Scarlett woke from her sleep remembering how she lost Liam the day before. She just had something to change her mood that morning. She wished she had gotten his contact or something to reach him easily, she regretted severely.
She began to feel extremely cold as she wandered what could be happening to her on a fair, sunny morning. She became weaker as she fell like a stick on her bed. Her eyes became dim as she couldn't see properly any longer. Her lips were a true definition of a dried sponge. She was confused about this changes but fortunately, Lila passed through her room, hearing Scarlett produce some moans of weakness as she rushed inside.
“Scarlett, what is the matter? “Lila asked in shock, wondering what could be wrong with her daughter. As Scarlett let out a dry cold cough, Lila realized that it was the curse effect. She bent her head down, feeling sorry for her daughter. She patted her gently, ordered for a warm cup of tea from the maids. “I wished you were could find your mate while you avoided Maximus”.Lila said as she gave Scarlett the tea.
“Why all the time about mate mom?, “Scarlett asked while trying to regain strength. “Don’t you know, you need him to break this curse at once and avoid complicating matters.
Scarlett sipped the warm tea, feeling a bit of strength return to her body.
She looked up at her mother, determined in her eyes. "I will find him, Mother. I promise. I just wish I knew where to start looking."
Lila's expression turned thoughtful. "We'll figure it out together, Scarlett. But first, you need to rest and recover from the curse's effects. We can't have you collapsing in the middle of the market."
Scarlett nodded, knowing her mother was right. She lay back down, feeling the warmth of the tea spread through her body.
As she rested, Lila sat beside her, stroking her hair. "We'll find a way to break this curse, Scarlett. I promise."
Scarlett smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her mother.
Scarlett spent the next few days searching for Liam, but he seemed to have vanished into thin air. She visited the market, and even asked around town, but no one had seen him. Frustration and desperation began to creep in as the days ticked by.
Lila tried to reassure her, but Scarlett couldn't shake off the feeling that she was running out of time. The curse was getting stronger, and she could feel its effects taking a toll on her body.
As the day before the wedding approached, Scarlett's anxiety reached a boiling point. She had to find Liam, or risk facing Maximus alone.
In a last-ditch effort, Scarlett decided to visit the local tavern, hoping to gather information about Liam's whereabouts. As she entered the bustling room, she scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for a familiar face.
But Liam was nowhere to be found.
Just as Scarlett was about to leave, a hooded figure caught her eye. He was sitting in the corner, sipping a mug of ale, his face obscured by the shadows.
Scarlett's heart skipped a beat as she felt a sudden jolt of recognition. Could it be?
She made her way towards the figure, her
heart pounding in her chest. As she approached, the figure looked up, and Scarlett's eyes met Liam's piercing gaze.
For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension.
Then, without a word, Liam turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Scarlett frustrated and confused.
Why was he avoiding her? And what did he want from her?
Scarlett left the tavern, feeling defeated and demoralized. She had one last chance to find Liam, or risk facing the consequences of the curse.
As she walked back to the palace, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was running out of time.
Little did she know, Liam was watching her from the shadows, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that bordered on obsession.
Their fate was intertwined, and tomorrow would be the day of reckoning.
Liam appeared at Scarlett's doorstep on the eve of the day, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of reluctance and resolve.
"I hear you're looking for a groom," he said, his voice low and husky. "And I'm the lucky man you've chosen."
Scarlett's heart skipped a beat as she gazed at Liam, her mind racing with emotions. "Liam, I'm glad you're here. We need to talk."
As they sat in the dimly lit garden, finalizing their plans, Liam's instincts suddenly kicked in. He sensed a presence, a pair of eyes watching him from the shadows.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure, hidden in the darkness, observed their every move, noting every detail. The figure was a spy, sent by Maximus to ensure Scarlett's groom was truly dead.
Liam grabbed Scarlett's hand, pulling her into the darkness. "We have to get out of here, now," he whispered urgently.
Scarlett's heart raced as Liam dragged her through the winding corridors, finally stopping at a secluded door. "What's wrong?" she asked, breathless.
Liam's eyes scanned the surroundings before answering, "I think we're being watched."
The figure in the shadows smiled to themselves, knowing they had seen enough. They melted into the night, disappearing into the darkness, ready to report back to their master, Maximus.
Liam's grip on Scarlett's hand tightened as Scarlett's eyes locked onto his, trust and determination shining in them. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Liam."
And with that, they sealed their fate, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
THE WEDDING DAY
The sun rose over the kingdom, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets. Scarlett's heart raced with anticipation and nerves as she prepared for the wedding.
Liam, dressed in his finest attire, arrived at the palace, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of caution and determination.
Maximus arrived at the ceremony as others were well seated, for the commencement of the ceremony. “She doesn't know what I have planned, poor Luna, I wish Liam doesn't spoil my plans because he seems to be a game changer”, Maximus thought.
Scarlett was well dressed as she walked down the staircase with her veil covered as she moved to apply her hyenna for ceremony. Liam arrived at the venue, with his sidekick, habouring his own plans in mind.
As they exchanged vows in the grand ceremony, Scarlett's mind wandered to the spy and the danger that lurked in the shadows, but little did she know that her fate would be changed.
But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the man standing before her.
As they walked about the sacred fire, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. But amidst the celebration, Scarlett sensed a pair of eyes watching her, boring into her skin.
As the ceremony progressed, Scarlett and the groom, Liam, stood before the sacred fire, their faces hidden behind veils. They took their seven steps around the fire, symbolizing their union.
As they completed their final round, the priest instructed them to remove their veils. Scarlett lifted hers, expecting to see the familiar face of Liam.
But as the groom's veil dropped, Scarlett's heart skipped a beat. The man standing before her was not the Liam she thought she knew. His eyes, his smile, everything was different.
Scarlett's mind reeled in shock. Who was this stranger? Where was the Liam she had connected with?
The groom's eyes locked onto hers, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. But Scarlett saw only confusion and betrayal.
"Who are you?" Scarlett whispered, her voice trembling. The groom's smile faltered, and he glanced around, as if seeking help.
Scarlett put on a mask of happiness, pretending that the imposter was her beloved Liam. She went through the motions of the wedding celebration, all the while searching for an opportunity to escape or uncover the truth.
Finally, the ceremony ended, and the guests began to disperse. Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that she had made it through the worst of it.
But as she turned to leave, a commotion erupted at the back of the palace grounds. He jumped through the fence, causing chaos.
A guard, who had blended into the scene as one of the palace guards, shouted "Attack!" and drew his sword.
Other men, who had pretended to be among the palace guards, ran to pursue him. Scarlett's eyes widened as she realized that this was no ordinary attack.
The imposter grabbed her arm, pulling her close. "Stay by my side," he growled.
But Scarlett saw her chance. She wrenched her arm free and ran towards the chaos, determined to uncover the truth.
As she reached the fence, she saw him fighting off the guards. His eyes locked onto hers, and she felt a jolt of recognition.
Just as she was about to call out to him, the imposter grabbed her from behind, pulling her back into the shadows.
"You're not going anywhere," he hissed, his breath hot against her ear.
Scarlett struggled to break free, but he held her tight.
His eyes flashed with anger as he saw Scarlett being dragged away. He fought harder, taking down guard after guard.
But just as he was about to reach Scarlett, a sword was pressed to his throat.
"Don't move," a voice growled.
His eyes locked onto Scarlett's, and she saw a message there - "Run".
But it was too late. Everything went black.