The Wedding Dress
250 Words
The morning light filtered softly through the heavy drapes, but Aria felt as though she were trapped beneath a suffocating cloud. Today, she would wear the wedding dress — a symbol of her new life, and the chains tightening around her.
The seamstress bustled around her small chamber, fussing over delicate lace and satin, while servants arranged intricate braids in her hair. Aria stood still, the fabric heavy against her skin, her mind drifting far away.
The dress was breathtaking: ivory silk adorned with silver embroidery, a long train that brushed the floor like whispered promises. But beneath the beauty, Aria felt only dread.
Her reflection in the mirror showed a pale, trembling girl — no longer a child, yet not a queen. Her eyes searched for courage, but found only fear.
The servants whispered among themselves, exchanging curious glances as they prepared her. Aria could feel their eyes on her — some filled with pity, others with judgment.
Damien’s presence lingered like a shadow in the back of her mind. What was he thinking as she dressed for a night she feared? Would he be the cold prince she’d met, or something else?
The day moved forward in a blur of silks and whispers. As she descended the grand staircase, the guests turned, their gazes heavy with expectation.
Her aunt’s smile was tight, triumphant — a reminder that Aria was no longer hers to protect.
Aria took a shaky breath and stepped into the future laid out for her.
- Writer
