The Lavender-Eyed Omega

Chapter 4

Alexina Clarke was sitting in a room, keeping her knees and ankles tightly together and slanting her legs to the side. She was dressed in a golden coloured gown made up of a soft, light oven fabric. It was characterized by a boat neck length bodice with a thin fabric with embroidered full sleeves. The sheer fabric formed a turtle neck, while the entire gown had a soft floral print, making her look like a fairy from fantasyland. Her hair was tied into a bun while a simple yet elegant tiara adorned her hair. A bridal veil covered her face, completing her bridal appearance. 

"Dear, are you ready?" The Duke of Dralia entered the room. His lips curved upwards into a smile as he saw his daughter. "You look so beautiful."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Alexina said, standing up before gently bowing to the Duke. "Why are you praising me like that? That's so unusual of you."

"Don't force me to raise my hand against you," the Duke stated in a grim tone, his facial expression turning into a cold and stoic one. "You are going to get married today. Even if I am unwilling, I have no other option than to act like your father so that that bastard won't destroy Dralia." Letting out a deep breath, he looked away. "So, make sure to act according to the situation."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the bride lowered her head a bit. Am I a fool or something? How can I think that he actually cares about me even for a split second? She thought, feeling dispirited. 

"Did you take the pills that will mask your pheromones?" The Duke inquired, side-glancing at the girl. 

"Yes," Alexina nodded. 

"Good. It would be a pain in the neck if your identity gets discovered," the Duke asserted, lips raised on one side, showing disinterest. "Make sure to address me as father and the duchess as mother in front of Alastair Maynard. Aren't you our lovely daughter?" Duke's lips curved upwards into a smirk as he glanced at the omega. 

"Yes, f-father," Alexina replied in a low tone, biting her lower lip. 

"Great! Shall we go?" the Duke asked, unbothered by her answer. He side-glanced at her as he walked ahead. 

"Yes." Nodding slightly, she followed him. 

__________

The doors of the wedding hall opened, revealing the bride and her father. The wedding hall was decorated in soft hues of pink, grey and ivory colours. Delicate lighting with plenty of florals gave off romantic wedding vibes. The hanging lights which glowed steadily added more to the romantic effect. There was a sweet fragrance in the air, making the guests feel refreshed. 

At the wedding altar, a tall, majestic Alastair Maynard was standing with his chin propped out, giving off powerful emperor vibes. He was dressed in red-coloured royal wedding attire, making him appear even more exalted.  

An astounded Alexina gazed at the decorations, fascinated by the beauty. No sooner had her eyes fallen on her would-be husband than she stopped in her tracks. Through her veil, she could easily see his cold, impassive eyes that looked at her intently, sending shivers down her spine. Gulping, she walked down the aisle, holding her father's hand. Upon reaching the altar, the Duke let go of her hand, looking at her emotionally, before returning to his seat. 

As the bride reached the altar, the priest started with the wedding process. After saying the wedding vows, the couple exchanged rings. The priest smiled, announcing the words 'you may now kiss the bride.' 

Alastair gently lifted Alexina's bridal veil, seeing his bride for the first time in his life. As he saw her, his brows twitched, his upper lip pulled up while a frown formed between his brows. 

"I am sorry but I won't kiss the bride," looking away from her, Alastair declared in a grim tone, causing everyone to remain silent, instead of murmuring. 

"Your Majesty-"

Before the priest could say anything, Alastair Maynard walked down the aisle, leaving the wedding hall. 

No sooner had the emperor left the room than murmuring and whispering noises flooded the room. A flabbergasted Alexina stood there dumbfounded, looking at the disappearing silhouette of her husband. Uphara Grimald, who was sitting at the front, shook her head, disappointed. Letting out a deep breath, she walked to the bride. 

"Congratulations at your wedding, daughter-in-law!" Uphara's lips curved upwards into a faint smile. 

"Oh, my daughter!" The duchess cried, holding her daughter's hand. "My daughter is a married woman now. I am so proud of you, my dear." She cupped the bride's face gently, shedding crocodile tears. 

"Talk to your parents and siblings. We will be waiting outside," Uphara smiled slightly before striding toward the door. 

