The King’s Prisoner

Chapter 11

The Wedding Day

~Tori~

The ivory gown was made with the most unique fabric. I went for a simple, yet elegant look. The embellishments of pearls traced my spine of my back leading down to the top of my behind. The mermaid long sleeve V-neck was made with lace and hugged every curve on my body and the bottom of my dress had a beautiful long train that flowed endlessly. I looked at myself in the mirror and watched as I noticed how I transformed these last few weeks. I’m marrying a king for his conviene and for my freedom. Catherine has been helping with the arrangements of the wedding and sent out invitations to my family. I still didn’t tell them that he was a King, but I think they are starting to suspect that he is. Adrian gave me my phone back and I’ve been talking to them almost everyday and they’ve been asking questions. I don’t know how my family will react when they find out. My nerves are all over the place and I wished my mother was here for her comforting words or even Gia with her dark humor. It would’ve made this day a little more relaxing, funny even.

Countless of nights, I’ve dreamed about how I threw myself at Adrian and made a damn fool of myself. He rejected me then, what makes me think just because we’re married, that he would want me if I gave myself to him. Then there was that moment when he walked in on and I dropped my towel. I was embarrassed by that. I still wondered what he was thinking. Well, I guess I won’t be finding out because if he wanted s*x- I turned my head from the mirror at the knocking sound of my door.

“Yes?”

The door opened and Catherine appeared. She smiled, clearly approving of my look.

“My darling, you look like a queen. Adrian is going to lose his mind. The whole kingdom will. You look so beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I smiled slightly. She could sense I was uncomfortable. She let out a sigh.

“My dear, you probably feel a bunch of things right now, but a queen needs hold her head high. You are going to walk down that aisle with so much confidence, that people should began to kneel. Everything else will fall into place after that.” She wiped the tear that was falling from my face. “I have one more thing to give you.”

“Emily?” She called. Emily emerged with a huge velvet box.

“My queen,” she bowed. Catherine told her thank you and Emily left. I knew what was in the box, it wasn’t rocket science, but I was taken back by all of this. This is my fate, this is my life now.

“Now, once you have your coronation, you will wear a different crown.” She placed the beautiful crown on my head and I looked back at her. “There,” she said. “Perfect. Are you ready?”

I felt like I was going to throw up, but I took Catherine’s advice and held my head high. “Yes, I’m ready.”

“Good, let’s go.”

We left the room and walked through the halls that led to the staircase. I held on to the staircase as I walked down to be with my soon to be husband. I smiled as I walked past Sophia and Emily. I was a mess on the inside, completely opposite from how I looked on the outside. The guards opened the door and the nausea began to swirl. I wanted to run but I couldn’t. I knew there was no turning back after this. Catherine went in first leaving me to walk the aisle alone. Or so I thought.

To my surprise, my dad walked up to me. Tears fell down my face, but he used his handkerchief to wipe them. “You didn’t think I was going to let you walk alone, did you?” He smiled.

“Dad!” I grinned.

“Come on my princess. It’s time to make you a queen.” I looked at him with wide eyes. He knew, but how.

“Don’t worry, Adrian and I talked when you girls were catching up.”

“Thank you, dad. I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetie. Now head high and chin up. You got this.” We both chuckled as I placed my arms in his.

We walked down the aisle and Adrian was standing there waiting next to the priest. God, he looks so good. Like a true king. Dressed in burgundy and gold tunic, with its matching mantle. He also wore a crown and he looked happy. I looked to my left and my mother and sister were sitting in the front row. I smiled at them as they both had tears of happiness. Jasper was sitting with his mother on the opposite side. My dad helped me up a step and kissed my cheek before I he told me he’s loves me. I whispered it back it him and turned to face Adrian. He looked at me up and down. His lips curled up into a smile. I haven’t really seen him since that kiss a month ago. It was better that we kept our distance. I knew that after this ceremony, that was going to change. The priest greeted us and asked if any objected. There was complete silence and he continued by saying a quick prayer and then we said our vows. I made him promises I wasn’t sure I was going to keep and he did the same thing. After that, we both lit a candle and held them together, joining us into a marriage bond.

“By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you his ad and wife. You may now kiss your bride.” Adrian’s lips were on mine. We kissed like two people in love. It made me feel things I haven’t felt since Olivia’s dad. Adrian broke the kiss and we held hands as they announced us as the King and Queen of Adenville.

We headed into another room where the reception was held. We walked in together and people erupted with loud cheers and clapping. We sat our table and food was served to us. After we all ate, we interacted with some of the guest and our family. Everything seemed okay and for once, I started to relax. We had our dance as husband and wife and then it our turn to dance with our families. Everything was going good, until the doors barged opened and two men came in. The room was suddenly silent and Adrian placed me behind him. Was he trying to protect me?

“Prince David? What are you doing here?” He asked. I wanted to ask who he was, but I didn’t.

“Sorry to interrupt your celebration, but we have a problem.” The other man looked at me with hatred in his eyes. He smiled when he saw the horror on my face. That was sir Victor, Adrian’s old guard. The vile man who attacked me. Why was he here?

