The Prince's Substitute Witch Bride

I Do (Not)

"Do you, Rowan Havenglow, take Seraphine Storm to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Seraphine saw the man's throat wobbled. He gulped hard, making his adam's apple more prominent. She knew it must have been bitter for him to say,

"I do."

His voice sounded so restrained that Seraphine wanted to laugh.

"Do you, Seraphine Storm, take Rowan Havenglow to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?

Seraphine rolled her tongue. No matter what, stating a vow that you do not intend to make in the first place is uncomfortable. The vow had been broken even before they started. 

"I do."

Not. She crossed her fingers behind her. 

The wedding was brief. It was only a mere five minutes of exchanging vows and rings. When the ring bearer stepped forward to bring the ring, Seraphine went first. She put the ring on Rowan's fourth finger. Yet when it was Rowan's turn, the man squeezed Seraphine's hands hard. It was so hard that Seraphine winced. But of course, no one cared about Seraphine. No one batted an eyelash at what happened to Seraphine. Even the priest stayed silent. 

It was a message from Rowan. A clear one at that. 

He was reminding her that no one cared for her. Even if she screamed or cried, no one would help her. 

"Asshole," she whispered.

"What did you say?" His tone was like the sound of a knife cutting ice. Cold and brutal.

Seraphine made a show to look around the room. "I said," she pretended to wipe her tears, "that it is so disheartening to know none of the royal family attending the ceremony."

Some of the crowds gasped at the audacity of Seraphine to mention that. 

Rowan squeezed her hand harder. His blue eyes were glowing with anger. This time, Seraphine made an effort not to wince. "What are you doing?" he whispered. 

"Reminding you that I'm not the only person standing here without anyone's support," she whispered back. 

It was a quick and precise deduction on Serpahine's behalf. Of course, she also relied on her memories as Seraphine Storm. The girl seemed to have a keen observation and sharp hearing of the maids' talk. She had heard a rift between the prince and the royal family because he was born from a concubine. 

Seraphine held his gaze. This was her reminder to him. That she was not the weak Seraphine Storm he knew of. 

Rowan seemed taken aback by her stare. "Are you really Seraphine Storm?" He put the ring on her finger ever so slowly. He leaned to her so that he could whisper, "You've changed."

"Or maybe, it's who I am in the first place," she whispered back, "And I'm just tired of hiding it."

"Don't worry, Prince," Seraphine continued, "I will not be in your way as long as you're not in mine."

He raised one eyebrow and stopped his movement of putting on the ring. The priest and the audience were all staring, they were curious as to what made Rowan stopped. 

"Dear, you're already in my way by substituting your sister."

"And whose fault is that?" The old Seraphine would have apologized. Imagine! Apologizing for the things she could not change. The new Seraphine, however, had a pride neck that would not bow easily. "It's not my fault you can't attain her... undivided love and make her walk the aisle instead of me."

Seraphine expected Rowan to lash out right then. Or to grip her hand harder. Or even, she expected he would try to kill her right then. But the man instead loosened his grip, his throat bobbed, and his stare... the blue gaze had turned true to its color. A sad blue. 

He cleared his throat. "Lilacs..." His blue eyes went down to the bouquet in her hands. "I prepared that because that's her favorite."

Oh, so that's why there are so many lilacs that I see today...

"Did she tell you why?"

"Why would you go along with this wedding if you don't know why?" Seraphine continued, "You think I know why? I reckon she's just being her usual cuckoo self."

"And why would you?" he asked, "go through this wedding, I mean?"

Right then, she stared at him. The Dark Witch was staring at him with Seraphine Storm's body. A cold rage sipped inside her bones. Not for herself, but for Seraphine Storm as she said the following words. "Slap me."

Rowan blinked. "What?" 

"Go on. Slap me. Punch me. Beat me up in front of these audiences," she spat out the words, "Have you seen the way they look at me since I entered? How could you not? You also gave me the same stare."

Seraphine took one step closer to him. "You know from the start that I have no choice in the matter. The old Seraphine never did. So why bother asking?"

