Sorry for the typos on the last two chapters…thanks for the reviews.
When I opened my eyes, I was caught in a flurry of white. As I focused, I saw my sad reflection yet again. The past months had passed by and I could hardly remember anything that occurred. The last moment clearly etched in my mind was the proposal. Now it was the wedding. It all came so soon.
Princess Ursa would guide me through all the duties of a princess and would encourage a relationship between me and Calantha. The meek girl would just stare at me with her hypnotic grey eyes during the entire session and I chose to ignore her, much to Princess Ursa's dismay. Nothing registered however. Everything was like a terrifying dream; no it was more of a nightmare.
It was winter and snow fell lightly outside. The cherry blossoms had miraculously bloomed and were dripping with their sweet blossoms. The light pink blossoms fell like curtains upon the white snow. I sighed as I saw those flowers, the symbol of the royal family. They were an odd choice as a symbol for they reflected the transience of life. One would assume that the family would rather prefer some other flower representing everlasting power and life.
My face was ever more heavily painted and I felt like a stranger. My eyelids were darkened with black kohl-like paint. They made my violet eyes looked larger and more terrified than ever before. As they finished powdering my white face even whiter, the maids fastened teardrop pearls on my ears, the chosen symbol for the crown princess. Luten's mother had been the previous owner before she had deceased and Fire Lady Ilah had worn them in her younger years. Now I was to wear the burden until it came for my turn to pass them on to a younger lady.
The pearls were luminous, the bright firelight danced on their ivory surface. The distinct teardrop shape matched my own tears. I fingered the pearl with my shaking fingers. They had first been worn many centuries ago. A beautiful young princess had been sent from the Earth kingdom to marry the heir to the Fire Nation throne. She had not particularly wished to leave her home but she was sent anyways. They said that she was the first royal to have the distinctive golden eyes associated with the royal family today. She was highly admired for her great beauty but the heir did not love her. He sought company in other women and the princess had to suffer the humiliation without tears. However to express her sorrows, she fashioned two large perfect pearls into matching teardrop shapes. She wore the earrings prominently in front of the whole court to show the tears she shed privately. It forever became the crown princess's symbol after her heartbreaking display. Even though there had been love matches in the past, every crown princess donned Crown Princess Aria's teardrop pearls in her honor. At this moment, I was meant to honor her and wear them for a long time to come.
I rose and gathered my deep red silk veil to cover my pale face. I could still see the shadows of my visage through the reflection and I placed a practiced smile upon it. Silently I walked outside to my wedding.
I was glad that my veil was heavy. It covered the tears which were beginning to pool around the corners of my eyes. Through the bejeweled veil I could see that everyone was watching me. They all held their breath as I floated to the end of the path where Luten waited dressed in ebony and scarlet. His dark hair had been pulled back to expose his pale face. As he took my arm, I saw how similar he looked to Zuko. They could have been twins if Zuko had been a little taller and if Luten knew how to smile.
There were bouquets of the blue Kara roses, which had been shipped for the ceremony. Their heavy fragrance comforted me but made me even more terrified. I was scared more than ever. I raised my eyes and I saw the pink blossoms drifting off and falling in light showers, covering my veil. The pink petals fell on Luten's hair and face softening his harsh expression. He looked up and laughed as he saw a basketful of the pink petals drop on top of him. I heard the women sigh in appreciation and I assumed that it was dazzling effect.
On cue, Luten turned to me and I knelt on my knees. As he picked the edge of my veil, I sighed deeply and swallowed my tears as I winced. He threw off the veil and the red silk flew raising the pink petals which had settled on it to shower me with its lovely fragrance. I swallowed painfully as he raised a golden starburst tiara and placed it upon my red waves. Applause ensued and Luten helped me rise.
"Smile, for god's sake. You are at your wedding not your funeral," he hissed through his bright, false smile.
I closed my eyes once more. I felt dizzy as if the room were spinning and I breathed in deeply. He was right. Everyone was watching us. The whole world looked to us and I had to smile. This was an elaborate show and I, the star performer. I opened my eyes and gave a dazzling smile. I laughed and gave tears of joy as I embraced my new husband. It was the best performance of my life.
Everyone clapped and I heard bells ringing for our celebration. Everyone was excited but the bride and groom. Nonetheless, we both looked wonderful. We pretended to be the happiest, the most beautiful and admired couple in the world.
All throughout that day, that week of celebration, Luten and I gave such a believable performance, many believed us to be a love match. Especially because of the great war that was occurring outside the safety of our golden walls, the citizens of our nation wished to believe that our marriage was because of love. Our union assured the citizens of peaceful times that were to come. We were the symbol of glory and perfection…we couldn't let them down.
As I sat beside Luten and drank the fountains of champagne in our crystal flutes, I noticed the younger prince despondently drinking from his glass. Calantha sat quietly beside him, looking meek and sad as usual. Luten caught me looking at their direction and with a sigh he pecked my cheek to remind me of our spectators. I turned to him with a smile and laughed gaily.
Different nobles came to congratulate us and I had to gift them with a smile. Lady Adisha bowed with a tight smile as did Princess Seraphina and Aithna.
