As the carriages raced towards the palace, Onyx tried to think of anything other than the wedding but the thought wouldn't leave her in peace. She was scared although she masked it well under the cloud of indifference.
Her worry made her feel claustrophobic inside the carriage and try as she may she couldn't take in air.
Her father had claimed that the stories about the King's savagery were merely rumors but Onyx knew that where there is smoke that there is sure will be a fire. In every rumor, there is always a speck of truth.
When she couldn't take it anymore she yanked off the veil from her face and took in several deep breaths.
Better now, she thought in relief.
Her action was so scandalous to her maidens servants that their eyes grew double of their size in shock at their mistress.
" My Lady! " Mei and Sally yelled softly aghast that she dare take off her veil.
Sally reached out to draw down the curtain of the carriage so that the crowd wouldn't catch a glimpse of her mistress's bare face.
" Please my lady put the veil back on, " Mei pleaded while Sally made sure that they weren't caught. The punishment will be brutal should their mistress be caught without her veil before she meets her husband.
Onyx ignored the panic demands of her maiden servants. She was better off without the veil and could breathe much easier. Not that it made everything alright, but at least she could breathe.
When they realized they couldn't get their mistress to put on her veil back, Mei and Sally stopped bothering her about it but throughout the ride, they were so tensed that you could draw an arrow with their bodies.
Finally, the palace gate came into sight, they looked towards their mistress with panic-stricken eyes begging with their eyes for her to get her veil back on.
Onyx knew she was riding very close to the edge, should she get caught the punishment will be severe and she wouldn't be the only one punished but she couldn't bring herself to care. Nothing about today pleased her and she was trying to be as comfortable as one can get when marrying a man you despise.
Finally, the carriage drew to a stop in front of the wedding building and Onyx had no choice but to put on her veil.
The carriage door opened and a male servant stood to the side to give her a hand. She placed her delicate slender hand adorned with so many rings on his callous palms and was helped gently down from the carriage.
Her train was led by eight maidens who were waiting for her at the palace. She stood behind and watched them dance into the hall. She tried not to let her nerves show but it was a battle she was losing. Her palms grew cold and clammy while her heart raced in dread.
Finally, it was her turn to make an appearance.
She was aware she had taken a risk with the choice of her dress and now it was time to go in she felt a moment of doubt. The boldness she felt when picking the dress seemed to have deserted her.
The king was an unpredictable man and could order her death should he be displeased with what she has done. She had been so focused on angering her mother that she threw caution to the wind and forgot about the consequences.
Mission accomplished but is time for her to face different music.
She took a deep breath and sent a quick prayer to Di Jun that the King would be in a great mood.
Mei and Sally stood to the side as their mistress made her way to the door. A terrified look on their faces. They were worried about their mistress choice of clothing.
Onyx slowly with her head held high walked into the room. The atmosphere immediately changed from one of festivity to utter silence. It was like the Angel of death just made a trip through the hall. Her dress shocked everyone to silence and then a second later it was like a switch was flipped and then people started talking all at once.
The crowd's reaction to her dress was not what Onyx was after it was the King's reaction she was after. She looked towards the King expecting to see the same indignant and furious look on everyone's faces but the King had this excited intrigued look on his face and instead of being calmed by that, it alarmed Onyx the more.
The last thing she wants is for the King to find her more interesting.
Onyx looked away from the King and then her eyes fell on something odd. The woman who seemed to have caught her attention was a servant. A servant with hair rare among their kind and her eyes reminded Onyx of beautiful green grasses radiant under the touch of the sun.
Onyx's heart kicked in her chest as her eyes connected with the servant.
Who was she?
She was intrigued.
She was so lost staring at the servant that she missed her step and almost stumbled but she was quick to right herself. She forgot about the girl and focused on getting through the ceremony.
She didn't look at her parents as she passed in front of them knowing what she will see on their faces. She didn't need to look to see their disappointment and disapproval.
Finally, she was before the King.
The King beamed at her and then made his way from his seat to join her at the feet.
The Priest came forward and began to conduct the ceremony.
For every vow she was required to say, Onyx said it with so much reluctance. Her unhappiness and unwillingness were obvious in her voice.
The King didn't seem to mind all these and eagerly said his lines.
