I finally reacted and looked at the older woman through the mirror. "Martha?"

"Yes, my lady?"

​​

"Do you remember the red-eyed man I mentioned to you before who I saw in my visions?"

"Yes, my lady," Martha replied.

"The man I married today is that exact red-eyed man," I informed her.

"Hmm," Martha hummed nonchalantly.

I gave her a displeased look. "Aren't you surprised? That man, why was he in my visions?"

Martha had a strangely calm expression on her face, her words filled with concern. "As he is the one you had seen in your visions and now both of you are married, that means this is fate. My lady should not worry about it anymore."

I looked at myself in the mirror and felt like crying. "Fate? Why is my fate this bad? Is someone punishing me for my wrongdoings in my previous life or something? What did I do to get such a fate?"

There was a knock on the door and one of the servants entered. "Your Majesty, it's time to leave."

Martha looked at me. "My Lady, shall we?"

With a helpless sigh, I stood up and turned to leave. The servant guided my way towards the entrance of the residence with Martha walking behind me.

Outside the residence, I saw a black horse-drawn carriage similarly extravagant to my brother's, but instead of the crest of the Ilven Royal Family, it bore an unfamiliar crest in gold, which must belong to the royal family of the kingdom I married into. The carriage looked larger and sturdier as if it was custom-made for traveling over long distances. A number of smaller carriages lined up behind it, and knights in a different type of uniform were standing around with their horses. That black uniform was unlike the blue ones of Abetha, so I concluded this was the official color for Megaris.

I noticed the red-eyed man standing next to the large carriage, talking to someone I am familiar with. It was a man who I had seen before, a prince of Griven. Both were deep into their conversation but as if that red-eyed man sensed my presence, he turned to look at me and so did the others. My brother and the King and Queen were standing there too, along with the other royal family members, my sister Meira and cousins.

I could see the happiness on the faces of the other royals, but I knew it was because they were finally getting rid of me. Only my brother Cian had a genuine care for me, while King Armen had his usual cold expression that made it difficult to understand what he was feeling. If I were to be asked, he must be relieved to know he would no longer be troubled by his witch daughter.

Martha took me towards the carriage before stepping away. Brother Cian approached me, and I could clearly see how sad he was to see me going. The only regret I had was why I didn't get more time to spend with him. Why did His Majesty have to send him away to the far north? If brother Cian had remained in the palace, then these past few years would have been more bearable. He was the only person who cared for me but His Majesty took him away from me. Now, I didn't know if this scary red-eyed man would ever allow me to see my brother again.

"Take care," was the only thing my brother said as he patted my head.

I felt emotional but as usual. I couldn't shed tears and just nodded in response. I had the urge to hug him, but there were too many prying eyes here. I did not want to burden him unnecessarily.

Other than my brother, there was no one I wanted to say my goodbye to. I just bowed to King Armen to show him respect for the last time. No matter what grievance I had, in the end, this man in front of me was my father.

"Take care," he said, the same words my brother used.

As I lowered my gaze, no longer bothering with other people, I heard the red-eyed man, "Shall we, my Queen?"

In my heart, I didn't want to go, at least not with this red-eyed man, but I had no other choice. I nodded lightly with my gaze still lowered, not daring to look at him. One knight opened the carriage door for me and that red-eyed man offered me his hand to help me climb inside.

He was my husband now so I had to accept his hand. Just as I was about to enter the carriage, I remembered something. Martha! I was so shocked all along that I forgot to ask if Martha was coming.

I immediately turned to look at her, who had remained standing at a distance. Before I could say a word, I heard a voice that sounded calm but commanding, "In Megaris, the groom doesn't allow anyone but the bride to enter his household. From now on, everything you need will be provided by your husband."

All the hope in my heart shattered at his words.

Disappointment? Anger? No, that would be putting it lightly. I could only hate this man who had taken away the last bit of warmth left from me. With Martha gone, I would truly be alone.

I looked at Martha who seemed to know what's happening and nodded lightly as if saying everything was fine. She even smiled at me which she never did before. Although she was standing at a distance, I found out that her eyes were moist. She was sad to let me go, her eyes clearly told me.

I wanted to go back and hug her, say my last farewell to her, but I heard that same voice again. It was a voice I was growing to hate with each passing second.

"We have two female servants from Megaris who will help my Queen during this journey."

That red-eyed man was still holding my hand, but I did not spare a glance at him as I entered the carriage without a word.