Chapitre 2: Husband and Wife!
Her expectant eyes and the frown formed on my brother's face, made me realize that I still have not replied.
"No, it is just perfect." I replied with a smile that came out stiff.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and shortly after a court lady came in.
"Katherine, are you ready?" asked my brother, who had shown more than enough patience by waiting for me until I replied to my maids and looked so many times into the mirror.
I nodded at him as he held my hands gently and Sana bent to hold the bottom of the heavy dress so that I could stand properly. My sister and mother hugged me when I stood comfortably.
"Where is father?" I asked, as mostly fathers escort daughters on the altar of marriage.
"He is busy with your groom and his father. Do not wait for him. Since I was the one who has played the role of father in your life anyways." said, brother with a chuckle and I smiled back.
They all were trying their best to make me at ease and what was I doing? I was making a miserable face! Since then the princess of our empire has been this vulnerable.
No, I shook my head as I mustered all my courage and a bright smile formed on my lips, making everyone around me addicted to it, as they smiled back with the same enthusiasm.
"Then I will see you in the hall." told my mother as she hugged me one last time and elft with my sister. Now only me and Leo are left in the room.
"Shall we?" he asked as he kissed my hands gently.
I nodded and after a minute we walked out of the room. The procedure was simple. He will walk me to the altar where the groom will be waiting for me and then we will exchange vows and kiss each other.
After that some time to rest will be given when I will be decorated again to attend my marriage party, where I will meet his family for the first time.
"A princess never shows her fear, there is another crown of confidence on her face, except this one. And now you are going to be the empress, the ruler of a nation. You have to be strong, Katherine." This was the first time Leo has taken my full name and I understand the gravity of the situation.
"I will never let you down, brother." I replied as I faked confidence on my face. I raised my head and walked proudly as he kept rubbing my hands which he was holding me while Sana held the back or my long dress which was falling up to a meter behind me. It was too heavy and with the high heels it was taking too much struggle, yet I walked poised.
Everyone turned to look at me when I entered the altar and I smiled brightly towards them, as if it was a marriage with the one I love.
I could see happiness on their faces as the chances of war would almost end with my sacrificial marriage and that was what made a knot on my stomach.
Only when my brother stopped, I realized we were already there. And a man in a red shirt with black overcoat was looking at me. He was not wearing a marriage dress, but some traditional outfit that was new to me.
He had a bright assuring smile on his gentle face. His blue eyes were filled with brightness, and I was sure that he was a cheerful person, the way his smile was reaching his eyes. His golden hair was combed back perfectly, so she stood there like a gentleman waiting for me. When I stood in front of him, I realized I only reached up to his neck even with the high heels I was wearing and though he was looking lean, he had muscles at perfect places.
At least my groom is not bad looking.
"My lady" he smiled as he held the hand which my brother left just a second ago and kissed it lightly.
'And well mannered too.' it was a positive impression and to be honest the continuous genuine smile on his face made me feel much better. I did not realize but soon, I smiled back, not the smile that I have faked before, but a genuine one.
I looked behind him to see my father standing with an intimidating man who also smiled at me, but his smile was calculating. Though his features matched my groom, his strong aura and especially the cut above his eyes were making it impossible to look at him directly. So, I just bowed my head and continued to look down at the floor.
"Shall we start the procedure of the marriage, your royal highness?" asked the priest to the man standing beside me and he looked at me as if asking was i ready!
It looked like the mother was right, he was a gentleman. Even my father has not asked my permission before fixing this marriage. Yet here he was, asking me even after being a stranger.
"Do you, Katherine Arlow Von Casta take thee, Charles De Christatia, to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto do you pledge thee your faith?"
"Yes, I do!"
"Do you, Charles De Christatia, take thee, Katherine Arlow Von Casta to be your wedded wife , to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto do you pledge thee your faith?"
"Yes, i do"
"From the grace of god I announce to you both husband and wife!"
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone