Chapter 2
773 Words
Wait!
This was the man from earlier with the golden eyes.
He couldn't be the groom, could he?
The guests stared at him surprised as well and began to whisper hysterically into each other's ears. They must have been expecting someone with black horns to enter the room and not some tall, elegant looking man.
Not the least bit bothered by the whispers or stares, he walked gracefully toward my father, taking each step with confidence.
"Your Majesty," he said, bowing slightly.
I dropped my jaw. So did the guests. No one bowed slightly to the king. This man was truly fearless and being disrespectful toward my father. I already got a bad feeling about him. Not because I thought my father deserved any kind of respect, but because he was so daring with his actions already.
He must have noticed people's reactions; it was so obvious, but he didn't seem to care. My father, on the other hand, didn't react. He just gestured toward me.
As I saw him turn to me I looked down quickly, then heard the clicking sound of his footsteps as he neared before sitting on the other end of the table, facing me.
He didn't utter a word. Wasn't he supposed to greet me or at least tell me his name? I don't think father ever told me his name, but I don't think I gave him the chance to either. I had fought and cried the day that my father told me he was marrying me off to some stranger, but my father was stubborn and had already made up his mind.
"Today I gather us to celebrate my daughter's wedding to the prince of the Decresh," Father spoke once everyone was seated. He raised his golden wine cup and said,
"Let the ceremony begin, and enjoy yourselves."
People clapped while dancers and musicians walked in to entertain the guests. People seemed to enjoy themselves. I of course couldn't see since I was supposed to keep my gaze down, because 'that's what a lady should do'. Well then, I hate being a lady.
"Don't you like the music?" He finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. I peeked through my long lashes, but once I gazed into his eyes, it was hard to look away. They were captivating.
"I do, Your Highness," I replied.
"What do you have in store for the tea ceremony?"
Oh no! The tea ceremony! That was the traditional part of the royal wedding where the bride has to show one of her talents to entertain the guests and impress the groom. Hell with impressing. I didn't want to impress anyone, especially not this man.
"It is a surprise, Your Highness," I said, sending him a staged smile.
Soon it was time for the tea ceremony. I was sitting in a chair in the middle of the room, everyone's attention directed at me. The guests would sit and enjoy their tea while I would have to entertain them.
I took up my flute before lightly putting it on my lips and started playing. Soon my nervousness disappeared. I loved playing the flute and loved the sound of it. Closing my eyes, I let the sound take me far away, to a peaceful place. Now and then I would hear some people praising me through my haze, and they applauded when I was done.
Opening my eyes, I found him staring directly at me.
He wasn't applauding, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.
Now it was time for the gift exchange. We exchanged our gifts, and then it was time for me to go to my new home. The knot in my stomach returned with such intensity that I felt like throwing up.
Mother came up to me while father spoke to my husband. Husband? The word sounded strange in my head.
She took my hands in hers. "Everything will be fine," she said. "Just remember what I told you".
Yes, I remembered very clearly our mother and daughter talk. To be a good wife, to listen to your husband, and to not make him angry.
"Yes, I will," I said, enveloping her in a tight hug. As a princess I wasn't supposed to hug people, but right now I didn't care because I might never see her again.
The carriage was waiting outside. The prince, or should I say, my husband led the way. I looked behind me one last time and found Lydia and Ylva standing on the balcony, their cheeks wet with tears.
"I will miss you too," I whispered.
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To be continued!
- Writer
