Brict the Goblin Prince (special preview)

(this was one of the first stories I wrote. it'll be part of my project to update, repost, and rewrite some of my old works)

You had always dreamed of what your wedding would be like. As a small child you used to play it out with all your dolls and stuffed animals. You would make our own wedding outfit and walk down an aisle with a sheet serving as a veil.

All you wanted was to have the biggest, most beautiful wedding that anyone had ever seen. It had never occurred to you to think about a groom or who you would be walking up the aisle towards. You wanted the big white alter, the flowers, the beautiful flower girl and to dance.

Now that your big day was here, you wanted anything else. Your arranged marriage had taken place a few years ago, but you always figured it would fall through or never happen. But your betrothed was eager and was constantly asking for a date from your father. He soon grew too impatient and backed your father into a corner.

The Goblin kingdom had been fighting over borders with your family’s kingdom for ages. As long as you could remember fights and war were fought on the horizon outside your window. All the guards in the castle were now men younger than you. All the strong and older knights were off fighting.

It wasn’t until the crowned prince of the goblins came forward, asking for your hand in marriage that any peace was struck. You had agreed to it if only to help your kingdom. Your father and mother were dead set against it, but you had seen too many friends go off to wage war and die. You knew the same could be said for the prince.

You had been the one who had hoped you could delay the proceedings as much as possible. But soon, the prince became much too overbearing, and your father had to concede to his demands.

Now, you were in your dream wedding attire, about to have the wedding you always had longed for. But you were daydreaming of someway it would never happen. Perhaps a dragon would attack the church and eat the prince. Maybe a knight would come in and save you. Perhaps the dam would break, and everyone would be swept away.

You sigh heavily as you look at your reflection, seeing someone you didn’t quite recognize. There is a knock at your chamber doors, and you don’t even turn.

“Come in,” you murmur.

The door creak opens and closes quietly. “My darling.”

You look up in the mirror, seeing the goblin prince, Brict, my betrothed. He’s standing at the door, dressed in his wedding finery.

“What are you doing here?” You ask with a quiet voice.

“I wanted to talk,” he says. “Is that ok?”

You look down at your hands “You aren’t supposed to see me before the wedding,” you mumble, not really feeling it.

“That’s human tradition,” he says as he walks into the room. He’s barefoot, his three toed feet exposed. For a creature so short, the goblins have big feet. “It is usually goblin tradition that we spend the week leading up the wedding alone and secluded, sharing everything.”

You look back up to the mirror, seeing his dark brown eyes looking at you. His hand is stretched out, and a finger gently pets a loose curl going down your back.

You turn abruptly, and Brict takes a few steps back. His eyes go wide as you stare him down. “What do you want to talk about.”

Brict stands straight, and he clears his throat. “I wanted to let you know I’ve planned us a romantic honeymoon. I was told you like to swim and enjoy the ocean, so I found a place at the coast that will be-” he slows and tilts his head. His great big, bat-wing like ears flick, and he looks over you.

“What?” You snap at him.

“You’re crying,” Brict says.

You quickly whip back around to the mirror and see tears streaming down your cheeks. “Oh no,” you gasp as you reach for a handkerchief.

“Are you…” Brict hesitates. “Are you unhappy?”

You sniffle, weeping into the handkerchief. “Just go! What does it matter now?”

“I thought-” his voice chokes off. “Oh no,” he murmurs as he steps back. “I thought this was what you wanted?”

You turn back to face Brict. “Why would I want this?” You cry. “Why would I ever want to be married to something like you?”