Black Pearl

Marissa brushed her long dark brown hair back helping her lady in waiting fix her hair into a loose bun that was adorned with a jewel net. She allowed her other ladies to do her mineral face paints. Her dress was a pale yellow and her corset pushed her chest upwards in a manner she was unused to.

"Must we wear this damned contraptions?" she asked her friend who was seated across the room.

"When we're put up for show in front of the elegible men we have to look our best." Alexandra smiled sarcastically, shaking her head. She had on a deep green dress and her hair was half pinned up. She had had her eyes darkened with kohl and she sat waiting until they would be taken to wherever they were supposed to go.

"But of course," she said as she sighed, "But I'm already to be married off - what do I need to look nice for - he is stuck with me anyway," she said as she looked at her.

A couple of her ladies giggled, "Don't act like it's not true," she said smiling a little, "Besides If I'm only as beautiful as how small they can make my waist then I'm afraid I'm not too beautiful,"

"I wouldnt be the slightest upset if I never got married off. If I could find that impossible thing called love, but for us, it doesnt exist." She shrugged. "And you have yet to meet him, you still need to show youre a good wife by being pretty for him." She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Show up in your night gown with your hair undone and eating pastries. That will give them a shock."

She smiled a little,"Of course, but the contract is signed," she smiled as she looked herself over,"Alright, I'm done," she said as she put her earrings on then allowed the necklace to be placed on her.

"Lets go get this over with," she said to her.

"Fake smiles ready," She muttered, standing and heading towards the carriage. "Your wedding is in a few days though, you get a little more time to yourself." She said as they got in and the carriage began to move toward Marissas new husbands manor.

She smiled a little, "Yeah, true, but I have to be a wife then - become a mother," she said to her as they walked, "I'm not sure I'm ready for any of those things,"

"We dont get to be," She sighed, shaking her head. "What do you know about him?" She asked curiously. "This will be the first time he has seen you."

She nodded a little,"Not much just that he is a extremely attractive," she said to her lightly, "Women all over the kingdom swoon over him like a freshly baked cake," she smiled.

"You will be the envy of all of the women, that is a good thing, I suppose." She said wih a small shrug. "Maybe we have met him before?"

"No - this is his first time in the south, I'll be moving with him once the wedding is over - my mother has been prepping my wardrobe for the blizzard of a home I'll be living in," she sighed.

"The cold, At least you will have snow to look at. Ill give you that fur of mine you love so much, since youll be living with the in the artic." She laughed a little, looking out the window. "I think we are here."

She nodded a little as the carriage door opened and she stood taking the hand of the man who was helping her out. She looked around and sighed,"I'll miss the warmth," she murmured softlyt.

"You have to promise to take care of my fur," She smiled. "And save it for me when I come to visit," She sighed a little. "Its so unfortunate. Why is it that happy things have to end?"

She looked at her,"I will take care of it, I swear," she said to her, "It's so strange how we were once so little and just having fun to having our lives planned for us,"

"When we were little it was a game, and we had the silly idea of happiness until we were old enough to realize the truth." She murmured. "Now the truth is here for us, whether we were ready or not." She sighed, looking up. "Are you ready?"

She nodded a little,"As I'll ever be," she said to her then licked her lips then walked with her into the large ballroom. She was introduced as she walked down the stairs she went to the arm of her father who walked her over to her future husband. He was quite attractive.

Luhan looked up and sighed, hearing the doors open. He stood to face forward to the woman who would in a few days be his wife. He knew his friend, Jongdae would be next to be married and he knew he would probably handle it better due to the fact that Luhan wanted nothing to do with this. But he bowed politely, doing what was expected of him at that moment.

"Lady Marissa," He said to her, offering his arm to her. "The pleasure is mine." He said to her coolly, still polite but basically indifferent.

---

She headed to Marissas right, and slightly behind. When a woman was being presented you stayed off to the side unless introduced, which is what she did.

She moved away from her when they reached her new husband, She moved off to the side near a man who was to Marissas husbands left, but left enough space between them.

She knew exactly who they were, they were both known as the most handsome and elegible bachelors in the country. Women told stories far and wide of their adventures, none of them ideal to whoever they would end up marrying.

She took his arm and gave him a polite smile and bow. Her mother gave her a small smile but she could tell that she was excited for her youngest daughter. The eyes of everyone in the room was on the pair as they walked.

---

Jongdae didn't even know why he had to come to this party besides to meet his friends soon to be wife - otherwise he felt as if it were useless. He didn't really plan on meeting any women while he was here.