Onyx nearly lost the content of her stomach when the topic of fertility was brought up. As the priest sprinkled the rice of fertility she could feel her stomach trying to revolt. Her face turned pale and it took everything in her not to run screaming from the hall.
Finally, they took their last bow and drank the wine of unity with their hands crossed against each other.
When the Priest was done they turned as one to face the crowd and they all stood to pay their respect and express their joy at the King's marriage.
Onyx took a look at her parents. She couldn't resist.
Her father was all smiling face beaming with pride as if his daughter marrying the King is his greatest achievement. Her mother on the other hand looked very stiff barely expressing her emotions. Outside her mother always prided herself on being comported and elegant.
Most regard her as one of the most beautiful women in the Kingdom and as much as Onyx hates it her beauty has always been compared to her mother.
She saw or rather felt her mum about to turn in her direction and quickly looked away and the person her eyes landed on was the blonde.
She chuckled under her voice when she saw the hungry look on her face as she gawked at the food displayed in front of her. That little laughter cleared her sadness and dark mood like how a stormy cloud clears away to reveal an awesome clear sky.
The King's attention was attracted by the soft laughter of his new bride and he decided to find the source of her amusement.
He was aware that the young woman beside him was reluctant to be his bride but he was besotted from the very first moment he set his eyes on her when he went to see her father. She was the most beautiful human being he has ever seen and he has so longed to possess her the gods smiled on him when her father proposed a marriage between them.
His young bride's attention was a young servant with golden hair. He tried to see why the scrawny little thing will hold his bride's attention but he couldn't figure it out. Yes, the servant was beautiful, her hair unique but she was nothing compared to the goddess standing beside him.
If the blonde will make his bride happy then he will get the servant for her.
They returned to their seat after the crowd have paid their respect. As soon as they sat down people began to present their gifts to the married couple.
Onyx hardly paid attention to what gift was presented her attention kept shifting to the blonde. It amused her watching the blonde fight her desire for the food in front of her.
Her wandering attention didn't escape the notice of the King who could barely keep his eyes off his gorgeous bride. The thought of the wedding night was making him so excited that he could barely wait. He was possessed with such eagerness to make the woman beside him his in every way possible.
Onyx's attention was snatched away from the blonde when her father came forward to present his gift.
The King watched with interest as his father-in-law came forward with one of his guards carrying a long wooden box. He wondered what the man has gifted him. He wasn't stupid not to know that it is the man's greed that drove him to give him his daughter.
Her father bowed in front of the King first.
" Greetings your Majesty. Greetings your highness, " he bowed in his daughter's direction. " This is my gift, " he turned and took the wooden box from the guard behind him. " I pray that the gods bless your union and make it fruitful that my daughter will give you as many heirs as she can, " he flipped the box open to reveal a very unique and beautiful sword. " May your enemies always fall at your feet, " he got to his knees with the box in hand and stretch it towards the King.
Onyx's fingers tightened on the throne in revulsion and anger when her father mentioned giving the King heirs. She didn't want any reminder of her wedding night. She was already dreading it as it is.
Her bad mood returned and she lost interest in what was going on in front of her but rather decided to seek out the blonde.
When she looked in her direction the blonde was already looking at her with this innocent curiosity that sparked something in her chest.
Their gaze held and locked as an intense current passed between them. Onyx tried to look away confused and intrigued by the weird feeling running through her but she couldn't look away.
Onyx was not the only one whose interest has been picked by the blonde. The son of the barbarian king has not stopped staring at the little servant since he took a seat across from him.
The wedding was of little concern to him. He had not wanted to come but his father had insisted. Something about checking out their enemies and their defenses. From what he can see they will be no match for them should his father desire to conquer them.
The only thing that held his interest is the golden hair servant. He was captivated by her hair and unique eyes and wish to make her his concubine. He already has four wives but he can never have enough concubines.
He looked from her to the man beside her. This would be her Master. He was going to offer 10 gold bars for the servant. The people of this kingdom value their gold so the man will not be able to resist his offer.
An exciting look appeared in his eyes as he opened his mouth to make his offer, but he wasn't the only one interested in the servant.
" I will take your servant for ten gold bars, " he threw out loud towards her Master at the same time the King asked for the girl to be brought to him, leaving everyone shocked and confused.