𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐃𝐎𝐌

𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿.

王国

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    When Duran announced his engagement with (Y/N) in front of the whole Kingdom at his annual birthday celebration, the crowd either cheered in support or not, some even shouting in question how a King could marry his servant. These negative comments were most commonly from the nobles who knew of (Y/N)'s background.

One look from Duran, however, was enough to make them shut their mouths.

Almost overnight, it seemed all naysayers to the announcement all died of mysterious circumstances, but anyone with intelligence could tell exactly what had happened to them. And just like that, every single citizen of Ophnelia announced their support without exception, beginning the long preparations for the wedding ceremony.

And finally, the big day came.

(Y/N) sat in a private chamber where she was sitting in front of a mirror that highlighted her beauty, her maids perfecting her makeup while styling her hair up neatly. Her white dress that she donned was taken in at the waist before it immediately cascaded into a flowing design, little twinkles of the jewels embedded into the fabric catching in the light.

"You look beautiful, Your Majesty," one of the maids said as she put the last finishing touches into her hair, the accessories matching perfectly with her (S/C) skin and (E/C) eyes.

(Y/N) smiled at the woman.

It had been a while since everyone started calling her such a title, but she still couldn't get used to it.

Well...

In time I will be.

A small knock on the door drew her attention away from her thoughts, gesturing for the maid to open it and surprised when seeing who was standing there. Zenon had his usual suit of armor on, however it looked like it had been recently polished, and when he took his helmet off, his hair had been combed back in a rather elegant fashion.

"Sir Elioud," (Y/N) stood, dismissing the maids so the two could speak in private. "What brings you here?"

He didn't say anything for a moment.

She tilted her head.

Finally, he said, "I never imagined that you would be wed... to His Majesty. To be honest... I don't like such an idea at all." Letting out a shuddering death, his dark eyes holding many conflicting emotions, he continued, "However, I still congratulate you... since I know that such a day is special to any bride."

"It must be a surprise, so thank you," she murmured, gripping her hands together. "I didn't think I'd be in this position, either."

"Do you even want it?"

"...I believe so, yes."

"Then I will not do anything," Zenon exhaled softly, puzzling her, soon her attention then being turned to the white envelope that he held out to her. "I also came to deliver this. It was given to me only so I could personally deliver it to you."

(Y/N) blinked, about to say something more but unable to do so since Zenon merely bowed before exiting the room as quickly as he came. Sitting back down, she tore open the envelope and unfolded the piece of paper that was inside, her eyes widening when reading what was written. From Juliya and Mari, they explained to her that they could no longer stand the thought of being servants for the rest of their life, so they ran, apologizing that they didn't warn her of their plans. They wrote that with Mari's family, they had run away to the neighboring kingdom and were well, Juliya even engaged to one of the attendants of their new farm.

She held the paper to her chest, smiling even though she was sad, glad that she was finally able to know that the few people she had cared about after Ushien were safe.

They live good lives now...

That was what they wanted... and they were able to obtain it by taking a chance.

And now...

And now, I will do the same.

Burning the letter so that it would never be found, she turned around just as two maids entered the room with Mr. Reinher in between them, their presence alone telling her that it was time. Taking Mr. Reinher's arm and with the other holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers, she walked down the hall towards where the throne room lay, stopping just before the large double doors that now seemed much more imposing.

"Do not be nervous, dear one," Mr. Reinher exclaimed, his gaze still facing forward with his back straight, never once breaking composure.

"I'm not," she relayed calmly. "I'm ready."

She didn't see Mr. Reinher's lips curve upward under his thin mustache, but she didn't need to. She was able to sense his pride, and that alone allowed her to steps forward through the doors. Inside, the room was practically gleaming, having been scrubbed floor to ceiling with no dirt nor dust left behind, pews brought in where everyone was standing in front of to watch her descend the aisle. And there, at the end, in front of his throne with a priest beside him, stood Duran.

His dark suit was draped with a blood red sash with medals of all sorts decorating the the front, a cape hanging off his shoulder of the same color.

He looked dazzling.

He looked like a fairytale prince.

But no one knew that under such a facade lay an obsessive monster who would stop at nothing to make sure that (Y/N) remained by his side until the day that he or she breathed their last breath. His desire for her could never be quenched, nor could it ever be tamed. She didn't seem to mind this, though, willingly taking his hand and standing beside him, willingly saying her vows with him, and willingly allowing one more ring to be slid onto her finger.

She had already been his long before she had ever said the words 'I do.'

From the moment he had lain his eyes on her in Ushien, her visage highlighted from the flickering flames that ate away all that was around, he knew in the pit of his stomach that she was different.

How different, he didn't know.

And he never expected such a thing, either.

But now, as he kissed his bride whom he adored with every fiber of his being, he didn't care. When (Y/N) parted from Duran, ignoring the crazed look in his eyes that spelled out his infatuation as he held her closer, she turned to the crowd who were all bowing and cheering before them.

She smiled.

She was his, and he hers.

    Forever.

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The End.