Bab 5: Unwelcomed Bride
Another year passed, and in spite of everything, they got to tie the knot.
Kai thought he had never beheld anything more exquisite. Aria made a radiant vision in her white wedding gown.
She was nervous. He could see it.
But she managed with great effort to walk up the aisle in graceful strides. When she caught sight of her soon-to-be husband at the altar, her eyes softened and glistened with adoration. His heart sang with joy at such an endearing sight.
"I, Kai Soleste, take you, Aria Marguerite, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life," he pledged with all his heart as he put the ring on her finger, and she gave her response with the sincerest and happiest of smiles.
The two drew closer and joined in a kiss.
In that kiss was the sweetness of desires, a million loving thoughts condensed into a moment, a volume of passion that transcended the works of the greatest poets combined. Yet, in that kiss was also the oblivion of what was to come, a blind hope in a bright future, a naive optimism over a life full of happiness.
The newlyweds were met with congratulatory words and applause, but it all fell apart once Kai's relatives came forward to deliver a personal message to Aria.
"Hope you're satisfied now, you lowborn."
Aria's joyful illusion crumbled, as it'd always do whenever these people appeared in the picture. They loathed her with every fiber of their beings, and from this point on, it seemed they would only get more unbearable. She decided then to finally tell the truth to Kai, thinking he should know now that they're married.
But all she received was skepticism.
"You probably just misunderstood them," he had told her with a completely unbothered expression. "They would never do anything bad to my wife."
Aria felt her heart shrivel up but said nothing more when Kai showed no sign of wanting to continue the conversation.
---
It had been both like a dream and a nightmare, where their greatest wish and fear all mixed into one lavish celebration.
Seeing her walk down the aisle during the wedding had stolen Kai's breath. Aria had looked positively divine, her eyes bright and shimmery, her cheeks glowing. Kai had gazed at her with so much love and pride.
But something had changed during the first several months of their marriage.
"I'm sorry I have to go out tonight," Kai apologized as he changed into his dinner suit.
Aria only shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay. I mean, we all know that it'll be the end of the world if the public face of Soleste Enterprises isn't in a Soleste event."
"Absolutely the end of the world," he laughed, albeit a little forced, and shook his head. "Well, how do I look? Is it good?"
Her cheeks flushed as her eyes drank in the sight before her. Dressed up in a red and black suit, Kai looked even more handsome than usual, and here Aria thought he couldn't possibly get any more handsome. Her mouth opened to gush out praise but then closed again and repeated the cycle.
He chuckled, "I guess you like it?"
"Yeah," she breathed. "You look incredible."
With a smile, Kai approached her and grabbed her hand. "Thank you," he whispered softly. Using his other hand, he pushed some hair back from Aria's face and tucked it behind her ear.
"And I'm sorry I can't bring you with me. Father's insisting that I go alone."
"Don't be sorry, Kai. I'm not good with crowds, anyway. You go have fun."
She scrunched up her nose as she grinned, and Kai thought it was adorable. He moved closer to Aria, allowing himself to drown in her eyes.
But then, she just had to ruin the mood and bring up the same complaint.
"Still, what I said about your father not wanting to let me be seen anywhere with you could be true, Kai. I think he'd never change his opinion of me, considering he won't even let me try."
"Not this again," Kai sighed, pulling away.
Aria slumped. "You still don't believe me?"
"I already talked to him about it, and he said that it wasn't his intention at all. Aria, he knew you're not good with people, like what you just said, so I'm sure he's only being considerate of you."
Her brows furrowed, hands clenched into fists. "You saw how he treated me like I was invisible, yet you still trust him more than me-"
"He's my father! Of course, I do! You're just my wife!" he hollered out of nowhere, throwing even himself off guard.
Kai realized what he had said a moment too late. All levels of pain had surged through Aria by then.
There was an eternity of silence, and then, an attempt to fix the damage.
"No, I didn't mean that," he tried. "I'm sorry. Forget everything I just said."
She forced herself to reply, "You should get going. You're gonna be late."
Aria made an attempt at what she'd hoped to be a normal smile, unaware that it would be the last time she'd find the heart to try to convince Kai.
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