INCA EMPIRE
BELLS RINGING ―― announce the arrival of the groom , emperor azazel la alder astocia , standing side by side with the young princess ambrosia who holds onto his finger and walks with a poise so unlike a child her age .
There awaits Reynold Beaufort and the emperor of inca empire , welcoming astocian royals in the cathedral .
" it is an honour , prince reynold ― " ambrosia bows in courtesy , returning reynold's greeting with her own cheerful one . a gesture that makes the usually scowling second young master grin ― easily swept by the princess' charm .
ambrosia who had already prepared a gift for her new mother ― looks around the place impatiently , asking him .
" where is the princess ? is it long until she arrives here ? "
reynold replies with a laugh ,
" not much , brides just take time making their entrance ― especially dramatic ones . "
azazel on the other hand , is apathetic throughout the time . simply replying to the greetings in his own curt way , not paying attention to the much heated discussion between the second young master and ambrosia who seemed to chatter like they were long-lost friends .
on the other side , persephone in her mansion feels empty , sitting in her room in her bridal gown ― staring out of the window , lost in her own world .
a faint knock brings her out of her trance , and she invites the person in . the blank look on her face is replaced by one of surprise when she witnesses koshar standing in front of her , his eyes distant as they rake down her dress .
" you .. ― could you please stand ? " he requests , his voice oddly quiet . persephone doesn't resist , and does as she's asked .
he steps behind her , and it is then she feels a weight on her shoulders , the warmth of his hands obvious on her bared skin . a cloak .. she notices . one made in the colours of house beaufort .
" it is custom . every girl wears her family's cloak on her wedding day . usually it is the father who puts it over the girl's shoulders but ― " he hesitates , looking at her with the same dejected blue eyes .
" thank you . " she cuts him off , with a faint grin .
you were horrible to me ― she cannot help but think , but at the regret painted over his face , she finds it hard in herself to despise him in that moment . not when he is so clearly hurt .
she needn't speak words of forgiveness to him ― because she couldn't find it in herself . every time she thought of it , his stone cold face from past would flash in front of her eyes , making her lose any remorse .
it was fitting for him , after all . the burden of guilt , regret of what could have been ― had he been kinder .
" you look beautiful , persephone . " he says in a hushed voice , gesturing her to exit the room .
outside stood her father , duke beaufort , standing in front of the carriage with a seemingly distant look himself .
when he notes persephone , the duke's eyes widen in surprise ― as if he were seeing her for the first time . he sighs , a melancholic smile slowly morphing over his features , and extends his hand .
" would you allow this old man to escort you one more time , my dear ? "
she doesn't say much , but instead just places her hand in his own , entering the carriage .
after the ceremonial wait , the bride enters . all the eyes in the hall turn to the gates , watching as duke beaufort comes hand in hand with his daughter . persephone beaufort ― the once infamous princess , now marrying to be the empress of a foreign kingdom ― there were hushed whispers , some disdainful looks given at the irony . but there were also happy faces , of those who supported her among the crowd .
head held high , she walks the aisle with a confidence that seemed more like she was walking into war and not marrying .
the emperor stands proud in the front , blond hair gleaming beneath the light , ice-cold violet eyes staring as his bride approaches . the duke offers emperor her hand , and although his touch is warm beneath her fingers , his indifference doesn't leave much space for doubt in her head . an arrangement , that is what it was , she reminded herself .
out of the corner of her eye , she notices reynold standing beside a little blonde girl , both of them giving her excited ― childlike smiles ― which she cannot help but feel at ease for . it wouldn't be too hard , she reckoned . not bad for a marriage of convenience .
movements practised , they stand in silence as the priest starts his incantation , beckoning the gods to bless their union ( hah .. )
" with water , i bless you lifelong serenity . with air , i bless your union be a harmonious one . with earth , i bless you with persistence ― with fire , i bless passion be alive between your souls for days to come . "
he chants , gesturing the two of them to extend a hand forward . doing as told , their hands entwined under the silk ribbon ― fingers entwined .
" father , smith , warrior , mother , maiden crone , stranger ― i am hers and she is mine , " they recite together .
" i am his and he is mine , " expressions blank , gaze faraway , the tone of their voices empty as they parrot the words they'd been taught , hand in hand .
" from this day , until the end of my days . "
with this , their hands are untied , and the priest guides azazel to proceed further and take his bride under his own protection . the cloak she wore so far , was not her own family's . she was adopted in the beaufort household as a replacement for a lost girl , and yet when he removes it , she feels overwhelmingly light .
lightness that is soon shielded by another , heavier cloak around her shoulders . clasped by unshaken fingers , indifferent to the change .
she then bows her head in front of him ― and that is when the true weight falls on her person . the weight of a crown placed on her head .
taking his hand , she rises . to meet cold , unchanging lilac eyes that did not betray any emotion as he leans forth . the kiss placed on her lips is chaste , barely touching , but somehow it feels more distant than anything . everything feels like a blur to her , as if she is in a trance .
that is when her senses come back to her , with an announcement by the priest followed by deafening applause from the crowd behind them .
" i now pronounce you , man and wife . "