"We never knew that your highness was interested in our Lady Kara. It must have been a quick romance," Countess Orinda sneered through a fake smile.
"Well, Kara has so many virtues, all she needed to do was smile at Luten. Unlike some others, Lady Kara is very desirable, Countess Orinda," Azula smiled mockingly towards the upset Orinda.
Luten's face turned sour as he saw his young cousin approach us. I however was glad to see me old friend again. She had not been too pleased to hear that I was marrying her hated cousin but she was excited as her mother had been with my joining of their family. I gave her a smile of gratitude when I saw my aunts approach me.
"Our darling Kara is a Princess of the Royal family! We have come to congratulate you and wish you a blissful marriage. Your father would have been proud of you. The Grand Duke is currently at the field but he sends you these gifts for your wedding," Countess Ryuia, Father's aunt replied coolly as she exhibited the grand presents Father had sent me.
"He has also announced you as his heir…to the entire dukedom and the family fortune. He sends you his love and welcomes your highness to the family," Lady Yuna, Father's cousin, spoke through her perfect teeth. She smiled graciously at Luten however.
Luten smiled at my family and thanked them profusely. His dramatics won their favor and they became less hostile. I scoffed silently to myself as I saw their interactions. He had managed to gain the favor of the vultures; I was impressed.
The party ended and it came time for the event I had feared the most. I was led away by my maids and I was thoroughly cleaned. All the paint on my face was washed off and my red waves were loosened to billow about me in a similar manner as my silk robe. As they maids brushed my long hair, I felt like retching. I felt a feeling a dread wash over me and I felt uncertain. I was not aware of what was to occur and it frightened me.
Too soon, I was pushed into a chamber I had never seen before. It was dark except for the few candles which flickered too frequently. Nervously, I pushed back the sheer dark silk curtains and entered the main bed chamber. There was one bed flooded with the blue rose petals from my home. I smiled at the familiar object and touched the deep blue petals. I heard footsteps and quickly took out my sharp blade which I concealed in my shoes. There was a sound of mocking laughter and I tensed even more.
"What are you doing here? This is my chamber!" I extended my blade and it glittered against the flickering lights.
"This is my chamber as well tonight, Duchess," he spoke wryly. With a tired sigh he sank into the bed.
"Well, where are you going to sleep then?" I still had the knife in my hand though I had relaxed a bit.
He looked at me with curiosity then he laughed with realization. Luten walked towards my direction and I cowered slightly to his delight. He grabbed my arm and placed me on the bed.
"You'll be sleeping here. Don't look so surprised. I promise it shall be only one night. After this, I shan't ever bother you again, Duchess. I promise," he spoke quietly and looked sincere for the first time.
I nodded with understanding and gathered myself in one corner to sleep when he laughed and grabbed me roughly.
"We're not done yet," he spat with disgust, "trust me, I'm not glad about this either."
I was confused when he pinned me on the bed. I struggled and screamed at him to move but he didn't budge. In a swift bored motion, he lifted my skirt and I felt his long cold fingers on my thighs.
"Get off me! What are you doing?" Just as I slapped him for touching me, I realized what we were supposed to do. I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"Do you know now?" he spoke angrily as he rubbed his jaw. I nodded reluctantly and laid still.
I cringed as I felt his skin on mine. He undressed and I closed my eyes tightly shut. Silently he spread my legs further apart and laid on top of me. His cold skin made me shiver and I felt like vomiting. I bit my lower lip as I tried to breathe evenly. His fingers enclosed my thin waist and I held my breathe.
"This will hurt," he whispered and I stopped breathing.
I felt something painful enter the lower part of my body and then there was a surge of immense pain. I cried out as I jerked up. The pain didn't go away however and it progressively got worse as he pushed up against me. My fingers curled up into fists and I sucked in my breath. I started to cry uncontrollably and he held me. Holding on to his arms, I bawled in pain against his chest.
"That was it. It won't hurt anymore," he whispered in my ear as he patted my back.
We were at opposite ends of the bed and their was a heavy silence in the air. When I could raise myself up, I saw a blooming scarlet stain on the snowy white sheets. My lower area hurt terribly and my pale thighs were smeared with the same scarlet stain. I plopped back to the bed with exhaustion.
"Does it always hurt?" I asked him. I had never been taught on matters such as these. Noble girls were sheltered from these very facts and we were taught everything under the sun except important matters on intimacy. I was embarrassed but I wished to know.
He looked at me with a raised brow. His pale face considered the question then with a small smile, he shook his head no.
"Others do it quite often don't they? I cannot understand why…" I muttered more to myself than to him.
"You start to enjoy it after the pain. It becomes pleasurable," he sighed softly.
"You don't feel the pain do you?" I looked at his golden eyes with curiosity.
He stretched out and placed his hands under his head. Then he turned to me and with a playful smirk he shook no.
"It is the pain only women must endure. Like your bleedings and childbirth. It is the curse of women," he spoke gratefully.
"Yes, the curse of women…" I muttered as I finally understood the full meaning of those words.
I turned my head and dimmed the candles till they finally disappeared, leaving the darkness and silence. As I laid in that unnerving quiet, I realized finally that I was married.