Chapter 01: Arrange Marriage
"Sol, you're finally 18 tonight." Her mother said happily while combing her long hair. The undeniable enthusiasm in her voice is obvious, as if she is happy for a child who has reached the age of maturity today.
She could not answer and remained bowed. Solaire has straight black hair down to her waist. She also has baby bangs on his forehead that slightly cover her beautiful eyes. She has a pair of amber eyes, completely different from everyone in their place.
Right now, it's her 18th birthday. Who wouldn't be happy if it was their birthday, not yet? Maybe it's just her.
Solaire was the chosen Luna in the clan. Ever since she turned 10 years old, that was also the first time she saw a vision of her and that's when they found out that she was chosen to be Luna. Her black orbs change into an amber one, signifying the eyes from the Saint that she's the only one.
Among the girls in the clan, she was the chosen one.
A Luna who has the power to protect and predict the dangers for the clan. And the only Luna who'll marry the crowned Alpha.
That strange power already helped the country for countless generations so when a girl dreams of the Moon Saint, it means that she is the one chosen to be the Queen and the one who will transfer its power.
Maybe for others it's a prestigious position that anyone would really like, but for her it's not.
Solaire was born timid and sensitive so she wasn't favored by the family. She was always left alone and was never treated right even if they're her family. They prefer her twin Sinclaire because she is more bubbly, cheerful and sweet. Her exact opposite.
That is why they were even angrier when it turns out that she's the prophecy princess. Because they cannot accept that someone like her will soon marry the chosen powerful crowned alpha and be the next Luna to the clan.
They cannot accept that the princess was weak and gloomy like her.
So they didn't care about her future status.
Every day, treating her like someone who they can play with casually. Until her heart was always used to the pains that were acquired, whether physical or not.
But even with the pain and grief that she holds everyday, she didn't utter a word of complaint.
She grew up never answering back and just letting everyone do what they wanted to do.
Does Solaire know that they're wrong? Yes.
Yet she chose to stay silent because she's afraid.
Afraid that she'll lose them. Afraid that one day, she will be completely left alone in this world. Even though they always make her feel that they don't like her, she still doesn't let go of the hope that she will be accepted.
Because who doesn't miss love, especially family? So she will lose everything, so no matter what she gives up, she's willing to do everything just to see their smile and accept her as a member of the family.
But despite her longing, the fear will not go away from what they do every day. Even at this time, even if her mother is combing her hair gently as if she's a loving mother to her daughter, Solaire can clearly feel the threat in her eyes.
"Solaire, tonight you will be officially the chosen Luna for our clan. In this matter, you have to behave quietly so that everyone will like you. You have to be obedient and do everything that they want. Do you understand that?" Her mother softly said but it sent shivers to her.
She closes her trembling fingers and nods slowly.
"After you meet the Crown Prince, you have to obey him unconditionally no matter what he wants you to do. It's your honor to serve him and the whole clan for all your lies. You must be the perfect Luna that no one would be able to throw you away." Her words were mixed with coldness and emphasis while still combing her long hair slowly.
Her mother leaned down and whispered to her ear with her eerie voice. "Or else the family will cut ties to you and you'll never set your foot here, understand?"
Hearing the threat, Solaire trembles in fear and she nods.
"Y-Yes, Mom."
"Okay." She finally stopped combing her hair and put the comb on the table then she walked away a little.
"Stay here until we leave. Don't ever step out, Solaire. Behave and don't cause trouble." This was her last reminder before leaving and slamming the door that she pushed.
Solaire flinched again until she heard nothing. The whole room became very quiet and the only thing she could hear was her breathing.
Only after a few seconds does her body slowly relax and she raises her head.
Solaire's changes are faintly visible after she turned 18. Her complexion is whiter and her face has gotten more beautiful even though it is no different from before. It's just that because she's now the new Princess, she now has the unique temperament that only a princess can have.
A mysterious elegance that no one can deny. The color of her amber eyes turned deeper as if she's really integrated with the Moon Saint— but not yet. She first needs to be married to the Crown Prince before getting the full power it offers.
A princess that not just can't predict but also helps soothe one's mind and bless lucks to them.
This is the greatest blessing of the Luna. A healing power that contains a soothing ability that could bless someone so the person's mind will be clear even if he/she'll face obstacles in their lives and to give blessing that a person can have luck.
The former Lunas have almost the same faith— happiness. Because they are gifts from the Saint and have powers, they are treated like jewels and with respect by the whole clan. They were instead like a princess because everyone protects them. That is their oath to the Saint for their gratitude.
But not in her case.
Even if they already knew that she'll be the next Luna when she was 10, their treatment is always the same— no, it even got worse. They talked badly, abused her physically just because she didn't fight back. But Solaire didn't fight because she also felt that she didn't deserve to be the princess.
It was supposed to be her sister, Sinclaire. Obviously, her sister is pleased that everyone is willing to protect her. What they just didn't expect for someone like her will be the one.
Her family hates her even more because of this, so Solaire is very reluctant to accept her fate.
It's all because of this that they don't care about her anymore.
It's all because she's 'gifted', her family couldn't wait to abandon her.
Even her sister, in the past, would just act arrogant in front of her, but now, she'll go crazy as if she's in her right mind. That's why they didn't allow her to come near or even see her.
Because they're thinking that it's her who stole what her sister was supposed to have.
Sometimes, Solaire wanted to beg the Saint. Can you please take it back? She'd rather be the most invisible in the family as long as they won't abandon her instead of going to the top where all she can see was the danger of an unknown future.
But Solaire has no other way. She could only move forward and pray in her heart that the life she'll face after this will change.
It's just that she didn't know that she would end up not in heaven but in hell after this night.
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