Capítulo 42: "The Royal Wedding"

…

The day of the royal wedding came. All servants woke up at dawn to make sure that everything had been set up on the beach where Ely requested the wedding would be held. Ministers and Clan Leaders, as well as some selected guests and foreign royalties, were expected to arrive one to two hours after the sunrise.

As the sun rose, they saw that the sky was clear, with no sign of any rain at all. The wind blew a relaxing, warm breeze, and the sea was calm. Clumps of imported roses were just delivered from the neighboring country, and the maidservants neatly placed them at the front of the stage, while they used strips of royal blue chiffon cloth to connect the several flag poles lined up on the shore.

One by one, some in flash carriages and some on single horses, the excited guests came. Meanwhile, King Maro started to prepare himself as he was made to wear his marriage robe made of white silk stitched with thick, gold-colored threads. His grande headdress was an imitation of a half upper head of a lion, including the mane, to the upper jaw.

"It's almost time to start. Where is Ely?" the King asked Minister Holter, who was standing behind him.

"The mercenary said that she had arrived, Your Highness. Perhaps she's already wearing her gown."

"Oh, it might take a while before she gets ready. I should greet the guests for now."

With a proud smile on his face, King Maro greeted the royalties from some of the neighboring foreign countries, as well as the officials he had not seen for a long time. Everyone saw the beaming smile that he had, which was very rare; it was obvious that he was the happiest man on his wedding day with his beloved Queen of Ballad.

"The marriage ritual will start now," said Minister Holter before he walked away from the stage.

The guests started finding the assigned seats in front of the stage, while King Maro went onstage to sit in one of the cushioned chairs that looked like his throne. He was advised to wait for Ely.

Unfortunately, it was not Ely who walked down the aisle.

Clothed in a lavender-colored, velvet mantle with white wolf's fur, the majestic Prince Seiro faced his people with pride and dignity. He looked exactly like King Maro except for his short, neatly-combed side fringe black hair, and the kindness in his beautiful gray eyes.

He had an aura like a king has, and at that very moment, it's even greater than King Maro's. All of the people who witnessed his grand entrance were amazed by the prince's magnificence.

Prince Seiro smiled at anyone he locked his eyes upon. They saw him as the kind version of the ruthless King. The people were mesmerized and felt warmth with his smile.

He then stood in front of the stage and greeted him, "Maro, it's good to see you after a very long time."

Although King Maro wanted to be happy to see his long-lost brother, he was more confused about it, how his brother was able to survive the fall from the cliff, and why did he appear now, at his wedding, after all these years.

The King stood up from his seat and walked towards him. "How did this happen?" he looked at his twin brother from head to toe. He touched his shoulder and squeezed it lightly, "You're alive…"

Prince Seiro answered with delight, "Yes. What you're seeing isn't a ghost."

"Then we also have to celebrate your return," King Maro told him and was about to publicly announce his safe return to welcome him, but Prince Seiro raised his hand to stop him.

"I would like to celebrate with you, but… I don't think you should be celebrating today, Maro," his similar gray eyes glared at him. "Because today, I shall take everything from you. The throne, the palace… and Ely."

Shocked about this, King Maro violently held his twin brother's mantle with his two hands, near to his neck. "Ely? Don't tell me… you took her? Where is Ely?! " King Maro yelled in misery. "Bring her back to me!!!"

"She knew that I'm Adam, her husband, and she hid it from you." Prince Seiro said calmly, despite the commotion. "You know what it means, right? In the end, she still chose me."

Hearing this, the King was stunned. He knew how Ely shed tears for her late husband before, and if this was true, it could be possible that she would choose him. He realized that the secret letters from him might also be true. He felt as if the skies fell on him badly.

As there was a commotion and the guests spoke about what was happening in the middle of the aisle, Prince Kaio suddenly appeared with General Lum and several mercenaries. He mocked the King, "Did you just realize that everything you have right now isn't yours? Isn't it just normal to return these to the real owner?"

"Kaio… So the rumor was true that you were plotting against me as well!" The King gritted his teeth in anger, and quickly dashed forward and grabbed his neck.

But Prince Kaio never faltered; instead, he gave the King a devilish smile.

When King Maro realized that there were several people watching him, he withdrew his hand.

Prince Seiro uttered, "If I were you, I would step down as King."

Prince Kaio then told the guests, "Apologies for the commotion, I am just doing my duty as a Prince. I want to set everything straight, and I will start by… dethroning this ruthless King."

It had become noisy, and King Maro yelled, "Kaio, how dare you commit treason on my wedding day-"

"Wedding? But where's your bride?" Prince Seiro responded, "She knew you were ruthless, that's why she chose me…"

"You-"

Prince Kaio suddenly said out loud, "Ministers and Clan Leaders, as well as officials… Everyone here who's witnessing this special event. Those who would like the true King, Prince Seiro, to be the new King, raise your hand."