The Wedding She Refused
851 Words
Luna's breath caught in her throat.
She stared at her reflection in the towering mirror.
The woman staring back at her was not the broken queen who had frozen to death in a dungeon.
She was young.
Healthy.
Alive.
A dazzling white wedding gown flowed around her body, its silver embroidery glittering beneath the sunlight pouring through the palace windows.
For a moment, Luna couldn't move.
Her hands trembled.
Slowly, she touched her face.
Warm.
Real.
Not a dream.
Not an illusion.
She had truly returned.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Luna?" a maid called from outside. "The ceremony will begin soon."
Luna's eyes widened.
The ceremony.
Her wedding.
The day she had once believed would be the happiest day of her life.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
How foolish she had been.
She remembered everything now.
Every lie.
Every betrayal.
Every tear she had shed for a man who had never deserved her love.
King Damien Blackwood.
The man she had trusted with her heart.
The man who had watched her die.
A cold fire ignited within her chest.
Not this time.
The door opened.
Three maids entered carrying flowers and jewelry.
"Lady Luna, you look beautiful."
"His Majesty won't be able to take his eyes off you."
"The entire kingdom is waiting."
Luna remained silent.
The maids exchanged nervous glances.
Something about her felt different.
Gone was the shy young woman who always smiled.
Gone was the girl desperate to please her future husband.
The woman standing before them now carried an aura that made even the servants lower their heads.
A queen.
A true queen.
The palace bells suddenly rang.
The wedding procession had begun.
"It's time," one maid whispered.
Luna looked out the window.
Thousands of citizens had gathered below.
Colorful banners decorated every street.
Musicians filled the air with joyful melodies.
Everyone believed today marked the beginning of a fairy tale.
They had no idea it was about to become a nightmare.
Inside the grand cathedral, nobles filled every seat.
Excitement buzzed throughout the hall.
At the altar stood Damien Blackwood.
Tall.
Handsome.
Powerful.
The future king smiled confidently as he waited for his bride.
He looked exactly as Luna remembered.
And seeing him again made her blood boil.
The massive doors opened.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Luna stepped inside.
Gasps echoed throughout the cathedral.
She looked breathtaking.
Damien's smile widened.
For years he had dreamed of this moment.
The woman he loved was finally becoming his wife.
Yet something felt strange.
Luna's eyes.
There was no warmth in them.
No affection.
No excitement.
Only ice.
A faint frown appeared on Damien's face.
As Luna approached the altar, whispers spread among the guests.
"Why does she look so angry?"
"Is something wrong?"
"I've never seen Lady Luna like this."
Damien extended his hand.
"You're late."
In another life, Luna would have apologized immediately.
Today she merely stared at him.
The smile on Damien's face faltered.
The priest stepped forward.
"We gather here today to witness the sacred union between—"
"Stop."
The single word echoed throughout the cathedral.
Silence followed.
The priest blinked.
"Lady Luna?"
"I said stop."
Confusion swept across the room.
Damien's eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing?"
Luna slowly turned to face the crowd.
Hundreds of eyes stared back at her.
Nobles.
Generals.
Royal advisors.
Citizens.
Every single person expected her to become Damien's queen.
Instead, Luna lifted her chin proudly.
Her voice rang through the cathedral.
"I refuse this marriage."
A collective gasp erupted.
The priest nearly dropped his book.
Several noblewomen covered their mouths in shock.
Even Damien froze.
For a moment nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Nobody spoke.
The future queen had just rejected the future king.
In public.
Before the entire kingdom.
Damien's face darkened.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Luna met his gaze without fear.
The same gaze that had once terrified her.
The same gaze that had watched her suffer.
Not anymore.
"I will not marry you."
The crowd exploded into whispers.
"What is happening?"
"Has she gone mad?"
"This is impossible!"
Damien stepped closer.
His voice became dangerously low.
"Luna."
A warning.
A threat.
But Luna wasn't afraid.
Not after everything she had endured.
"You heard me."
The king's jaw tightened.
"Explain yourself."
Luna smiled.
It wasn't a kind smile.
It wasn't a loving smile.
It was the smile of someone who had returned from hell.
"Because marrying you was the greatest mistake of my life."
The cathedral fell deathly silent.
Damien stared at her.
Shock flashed across his face.
Then anger.
Then something else.
Something he couldn't understand.
Because the woman standing before him was no longer the Luna he knew.
And for the first time...
King Damien Blackwood felt a flicker of fear.
Unseen by everyone, a tall silver-haired man standing among the guests watched the scene unfold.
A slow smile curved his lips.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The future king had just been humiliated.
And the woman responsible might become the most dangerous person in the kingdom.
Shadow Alpha Lucien Ravencrest had finally noticed Luna Nightshade.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
