VALORIA WILDEROSE
I dread the morning that comes after barely three hours of sleep.
I feel sick—aside from the nauseating feeling of marrying that man today, I am physically sick.
Deep exhaustion has settled in my bones from constant life-threatening situations and wound upon wound without a moment of rest.
But I cannot fall apart. I have to prove to everyone, and to myself, that I will not be broken.
Yue dresses me in the ceremonial red dress—lavish and extravagant, nothing compared to what I had worn on what was supposed to be my wedding weeks ago.
Those were outdated rags; this is a dress fit for a princess. Yet, I was more comfortable in the former. This one feels like pain and regret weighing down on my shoulders.
"You look beautiful," Yue comments from behind me, trying to lift my mood.
I smile, trying to hide the fact that I don't believe her—though I do look different despite the minimal makeup.
