III
He came back with a town's woman and a red silk gown. "Here is the fellow, a partied woman and a gown just for you." These were the rules of captured marriage. The woman and Serenity were brought to a tent where Serenity's gown was fitted to her. She stood as the dress was tugged and pulled. The lady pulled at the section of her waist in the back and Serenity literally was pulled back. "Sorry dear." The woman said and held her forward as she tightened the corset area. "You're not up to fashion styles recently are you?"
"I guess not." Serenity mumbled.
"Oh cheer up lass, your young man likes you and paid for me to come and make you look beautiful."
Serenity refrained from bursting this lady's bubble and tell her he was only marrying her because if he didn't, it'd just cause more reasons for war and Onka would be justified. It was up to her to end everything.
She ignored the fact that her dress was too tight and her almost nonexistent chest was practically overflowing the top. However when her breathing became difficult she asked for it to be loosened. The lady only made the waist tighter. "It's what Europe is doing now."
Serenity tried to say she was barely European but couldn't find the breath to say so.
"All done." The lady turned her towards the mirror that they brought in. The deep red dress looked good against her blond hair and blue eyes, a nice contrast but her complexion was a little redder than normal and her makeup was a lot more than she'd ever consider doing. Overall she looked beautiful, unfortunately.
"All finished." She told the guard posted at the door and Serenity got shuffled to the wedding ceremony. The dress fitter stayed for the ceremony and as soon afterwards Malachite took her back, the only one of the men who wouldn't attack her. At least that Serenity knew of.
Endymion took her arm and preceded her out of the courtyard and into his tent. "You are awfully quiet, much at odds from yesterday."
Serenity concentrated on breathing, she'd loved to have glared at him and tell him exactly what was on her mind but couldn't muster up the strength for even a simple glance in his direction.
"You looked very beautiful today, princess." He slid down a strap of her gown with his hand before his lips grazed the skin of her shoulder. With no response he grew angry. "Do not worry, although you're beautiful I have no desire to join together with a fairy, it'd disgust me." He pushed her away and she stumbled before falling on the bed. She struggled to sit up and it caused too much work and she fell back down in a faint.