The full moon hung high over the kingdom of Eldoria, casting a silver glow upon the towering spires of the royal palace. A soft breeze whispered through the halls, rustling the velvet drapes and sending a shiver through Princess Evelyne Raventhorne's spine.
She sat before a grand mirror in her chamber, staring at her own reflection, yet feeling as though she were looking at a stranger. The golden embroidery on her bridal gown shimmered, the delicate pearls woven into her long, dark hair gleaming under the candlelight.
She should have felt excited.
Tomorrow, she would be wed to Prince Kael of Valdoria, sealing an alliance between their kingdoms. A marriage of duty, not love.
But something felt wrong.
A heaviness settled over her chest, an unshakable feeling of being watched.
She ran her fingers over the intricate lace on her sleeves, trying to still her racing thoughts. The palace was safe. Guards patrolled the halls, her chamber was locked, and yet…
Why did it feel like unseen eyes were upon her?
The candle flames flickered violently. A cold gust swept through the room, making the silk curtains tremble.
Then, she noticed it.
The mirror.
Her reflection was not moving.
A cold wave of fear washed over her.
Evelyne lifted a trembling hand and touched her face. The reflection did not do the same. Instead, the woman in the mirror—who looked exactly like her—smiled.
A voice, soft and eerie, whispered through the air.
"You are the cursed bride."
The words sent a chill down her spine, her heart hammering against her ribs.
The mirror cracked, a jagged line splitting through her reflection's face.
Her breath hitched. The air in her lungs felt heavy, pressing against her chest. Her vision blurred, darkness creeping into the edges of her sight.
She clutched the edge of her vanity, her pulse roaring in her ears.
A curse? A warning? Or something more?
Before she could process what had just happened, the heavy doors of her chamber burst open.
A tall figure strode in—Prince Kael.
His emerald-green eyes locked onto hers, dark with urgency. His raven-black hair was slightly tousled as if he had been moving swiftly. His usual composed expression was replaced by something far more intense—worry.
The moment his gaze flickered to the shattered mirror behind her, his jaw clenched.
"Evelyne," he said, his voice firm yet laced with concern. "We need to talk. Right now."
She took a shaky breath, still gripping the vanity as if it were the only thing keeping her steady.
"What—what is happening?" she whispered.
Kael shut the door behind him, his gaze scanning the room before settling back on her. He took a step closer, his presence commanding yet strangely reassuring.
"You're in danger."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Danger? What do you mean?"
Kael exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I don't think you understand what this marriage truly means. There are forces at play that neither of our kingdoms have spoken about openly."
Evelyne frowned. "Forces?"
"The Curse of the Moonlit Bride. It's real."
Silence stretched between them.
Evelyne stared at him, the pieces of the puzzle slowly clicking into place.
The whispers. The mirror. The presence she had felt since the engagement was announced.
"You know something," she accused, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael hesitated before nodding. "I do. But if I tell you everything now, you might not believe me. Just trust me when I say this—someone doesn't want you to survive this wedding."
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
"Then why are you marrying me?" she demanded.
Kael's gaze softened. "Because if I don't… your fate will be worse than death."
Her breath caught. "Worse than death?"
Kael took another step toward her, his presence imposing yet steadying. "I don't have time to explain everything now. But if you trust me, I can keep you safe."
Evelyne hesitated. This was supposed to be her wedding, a political arrangement that would unite their kingdoms. Not a battle for survival.
She met his eyes. "What do you need me to do?"
Kael held out his hand. "Come with me."
She took it.
---
The night air was crisp as Evelyne followed Kael through the dimly lit corridors of the palace. He walked with purpose, his cloak billowing behind him, his shoulders tense.
"Where are we going?" she asked, struggling to keep up.
"To the archives," he replied. "There's something you need to see."
Evelyne's mind whirled with possibilities. The Curse of the Moonlit Bride.
Was it true?
The guards stationed near the library barely acknowledged them as Kael led her inside. The scent of aged parchment and candle wax filled the air. Shadows danced across the ancient bookshelves, towering and endless.
Kael moved with familiarity, guiding her through the maze of knowledge until they reached a grand door adorned with ancient symbols.
He pressed his palm against it, murmuring something under his breath.
The door groaned open.
Evelyne swallowed hard as she stepped inside. The chamber beyond was dimly lit, with only a single marble pedestal at its center.
A dusty, leather-bound book rested atop it.
Kael flipped it open to a page titled:
"The Tragedy of the First Moonlit Bride."
Evelyne leaned in, her fingers tracing the yellowed parchment. The story detailed the fate of a princess from centuries ago, who had married into the Valdorian royal family.
A woman with dark hair, violet eyes…
Her breath hitched.
The illustration in the book…
It was her.
Her stomach twisted. "This… this can't be."
Kael's voice was grim. "She was the first victim. Every hundred years, a chosen bride is sacrificed to keep the balance of power between our kingdoms. And this time—it's you."
Evelyne's pulse roared in her ears. "Sacrificed?"
Kael turned to her, his gaze burning with intensity. "That's why I came to you tonight. We have to stop this. But we have little time."
Evelyne swallowed hard. "What do we do?"
Kael extended a hand. "Trust me, Evelyne. I swear I will protect you."
She hesitated, staring at his outstretched hand. The air around them crackled with unspoken energy.
For centuries, fate had decided the Moonlit Bride's end.
But not this time.
This time, she would rewrite destiny.
---