บท 2: A Royal Wedding

"I love you, papa," I said faintly to myself, imagining the loving face he always muster up to me despite the circumstances, I wish I would never forget him even though my new life will start in the Empire, he will always be my anchor and no one will ever take that from me.

The church bells banged loudly once again, I gasped opening my eyes, looking around startled and then it hit me as the doors swamp open, this was it, my very own wedding.

The opening doors revealed a crowd I have never been in before, it made me nervous more and I stood glued to the floor like I was spelled there, I felt the two bridesmaids behind me raise my long veil, it was a signal for me to move, I turned back to the long-empty space that leads to the altar.

My body was practically shaking, the crowd stared at me wanting me to step in but I was too nervous to do so, I freaked out to a point that I could run away from all this and the moment I do there will be no turning back and I will end up risking my father's life.

"My lady" a voice caught my attention as I turned to a girl dressed wonderfully in a light yellow gown, her hair packed in two buns, she held a basket of yellow roses.

"You have to go," she said, I could tell in her eyes she knew I wasn't into this the moment I got here, the way she said those words... I knew there was no going back.

I gulped hard and turned back to the view, my hands tightening together more on the banquet of yellow roses I held, I took a deep breath and stepped through the doors at what awaited me.

Eyes were on me like a hawk, it made me sick, but I thanked the heavens that my face was covered in a veil. I could hear my heart beating fast, it was the only rhythm I could hear despite the choir singing an angelic song, my breaths were fast as my eyes went back and forth the crowd staring at me intensely.

"It's the girl who had been kept hidden for years". I heard a man whisper.

"She has no training at all, how will she perform her duties". This time it was a woman.

"She's definitely not a good match for our young master".

"Why her? She grew up outside the empire walls".

"What was the Emperor thinking?".

"His selection is so poor!".

"What an unacceptable taste!".

"A disgrace!".

"She's not good enough!".

"Pity the young master will have to marry someone like her, untrained, with a poor upbringing".

The words were harsh and fierce at me like I was an outcast, normally silver-haired were gazed upon like a rare diamond but right now in the midst of the people I don't know, I felt beneath a diamond, this was the worst thing you can get in a grand married, an arranged grand marriage.

Looking away I turned back to the altar I was almost getting to, the priest stood with his staff in hand, dressed ceremonial, and then my eyes drifted to the man standing in his front.

That was definitely the man I was getting married to, a man I knew nothing about but status, their family was one of the wealthiest of all Houses of Sorcery, I was told he was a retired general of high status, but he was only 32, he was too young to be retired, that was a mystery, of course, letting go of status that high, he must be crazy.

He's one of the most powerful warlocks and gained a high title at his age, I can't help but feel a bit impressed, young, and talented. That is what I knew about him, for now.

My eyes were no longer at the crowd but at him, his back was faced to me so I couldn't see his face, his hair cut intrigued me, the back was well shaved smoothly, then starting from his ear side there was thick full dark hair and I was sure some of it fell on his forehead, from the view of his back he was wearing a long dark brown jacket, leather I think, leather was one of the most expensive material in the empire, I wasn't so surprised he was wearing it.

The closer I got to the altar the more I could see how tall he was and by the look of his forms he was built, his shoulders broad, and his presence was that of silence but I knew all too well he was more than that.

I finally got to the altar, climbing the stairs up to where he stood and the priest, he didn't flinch or recognize my presence when I stood beside him, it was like I was invisible and I didn't mind because I gave the same vibe, once again I thanked the veil covering my face so that I couldn't see his face and he couldn't see mine, I felt way better and relieved.

"Today in the presence of the Empire, we are about to witness the union of this couple" the priest began his words.

I sighed closing my eyes, this was it, I was getting married, as funny as it may sound this was not the kind of marriage I expected, I wanted to fall in love, marry for love and have lots of kids but I'm afraid I can't ever know the meaning of love and I will have babies for this strange man, the thought of that made me shiver in disgust.

"Cedric Logan Hartford, do you take Sylvia Melvyn to be your lawfully wedded wife, to hold, to cherish, and fulfill the duties of the abiding law to your Empire?!" the priest asked.

"I do," he said. His voice was soft, rough, and bored like he was held in a war front and he was out of attacks against the enemy, who knew two words can give all kinds of vibes.

"Sylvia Melvyn, do you take Cedric Logan Hartford to be your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and fulfill the duties of the abiding law to your Empire?!"

I was silent for a minute that made the priest look at me urging me to say the words, there was definitely no going back in this.

"I do," I said with a gulp.

"I now pronounce you Man and wife" he announced.

I sighed, there goes my free life, my face dropped, nothing could be much worse than this. Please take me, Lord! Take me!

"You may now kiss the bride"