Adeline Thornevale stopped in the middle of the dressing room, silently fuming. This day was meant to be perfect. Not a decoration, not a flower, not even a hankerchief should be out of place.
She stomped her feet lightly in sheer frustration. It was a childish, inelegant gesture sure, but she was alone in this room. She can afford letting off a little steam.
A soft knock pulled her out of her quite frankly screaming thoughts.
A young fae stepped in. A lady with short fluffy hair, pale sickly skin and gills for ears. A merlady from the Undersea no doubt.
She was dressed in a suit and staring at Adeline expectantly.
"Lady Lynn? I've come to check on you." The merlady said.
Adeline's teeth practically grinded, yet she forced a smile.
"It's actually Adeline. Is there something you needed to inform me of?"
"Ah, apologies Miss Adeline. Yes, actially. There is. The dress will have a little delay, though it shouldn't interfere with the wedding. We're just switching the order around slightly."
Adeline tried to supress an eye twitch.
"Of course. Thank you. You are dismissed."
The woman bowed, before turning to leave and shutting the door behind her with a soft click.
She knocked over a flower vase with a quick swipe of her hand.
"Dammit! Why is everything going so wrong?! Everything was supposed to be perfect! Perfect, perfect, perfect!!"
"My family, my friends, my in-laws are attending!! I can't have them attend a subpar wedding!"
Her thoughts raced, eyes growing darker with fury. She finally draped herself over the nearby couch, all too elegant despite steaming with rage. That's the thing with Adeline, she was beautiful, even in anger or tears.
"Tsk...everyone is meant to compliment me! To shower me in sweet words and gifts! That's literally the point of the wedding!"
Adeline was acting spoiled, yes, but she couldn't care less anymore. Everything was going wrong on her perfect day! She stood up once more, pacing.
"I'm done with this! All of this!"
She knew she couldn't call off the wedding, but Adeline loves her dramatics.
A glass of water was hurled at the wall, shattering with a sharp crack (just like the last of her composure) and splashing water everywhere.
"I couldn't care less about the dress! The fesitivies are all boring and cliché! Oh and don't get me started on the ridiculous cake..." Adeline ranted, more to herself than anything.
She grabbed a nearby piece of paper, one she had written her vows on days prior, and tore it apart. She violently ripped it in pieces and scattered the loose paper.
"And the vows are the worst! Deception and half-truths and- UGH!"
This time a throw pillow went hurling towards the wall. Her mother always said she got destructive when she raged.
She stomped her feet again.
"I hate that man! I HATE that man! It's all his fault! The high and mighty Alderin Nightshade! Who even actually cares about that cold brat?!"
She collapsed right back on the couch, exhausted from all the pacing.
Suddenly, her mother's word's flashed in her mind.
"There, there, Adeline, dear. You don't need to love him."
Mother said, while braiding her hair gwntly on the night of her engagement.
"Just tolerate him enough, produce an heir, maybe an extra child or two, and do what you wish."
The whole thing seemed so simple when she said it, as if making a morning to-do list.
"The boy is rich, he could give you all the joys you could ever want. Besides, all rich nobles have affairs anyway."
Really, Adeline had never cared for Mr. Nightshade. She'd always sought after his money. Yet still, it wasn't just Mr. Nightshade she'd have to deal with.
"But Mother! What about my future children?"
Mother, at the time, had scoffed and laughed.
"Who cares about a few children? Throw them to a mildly competent servant. Discipline them if you must. Teach them to stay away. They're sure to get the hint eventually."
Mother laughed after tha, quiet and elegant. As she always was. As she taught Adeline to be.
Adeline, despite herself had laughed too, hope sparking in her eyes.
Maybe Mother was right. Who cares about that man? It's the money she loves.
She just needed to marry him, secure him, then all her dreams will come true.
She didn't care what he did in his free time, as long as he was hers.
'Yes...' Adeline thought. 'Yes. He will be mine. All mine. And he will buy me gifts and jewelry...he just needs to be officially...mine.'