The duchess side-glanced at the departing Uphara. As the latter left the room, she pinched Alexina's cheek, making her whimper in pain. 

"Make sure to conceal your identity," the duchess gritted her teeth, removing her hand from the bride's cheek. "Don't you dare to put the future of Dralia in danger!"

"Y-yes," Alexina whimpered while her cheek turned visibly red. 

"Make sure to stay in Wrisian forever and never come to visit Dralia," the duchess sneered, shooting a hateful gaze at Alexina. 

"Even if I have to die, I won't ever ask help from Dralia," Alexina stated in a stoic voice, though her voice trembled a bit, trying hard not to cry in front of them. 

"That's better!" The Duke sniggered. "If we are done with goodbyes, can we take her to her husband's carriage?" 

"Sure," the duchess's lips curved into a wicked smile as they accompanied the bride to the carriage. 

-------------------------

"So, the emperor and the new bride are going to arrive today," a lady in her early 20's uttered, gazing at the palace gates from the window. 

She was dressed in full sleeved green coloured satin robes while her loosely braided long brown hair was falling just above her knees. Her slightly downturned eyes seemed to smile, thinking that her husband would return that day. Her full lips parted slightly before they curved upwards into a gentle yet sweet smile. Her appearance made her look simple yet elegant, giving off the vibes of a gracious royal woman. 

"Your Majesty, all the decorations are done," a maid informed, bowing to the lady. 

She was the famous Queen Maeve Stark, Alastair Maynard's first wife. She was known for being a beauty with brains. Though she belonged to the pure-blooded human race, she was as intellectual as Alastair Maynard. Since her thinking style and her policies matched with Alastair's, he used to trust her, giving her the responsibility of managing the harem. Everyone in Wrisian knew her as 'the favourite queen' of the Emperor. As Alastair's most trusted queen, she had the capability of controlling the harem as well as taking care of the palace in his absence. 

"Great!" A gentle smile played on the lips of the lady. "Did you spray the favourite scent of His Majesty in the palace? It will help him to steady his nerves."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid replied. 

"That's good," the queen smiled. "You can go now. I'll take a look at the decorations soon." 

Bowing to the lady, the maid left the room, leaving her alone. Letting out a deep breath, she pulled her braid to the side, planning to have a look at the decorations. 

"Greetings, Queen Maeve Stark," a woman greeted, looking straight into Queen Maeve's eyes. 

The woman's lips curved upwards into a proud smirk while her arched brows added more to her arrogant look. Three quarter sleeved silk maroon gown hugged her well-toned body, flaunting her perfect curves. Her pale skin expressed that she wasn't some normal human but a vampire. Her jet black side-parted hair was styled into side-swept hair, giving off an arrogant royal lady vibe. 

"Greetings, Queen Lilith Talon," Queen Maeve smiled. 

The woman, whom Queen Maeve addressed as Queen Lilith Talon, was the Emperor's third wife and a powerful vampire. She was known for being beautiful as well as seductive at the same time. She abominated Maeve Stark, since the latter had always been a buttinsky in her opinion. No matter how hard she tried to impress the emperor, the latter's opinion of Maeve Stark never changed, giving the latter the first preference in everything.  

"Decorating for the welcome of the Emperor is in full swing," Queen Lilith Talon remarked. 

"Yeah," Queen Maeve replied, clasping her hands. "You can also supervise the maids if you don't mind."

"Of course," Queen Lilith chuckled without humour. "I have checked the decorations of a few parts of the palace. They are fascinating." Brushing her thumb against her long nails, she looked at the Queen. "It's not that you are the sole Queen of the palace. Others have responsibilities too." 

"Great!" Queen Maeve Stark chuckled, realising that the other queen wanted to have a tiff. "If you please excuse me, I have to take a look at all the decorations." Slightly lowering her head, she walked elegantly, leaving the room. 

"Ugh! Why does this woman always get the upper hand over me?" Lilith Talon snarled, feeling defeated by Maeve Stark yet again. "Whatever, I shouldn't lose my temper like this. A new bride is going to set her feet in this palace today." Lips curving upwards into an evil grin, she ran her fingers through her curly locks. "The real fun will begin now."