The maids are busy packing my things inside a suitcase. My dreary eyes followed the stacks of my own luggage piling up. And then it hit me.

I'm really going to marry Grand Duke Alcide.

It was dawn, the sunlight is starting to reflect on the clouds turning it into yellow-orange. The birds were singing, celebrating for a new day. The smell of a warm breakfast prepared by our chef infiltrate my nose, guess I won't be able to eat his cook from now on.

When I look at myself in the mirror with the cloth covering my bare shoulder and wearing only my white nightgown, I can't help but to noticed the dark bags around my eyes.

"You look pale Miss," the maid commented while brushing my hair.

I couldn't sleep anymore. How can I? When time is running so fast. My heart is beating so loud. The more seconds pass by, my death is approaching.

And before I blink my eyes, the door suddenly open causing for us to turn our heads to the rude person who arrived. She stormy walk closer to me with her soft slippers on. Surely, her piercing fiery eyes will make a hole on my body.

"Is it true?"

"Alliyah..."

"You're leaving?"

I avoided her stares. Even I don't want to leave and rather take all the harsh words of our parents. But I can't and this is a cruel world.

"Then I shall come with you."

"No," I firmly replied. Her thick eyebrows met. Alliyah is kind, she is not suited to come along with me in Arello. She's too good for a sister and I realized that when I can't fly into the dreamland.

Perhaps the reason why I can take all the blames for her. I hold no grudge against her and I treat her just like a real sister. Now, I'm wishing that by marrying the tyrant Grand Duke will make her life happier.

I don't care about our lands nor the wealth. By all means, she can have it if she wants. As long as she smiles without having wrinkles on her forehead then my heart will be at ease.

My eyes turned soft. I long to be like her.

"Sister! You will marry Grand Duke Alcide. I know you heard quite a few rumors about him. You will not go," she demanded blocking the path to my wardrobe.

"I don't have a choice Alliyah," I sigh.

"Should I go there instead and marry him?"

I froze. 

Not believing that I blurted yesterday night of what she said today. I must be delusional due to lack of sleep. Hearing it from her own mouth was like a ridiculous idea that my conscience should devour me alive.

"You're fourteen, you can't marry yet."

Hating to admit, but father was right. If ever, I will not be able to glance her brightest smile than the star because of my selfishness surely, I will hate myself.

When I was done changing into a simple dress, I could still hear Alliyah's voice insisting while following me outside of the gates of our manor. The butlers carried my luggage and place it at the back of the carriage.

"So, this is a goodbye?"

She sniffed and her eyes turned puffy when her tears slowly fell down. Nose that became pinkish and her shoulders that won't stop shaking. From the inside of my pocket, my clean handkerchief wiped her teardrops.

"Stay alive, okay?" she begged.

I nodded. "The best that I can."

Yet, she cried even more. "Don't forget to write me a letter."

"Okay."

"If you don't reply. I will assume that you're dead."

I chuckled to assure her while she just pout. "I will reply as fast that I can."

My eyes roamed around the surroundings. I breathe in the cool breeze of the morning then exhaled the heaviness of feeling in my chest. As I stare at the mansion where I grew up with these family that can't be called home, at long last. I will leave this place.

Although, I already knew that a worse situation was waiting for me at the other side.

"I'm off to go."

I was about to take a step inside of the carriage when I heard a familiar shout from my behind. I turned around to see my personal maid, Celine. She was running fast, out of breath with a suitcase on her hand.

"My lady! I will come with you."

"Pardon?" She ceased at my front. Panting, catching her life with a hand on her up-and-down chest.

"I already got permission from the Count. Take me with you."

In the end. They decided not to see me off for the last time, his only child to his first wife. Not that I'm expecting to at least see their faces before departing. I wish their lives will get better after being gone here.

"Celine, you know it's dangerous."

"I know very well. That's why I decided to come along."

Massaging my temple did not help me to sink the words she implied in my brains. Not you too. It was already hard for me to convinced Alliyah.

