Chapter 2 Taken Away

Diana gasped and looked at him with her eyes bulged out of it sockets " What the...What are you talking about?" Her face crumpled up instantly. "I don't...I don't understand."

"You heard me right, Diana. Get ready because first thing in the morning, you're leaving for his mansion." The King answered blatantly, but Diana still couldn't believe it.

No; she definitely wasn't hearing him clearly.

She looked at her mother who was shocked to the teeth, her eyes dilating.

"Father!" She turned back to the King. "You can't...you can't possibly be serious, right? I mean, this is not possible! You can't just marry me off to... to that Monster! It's not possible!"

"Well, it's possible, Diana and it's happening tomorrow. Guards!"

Two guards came scuttling in immediately.

"Escort the princess to her room and make sure she stays in there." He ordered and the guards bowed and took hold of Diana's arms.

"Father!" She gasped. "no! You can't possibly do this to me! I'm not getting married! No!"

"Take her away;" the King said fiercely and the guards forcefully dragged her away.

The Queen was in shock. Her daughter was getting married to that beast?

"My King..." She called almost ruefully. "I know what Diana did was bad, but she doesn't deserve such a life. Sebastian is too ruthless. He doesn't even know the meaning of love. And to think...to think he's lost his previous wives...Oh, dear! I feel so scared for my daughter."

"My points exactly" the King cut in, turning swiftly to look at her. " Diana is so stubborn and she needs a man like Sebastian to tame her."

"Oh! Your Majesty!" She exclaimed softly. "I know Diana is extremely stubborn, but there are so many ways to punish her. Sebastian will definitely kill her."

"Then, so be it. If she values her life, she'd change for good. But if she really wants to die, then she can go ahead and act stubborn towards him. At least, everyone would know I tried my best for her."

The Queen sniffed and decided to use the last option she had, but unfortunately; the King wasn't ready to change his mind. All effort prove abortive and she stood up slowly and excused herself, then headed to her daughter's room.

She found her on the floor and as soon as Diana's spotted her, she sprang up on her feet and rushed to her. " Mother, please help me talk to father. I can't marry that monster! I don't even want to get married now. Please!"

"I'm sorry, Diana." The Queen shook her head ruefully. "I have tried my best, but the King is adamant and wouldn't change his mind. You're getting married to Sebastian."

Diana felt her blood drain from her system as she stared at her mother. Her hands became weak and she stepped back.

"This is all your fault." The Queen queried. "if only you had listened to me and just minded your business, none of this would've happen. None of these!"

"So, is that enough reason to send me to my death?" Diana half yelled. " Who doesn't know who Sebastian is? It would've been better if he beheads me himself, instead."

"Diana! Stop it!" The Queen gasped. "You mustn't speak that way about your father. To be honest, this all your fault."

"Well, I don't want to get married, mother! I'm not ready for marriage; not to Sebastian, not to anyone!" She walked angrily to the window.

" How could he do that? How could he punish me in such a way?"

" Diana listen....."

" I don't want to, mother! I don't want to get married." Her heart soften and she broke into tears. Her mother quickly hurried to her and placed her hands on her shoulder.

" I understand how you feel. But there's nothing we can do. Your father has spoken and......." The Queen gulped down and shook her head, trying to stop the tears that's threatening to come out from her eyes. " I'm afraid, that's final."

She kept crying, while her mother console her in the way she could, until she fell asleep. The Queen called the guards, and they quickly rushed in, and she ordered one of them to carry her to the bed. Slowly, the guard carried her and placed her on the bed. She bowed to the Queen and walked out.

Queen Elia pulled up the blanket and covered her daughter, then heaved a deep sigh as she wondered how her life would be.

" I wish he'll change his mind tomorrow. I just wish." She muttered to herself, and after some hours, she got up and walked out through the door. " I'll be back Diana."

THE NEXT DAY

I'll try to express Diana's feelings of bitterness and resentment in my rephrase. Here goes:

Diana sat motionless as the maid worked on her hair, her face set in a scowl. She felt nothing but bitterness and rage. How could her father do that to her?

She was lost in thought, hardly even noticing the maid's deft fingers as they worked their magic. But even when her hair was done, she could not bring herself to smile.

Finally, it was time for the wedding. She would be married, to a man she'd never even seen.

Although arranged marriages were common in her culture, Diana had always hated the idea. The thought of being forced to marry a complete stranger, someone she might not even like, was horrifying to her. And now, it was actually happening.

She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a situation with no escape.

She's always dreamt of getting married to a guy she'd - at least - like, if not for love. She's always wanted to get married to a man of her choice and not just some strange cruel monster with a bad image.

Here's my second attempt at rephrasing that section of the story:

Diana had pleaded with her father, begging him to delay the wedding for a few days, so prepare herself for this momentous occasion. But he had been resolute, insisting that the wedding take place immediately. And it's so annoying to her.

"I'm done, my princess," the hairdresser announced. Diana turned to look in the mirror, her eyes widening in surprise. She was putting on a bridal attire and couldn't believe she was actually the one looking that beautiful. Her hair had been styled and adorned with intricate braids and jewels. The effect was dazzling, but all Diana could feel was dread. No amount of beauty could mask the sadness and apprehension she felt inside

"Do you like it, my princess?" The hair dresser said ecstatically but Diana remained silent.

The door opened shortly and a guard walked in. "Princess Diana. Your carriage is ready. It's time to leave." The guard said and Diana felt like puking.

"Princess Diana?" The guard called again when she didn't respond and she rolled her eyes and stood up.

" I hate this! And I think know what to do. Let's go!" She walked out through the door while the guard followed.

As they approached the carriage, Diana saw her mother waiting for her. She looked down, her gaze fixed on the ground, not wanting to meet her mother's eyes. She picked at her nails nervously, her hands trembling slightly.

"Diana" the Queen called with a sigh. "I understand that you're angry, but there's nothing anyone of us can do at the moment."

Diana didn't say a word and the Queen took her hand into hers.

"Remember everything I told you last night. Be polite to him, gentle and who knows.....? You'll be able to survive it."

" Hmmm." Diana grunts.

"My dear......" the Queen continued. "I know we've heard a lot of rumours about this man, but it's possible..."

"There's no need for this, mother. No matter what you say, it's not going to change the fact that I don't want to get married to anyone at all! I just hate this!" Diana cut her off, politely.

The Queen sighed and reached out to caress her daughter's cheek. "I'm going to miss you, dear," she said softly. "I know this is hard, but I want you to know that I love you and I only want what's best for you." She pulled Diana into a hug, but the young woman stood stiffly, her arms hanging by her sides.

As the Queen released her from the hug, she spoke softly, "You must go now."

Diana turned to face the carriage, her heart heavy. Just as she was about to step inside, she caught a glimpse of her stepsisters, staring at her with cruel, mocking smiles on their faces. They seemed to take delight in her unhappiness, and it made her feel even more miserable.

Diana refused to acknowledge the sisters' taunts, and instead climbed into the carriage. The guards closed the curtains behind her, shutting out the world. As the carriage began to move, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her.

She clenched her fists and took a deep breath, trying to still her trembling hands.

The journey ahead of her felt like an endless dark tunnel, with no light at the end.