SCARLET 2: ALICE (Emerald Series)

12

ALICE

It's the best day for a wedding. It's warm and the sun is occasionally peeking behind the moving clouds. There's a calm breeze whizzing through the shrubs of the castle gardens, cooling the guests sitting on the chairs on either side of the aisle. A soft classical music is heard through the conversations between the crowd.

I can't believe I'm getting married. Hindi ako makapaniwala na it only took a week para iprepare ang lahat. I looked down at the gown I am wearing. It's an off-the-shoulder ballgown wedding dress that features a bateau neckline, long sleeves and a full skirt with a long train. Ito daw ang suot ni Queen Emerald sa kasal niya noon at isa sa mga hiling niya ay suotin din ito ng babaeng papakasalan ng anak niya. Kaya I did. I wore it. It's gorgeous.

There was a knock on my door pulling me out of my thoughts. When I opened it, it was Thelessa. This is the first time I saw her ever since that night. Bakit ngayon lang? Where did she go?

I let her in the room. Her being an enchantress calmed my nerves. The room lit up with her presence. She really is the most beautiful creature.

"Are you mad at me?" tanong niya.

Tinignan ko siya na para bang hindi ako makapaniwala sa tanong niya. "Why would I be mad at you? You took care of me. You gave me shelter. You gave me life when I don't even remember who I am."

"Gusto kong malaman mo na ginawa ko ang lahat para iligtas ka." She pulled me into a hug. Grabe. She feels so warm.

"Ready ka na ba?" tanong niya while smoothing my hair. I nodded. "I'll be the one to walk you down the aisle."

My heart felt warm. Ito ba ang pakiramdam ng may pamilya?

As soon as I stepped out into the garden, all eyes were on me. It seems like everyone is here. Even King Vincent. My hands are shaking. I feel like my heart is trying to jump out of my chest.

"Steady yourself. Control your heart," Thelessa whispered. "Some of the people here are waiting for you to make a mistake."

The music for the wedding march started playing. We began walking down the aisle. I was looking down at first but then decided to lift my head and look at Clyde. Everyone is smiling.

But he wasn't. He's just...standing there. Sobrang halata na he's just doing this just because of his duty as the prince. Bakit ako nasasaktan? I don't even like the guy.

Inabot na ako ni Thelessa kay Clyde. We faced Queen Emerald and King Matt. As the sovereign of the kingdom, they're also the head of church. The queen decided to officiate the wedding herself.

"...from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part," we both said in unison. Isinuot na namin sa isa't isa ang aming mga singsing.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may know kiss the bride."

My heart dropped. Teka. Sandali! Hindi namin napag-usapan 'to. Are we going to kiss? I haven't kissed anyone before. I mean... I lost my memories two years ago, so I don't know if I've ever kissed someone before.

Clyde suddenly pulled me closer. Muntik ko nang mabitawan 'yong bouquet. His warm hands held my face. I closed my eyes. I felt his lips on my forehead. I heard the crowd cheered. Oh, just a kiss on the forehead. Why am I disappointed with this?!

The wedding ceremony ended, and a ball was held inside the castle. Everyone ate and danced the night away. I kept looking around. Wala si Seth. Ever since that night, ever since hindi ako pumayag na tumakas, he left. Hindi ako makapaniwala na hindi rin siya aattend ngayon. This is my wedding. He's my brother. How could he?

Nang matapos na ang gabi at nang umuwi na ang lahat, hinatid kami ni Queen Emerald at King Matt sa naghihintay na carriage sa labas. They made me change into a simple champagne-colored, pleated, maxi dress.

"May pupuntahan pa ba tayo, Ma?" tanong ni Clyde. Pagod na ako. Gusto ko nalang matapos na ang araw na ito at matulog.

Queen Emerald took his hands. "Naaalala mo ba noon kapag gusto mong magkaroon ng araw kasama kami ng tatay mo ay may pinupuntahan tayong small estate sa Light Forest?"

Clyde nodded bago nagpatuloy si Queen Emerald. "Mula ngayon, sa inyo na ni Alice ang lupain na 'yon. Both of you can stay there first para makaiwas din sa ingay ng mga tao dito."

The three of them hugged each other. I was admiring them nang bigla rin akong niyakap ng hari at reyna. The heavens know how much I wanted a family like this. Ito na ba? Ito na ba ang pamilya ko ngayon?

Sumakay na kami ni Clyde sa carriage at dinala kami nito sa Light Forest. Neither of us spoke during the ride. I looked at him and he looks sad habang nakatingin sa labas. Of course, I heard stories about Clyde. The castle is not big enough for me to not hear the gossips about Clyde and his first love.

He loved Scarlet. Or baka he still does.

It's not that I care who he loves. This is a loveless marriage anyway. At mas marami pa akong dapat ayusin sa buhay ko. I must find my own parents. I have to figure out what happened to me two years ago.

The carriage stopped moving, a sign na nakarating na kami. There's a large mansion in front of us. Of course, it is not as large as the castle, but it is a mansion, nonetheless. Still bigger than any other houses in the land.

May lumapit sa amin na footman, who guided us inside. Sobrang ganda rin sa loob. Hindi ito kasing-garbo ng castle pero mas gusto ko ito. Mas kumportable sa pakiramdam.

"Nakahanda na rin po ang inyong kwarto," the footman said.

"Please prepare a separate room. Gusto ko ng hiwalay na matutulugan," utos ni Clyde. The footman looked at me as if waiting na kontrahin ang sinabi ng prinsipe. When I didn't say anything, agad na itong umakyat para i-ready ang nirerequest na hiwalay na kwarto ni Clyde.

Umupo si Clyde on one of the sofas na agad ko namang ginaya. I still got no words from him. Nakatingin lang siya sa kamay niya.

"Galit ka ba sa akin?" I finally asked. Sa wakas ay tumingin na siya sa akin.

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Hindi ko alam," sagot ko. "You just look like you're mad."

"Hindi ako galit."

"Pero bakit– "

"Hindi nga."

"Do you feel forced to marry– "

"Enough!"

I flinched. This is the first time I heard him shout... and he shouted at me. I stood up at nag-decide na mauna nang umakyat. "I'm sorry."

"Alice..." he began.

"No, nakulitan ka sa akin. I'm sorry," sabi ko. "You don't have to say anything."

I left. Is this how our marriage going to be? Not talking to each other? Not caring?

I had hoped not to regret this decision to marry him.

But now I do.

And I only have myself to blame for that.