The Devil's Desire.

A long sigh escaped her lips as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She stared at her doll face and couldn't help but blame her bad luck for coming into this world as a princess. She hated the fact that she had to get involved in an arranged marriage. A marriage she'll be stuck in for the rest of her life.

"You are looking so beautiful, Aethera."

Aethera looked at her mother's reflection in the mirror. She was stopping herself from rolling her eyeballs because if she did then her mother would probably lecture her all over again about acting like a princess. Which is dumb.

Celestia sighed and turned Aethera around. She knew that her daughter wasn't happy with this wedding, but what could she do? This had always been the norm of every royal family. No royal family in history has been recorded to have gotten married due to love. It has always been about gaining more power; marriage is nothing but a path to more power between two kings, and there's nothing that can change that.

"I know you are not happy with this wedding, Aethera, but please, I am pleading to you as your mother. Don't do anything that we question your father's honor. Please, Aethera." Celestia pleaded, holding her daughter's hand firmly. She knows her daughter; deep down, she knows that Aethera might have agreed to go along with the wedding, but she knows that her daughter wouldn't stand still. She knows that her daughter would retaliate and try to find her way out of the marriage, but if she did, that would bring nothing but disaster for their kingdom.

Aethera stared deep into her mother's eyes. She didn't accept nor reject her mother's pleas. She was only doing this wedding because of her mum. If it was left to her, she would have run away from the kingdom a long time ago, but still, she decided to stay back, only because her mother was still here, and she didn't want to hurt her.

"Your Highness, his Highness wants you at the wedding ceremony," Lya, Aethera's maid, stated with her head bowed down.

Celestia nodded her head, planted a kiss on Aethera's forehead, and left for the wedding ceremony.

Aethera slumped down and for the first time in years, a tear escaped her eyes.

"Princess!" Lya called and ran to meet Aethera, squatting beside her.

"I don't want to do this Lya, I don't." Aurora cried, tears falling from her eyes. She was acting strong all along, telling herself she could, but as the wedding drew nearer, she knew she couldn't. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle this whole thing. She wasn't ready to marry a man, who was known to be a devil. Was she ready to sacrifice her entire life for a man she doesn't know or even care about? No, she wasn't. She still had this dream deep in her heart to explore the whole world, to go against the whole damn princesses' rules, to be independent and do what she wanted with no one telling her what and what not to do. Unfortunately for her, she knows it's a dream, a dream that's far away from her reach, and no matter what she does, she won't be able to reach it.

"Princess," Lya uttered sadly, pulling Aethera into a hug. The rule of the kingdom was against the friendship between a maid and a royal family because they believed that maids are the only servants who are capable of hurting you and also betraying you at the same time. But still, her princess never treated her as a maid, she treated her as a sister and best friend. The first princess showed her love despite her coming from a poor family. She knows that Aethera was always acting rebellious but that was only because she wanted to be free from the duties of being a princess, of being a royal but who would have known that because of what she did, she would end up being forced to marry a man who was no less than a devil. A man who was known to be heartless and won't hesitate to kill anyone that comes his way. This how bad her princess's fate is.

Aethera stared into space, this was her fate, her fate to be doomed her whole life. Her fate is to never experience love and to be doomed her whole life. She hated the fact, that she had to live her whole life, listening and following a man's orders.

She still remembers her father's last verdict to her when she was caught, sneaking to the western gate of the kingdom. A place that royal families were never allowed to go. Why? Because it was believed that vampires resided there. A superstition that she found stupid. Vampires don't exist; deep down, she knows it was all a lie. She was curious to know what was behind those walls, but who would have known that that would lead to her destruction? That would lead to her father, forcing her to marry a man she doesn't know and has never met her whole life.

Her father's deep voice kept replaying in her mind. "Aethera will be getting married to the king of Azania and that's my final verdict. And if you dare to go against this Aethera, I'll make sure you regret it."

That was it, that single statement changed her whole life completely. Maybe she deserved all this after all. She wasn't expecting more from her father; after all, he had never looked at her with love in his eyes, and he never talked to her like a father but as a king.

Aethera stood up, her eyes burning with a new determination. She won't crumble because of this. Her father might have done this because he was trying to punish her, but she'll make sure that no matter what happens, she'll make him regret his decision, and she will make sure to make life hell for her so-called husband.

Lya sighed when she noticed the new look in her princess's eyes. She could only pray that her princess wouldn't do a thing that could lead to her being punished again.