"No," that fast rejection.

"My lady! I've given you my oath from the day that you found me starving on the street, I will do whatever it takes for you to be safe."

Celine. What should I do when you look at me with your eyes burning with passion? Your stubbornness seems familiar that I'm guessing you must have it learn from me for the longest time of being together. Not bad.

"Sister, take her. That way, I will be relief," Alliyah also plead.

"Fine," I surrender with lost for words. They're unbelievable. "Now, let's leave, shall we? Before the night overcome the day."

I know for sure; it will take weeks to arrive in Arello from the Claintery Empire just by the transportation of a carriage.

While we were on the street, I satisfy myself from watching the kids play on the outside of the windows without agitation if there is still a tomorrow waiting for them. Must be nice to be a child again.

Sitting across to me was my maid indulging herself with knitting. Normally, the servants should ride another carriage separate from their masters. Since, I requested for her to be with me, she can't oppose.

Yes. How nostalgic, remembering that night. I closed my eyes when my mind walks in the past. Taking a glimpse of the memories that almost had forgotten.

She was the maid that I pick up on the cold street. It was winter that time. In the corner of a famous restaurant after we had a family dinner, I found her shivering. Her pale lips were trembling and her breath was visible in the air as she tries to warm her hands that didn't bother wearing gloves.

Beside her was an old luggage. Her clothes were like the rags that used to wipe the vases in our mansion. But I must say. If she will take a proper groom, she will be a beauty. So, I approach her with the intention of keeping her by my side.

"My lady, what are you thinking so deeply that you'll smile alone?"

I snickered. She was the only person who understand me and treat me better. The only person that I consider as my friend. And will stay the same.

"Just nothing. May I ask, what will the first thing you will do after arriving at Arello?"

"That's not something to bother questioning. Of course, I will assist you."

"Oh my, you're very loyal that I feel honored." I leaned my head on the windshield as my stares glued on her past time.

"What is that for anyway?"

She raised her almost half-done knitted jacket with a wide smile plastered on her face. "This My Lady?"

"Hmm."

"It's for you. I heard that it's becoming cold in Arello now. We must be prepared," she stated with full of dedication while continuing knitting.

"You're quite skilled," I complimented her. Doing the work while talking is something a distraction for me. Because I am the type of a person, to do it one at the time.

"My lady, you flatter me too much."

Then night came. We need to find a place that serve supper and a room to sleep before departing again at dawn.

"We will stay at this inn for the meantime, My lady. Please watch your step," she said while assisting me getting down on the carriage.

The pocket money that I saved was slowly having their chance to be spend. My father, did not bother providing me expenses for the journey which I just sigh on how stingy he could be.

For that reason, to ensure our budget will last until we arrive in Arello, we paid for the cheapest room and bought what commoners usually eats. A hard bread, just like the bed when I lied down.

I never imagine that a day will come to let me experience how difficult life is. Now, I miss the food that was served on our glass table by our chefs which I can't appreciate before.

Morning and night keep interchanging for countless times. We have been doing the same routine almost every day yet in different places.

And long finally last, I saw hope. Faraway from my eyes, I look up only to see the shining castle in the center of the towns. Of course, he lived in that palace.

The carriage pass by a knight that guards the entrance with an overwhelming gate. Our pace slowed down as his eyes roamed to our vehicle for inspection. When he saw our family crest, a symbol of nobility. Without a doubt, he bowed his head with courtesy and greeted us. "Welcome to Celtic."

Right.

Celtic, one of the lands in Arello, where the Grand Duke's main residence resides. I've done my research such as reading their history as my weapon before deploying myself in the battlefield.

I must say, his town was properly taken care off. I rarely witness people in the slums and almost everyone is working with a smile on their face. I wonder if it's also like that to the other lands that he possess.

As the horse continue on their way. The castle is drawing closer and my heartbeat suddenly started thumping. The mischievous butterflies were flying in my stomach, I bit my lips to suppressed my nervous veins.

