Chapter Text
Ella took a deep breath and straightened the decorative tiara on her head, tucking it neatly into her pile of coiled curls. It meant nothing, and she knew it. Charming would've never given her one if it held any real power. She was only 2 hours into this new relationship, and already she knew where she stood in his eyes.
The corset of her dress was pulled tight against her ribs by the women attending to her, and she had to resist the urge to scream. She was doing this for the good of the kingdom, for her family, she had to remind herself. Once she had a crown, she could find the trolls and end them for good.
“Are you ready, my lady?” Another woman poked her head in, gasping as she saw Ella’s outfit for the first time. Turning to the floor-length mirror in the corner of her impromptu dressing room, Ella glared over her reflection with critical eyes.
The work was impeccable, she couldn't deny that, but there was so much lace. And ribbons. She felt like she was drowning in silk, the white ruffles nearly blinding her as she shifted slightly.
“Yes.” She finally replied, stepping off the dais, her magical glass slippers clinking on the stones beneath her. “Take me to my wedding ceremony.”
As she passed, she heard whispers of the servants passing her, smiling and nodding at their future princess when she caught their eye.
“Beautiful dress!”
“Where did they get it?”
“She will look lovely at the prince’s side!”
“I hope she can handle the royal courts. She seems out of her depth.”
Ella frowned at the last comment, realizing they were right. She might have grown up in nobility and royalty, following in the dance steps and dinner processions of her family line, but she was never trained to rule, just to wed. Not that it was a fault of her parents, she doubted they had ever seen her taking the throne out of necessity, but still.
“Miss,” The maid leading her tapped her on the shoulder, shaking Ella out of her daze. “We’re here.” Ella looked before her to find two great doors waiting, heavy and dark, ready to trap her to her fate.
Taking a steadying breath, Ella smoothed out her dress one last time, nodding to the men waiting to open those terrifying doors.
And as they creaked open, she painted a smile on her face, holding her head high as she began the long, slow march to the prince. She would make her family line proud.
The House of Ashmore would be remembered for centuries to come, the house that never burned out.
***
“I… I do.” Ella swallows, looking into the eyes of the prince before her, the man she is supposed to marry, to stay loyal to for the rest of his life, and all she can think is how soon until I can pull my hands from his?
His eyes were hungry as they fell on her mouth, and she fought back a grimace as he boldly proclaimed “I do!” with a flourish, cheers erupting all around him.
Then he grabbed Ella roughly by the arms, pulled her to him, and planted his lips on hers, attempting to bite them off of her, it seemed.
“Ow, you're hurting me!” She hissed as he took a breath, wrenching out of his grasp.
“You taste lovely, darling.” He purred, taking her hand again.
Cheers of “Here’s to the bride! Here’s to the groom!” Echoed around the room as Charming dragged Ella back down the aisle grinning and high-fiving a few of the men he knew as he ran past. Ella, meanwhile, tried her best to keep both shoes on her feet and not get her arm ripped off.
The doors closed behind them as the guests began to gather their things, and Ella stopped short, pulling her arm out of Charmings severe grip. “I was attached to you, you know.” She grumbled, rubbing the bruise already forming on her wrist.
“How soon do you think we can sneak away and get this honeymoon started?” Charming wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her, and Ella’s scowl morphed into a sharp glare, backing up another foot from her husband.
“I was hoping to thank the guests.” She said shortly, turning to the main hall where they would all be waiting for her. For them.
“We can send a card.” He whined, reaching for her arm again.
“No, charming!” Ella snapped before composing herself, pressing the heel of her palms into her eyelids. “I- why don't you go wait upstairs for me, and I shall be there once I am done thanking everyone?”
“And you promise you’ll come right up when you're done?”
“I promise.” Ella nodded tiredly, watching the prince blow her a kiss and practically skip up the stairs to his bedroom.
Our bedroom. Ella realized with a shudder. How I was going to spend the rest of my life with him? Was taking the crown really worth this?
But then she thought of her stepmother and sisters, of the terror they would create if they were set loose on the lands, and she pulled herself together. You can mourn all you lost later, Ella. It’s not the first time, and it won't be the last. Just keep your chin up, and you won't drown.