บท 49: Part XLIX.

A black dress?! A black dress for a wedding? It's beautiful beyond doubt but it's black! What is Sean thinking? Oh well, I can't possibly get to him so I guess I just have to wear what he provides. I read the note that appeared with the dress, shoe and cosmetics.

Try to look your best and

only leave your room once

you hear the ding of a bell.

- love Sean.

My life is about to change. This has to be the scariest thing I've faced, not just a crowd but a hateful one. I've been through so much, I'm sure I can get through this too. It's almost as if I'm immortal but attract misfortune. It must be my curse, punishment.

Meticulously cleaning my body, hair, nails in the bath after soaking for approximately thirty minutes, I dry myself up and stand in front of the mirror. My face isn't as gaunt and pale as before, although I obviously shed alot of weight, it's not as bad as I had expected and the circles around my eyes are smaller. I open the drawer and find new sets of underwear, from lingeries to g-strings to brassieres and more.

"You perv." I whisper to myself not being able to keep the smile from my face.

Quickly, I put a black thong to match the dress, leaving my breasts bare knowing the dress has cups of it's own and start to work on my hair, straightening, pulling out knots and trimming out excesses. After few minutes, my hair still falls down to my ass and it looks really boring and wimpy so I take a bold step and cut half of it, leaving it just above my shoulders. I trim it till it's straight and sharp, looking really different, but classy.

Satisfied with my hair, I move on to my face, paying attention to the circles under my eyes then add some colour to my lips and cheeks. By the time I'm done, I give my reflection a fist bump and smirk. If I'm gonna die today, I'm gonna die pretty.

Quickly, I put on the dress, the silver seven inch heeled shoe and a gasp escapes from my lips the moment I stand in front of the mirror. This can't be me.

The dress looks really elegant on me, with long sleeves laced with shiny silver strips, the neck runs down to the middle of my chest, holding my breast firmly and revealing cleavage. It's hugs my body perfectly and holds up my bum, flowing gracefully to the floor with a teasing slit from my upper thigh. This has to be the most beautiful dress I've ever seen or touched and it boosts my confidence even more. Nothing feels better than looking good. This is it. I'm ready.

Right on time, a loud ding resonates throughout the entire building causing my heart to jump into the pit of my stomach, my confidence reducing rapidly.

"No no no no no," I say to myself, taking in a deep breath and releasing it along with every pent up fear and tension. "You can do this. Just walk in there like the Queen you're about to become. Hold your head up high, stand tall and be brave. Only Sean matters." I say to myself and smile, feeling a little relieved. Let's do this.

I walk out of the room and downstairs with my heels clicking and echoing in the quiet. I get to the end of the stairs and find no one, not at the dining table nor kitchen nor living room. There doesn't seem to be a single soul here and I start to get a little weary. He didn't tell me anything else to do aside from the note and now that I'm here, I find no one. Could it be a set up or--

"Excuse me." A voice comes from behind, startling the living hell out of me and I turn around swiftly to see a huge bald burly black man in a black tux looking at me with a poker face and an arched brow.

"Er," I take a poise stance and clear my throat, trying so hard to hide the fear in me. "Who are you?"

"I'm here to escort you to the venue." His overly loud deep voice says and I nod once, pretending to not be affected by his loud voice and intimidating demeanor, hoping the venue is the one I expect and not some slaughter house.

"You may." I say, trying to sound like Maleficent or one of these Disney Queens but regretting immediately I see the mockery in his eyes, but his face still straight. He comes close and puts his hand on my shoulder and just like it happens with Sean, I find myself in front of a very large brown door that opens the moment we appear. A slight breeze blows from inside the hall, sending shivers to my spine and I start to feel really nervous, my palms sweaty and a big lump in my throat. I can only see a long wide aisle, with a man in cream coloured garment standing at the end of it and to his left, a man in white suit. Sean. His eyes meet mine and I feel myself smile inwardly, the knowledge of him standing there giving me all the courage I need.

"Shall we?" The burly man says again with his loud voice and extends his palm which I take, nodding briefly. Only Sean matters. Only Sean matters.

Sucking in a deep breath, he goes in and I follow suit, taking one careful step in front of the other.

Once we're in the hall, it falls dead silent and I can feel a thousand pair of eyes all over my body but only one pair matters right now so I keep mine locked on his, not looking away no matter the urge.

Finally, the loud clicking of my heels comes to a halt and my escort stands back few feet behind me once we're in front of the man in a robe whom I'm guessing to be the royal priest. I can feel Sean's eyes on the side of my face but I stand facing the priest who's contempt for me is obvious in his eyes. I guess these people must really hate me.

"You can face your betrothed." He says with a voice loud enough for the first few rows to hear and I turn immediately to face Sean whose eyes widen at the sight of me. He's putting on a white suit and I a black dress, contrary to the norm. He stares at me, looking at my hair, face, down to my cleavage and then finally the slit. He opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out, and I almost chuckle, forgetting the priest and hateful glares of the people. Sean takes away all my worries and for once, I feel really happy and safe.

"The joining shall begin now."