I gulped down the bump in my throat when the carriage entered once again an enormous gate but this time, it was for the castle. This is it.

The wheels made a sound of brake at the front of the huge door with the maids and butlers lining up to greet the passenger.

"Welcome Madam!" they lively said in chorus when the carriage's door opened.

I nodded in respond.

A guy wearing an eyeglass walk closer to me with a warm smile. He's wrinkles on his forehead were visible yet he's body were still firm. Fastest than the lightning, he offered his hand to assist me getting down which I gratefully accepted.

"Welcome, I am Jackson the Head Butler."

"Greetings. I am Madelaine Austria from the house of Count Austria. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"No, Madam. The pleasure is all mine. Now, I shall guide you to your room." He gave a signal to the others to carry all of my luggage.

"Yes, this is Celine. May she stay as my personal maid?" I pointed my back where I can feel the presence of my friend as she follows us inside.

"Of course, Madam! there will be no problem with that."

"Thank you."

I instantly notice the endless carpet with the color of blood on the vast hallway as we wal. We have reached the silver stair with a chandelier hanging on the middle that left me with an awe impression. It was incomparable to our mansion that I slightly felt belittle.

"This will be your room from now on Madam. I shall give you a tour later. By then, please rest first from your long journey."

"Alright."

The door closed while our jaw has dropped with astonish in our eyes. The room was elegantly design with white mixed with color of the ocean that slightly calm my nerves. It was ten times bigger than my room before. 

"My lady, this is amazing!"

I agree.

Celine roamed around to take herself a little trip in my room. Meanwhile, I sat down on the bed and feel its softness, after so many days of hardships. Finally.

Wait a second. This isn't the time to be chilling. I should take this time to process everything. They already address me full of respect expecting that I will be already the Grand Duchess of this place. I haven't even thought that I will last long here.

Then I realized that the Grand Duke didn't even show up when I arrived. It's rude however I felt relieved.

It was necessary to greet the person who will you marry the first thing she got off from the carriage. The purpose was to represent the owner of the house as well as courtesy but when the head butler come up to you, it only means one thing...

He doesn't welcome you.

Well good for me, my heart isn't prepared yet. I survived for the meantime. Perhaps, he must hate the idea of marriage. Because for I know, he is Grand Duke Alcide Cajarte. A lover of war, how could he settle for a peace treaty. Never.

"My lady, you should take off your shoes before sleeping."

Instinctively, my tired eyes closed on its owned and my mind drift away from the reality to a heavenly place. I ignored Celine and let the tender pillows swallow me into a deep slumber.

I sailed at the dreamland for an hour. Yet, when I woke up, I saw how the orange clouds slowly fade at the huge glass window and the glimpse of the beautiful sunset turned darkness. Where the moon reigns among the stars.

Celine must have changed my clothes into a comfortable one while I was sleeping. Although, I can't seem to find a single trace of her being in my room. Where did she might be wandered off?

"Kyaaaaaaah!"

Then I suddenly heard a loud scream. I paused before my eyes went wide, realizing that it was her voice. I found myself running on the hallway where Celine's yell came from, barefooted and a messy hair that I didn't pay attention.

My feet froze and didn't dare to take a step backward. I've return at the entrance of this insane castle. My heart went crazy at the thought of running away however my body feels like it was stuck. 

The rumors were true.

Blood covered, dripping on the red carpet that support as its own purpose which is to hide the stains. I found Celine with her collapsed trembling knees, hugging tightly herself.

Then I met his gaze, and forgot how to breath. His blue eyes sent shivers to my body. The wild presence of killing intent that I have never felt before, made me look down. A sight of the fresh blood was enough for the dizziness to wrap me, a hint of me fainting.

My palm covered my mouth and nose as I smelled the stinky dead people from his drenched clothes. When I can't take it anymore, the darkness is devouring me. Before I even lose my consciousness, I saw how he just gave me a cold stare when I fell down.