The whole kingdom is in jubilation. Their crown princess was getting married and not to just anyone but the king of a great kingdom like Azania.

18 years ago, when their queen gave birth to a girl instead of a boy, there was great chaos in the kingdom. The first children of all the previous queens were all boys, so what happened? That was the only question lingering on their mind but they couldn't find an answer to their questions.

Several years passed but still, the queen didn't give birth to another child. The court members pleaded to the king to find a new queen, but he refused because of the promise he made to Queen Celestia before their marriage not to marry any other woman except her, and he's been doing a great job in keeping that promise.

Even though their princess has never acted like a princess would and done things her way, all that has been forgotten since she married the great king of Azania; what more could they ask for?

"I hope Aethera won't do anything stupid, Celestia.", King Elyon said, not removing his gaze from the door.

"She won't," Celestia said confidently. She knows that our daughter wouldn't act immature and disgrace her kingdom.

Celestia was lost in her thoughts when one of the king's royal servants came to stand beside the king and whispered something in his ear, which made the king's expression darken. Celestia noticed the look on her husband's face and gasped in disbelief.

"This can't be happening."

Realizing that the wedding might begin as soon as she reached the court's door, Aethera couldn't help but tighten her grip on her dress. Her heart started to thud inside her ribcage. All she could see outside the court were the guards dressed in their usual black uniform."This is happening."

As Aethera was talking to herself she was made to stand right in front of the court's double door by her escorts.

Dread begins to fill Aethera's heart. There was only one thing echoing in her mind at that moment and it was the thought that she must do something-anything-to stop this wedding. But what?

What should she possibly do to cause a ruckus big enough to stop a wedding?

Aethera started panicking when she saw two of the men in black approach the door and stand on both sides, simultaneously holding the door's handle. Her heart was beating so loudly, it was rumbling so deafeningly in her ears and making her feel so overwhelmed.

Unable to exercise logic, probably perhaps due to all that panic and dread filling her heart, the best option Aurora could think of was to scream at the men to stop, but before a sound could escape from her lips, the men abruptly let go of the door's handle. One of the guards whispered something into the other guard's ear."What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Aethera asked, staring at the guards for an answer.

The guards turned towards her and stared at each other silently, communicating among themselves whether it was a wise decision for them to answer her question or not. Aethera's expression hardened at their reluctance, and she stiffened her shoulders.

"Did you not hear me?! Is there a problem?!" Aethera's voice was fiery and sounded her temper, causing the men to blink in surprise. How did the poor damsel in distress suddenly look like a fierce villainess?

"It's not a major problem, your highness." One of the guards uttered, staring at his comrades.

"Then what!"

"It looks like King hasn't arrived yet, but don't worry, princess, we are sure that he's already on his way, and something is just delaying him."

The surprise was so shocking that Aethera fell into a trance. However, in the next moments, the corner of her lips curved up slightly."So... you are saying that the groom isn't here." She mumbled and her voice had a tinge of amusement. " And you want me, Princess Aethera to continue standing and waiting for him?"

"No princess, we are sure he'll be here in a few minutes." The guard's tone was hesitant. Their face was filled with confusion upon seeing the smile suddenly blooming on Aethera's face.

"Hahaha." Aethera's laughter echoed surprising and disorienting the guards even more. "Guards.." She said as soon as her laughter stopped and she took small steps towards them, taking advantage of their bemusement. She stood between the guards and looked at them. "You see, on a wedding day, grooms are supposed to be the ones to wait and not the bride.

A man who fails to come early for his wedding fails as a man and a woman who waits for him is a ....fool."

Before the men could process what Aethera had just said, she lifted her gown and kicked the door open.

She had given all her strength in that one strong kick the door made a dramatic loud bang when it flew open. All heads turned as the princess entered with a wide smile on her face.

The shocked guards didn't know what to do because Aethera didn't give them time to react. She started her majestic march without warning. She could see the confusion in their eyes, most especially her parent's eyes.

And then suddenly, the music started, and the smile on Aethera's face grew bigger. She was enjoying this whole thing, heaven was really on her side this time around. She only hopes that that annoying king won't come for the wedding; maybe then she will be saved from this crazy hell of marriage.

Aethera walked to the aisle, her parents were staring at her but that didn't stop the smile from growing wider.

"Let the wedding procession begin."

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 everlast 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,d, 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.