she is going to take one step at a time.

"Then just trust me," he squeezed her hand and she relaxed instantly.

While she was walking she couldn't help thinking that whatever she felt for Brantley at the moment was pure attraction. It wasn't love. And for her to stay with him, attraction won't be enough. She wanted to fall in love with him, she wanted him to fall in love with her. Perhaps he already was in love with her… But how could that be possible? He hadn't spent even one single day with her. She couldn't shove those thoughts from her mind.

The guards opened a massive wooden door, which again had two dragons crafted on the frames. They stepped into a dome shaped room in the center of which was a large round table. There were no more than ten men and two women sitting at the table. As soon as they saw her, all of them rose to their feet and bowed their head.

Bianca bowed back. Brantley put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the biggest chair that was made of gold and had a blue cushioned seat and back. Right beside it was another chair, slightly smaller, but similarly fashioned. He guided her to sit in that chair and then sat in the one beside her.

The council members sat once the Royals were seated. Arnik sat down to the right of the king. Through her veil, Bianca saw that almost all of them were staring at her, trying their best to make out her features through the pale crimson gossamer.

"The news of the queen's arrival has already traveled throughout the kingdom, Your Majesty's," said a man with deep brown eyes and sandy hair. "People have started traveling to Azelia to see the grand wedding."

"But, I don't want to delay the wedding!" said Brantley as he tapped on the table in front of him.

"No, the ceremony is going to take place right in the morning tomorrow, but you might have to hold a grand feast," said Arnik.

Brantley pinched his temple with his thumb and forefinger. "Okay, you can open the stores of the palace to prepare the feast."

"It won't be necessary, Your Majesty," said Arnik.

"Why?" Brantley's head jerked back. Where would all the food come from? And the grand feast meant thousands would flock the capital. The celebrations would extend for three days at least. On top of that he was worried about Bianca.

"Queen's Uncle from Ixoviya has sent his greetings along with the carriages containing tons and tons of cereal, spices, variety of sauces, flours and so much that I can't recall. The carriages are on their way to Azelia!" said Arnik. "I think he won't be able to attend the function."

Bianca gasped and so did the others. Her Uncle Caleb sure knew how to make a statement. She smiled beneath her veil.

Brantley grinned. "Send him our special thanks."

The council meeting got over soon and Bianca thought that this must be customary, because if there were important matters to discuss, she might have spent longer time there. They got up and walked out of the room first.

Before they reached their bedchamber, a servant announced in the main hall that the dinner was ready and that her family was waiting in the dining hall.

When dinner was over, Bianca returned to her bedchamber and looked at Brantley wondering if he would sleep in the same bed as hers. She went to the dressing room to change into her pajamas. She was impressed that all her clothes were already hanging in their place. She realized that the dressing room had another door, which led to a larger room where Brantley's clothes were hanging and she gaped. The sheer size of the room and the collection the king maintained was crazy. Closing the door quietly, she came to the bedroom, only to see him already on the bed propped up on the elbow, watching her with a smile. She blushed and lowering her head walked to the far side of the bed to lie down. Sleeping with him in the same bed…

"As much as I would love to talk with you, I want you to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day," he said and pulled a silk sheet over her. After kissing her on the forehead, he waved his hand and all the lights extinguished.