Chapter 11
The Bells of Doom

.:Nya:.

She didn't know what to do. She was going to marry Cole in an hour. Dread and nausea filled her stomach as she looked in the mirror. She was wearing a vintage-style strapless dress. The formfitting bodice features a romantic, strapless sweetheart neckline and contrasting floral embroidery. A slender band encircles the waist, and delicate crystal insets glimmers in the light. The flared skirt flowed in soft folds to a fluid full-length and liquid train. She had to admit, the dress was beautiful. A hair stylist was curling her hair into loose curls while the makeup stylist was putting on a layer of foundation. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. She didn't know what to do anymore. She can't cancel the wedding and if she runs away, she would be found and they'll put the wedding on another date. Nya could always divorce Cole but this is a Royal Marriage. And the worst part is Jay have to watch since he's the Royal Mechanic and every staff is invited to watch.

"Princess Nya, what do you think?" She heard the soft and kind voice from her makeup stylist.

"It's beautiful, thank you Mia." She thanked and the makeup artist bowed before packing up her tools. She watched as Harley, her hairstylist, placed one of the royal heirlooms on her head. It was a beautifully crafted clip with pearls, lace, crystals and a veil attached.

"I'm finished your highness." Harley said and once again, Nya said her thanks and the hairstylist packed her stuff and left. She got up and then she heard the doors to the room open and she turned her head to see her brother dressed up majestically.

"Nya… You look stunning." Kai complimented her but only a sigh let her lips. It was a good thing that it was only them in the room.

"Are you sure it isn't too late?" She asked in a small voice and she looked down at the hem of her dress.

"I'm sorry Nya; I tried speaking to Lou last night. He doesn't want to wedding to be put off."

"But you're the king aren't you?"

"Nya, it doesn't work like that-"

"How come I have to be the one to get married? Why not you?"

"Listen, I think Lou is trying to get into the royal bloodline. I think that's why he wanted this marriage to happen."

"What?"

"Don't mention this to anyone. I think the only reason Lou want this marriage to happen so he can get Cole to do his decisions. The only reason he's well-known is because he was our parents' best friend. He wasn't technically king yet he still could make decisions for the past few years. And now that I'm crowned king, I think he want Cole to be Prince in case something happens to me so if Lou still have decisions he knows that I won't make, he'll get Cole to make it into a law."

"So Cole doesn't really love me?"

"I think he does but I don't think he knows Lou's intentions just yet. But he wants this marriage as much as Lou does… I'm sorry Nya." She heard Kai said softly but she sat back down on her chair.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, I see it in Cole's eyes-"

"No, I mean are you sure this is why Lou wants the marriage?"

"It's just a guess. Come on, you have a wedding to attend to." And with that, Kai strode out of the room and she sighed. It was only seconds when Lou walked in.

"Are you ready to go Nya?" He asked and she nodded softly. She got up and she placed her hand in the nook of his elbow and they both walked out of the room and towards the gardens where the wedding is being held. Once they were showered in sunshine, she saw rows upon rows of white chairs, each and every one occupied. Behind Cole stood her brother and behind where she would be standing is her maid of honor –who is her best friend- Kate. She was dressed in similar dress to her accept her's were much shorter and a little bit pink.

A piano's sweet melody was sounded and immediately, everyone's eyes on her and they all stood up. She found Cole beaming bright whereas Kai had an unreadable expression. She walked down the aisle with Lou and near the front; she found Jay's eyes looking at her. Suddenly, her stomach squeezed painfully and she looked away. She found this too painful and hard. Once she was next to Cole, Lou took his seat in the front row. Then a young boy she hasn't noticed stood next to Kai. He wore a proud smile. His blonde bowl-cut hairstyle made her smile a little but his bright green eyes stood out. Then she remembered this must be Lloyd, the ring bearer. She looked down the aisle and saw another young child except this one was a girl. She had a sweet purple dress on covered in flowers. Her blondish-purple hair was pulled in a bun but her bangs were out. This must be Pixal. The young had a basket and she picked a small amount of flowers and sprinkled them over the cobblestone. She turned her attention to the official who has been talking about their marriage vows. He was dressed in a beautiful white kimono. She smiled when she saw Wu still had his straw hat on.

"Do you, Cole, take Nya to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Wu asked and Cole smiled softly.