“The only problem we have is you barging into my wedding reception uninvited,” Adrian hissed. I can tell that there was some animosity between them. Our fathers signed a peace treaty to keep the peace between the two kingdoms.”

“A treaty that is no longer valid since your father isn’t here anymore. Anyway, I’m here because I have an announcement to make. You see everyone, our dear King here hasn’t been completely honest with you. He has been doing some illegal things that can and has affected the people of Adenville.” He pulled out a bag containing pills. As a nurse I knew exactly what they were and how harmful they can be. My hands covered my mouth. Adrian wouldn’t do this, I believe that with all my heart.

“I don’t know where you got those from, but my family doesn’t touch those things,” he said with a tight lip. His fist were balled up as he tried so hard not to lose control. Everyone was watching silently and my family wore a confused expression. My dad had my mom and sister behind him. I looked to see Jasper and Catherine standing there, not saying anything.

“Ha, your father has been doing this for years. A new shipment was put on the streets days ago. How can that be when your father is no longer around?” I watched as Prince David tore him apart with evidence. Adrian couldn’t even defend himself. Was it true? Did he really do this? I was so lost.

“It’s true,” Jasper chimed in. “My big brother took on every role of our father, including the illegal one.”

“What the hell do you think you are doing, Jasper?” He whispered. The look in her Jasper’s eyes was a look of victory. I thought they were close since they’re brothers. I guess I was wrong.

“Oh my King, I’m doing what I should’ve done a long time ago.” He smiled as a few more guards walked in with their weapons aimed at us, mainly at Adrian. These guard weren’t our guards. These were guards from a different kingdom. Our guards stood ready with their weapons drawn. I put my hands up as I looked at my family. My dad wanted to run to me, but I shook my head telling him not to. I turned back to Jasper, Victor, and Prince David.

“Your highest,” a deep voice said from behind the guards. They moved out of the way without dropping the weapons and this older man appeared. Who was he? Why did Adrian have a look of terror on his face?

“Emperor,” he bowed. I didn’t know what to do so I followed Adrian. I bowed as well. “Emperor.” What the hell was going on?

“There has been some evidence sent to me by Prince David and his commander in chief, Victor revealing that you are the one that’s putting people’s lives in jeopardy.” Commander in chief! This was a revenge plan for sure. Victor wanted revenge.

“I have no clue what they are talking about. I’ve never seen any of this!” This was triggering for me. He was explaining himself in the same way I was when I was accused of murdering his father. No believed him especially when evidence was involved. I wasn’t sure how they did it, but they’re about to ruin everything. The Emperor, who stand tall with with gray hair pulled back away from his face. His skin had a few wrinkles but it was flawless nonetheless. He looked to be in his sixties, maybe seventies. People apparently feared him including Adrian and Jasper.

“Well the evidence says different. We’re you at these locations?” He pulled out a piece of pictures of Adrian at some unknown places. He was shaking hands with a guy in one picture and in the other one he was seen walking back to a car wearing all black. It looked like he was hiding something. I could see why they were suspicious, but he also looked like he wasn’t trying to be recognized without his royal guards by his side. Those pictures can mean anything.

“Well, yes, but-“ Adrian answered but the Emperor cut him off.

“Well then, I hereby declare that your duties as King of Adenville is officially stripped until further notice. We are pending an investigation for drug distribution. Guards, take him away.” Suddenly, the men rushed to him, placing him chains similar to the ones I had on.

“Adrian!” I yelled. Catherine pulled me back as I tried to reach for him. I cried, not knowing my fate. I wanted to chase after him and tell him that I believe him. Although, I’m queen by marriage it’s hasn’t been official yet. Once she got me alone in the room, she hugged me. “Shhhh. It’s okay. We are going to figure this out. Clean yourself up.” She gave a napkin and I wiped my face. “This is what we are going to do, we’re going to have your coronation tomorrow. You need to officially become queen before something else happens.”

“But what about Adrian?” I asked. “Can they do that?”

“Unfortunately, they can. In this Kingdom, the Emperor is the overall ruler, although most countries are known to be ruled by Kings and Queens. The Emperor is a man you want on your side, do you understand.” I nodded my head. “Now change into something more comfortable.”

“I need to talk with my family,” I said.

“They are fine, I have the guards escorting them into the guest bedroom. I will send them in soon, but first, we need to be clear about this. Obviously, Adrian is being framed. My late husband wasn’t a perfect man, but even this is absurd. You becoming queen means that you’ll lead this kingdom. We all need you.” They need me..Adrian needs me.. I know first hand how this feels. It not right and the fact that Jasper betrayed his own brother was even more upsetting. It was so much scandal behind closed doors.

“But I would have to marry again eventually,” I said. Being married again didn’t sound so ideal.

“We will cross that bridge when we get there but for now, change and go see your family.”

I nodded my head and quickly did that. I was guided to the room where my family was, but when I opened the door, I was pushed in by the guard and landed on the floor. I heard the door close and foot steps emerged. I looked up to see Victor’s smiling face.

“Ahhhh, we meet again at last. Can’t wait to finish what we started.”