As my mind struggled to make sense of what was happening, I felt a violent trembling throughout my body. The world around me was hazy and disorienting, and it took all my strength to even open my eyes. As I gradually came to my senses, I realized with a start that I was shaking uncontrollably.

"Where... where am I?" I murmured weakly, my voice barely above a whisper.

A voice I knew well replied, "You're safe now, Princess Mila. I'm taking you to the kingdom."

Despite my grogginess, I recognized the voice of our driver, Lucius. Confused and disoriented, I struggled to process what he was saying. "The kingdom? But... what happened? What about the others?"

"I'm not allowed to say," Lucius replied, his tone apologetic. "But I promise you that you're safe now."

I felt a surge of frustration and anger rising within me. "Tell me the truth, Lucius," I said, my voice growing stronger with each word. "Don't forget that I'm the princess of the merfolk and I have just as much authority to give orders as my father, so I want to know what's going on!"

Lucius sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I can't tell you everything. Your father has given me strict orders."

I glared at him, my eyes flashing with fury. "You expect me to just sit here and let you take me away without knowing what's going on? Without knowing where Ryuu and the others are?"

Lucius hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "They've been arrested, Your Highness. Your father has accused them of kidnapping you."

My heart sank at his words. "Arrested? And what's going to happen to them now?"

Lucius hesitated again before finally answering. "They're being held in the dungeon, Princess. Your father plans to execute them after the wedding."

My mind reeled at the news, and I felt a surge of nausea rising within me. "Execute them? But that's... that's barbaric! Those people didn't do anything to me."

Without thinking, I leaped to my feet and started looking around the carriage. It was then that I realized I was wearing a wedding dress, and my confusion only grew deeper. "When did I put these on?" I asked Lucius, and then I continued to speak sternly. "Lucius, this is an order, release me now."

But Lucius seemed to be in no mood to answer my question. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I have my orders," he said firmly. "I can't stop the carriage."

Infuriated, I summoned my water powers and tried to blast the carriage door open. But to my shock, my powers seemed to have no effect on the sturdy wooden door. Lucius spoke up again, his tone almost sympathetic. "Your father has cast a spell on the carriage, Your Highness. It's protected against all kinds of magic. You won't be able to damage it."

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Defeated, I slumped back down onto the seat, tears of frustration and anger streaming down my face. As the carriage rumbled on towards the kingdom, I couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited me... and Ryuu and his friends.

As I approached the driver, I could feel my anger and frustration building up inside me. "Lucius," I yelled, "tell me, are we headed to Juiyo or Keontis Castle?"

"To the Castle of Keontis, my princess," he replied, his tone even and unbothered.

I demanded that he stop the vehicle and let me out, but he paid no attention to my words. "Lucius," I said again, my voice growing more desperate, "Listen to me, let me get out of here and help the others, please."

But he remained stubbornly silent, driving straight ahead as if he had not heard me at all. It was maddening. I felt helpless and trapped, as though my fate was no longer in my hands.

As we drove on, I sank down onto my knees and tried to make sense of the situation. Ryuu and the others were in grave danger because of my mistake, and there was nothing I could do to save them. The weight of my responsibilities as a princess and protector of my people was crushing me. I felt useless and worthless.

Yet, in the midst of my despair, I remembered the promise I made to my mother. A vow to be a good princess and to safeguard not only our people but also others. It was a promise that I intended to keep, even if it meant sacrificing my own life.

Lucius spoke up, his voice laced with sadness. "Please don't be sad, my princess. If Queen Leia could see you now, she would be devastated, but she would also be proud of you."

Despite his words, I remained bitter and resentful. But then, the memory of my mother's singing came back to me. It was a song that always filled me with joy, and I found myself humming it softly under my breath. The melody swirled around in my mind, comforting me as we drove towards our destination.

Finally, we reached the end of the road, and Lucius opened the door, announcing our arrival at the Castle of Keontis. Despite my tumultuous emotions, I knew that I had a duty to fulfill and that I had to keep my wits about me. So, with a deep breath, I stepped out of the carriage and into a world that was full of danger and uncertainty.

With a hesitant step, I emerged from the car and was greeted by a massive crowd. It seemed like the entire second kingdom had come to witness the royal wedding. As soon as I stepped out, soldiers surrounded me, ensuring my safe passage to the castle.

Upon reaching the castle, I was ushered to my room to prepare for the wedding. I was bewildered by the sudden attention I was receiving. Before I could even speak up, the ladies-in-waiting started to adorn me with makeup and accessories. I was overwhelmed and unable to voice my discomfort. However, my father soon entered the room and dismissed the servants.

With the room cleared, my father approached me, his tone somber, and asked if I was alright. All of my pent-up anger burst out at that moment, and I could no longer contain it. I vented my frustrations about being forced into a marriage I did not consent to and my father's cruel ways of ruling our kingdom.

In response, my father defended his actions and claimed that the executed rebels were only after the water of youth, not the well-being of our people. My tears flowed freely as I punched his chest and shouted that I hated him for ruining my life. I even wished he was not my father.

In a fit of rage, my father pushed me to the ground, shouting that he was doing all this for my own good. I retaliated by saying that I wished he had died instead of my mother. My father's face twisted in agony upon hearing this, and his eyes filled with tears. It was clear that those were the last words he wanted to hear from his own daughter.

With a heavy heart, my father left the room, admitting that I was right and that he wished he had died instead of my mother. I remained on my knees, crying inconsolably, wishing things could have been different.