Chapter Ten: Marriage

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Some would say marriage is one of the happiest chapters in our life, but could I say the same? To be married to a prince was every ladies dreams. The charms, the wealth and the title, I will have it all if I say the word I do.

In each stride that I took towards that charming smile of his, the more I felt like my world is falling apart behind me. I didn't know what to expect, nor was I prepared to be a member of the imperial family.

All eyes fell on me, with unfamiliar faces and judging looks in some women. People who has more power, individuals who held more important titles than a duke's daughter. Yet, he picked me. The tiara and veil felt heavy, but I could only lift up my head high. To be a wife to a prince, I must be elegant in my own way.

I glanced to the other side to see mother and father, when I took a step forward from the aisle, I couldn't help but smile to see Imelda from the crowd as well. She waved a hand in my way as I looked back, making eye contact with Nikolas who looked at me with meaningful and admiration eyes.

He took me up the stairs as we faced each other in front of the massive cathedral. "You look stunning, my dearest (y/n)." he said in a whisper but I only ignored him and looked down on the bouquet of flowers.

My mind felt fuzzed with my own thoughts. So this is really happening. I thought that I would've been able to runaway from this palace yesterday night, but sentinels guarded my door and even from outside the window they all lurked through the shadows. I felt trapped in a place I didn't belong.

Nikolas probably expected that I would escape, it would be too dumb to leave a duke's daughter unguarded after all.

"Prince Nikolas Stormbore, do you take (Y/n) (L/n) to be your lawfully wedded wife in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

Asked the priest while I glanced up at Nikolas who had a big smile on his face.

"I do."

He answered with a chuckle as I saw a faint blush on both of his cheeks. The look on his face wasn't something I've seen from him before, he was happy with his teary eyes. Nikolas took out a thin, white cloth and wiped the tears off of his face with a quiet sob.

I couldn't decipher if this was all an act to make it more believable or if he really was crying out of joy. Either way, I couldn't help felt surprised from my wide eyes and unsealed lips.

"(Y/n) (L/n), do you take Prince Nikolas Stormbore to be your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health, to love and to obey, until death do you part?"

The priest looked at me with narrow eyes. I darted my eyes back to Nikolas, the two words suddenly getting stuck under my throat as if someone was stopping me. The cathedral fell into silence after their few whispers from the prince's little tears.

Their stares made me feel suffocated. I gazed to the only people I know, my family. Mother nudged her head forward, signaling me to stop dozing off and to say those words I had faltered.

I looked back at Nikolas with pure hesitation as I forced myself to smile, "I do." I finally answered with success of not stumbling upon my words. He gave me a comforting smile, mouthing the words 'good job.'

"Then I pronounce you husband and wife!" said the priest with raised hands, "You may kiss the bride."

"Wait, what?" I looked at the priest with a horrific expression, feeling dumb to forget the kiss that seals the deal. I turned to Nikolas who was already leaning towards me. I gulped down a fear and took a step back, Nikolas snatched my arm and pulled me towards him with fluttered eyes. "Don't embarrass yourself, dearest (y/n)," he said in a hush, "Just kiss me." he closed his eyes.

𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 (𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚!𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙭𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧)Where stories live. Discover now