He furrowed his brows at the mention of 'old' Seraphine but before he could ask more, Seraphine had forced his finger to finish putting the ring on hers. "I am used to being hated, Prince. Used to be considered as a mistake," she breathed the words on his neck, "The Seraphine you knew would have crumbled in despair because no one likes her. But I do not care now. So just get on with it and we'll live our separate lives like every husband and wife in the ton."

That shocked Rowan more. There was no more trace of that hatred before. Instead, he looked more astonished. 

Once the ring was set, Seraphine stepped back, creating distance between them. A clear invisible wall dividing them on the day of their union. 

The priest cleared his throat. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Then he looked at Rowan awkwardly as if he was sorry for the prince. "You may kiss the bride."

"We'll skip that one." 

Both Seraphine and Rowan were shocked for a while because the words came out of their mouths at the same time. They looked at each other then they stared down at the old priest. "Uh... alright. Then... the wedding has been concluded. Congratulations, Prince Rowan and Lady Seraphine."

The priest clapped awkwardly. Suddenly, the Viscountess clapped hard and the rest of the audience clapped too. 

"We shall proceed to the wedding party–"

"There'll be no need for that, Viscountess," said Rowan. The cold look was back in his eyes as he stared at his new wife. 

"B– But–"

"I'm sure everyone would like to carry on with their lives too. There is no need for a wedding party," he said loudly this time. More adamant. 

He gave Seraphine one final look. And Seraphine held his stare boldly. 

Rowan then turned and started walking down the aisle. His long legs had carried him to the door in an instant. He did not even spare a glance at Karen who was already standing at the last bench. The man just stormed off, leaving his new wedded wife alone in front of the altar. 

It was another message for Seraphine as well as the rest of the audience.

That the Prince would not support Seraphine Storm. 

The room went still for the longest time. Even the orchestra members all lowered their instruments. It was Viscountess Perrone who yet again diverged all of the audience's attention to her. "Then what are you waiting for? Off the lot of you to go. The lady and I will have to prepare for her wedding night!" She gave a smile to the audience. But when no one moved to go, she cried out, "Go!" 

By that, the audience finally took the message and flocked to leave. 

Seraphine ought to applaud the Viscountess for her tenacity. 

Her, I will spare her life. She's funny.

Karen approached the Viscountess carefully. "Viscountess Perrone. You have no idea how grateful I am that–"

"Save your flattery to that damn mouth of yours, Lady Karen." The Viscountess cut off Karen's words in a brutal manner. That piqued Seraphine's interest. 

"How dare you speak like that to our daughter?" The Duke stepped in. Now that Seraphine looked at him, he was fat and short. With a ridiculously curled mustache. The Duchess was beside him. She looked... too much. Her hair was don too high, her clothes were too neon, and her pieces of jewelry... Goodness, she must be trying to make someone blind.

Seraphine the Dark Witch would want to kill them right there and then for assaulting his eyesight. 

But Seraphine Storm... her body started to tremble at the sight of the Duke and the Duchess. Pieces of memories stormed her. The Duke hitting her, the Duchess lashing her, and Karen mocking her. She blinked away the water coming to her eyes. 

What? Why is there water in my eyes?

All the while, her fingers trembled badly. 

Hey, body! Stop shivering! It's not that cold!

Of course, that was futile. Because it was not the cold that made her such. It was fear. 

"After all the things you put Prince Rowan and me through, you don't have the right to ask that." Viscountess Perrone gave dagger stares to Karen. "How could you? You led him on then you threw him away like he was nothing."

Before Karen could come up with excuses, Viscountess glanced at Seraphine. "I should've known better from a family that hid a girl."

"You best leave, Duke," the Viscountess held her ground. She even hissed to the Duke.

Definitely. I will keep her alive.

The Duke finally broke off his stare with the Viscountess and trudged to the door. The Duchess and Karen followed behind him. Karen gave Seraphine a final look, a warning to Seraphine. There was no congratulations, no warm hugs, no asking for forgiveness for forcing Seraphine to substitute Karen, no... nothing. 

How could the old Seraphine able to withhold them so long without wanting to murder them?

Once they had left, Viscountess Perrone turned to Seraphine. "Now, you must get ready."

"Can I ask for food, first?"