"Announcing the entry of the Fourth Princess of Teran, bride of our Commanding Seventh Prince!"

  Lina jumped at the loud announcement, followed by deafening cheers and screams. She turned to the carriage window, shifted her veil aside, and pulled back the curtains, her eyes widening in surprise.

  Colorful banners hung from buildings as tall as three or four storeys high. Laughter and chatter hummed amongst the crowd, who were excited for this event. The streets were flooded red from people waving their handkerchiefs. Everyone filled the road leading up to the palace, but were held back by Ritan soldiers.

  "Look, Mama, there's the carriage!"

  "Thank goodness the war is over!"

  "Did you hear? It was the Prince who proposed this!"

  Lina wanted to peek out the window, but couldn't. There were soldiers closely guarding the carriage window. She knew it'd be inauspicious if someone were to see her face. With heavy reluctance, she let the curtains fall back into place.

  "Papa, look, look!"

  "The Princess is waving!"

  Lina had stuck out her hand to greet everyone. She was grateful for their kind welcome and wondered what it was like for her half-sisters. The ones that were forced off into marriage must've made their apparent hatred for the foreign country known.

  Lina was educated on the politics of the palace. Although the Imperial Family would never consider the commoners' opinions, it was still good to appeal to them. Thus, Lina continued waving her hand, until her wrist grew sore and she found it difficult to do so.

  "Princess, we're nearing the Fifty Steps to the Golden Staircase soon," one of the soldiers whispered to her from the window.

  Lina took that as the sign to pull her hand back. She rested in the carriage, rolling her shoulders and adjusting her veil in place. Sure enough, the carriage came to a halt. She was confused, but then, realized the wheels were efficiently taken off. Her eyes went wide when she heard footsteps quickly approaching.

  Not a second later, the carriage was on the move again. This time, by multiple men who hoisted the heavy carriage up the staircase.

  Lina froze, doing her best to sit still to not cause any difficulties to them. After a while, the noise from the crowd died off into the distance. There was a stifling silence as the men worked hard to walk up the staircase.

  Festive music soon filled the air, accompanied by loud animal skin drums, stringed instruments, and then, the loud voice.

  "Here arrives the Fourth Princess of Teran, soon-to-be wife of our Commanding Seventh Prince!"

  There it was again. The word "Commanding."

  Lina wondered if Kade was a Commander. Her stomach twisted at the thought.

  How many lives had he taken? How many of her people had he murdered?

  Lina didn't dare to judge. How many of Ritan's soldiers had her older sister slain? How much blood was on their hands?

  "Princess," one of the maidservants whispered from the doorway.

  The carriage hadn't been placed down yet. Lina nervously gulped at what was to come.

  "I'm ready," Lina stated.

  The wooden doorway of the carriage was pulled open. The red curtains swayed against the soft breeze. Soon, a set of small steps were laid out before her.

  Lina carefully placed one foot onto the first step followed by the other, revealing her shiny red shoes. Soon, she was walking down the stepping stool.

  Gasps accompanied her action.

  "Truly, they did not lie…"

  "Look at her…"

  When the horrible Emperor of Teran had promised Ritan his favored Princess, they didn't think he'd keep his word.

  Soon enough, this woman, decorated in all the white, red, and yellow gems in the world, was the epitome of a favored Princess. Her wedding dress and accessories were something normal families couldn't afford even if they worked for their entire lives.

  "Look at the Prince… Impossible."

  Whispers one after the other.

  "Is he really—"

  "He is—"

  Lina bumped into something hard. She froze, terrified that she had made a mistake. Now, they'd all laugh at her.

  Lina was certain the entire ministry and court of Ritan were present in the palace courtyard. She was horrified at the thought of embarrassing herself in front of so many people.

  "My wife," a voice spoke.

  Lina's heart skipped. His tone was harsh, but she could feel the warmth of his body. She saw his white shoes lined with red threads stop in front of her. Then, something grabbed her hand.

  "This way, dove."

  Lina immediately relaxed. For some reason, she was at ease with the man that smothered her mouth and threatened to gut her like a fish.

  Lina hesitatingly accepted his outstretched hand.

  "Did you see that?!"

  "Of course I did, I'm not blind!"

  "The Seventh Prince… he smiled."

  Lina blinked. Why were they making a big deal out of a husband greeting his wife? Didn't they see this in every wedding? Perhaps, they were expecting Lina to cry and shove her husband away.

  "You're beautiful, dove," Kade mused.

