Chapter Text
I, Katarina claes, woke up earlier than usual today.
After all, today is a very special day.
Unexpectedly, I didn't sleep well last night. My mind was in a mess and I couldn't help but feel nervous about the upcoming day.
When Ann has entered the room she seemed to be surprised that I woke up early and even managed to make my bed and get ready for the day all on my own that she complimented me. Although I appreciate it, I'm a fully grown woman now, I should be able to do that much.
After having a good breakfast, Ann and the other maids rushed me back to my bedroom to get ready for the ceremony. They brought new jewelry and the new dress and started dressing me up.
Everyone around the mansion sounds busy preparing and getting stuff ready. Even my parents are awake and taking care of the preparations in the castle. I took a look at the clock on the wall, it was five in the morning. Ann said that a carriage will come and pick me up at six so there was no time to waste around.
After all, today is the day for the awaited royal wedding ceremony between Gerald Stuart, the third prince of the Kingdom, and the duke's daughter, Katarina Claes.
I was anxious.
I couldn't hear what Ann and the other maids were saying anymore.
Let alone destruction flags, it's hardly believable that I'm marrying a prince in the first place!
Even after all those years, even if the destruction flags are destroyed, that doesn’t mean it can't come back. Deep inside I know that Katarina is nothing more than a villainess in the game, she's not allowed to get a happy ending. The one that's supposed to be in her place right now is the heroine Maria Campbell. Comparing to the heroine I'm stupid, ugly with a scary face, and not even as much talented with cooking and sweets as Maria. Instead, my hobbies are farming and climbing trees...I'm nothing like a Nobel, I'm just not good.
Yet, why does he smiles at me like that?
"I don't care about anyone's opinion Katarina because I love you so much"
Gerald's soft voice echoed in my head
"Katarina"
-I'm not suited to become a prince's wife...why did I agree to his proposal even though I know that. What if something bad happens to him or our friends because of me. What about Maria-
What about me
Why do I still hope so much when I know I shouldn't
I slowly closed my eyes and asked myself
"Do I... want to marry Gerald?"
"What are you talking to yourself? Please hurry up, the carriage is about to arrive."
Ann's voice woke me up from my thoughts. Looking at the mirror in front of me, the maids have finished my makeup and dress and now are trying to finish my hair.
I kept staring at the mirror in front of me with wide eyes, it sounds unbelievable, my usual evil face was now gorgeous and my white dress that was chosen carefully was as if it came out from fairy tales.
I have never worn a wedding dress.
I have only gone to a family wedding in my past life with my mother, the bride will put on a flawless wedding dress, wear a veil and walk gracefully beside her prince's side. I used to think of the fairy tale books I read whenever I think about weddings.
Ah, it's so romantic!
Katarina and Gerald must also be that much happy in their fairy tale...
Eh?!
wait waitt that's not how it should be, because I'm not the princess!
Ann has finished my hair and is now putting on the crown.
The girl in the mirror wore a white and flawless wedding dress with long hair scattered behind her head. The veil covered the original brown color of her hair, and the crown shone in the morning sun.
It's so beautiful.
This is me in a wedding dress.
"The prince has arrived!" A maid rushed into the room to inform us. Ann and the maids finished their work and sent me off to the main hall of the mansion. The servant opened the front door of Claes's mansion and a bright light flooded in.
Gerald Stuart was standing there in his dazzling white suit waiting.
"Good morning Katarina"
He wasn't wearing his usual white suit but a one much more eye-catching that if you look closely you can notice that every detail is meticulous and beautiful. His red cloak was also slightly different than usual with its bright red and gold colors. Perhaps the most part that caught my attention was his hairstyle that I have never seen him before. A part of his sunny hair was lifted up and he was wearing a glowing crown similar to mine.
Gerald was truly up to his name as a prince.
Talking about Gerald, he was just standing there looking at me without moving.
Eh? wait do I look that wired?
