The Devil's Desire.

You May Kiss The Bride.

A long, deafening silence filled the entire courtroom; Celestia stared at her husband, trying so hard to keep the surprised expression on her face from showing.

People begin to murmur among themselves. Aethera stood still, the smile on her face slowly fading. So it looks like her luck was bad after all, she'll be the first princess in history to have her wedding with an invincible husband. The way life plays with one feeling can be so interesting.

Aethera stared at her father, hoping that he would say he was joking, but who was she kidding? Her father never joked. Elyon's gaze at his daughter, the way she had a smile on her face while walking in unannounced, showed that she knew something was wrong and she was probably expecting the wedding to be canceled, but he wouldn't be able to do that. If the King of Azania had only not come and not sent a message then Aethera would have been free from this marriage he sent a message thathe wouldn't be able to come for the wedding but the wedding must go on in his absence and his bride should be sent to his kingdom immediately after the wedding. Who was he to refuse such an order? He's nothing compared to the King of Azania.

"Let the wedding begin."

The priest nodded his head and continued with the wedding, the audience all had shocked expressions on their faces. This is the most bizarre wedding they have all witnessed. They had so many things that they wanted to say but they wouldn't dare to do so while they were still in the palace.

Aethera tightened her grip on her dress, fighting the sudden urge to cry. Fate was playing a dangerous game with her. She was being forced to get married to a man who was titled to be a devil and now also she can do nothing but keep quiet and stay still to say her wedding vows to no one but herself. Interesting!

"Do you, Princess Aethera, take King Vladimir to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"

A long silence took over as the priest waited for Aethera's reply. Aethera stared into space, totally lost. Her heart was hurting, and it felt like a dagger was piercing through her heart.

"Princess?" The Priest called silently, bringing Aethera out of her trance. The priest couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor girl. "If only she could live the life she always wanted. I can only pray that she would find happiness in her newfound journey." The priest prayed silently in his heart.

"Unfortunately, I do," Aethera uttered calmly. The people couldn't help but feel sorry for the princess; she might always act immature and love to create trouble, but still, she was the kindest princess they all have had in generations; they could only pray that this new journey of hers would give her everything she ever wishes and hopes for.

The priest continued the ceremony and said the everlasting statement of the wedding rituals. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

"Hahaha." Aethera laughed, the tears from her eyes finally falling. Who was the priest kidding, who she should kiss? A husband that isn't even here at his wedding.

Elyon stood up from his throne and walked towards Aethera. They all thought that he was going to console his daughter, but instead,he walked past her without even throwing her a gaze.

Aethera smiled like a madwoman, maybe she deserved everything after all. She has a crazy and interesting destiny.

Celestia walked towards Aethera and pulled her daughter into a hug. Truth be told, she doesn't know the kind of pain her daughter was going through because she didn't go through this kind of pain, she wasn't forced to marry a man she doesn't love even though she and Elyon's marriage was arranged but she was still allowed to marry a man she loved and cared for and also her husband didn't ditch her on her wedding day. She couldn't help but blame destiny for her daughter's bad fate. She wished she could take the pain that her daughter was feeling, but she couldn't. Unfortunately, not all wishes come true.

"I'm sorry, Aethera. I'm sorry!" Celestia whispered into Aethera's ear, still hugging her daughter. Aethera ignored her mum's pleas. She fisted her knuckles angrily; she was trying to control the anger that she was feeling, and she was doing it so well. Slowly, her heart started creating a space for a newfound feeling: hatred for the king of Azania.

"Your Highness, the princess will have to start heading to the kingdom of Azania now." A guard uttered, interrupting the final greetings between a mother and her daughter, a queen and her princess.

Celestia disengaged from the hug, staring at her daughter's silver eyes. She placed her hands on her daughter's shoulder and slowly planted a kiss on her forehead, praying that her daughter would have a happy life ahead.

Aethera turned around to leave, without even gazing at her mother; she wasn't angry at her mother nor hated her for this. She knows that her mother was helpless and won't be able to help her but because she doesn't want her mother to see her broken.

Aethera followed the guard but paused midway before she reached the gate and uttered.

"Can I ask this last request as your daughter, mother, and not as a princess asking her queen?" Aethera asked her back still facing her mother.

"Yea, Aethera. Anything." Celestia responded.

"Can I take Lya with me, mother?"

Celestia sighed and replied. "Yes, you can Aethera. You can take Lya with you." Celestia was happy, happy that Aethera asked for that; now she felt at ease that her daughter wouldn't be all alone in the kingdom of Azania.

Aethera nodded her head and left the palace, not bothering to look at her mother for one last time. She entered the carriage, Lya entering after her. And the journey to the unknown began. She left her home, her kingdom, her family, and her people and wouldn't be coming back ever.

As the journey continued, Aethera made a promise in her heart to destroy King Vladimir and make him send her back to her kingdom. This was just the beginning.