Walking Toward Destiny

The soft light of early evening bathed the stone walls of the castle in a golden glow as I stood before the tall mirror. My reflection stared back with an intensity that made me pause. The wedding gown, a masterpiece of delicate lace and silk, clung to my frame, its intricate embroidery catching the last rays of sun filtering through the high-arched windows.

It felt surreal. In just a matter of hours, I would be wed. Despite the beauty of the moment, an undercurrent of tension thrummed beneath my skin. My heartbeat heavily in my chest as I considered the weight this wedding carried, more than a simple union of love.

The woman in the mirror was different now, her gaze steady and unwavering. The uncertainty I once carried had been replaced by something else. Memories of the past flickered faintly in my eyes as I closed them, drawing a deep, steadying breath.

How many times have I been told what my future should look like? How many times had I been led down a path I feared? I remembered the last time I walked down an aisle, the weight of duty pressing down on me like chains, invisible but binding all the same. Cold stone walls, whispered promises of power, hollow vows exchanged, all of it suffocating me. This time was different.

I was not walking toward fear or a man who sought to control me. This time, I was walking toward James. A man who, despite the storm brewing on the horizon, had shown me kindness. He had flaws, and the path ahead was perilous, but he was mine. More importantly, he allowed me to choose. This time, I was walking toward something I wanted, even if uncertainty still lingered.

"Your Highness."

A soft voice broke the quiet. I turned to see my lady-in-waiting step into the room, her hands full of fresh lavender and rose petals. The familiar scent filled the air, calming, though it did little to ease the turmoil swirling inside me.

"You look breathtaking, my lady."

She placed the flowers in small silver bowls scattered across the room. I nodded, my eyes following her for a moment before returning to the mirror. My hand grazed the front of my gown, fingers brushing over the silver thread woven into the bodice. It was beautiful, but today it felt like armor. This was not just a wedding. It was a step toward what would follow. The political implications were enormous. Marrying James would solidify my place in the kingdom. A soft knock echoed from the door.

"Come in.”

James entered, his expression softening the moment he saw me. Dressed in formal robes of deep blue velvet trimmed in gold, the royal insignia embroidered across his chest, he was the picture of regal strength. His deep blue eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, the tension in my shoulders eased.

"You look..."

He paused, taking a step closer.

"...perfect."

I offered a teasing smile, though the levity in my voice felt forced.

"You are not supposed to see me before the ceremony."
“It is bad luck.”

He chuckled, stepping closer until he stood directly in front of me. His hand gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his touch warm and grounding.

"I could not wait," he confessed softly.
"I needed to see you."

His gaze searched mine, sensing the unease I could not quite hide.

"Isabella," he said, his voice lower now, more serious.
"Are you sure about this?”
“If there is any doubt—"
"There’s no doubt," I interrupted.

"We have to do this, James.”
“For the kingdom, for our people.”
“It is the only way."

He studied me for a long moment, his eyes holding mine as if searching for something unspoken. Then, he nodded, taking my hands in his and squeezing them gently.

"We will face it together.”
"No matter what comes."
"I love you, James.”
“I want to marry you."

A slow exhale left my lips as I leaned into his touch, his presence a balm to the storm raging in my mind. I could not shake the feeling that we were stepping into something far more dangerous than we realized.

"Sometimes I wonder how much we are sacrificing for the kingdom," I murmured, "and how much of ourselves we are losing in the process."
“Sometimes my mind wanders back to our journey through the caves.”
“How simple our lives would be if we had made it to your mother’s cabin.”

James was silent for a moment, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of my hand. When he spoke, his voice was soft, filled with quiet conviction.

"I cannot promise it will be easy.”
“I can promise I will stand by you through it all."
“I chose to save you from my brother’s wrath.”
“I chose to save you from a loveless marriage.”
“I chose to give up everything I have ever known for you.”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to.”

A knock at the door broke the moment. My lady-in-waiting returned, her expression apologetic.

"My lady," she said gently, "it is time."

I inhaled deeply, letting the air fill my lungs before exhaling slowly. Turning back to James, I met his gaze once more.

"Are you ready?"
"With you, always."

With a final glance in the mirror, I straightened my gown, its shimmering fabric cascading in waves of silk. Taking James' arm, I walked with him out of the room and toward the grand hall where our future awaited. The sun was setting now, casting the world in hues of gold and violet. The air inside the castle was thick with anticipation, whispers of gathered guests reaching our ears as we approached the entrance. I took one last steadying breath as we stepped forward, knowing that this was the beginning—of our union, our fight, our everything. Unlike the last time I stepped through these doors, I was walking towards a future with the man that I loved.