I squeezed my hands on my dress nervously, I was afraid I didn't prepare properly. Perhaps it's too ordinary and I'm not good enough to stand beside him.
Of course, that's true! I'm not even the princess of his fairy tale. If anything it's more like the beauty and the beast. Maybe he wants to stop the wedding after seeing me like this?? I'm sorry Ann, you had to waste all this pretty stuff on someone like me.
Just when I was about to say something, Gerald moved and walked towards me.
Ah, his aqua eyes are even more beautiful when they are closer. It was glowing just like jewelry under the early morning's sun.
"I've been waiting for you."
He said with a warm smile.
"You must have prepared very hard. You look really beautiful today, and this dress really matches you very well."
"T-thank you, Gerald-sama also looks very beautiful today."
I replied back nervously. I didn't expect that he will compliment my dress.
"Of course I need to be well prepared for my wedding day. After all these years and enemies, I finally can marry the love of my life."
"L-love of your life??"
He just laughed slightly at what I said and looked back at me with a smile.
"Katarina is the only unique existence in my heart. I believe you know that much by this point right?"
I nodded with a slight blush.
Although it's embarrassing to admit. I came to realize that Gerald truly loved me. Not as his friend but as his princess. He's not the black heart prince form the game Fortune love anymore so I might as well forget about that Gerald.
When he called me last month to meet in the garden at the spot where I hit my head, I would have never expected him to propose to me. At that time my long internship in the ministry of magic was almost over, normally it should have been expected that the talk about engagement would be bought up sooner or later. But what I was expecting is Gerald breaking off the engagement and not the other way around!
Nevertheless, you can tell how shocked I was.
That's also when I first realized my feelings for Gerald.
Not smart enough, not beautiful enough, not powerful enough, not even a proper lady and the villainess.
Can I really still stand beside him and walk side by side with such an outstanding prince?
I panicked at my spot, seconds seemed like hours. I can't love Gerald he's Maria's prince. What if there are still destructions flag out there? What if it will not only harm me but the people around me? what should I do?
I didn't notice that tears were running down my face until Gerald hugged me tightly. The scent of flowers is covering everything and the moonlight is the only source of light above us.
"Don't worry Katarina, nothing will happen, even if it does I will protect you this time"
Eh?
"You don't have to be afraid to love me."
I froze.
He figured it out.
"I love you so much."
His arms are very warm and his voice is soft, making my eyes sore. The fear in my heart seemed to calm down in this silent embrace.
"Yes"
I replied in a faint voice.
After that, everything went fast and before I know it my wedding day came. I tried to prepare for any possible destruction flag that might comes during the wedding. Even if maria happen to stop the wedding or Gerald realizing that he didn't love me I will totally agree to everything! at the very least, I still have my pocket snake to scare Gerald and farmer Tom said he will help me, also Mary's-
"Katarina, are you listening?"
"A-ah Gerald-sama yes.."
We were still standing in the main hall of the Claes's mansion.
"Even on your wedding day....you never change, do you?"
Both Gerald in front of me and Ann behind me sighed...wait when did Ann get here?
I didn't get what he meant but I just smiled back.
"It's almost time shall we go, Katarina"
Gerald said as he leaned down gracefully and handed me his hand, I blushed and his white figure reflected in my pupils.
Ah I see, is this how Katarina Claes felt towards prince Gerald in the game?
Just looking at him made my fears goes away. I smiled warmly at him and raised my hand then placed it lightly on his warm palm.
Suddenly an unfamiliar voice rang in my ears
GAME
ERROR
My heart trembled.
G-game error?? what's going on?
The wind got stronger and the weather suddenly changed. The flower petals in the garden outside scattered with the wind and entered the mansion through the main door.
It felt as if my surroundings disappeared in the darkness and were swallowed by the darkness.
My eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. Before I closed them completely, I saw the blurred figure of terrified Gerald holding me shouting my name cracking in front of my eyes, shattering like a mirror.
It's dark.