"Yes, I do." He said with a smile and in her mind, Nya could hear a glass shattering into millions of pieces. She started to feel panic sinking its teeth into her heart. She didn't know what to do.

"Do you, Nya, take Cole to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

It's as if time stood still when Wu said that. Her mind was in turmoil. She then felt Cole squeezed her hand. She didn't even know that he was holding it. Without the plan going through her mind properly, her mouth spoke on its own accord and her body.

"I can't…" Instantly, a gasped erupted from the crowd and she pulled her hands from Cole's. "I'm sorry."

She picked up the hem of her dress and she fled. She ran through the plants and ran into the palace. Her stomach and chest constricted painfully but the sound of her heels against the ground echoed in her ears, reminding her she's running away from her wedding. The two maids coming out of the doors gave her a puzzling look but she ran through them and into the palace. Nya didn't run into her room; that would be too easy for Kai, Cole and Lou to find her. Instead, she ran into the third story of the palace. She entered into the east wing of the palace and she found a room she know all of the royal clothes are hidden in, including her mother's and father's clothes. She reached her hand into the vase which was next to the door and she pulled out the silver key. She thumbed to get it into the keyhole but once she did and unlocked the door, she rushed in and shut the door behind her. There was a little bit of light that was filtered through the small and fogged window. She locked the door and she fell onto the floor.

What have she done?

The pained look that spread like a wildfire on Cole's face, the thunderous look on Lou's face, the disappointed look from her brother, the small shock look from Jay and the two gasps from the young children. She was hit with a harsh wave of guilt and she tried to keep in the tears but they fell. She slowly picked herself up from the floor and she moved what was probably her grandmother's dresser in front of the door. She then looked for the biggest and longest dress. Once she did, she found herself facing a royal blue gown. The off-shoulder straps are encrusted with jewel-like accents and frame a sweetheart neckline. The bodice is asymmetrically for a flattering fit. The layered skirt had a round wired cage underneath to give it the ball gown effect.

Nya quickly took off her wedding gown and she picked up the nearest dress which was a mini dress. The high neckline had a glamorous lace and twinkling embellishments which add a cute look. She placed it over her head and she took off her veil. She gathered the gown in her arms along with the family heirloom and she placed them both in her grandmother's dresser. She then walled back to the ball gown. She picked up the skirt and opened the cage. She crawled in and she dropped the skirt before moving her fingers in the dark to close to cage.

This was her usual comfort spot but she doesn't use it often unless she was distorted. She was lucky the gown was big enough to fit her in. Her hands searched for the pillow she placed in her a couple years ago. Once she did, she cuddled it before lying down and she let her tears run freely although she didn't let out a sob. She bit her trembling lips to prevent this. She slowly pushed her heels off and she brought her legs to her chest but the pillow was the only thing separating the two.

"Nya!"

She froze when she heard her name being yelled in the palace. She knew no one barely came up to this part of the palace since every past royal member belongings goes here except heirlooms. She named it the Ghostly Halls with Kai and Cole. Then she heard Cole's sad voice ripping through the air.

"Nya! Please come out!"

A new wave of tears came out faster and harder. Then she heard light footsteps in front of the door and she heard her breath.

"Nya?" She recognized it was Lloyd's young voice. She breathed in silently with more tears leaving her eyes. She then heard it run off. She then placed one of her hands through the cage and she lifted up the skirt to find a watch with un-perishable food next to it. She took the watch and when she clicked the light button, it showed that it was one in the afternoon. It has been one hour since she has fled the wedding. One hour to run up here, push her grandmother's drawer, get changed and crawl into this dress. Then she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stood up when she heard someone twist the door handle. Once the other person knew it was knocked, she heard a sigh before soft knocking on the door.

"Nya, are you in here? If you are, do you need comfort? I promise I won't tell anyone if you're in here… No one is nearby at the moment." She heard Jay's voice. She decided she would open it to him. She crawled out and slowly made her way to the door.

"I'm here." She spoke softly and she quietly moveed her grandmother's dresser before unlocking the door and open it. She pulled Jay and she closed the door. She locked it and pushed the dresser in front of the door. Once she was done, she turned around and pulled Jay into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around her body and she felt herself melt into his embrace. This caused her tears to fall like a waterfall once again.

"It's okay, I'm here for you."

Sorry for the long wait but I've been working on a new story I can't wait to update so that's coming in a month or so. But what do you guys think? Please leave your comments in the reviews!