The Lycan's Ghost Bride

"Do you believe in Fairytales?

"Where the prince charming comes to the damsel in distress calling and rescues her?

"Where the sad clouds become happy with just a kiss?

"A story of a prince and a damsel riding off into sunsets?

"Where love conquers all?

But this is not a love story, at least not like any other you've read so far.

~~

It was our kingdom's 31st annual debutante ball thrown in honor of the young single jewels of age as a tradition for males to begin courtships. This courtship came with promises of marriage and of course scandals of heartbreak, something to look forward to. It was also in this debutante ball that my father, the king, wished to marry me off to the most eligible man, the Duke of Wilshire.

"Arabelle, why are you not yet dressed?

Yes, that's right. My name's Arabelle, the second child of the king and also the result of the King's secret affair with a witch. A child born out of wedlock, a bastard.

"The ball has already begun and you are not yet in your dress" Jennifer, the Nanny said. She is one of the few people who likes me in this place.

"I don't see the reason to attend, it's not like I would find a husband" I slurped on the chair staring at my reflection on the vanity mirror. " I'm the King's mistake and everyone knows that. Nobody wants to marry a mistake"

She strutted across the room, towards me. Picks up a comb and runs it through my hair, strokes by strokes .

"Oh little child. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen" her hands ran through my long hair. "You're not a mistake, the god's were not sleeping when they sent you to your mother"

"Right, the mother that abandoned me" Another flaw. "Who abandones an infant less than a month old and takes off?

Jennifer turned me to face her. "Oh precious child, the reasons are best known to her but this I do know, you're the kingdom's finest jewel and others may not agree but their thoughts do not matter much. You, Arabelle are the sun in this kingdom's miserable sky"

I smiled at her words of encouragement. Her intentions towards me were so pure and it made me look up to her as a mother figure since I have none in my life.

"I feel tears trying to escape their prison"

"Don't cry now" she touched my cheeks. " Come, put on your dress and dazzle everyone"

I smiled and did as she said obediently. She called a few other maids who helped me into the dress the Royal seamstress made specially for this ball. I stared at my reflection on the vanity mirror, the dress so red with black stones compliments my Porcelain skin.

"Wow, I feel different," I breathed.

"Now go out there and shine your light "

I could hear the soft melodies of the violins playing, the chatter and laughter of people in the ballroom. I stood in front of the door, trying to calm my nerves down. The guards stared at me in anticipation of my signal for them to open the door.

Is it too late to run back into my room? The thought ran through my mind like a wildfire. I inhaled and exhaled, people in the room were definitely going to talk about me. If I turn back and leave, I'll be the topic of gossip in everyone's mouth by the sunrise.

Arabelle, you can do this. All you have to do is to walk through that door, smile at a couple of strangers, dance with any of them who request your hand on the dance floor and maybe get a husband.

Who am I kidding! There's no way I want a husband who's from here. And there's no way in this life will I be tied down to this kingdom when there's a whole new world out there to explore.

Arabelle Stop thinking too much and just walk into that room!

"Umm my lady, should we get the door for ya? One of the guards snapped me out of my thoughts, a dark tone with a cute smile.

You got this. " Yes, please "

They signaled the chief butler about my arrival before opening the doors wide enough to get the attention of everyone in the room.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Arabelle! The chief butler announced.

I breathed once, twice, thrice before my legs could move. The instrumentals swiftly changed into something more soft and slow as I walked down the stairs. I could hear the murmuring of everyone, they were all talking about me, looking at me, it felt like I was an antelope in the midst of hungry lions who looked as though given the permission they would devour me right here and right now.

My eyes scanned the room for the King, and when my eyes spotted him, I navigated my legs to where he stood talking with a stranger who I later recognized as the Duke of Wilshire.

It's obvious that they were talking about me and any possibility of marriage to unite our Kingdom with the church. The church had chosen Wilshire as its fortress after the rise of werewolves, vampires, witches and other mythical creatures. Humanity was divided into three realms, Wilshire which was the home of the Church, Etaariyaki the home of the paranormal creatures also referred to as the devil's lair, and Eternia was the part of the earth where mortals resides, where mortals had build kingdoms and corrupted it with politics and for this reason my father, the king had chosen to marry me off to the duke, to gain the church as an ally for his quest to unite all kingdoms under an empire, his empire. It was his life's dream and I was a stepping stone for him to achieve this.

As much as I yearned to be free, I was stuck. Stuck to this shit ass plan the moment I was born.

"Your Majesty, My lord" I courtesy at both of them.

"Arabelle" The king acknowledged me. "I'll leave you two to get to know yourselves. This old man needs his bed more often these days"

He excused himself.

"Princess Arabelle" he took my hand into his and placed a kiss just above my knuckle. "I've heard a lot about you, from your father of course and also other respectable sources"

"Respectable things I hope, my lord"

"Respectable of course, I must say your name is quite interesting in the mouths of others " he smiled at me. "Walk with me"

"Care to entertain me about what amuses you" I followed as he took the lead to the balcony, which was quiet from all noises and also had the best view of the kingdom.

"It is no position of mine to say" he chuckled lightly. "Tell me more about yourself"

"I do not wish to marry" I blunted. "And certainly not one that involves politics"

"I certainly do not wish to marry either but either way the matter is certainly not in our hands and has been decided by our elders"

"I am certain you have the power to call off whatever agreement is made" I turned to face the view of the sky. "You do not understand for you are a man but a woman's life is over when she walks down that aisle"

"I certainly do have that power but it will put my household in jeopardy with the church and certainly I won't risk that not even for a beauty such as you"

A beauty? Did he just call me a beauty!

My heart beats against my chest bone rapidly, he's the first man who has complimented me. Not like I was allowed to see other men but still, oh my gods he called me a beauty.

"A shame indeed" I tried my hardest to keep my nerves in check so I don't sound as desperate.

"You intrigue me Arabelle"

"I certainly hope not. Intrigue is the foundation of affection which certainly I wish not to be entangled in any, my lord "I turned to face him and for the first time I took in his features. Shape jawline, green eyes that matched his fair skin and hair that reminded me of leaves in autumn. He was alluring.

"You intrigue me but certainly not enough to start up any affection. I can not give you my heart but I can give you status and power"

I smiled. Maybe marriage with him would not be such a bad idea at all, I mean he is a fine looking man. I could just postpone my dreams to explore for a year, get married to him and divorce him in front of the church and of course my father. Though this setback will involve a stench in my reputation and I won't be allowed to marry again but who cares? Certainly not

me.

"When shall the wedding be, my lord? " I smiled.

"Whenever you please and please call me Damien"