  Kade's fingers tightened around her hand.

  Now that Lina had given him her hand in marriage, Kade didn't plan on letting it go. This woman belonged to him now. This innocent little wife of his.

  "Perhaps I should call you Phoenix," Kade teased. "You're as red as one."

  Lina thought he was referring to her hand, but she felt heat on her neck. Lina knew she had blushed all the way to her throat. Pressing her lips together, she said nothing.

  Lina was guided down a winding path of red carpet. She was mindful of her steps, but he walked incredibly fast.

  "P-please wait," Lina whispered, nearly tripping.

  "Ah, so she speaks," Kade taunted, but walked slower for her.

  "Hush…" Lina mumbled.

  Kade's heart twitched at her sweet voice. He had an urge to pull off her veil and see the blush with his naked eyes. There was something about her shaking fingertips that made his groin tighten with want.

  "Slower," Lina urged him.

  "You like things slow?" Kade teased, but she didn't respond.

  Kade let out a soft chuckle. Cute.

  Kade was humored by how small she was. What took him one step took her two. She was slow on her feet. Where was that dashing young fighter on the tournament grounds? His lips twitched. She was holding herself back.

  "The Emperor and Empress are standing on top of the staircase," Kade quietly warned her, for he knew she could not see properly.

  "Thank you…" Lina shyly mumbled.

  With the people present, the wedding music, and the glaring red, this wedding was becoming much more real. Lina's heart skipped with each step she took up the staircase. Her palm grew sweaty with anxiety and she found her legs beginning to freeze.

  Lina was really getting married. This was reality.

  "Relax, dove," Kade warned her, tugging her up the staircase.

  Lina froze. Kade's brows pulled together, his lips thinning. What was wrong?

  Kade heard her quickened breath. By now, he could practically hear her thundering heart beat. He swooped.

  "Look!"

  "Oh my…"

  "How romantic!"

  Without warning, Kade swept her off of her feet. Gasps and murmurs erupted amongst the crowd of people. Their mouths moved as quick as Kade's powerful footsteps up the staircase.

  "Interesting," the Empress dryly commented.

  The Empress narrowed her eyes upon the stiff bride. The entire time, Teran's Princess had fooled the court into thinking she was a willing bride. Now, the Princess's display of reluctance to greet the Imperial Family was made known to the public.

  "She's just shy… Mama," a quiet voice commented from behind the Empress.

  "Hmph."

  Everyone watched as the heartless and cruel Seventh Prince carried his bride up the red staircase. They couldn't believe their eyes!

  This man, who loved no one, not even his own mother and father, was holding a woman in his arms. On top of that, he didn't even seem disgusted or bothered. Instead, he held her close to his body, a dangerous expression on his face.

  Touch her and you die.

  Everyone understood the message, but they didn't understand why. Weren't they just a random Prince and Princess paired up for marriage to stop the war? Did they meet before?

  "Please put me down," Lina weakly said, her hands tightening onto anything she could grasp. It just happened to be his robes.

  Lina froze the minute she touched the silk. Her hand quickly pulled away, as if burned by the material. Oh no.

  It was exactly what Lina feared.

  "Fine." Kade held back a deep scowl.

  Did she not like being touched by him? Or was, was she scared of him? He hated these ideas. Aggravated by the thought, his blood boiled.

  Suddenly, Kade settled her onto her feet. Lina shakily tucked her fingers together.

  "The Seventh Prince and his bride greet His Majesty and Her Majesty, the Son and Daughter of the High Heavens!"

  Lina's knees instantly bent into a deep bow. She lowered herself onto the ground, as instructed, and tucked her right hand on top of her left, placed her forehead upon it, and bowed before her in-laws.

  Lina wasn't sure if Kade did the same or not, for he was standing.

  Lina grew even more anxious. Did she make another mistake?! She wanted to cry on the spot.

  "Rise, my son, and rise, my future daughter!" The Emperor's voice wandered across the corridor.

  Lina let out a breath, which she didn't realize she was holding. She tried to stand up, but her legs cramped.

  Lina thought Kade would help her, but he ignored her. Her heart fell at this. Did that single mistake make him hate her? She squeezed her eyes shut and pushed herself off the floor.

  "Now, the bride may serve the tea."

  Lina blinked. Out in public like this? And not in a wedding hall? She couldn't even see ahead of her. Wasn't the husband supposed to pull the veil back?

  Lina felt like she was set up for failure. That is, until a large hand enclosed hers.