Chapter 7: DREAMLIKE
621 Words
Everyone in the streets was walking toward the castle, dressed in their most elegant gowns and suits. Laughter echoed everywhere, accompanied by the lively music of flutes and violins. It was a day of celebration, and the air was thick with joy.
Women decorated the streets with fresh flowers, while men carried tall poles adorned with fluttering ribbons. Young boys ran about, giggling and playing, while little girls tossed petals onto the path like fairy dust.
Inside the royal chambers, Jessie sat silently, staring blankly at the wall. She let the royal maids do all the work—fixing her hair, applying makeup, slipping her into the wedding gown fit for a princess. She didn’t resist, but her heart felt far away.
She wanted to be happy.
She knew this was a dream many girls would die for.
But everything had happened too fast.
Ever since arriving here… or waking up here—she wasn’t even sure which anymore—dreaming of Ed had become her every night’s escape. But marrying him in this reality? That was something she hadn't prepared for.
“Oh, my darling!” Her mother’s voice broke the silence as she entered the room and hugged Jessie from behind. They both looked into the large mirror. “You are so lovely…”
“Thank you, Mom,” Jessie said quietly. Then, hesitantly: “But… can we not postpone the wedding, even just for a little while?”
Her mother’s smile faltered.
“I’m so sorry. If I could stop this, I would. But my dear, this is beyond me now…”
“No—” Jessie’s heart protested. “I mean… I just wanted a little more time. It’s not that I don’t care… or that I don’t want to help. You said I’m doing this for Dad, and that’s okay—but… could I just… have a little space? Just for myself?”
She trailed off as the door opened again.
“Dad!” she gasped. Jessie ran into her father’s arms, hugging him tightly. She had feared she wouldn’t see him again—especially not today.
“Oh, my darling… I thought you were angry with me.”
“No, Dad,” she said, holding him tightly. “I know I’m doing this for the good of us all.”
Even if she didn’t yet understand the full story.
In her heart, she suspected—was this marriage a trade for her father’s life?
If it was, then she would never allow him to be lost… not even in this time, this strange and distant world.
Her thoughts slipped again to Jessica… her past self.
“Grrr… I can’t believe I was that selfish back then.”
A royal guard appeared at the door.
“The king requests the princess to come to the hall.”
Her father pulled back and looked into her eyes.
“Let’s not cry, my dear. Let this be the day I sorrowfully give you away… to a man you do not love.”
“Dad…” she whispered, almost in protest.
Her hands trembled.
Each step down the long aisle felt like walking through fog.
She could see her mother and father watching her—tears in their eyes.
Stop that, Mom… Dad…
I’m actually starting to feel something.
I might be falling in love with this… but it’s all just happening too fast.
The ceremony passed in a blur. Words were spoken. Promises exchanged.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
As the moment arrived, she felt something shift in her heart.
For just a second… she believed in it.
But then—
Everything faded.
During the crowning, her vision blurred. Her knees gave in.
Jessie fainted.
- Writer
