Mirelah;
I don't understand how she's okay with marrying a man she has never met.
If I were in her place... I don't know how I'd feel. Maybe it'll be a reprieve. I'll finally get away from the cold stone walls of this castle. I'll get to meet new people, see new people, and hopefully live life.
I smile a bit at the thought of freedom, and Veylira's voice chimes in my head.
"Stand straight and stop smiling like an oaf. "
My smile instantly vanishes, and I keep my head straight. Just then, the sky suddenly darkens. The wind picks up slightly, and I can't help but squint my eyes as a gust of wind hits us. I don't need anyone to tell me. I know what this is. It's a wordless announcement of the Varkaine's arrival.
They've finally arrived.
The crowd falls silent as horses bearing carriages march forward, and we all turn to them.
The first carriage stops, and the almighty king of the Blood Crescent Kingdom, King Damarion, comes out with his beautifully dressed wife. Queen Velnara. She is dressed in a fitted, flowing black dress and her dark hair cascade down to her waist. She looks like a goddess. Her skin is spotless and milky, and her smile is quite enchanting… She's so gorgeous.
Father walks over to welcome them, and King Damarion motions for Father to lend him an ear. When he leans close, King Damarion whispers something to him, and I see shock suddenly take my father's face. Father stares at King Damerion with wide eyes for a few seconds, before blinking away his shock, and suddenly, he looks at me. Causing me to raise a brow. Why is he looking at me?? Did King Damarion say something about me??
Is it because of my dress? Oh, please don't tell me I'm in trouble.
As King Damarion and his wife start walking towards my sisters and I, we all bow in respect, but only Queen Velnara smiles at us. King Damarion on the other hand doesn't acknowledge us.
He's a scary man.
More carriages soon arrive and Azra starts squealing under her breath, causing me to roll my eyes. Each of those carriages houses each of the Varkaine brothers. All seven of them. We hardly ever see them in the same place. But today, they're all here because one of them wants to pick a bride.
This makes me wonder… Did the last brother come too?
Kaelith…
Just like me, Kealith is hardly ever seen. He doesn't attend any gatherings… and is rumoured to be the powerless one of his brothers. I heard that to make up for his loss of magic, he took up the hobby of killing people and is an uncontrollable killing machine.
I also heard that as punishment, King Damarion restrained him from ever leaving their castle. I know these are all rumours, but it makes me eager to see him.
I wonder what he looks like. Is he an overconfident heartthrob like the rest of his brothers? Or a simple-looking man with a gentle smile? Is he truly a vicious killer? Or is he just misunderstood?
Of all the Varkaine brothers, Kaelith is the one I want to see the most. He is so hidden from the public eye, that a group of people believe that he doesn't exist. They say he died at birth, but his mother refused to accept his death. Making the rest of the family play along. Claiming they have a seventh brother named Kaelith, when they in fact have none.
But that seems too far stretched. I mean… if I wasn't me, I probably wouldn't believe I exist either. That's how well Father hides me.
I am certain Kaelith exists and I'm quite curious about him. Knowing there is someone out there who shares my struggles, makes me feel like maybe he's someone who could understand me. We'll be inlaws soon. We get to talk, and hopefully, we could be friends.
I stare at the beautiful black carriages that pull up, and everyone turns to them. It was silent before, but it seems to have gotten more silent. Like the entire kingdom is holding its breath. Awaiting the enchantingly beautiful Varkein brothers. The carriages are magnificent round carriages with elaborate, red scroll works. Red is a signature colour of the Varkaines. It signifies their intensity, and identity as hemocrafters (Blood crafters).
I watch as Darven, the striking first son of the Varkaine house, steps out of the first carriage, and the crowd goes wild as girls cheer and swoon over him. He has that effect on women. Even Azra can hardly hold it together.
Goodness!
She's lovesick!
The other Varkaine brothers step out, and the reaction of the crowd remains the same. The brothers come out in order of their birth. After Darven, Vaelor. The second son came out of his carriage.
Then, Cassian the third son, Lucien the fourth, Rhael and Sorin, the fifth and sixth sons. Who happen to be twins.
And finally…
I stare expectantly at the last carriage eager to finally see Kealith, but the crowd goes silent when the carriage doesn't open. My brows crease and I look over at the other brothers who look unbothered.
Where is Kealith?
Is it possible that his father didn't let him attend this?? Why would they do that? Every sibling has to be present for the bride picking. Don't they think his absence would be insulting to us?
I look over at Father, and he has his eyes on King Damarion who also looks highly unbothered.
I feel disappointment wash over me as I look back up at the unopened carriage.
Did he truly not come? Why then would they bring an empty carriage?? I was hoping to see him.