The Ceremony
1069 Words
"Princess Amoria, what are you doing put here at this time of night!" King Leviathan roared.
"I...I was just..just.."
"Just what? sneaking out to your lover?" He glowered and scanned the area looking for a young man to blame.
"No! No, I just needed some air!" I gasped and pushed myself away from his grasp.
"Then why are you out here and not in the palace, Gardens?" He didn't believe me, not even for a second.
"Well, it's different out here."
"Who were you seeing?" he demanded.
"It doesn't matter," I sighed
"So you were seeing someone!" he seemed proud of himself
"He's just a friend, now may I please walk back to the palace?" I asked.
"I will escourt you back to your quarters." Leviathan nodded and began walking up the narrow path between the crowded houses.
"I will have you know I expect you to be intact on our wedding night," Leviathan side glanced at me to try and read my reaction.
"Of course I will be," I scoffed at his insinuation.
"Well, one comes to suspet things when one sees their intended sneaking around at night." He added.
"He's a friend!" I hissed in absolute disgust.
"He?" Leviathans voice filled with venom, "You are not to see him ever again!" he roared.
"If we are to be husband and wife, you will not speak to me in such a way," I stared ahead as I spoke, too filled with hatred to even look at him.
Finally, we arrived at my room, and I slammed my door in his face without a word.
On the day of the wedding, I woke up to the sound of giggling maids rustling about my bedroom.
"It does not take ten of you to help me dress," I looked around the room at their newly disappointed faces. They all wanted to see the dress before the rest of the kingdom.
"Oh, fine." I let them all stay.
They each did a bit each to help me. my White satin gown was simple but elegant. The fabric puffed out almost five feet behind me without the train. the strapless sweetheart neckline was lined with diamonds, which matched my tiara.
"What type of hair would you like today?" asked one of the maids as I sat down at My looking glass.
"Put it all up," I decided.
three of them worked together, teasing, curling, and pinning up my hair until it was a tall beehive of curls with a few strands left to frame my face.
"You're so beautiful, breathed the youngest and newest maid." One of the others tapped her on the shoulder with a stern look. They weren't meant to speak to me unless it was related to their job, and they most certainly were not allowed to comment on how I looked.
I couldn't have cared less at that moment, though. All I could think was how much I loathed Leviathan.
I looked stunning, but it was for him. I was a beautifully wrapped gift for him to open up and destroy. With a sigh I ordered the maids out, I needed a minute by myself for the last time.
I stared around the room and realised I'd never sleep there anymore, I'd never walk down the halls my mother once did again, I'd never feel the warmth of the enternal Southern summer. I wipes away a tear before leaving my old life behind.
***
The carriage ride was awfully loud. The whole kingdom had crowded outside the royal chapel and lined the streets.
When I stepped out of the carriage the gaurds held back the crowd like a stone wall blacking a water channel.
The maids rushed me to the gigantic wooden doors and thrust a bouquet of red roses into my empty hands.
I held my breath and closed my eyes as I felt the doors swing open.
I could a collective of oohs and ahhs from all the lords, ladies, dukes, duchesses and pretty much anyone of higher status in the kingdom. The soft lilt of the silver flute filled the hall and I began my journey down the aisle.
I kept my gaze lowered to the ground until I was beside Leviathan. He wore his black ceremonial robes, his black hair slicked back and a ruby tie pin in his ties knot.
"I was woundering if you'd show," he whispered.
I knew if I spoke back to him I'd end up causing a scene so I just let it go.
We walked up to the alter and knelt before the mother before reciting our vows. Then the priestess stepped forward, wrapping a black ribbon representing Leviathan and a white ribbon representing me, together around our clasped hands.
"You may now kiss the bride,"
I slowly leant forward, expecting a peck on the lips. However Leviathan had other ideas. He pulled my hips in against his and wrapped his lips around mine, licking my lower lip.
I pulled back as soon as I could and turned to wave to the guests.
Now I just had to get through the reception.
But once again I was sorely disappointed, instead of being led into the dinning room Leviathan took me back outside where his own carriage awaited.
"What about the reception? the dinner? and the farewells?"
I turned back to see my father standing at the threshold of the chapel.
"My traditions are different than yours, now you are my wife, my traditions are now yours."
He opened the carriage door for me and waited for me to enter.
I turned back to look at my father, only to see him already walking away.
As we bumped along the cobbled road I sat staring into space.
"So, what are your traditions?" I thought of how my mother used to describe her wedding day to father. the fountains of wine, the dances, how happy she was and how much she was in love with her groom.
"we go back to my castle in the northern mountains where we honeymoon in isolation, other than the necessary staff, we will spend six weeks alone together.
I held back a sob of dismay as I realised he would most likely force himself upon me within the next day.
"Unfortunately the ride, even with my best horses, will take the rest of today and most of tomorrow." Leviathan's stern gaze softened a tiny bit.
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