My head is up high and I restrain myself from looking down at the water in the bathtub.
Today is the wedding and Madeline and two other maids are helping me prepare.
Sonia and Lydia. Those are the two new maids.
They scrub my body and I guess hide their curiosity by not asking of the deep cut in my chest. But I don't care.
After the washing of hair and scrubbing of my body, I left the bathroom in my chamber.
"Thank you, I'll call you when I need anything"
My two new handmaids nod and I smile at them as they leave. Madeline quickly got my white dress on me and the white veil over my head.
She slowly applied the ointment on my hands and feet and I sigh in deep.
"Your Majesty... I never got to answer your question that day"
Yes... About she and Kahn.
"I am a bit curious. Do you like each other?"
"We really do, My lady. But we are looking for a way to tell the King about our marriage. Perhaps he will allow both of us to take a leave for a week or two"
I stare down at Madeline as she spoke.
"The Prince is the King now. I can get to him for the both of you"
Her eyes widen with excitement and she stare up at me. "Really? My lady you would do that for me?" she asks and I smile.
"What is not done for a maid of mine, cannot be done for me"
Tears engulf her eyes and she nod at this saying.
"Give me a week after today. I will talk to him" I say and she thank me wholeheartedly.
She finished the application of the ointment and the Queen enters my room.
"Madeline... You may leave" she says and look at me.
I bowed down low to honor the resigned Queen of Rokha.
She smiled at me. I guess she likes what she is seeing.
"Lyla... You look beautiful" she said and I smile widely. The make up on my face, actually makes sense. Even I know that.
"Thank you my Queen" I say and her expression suddenly becomes extremely poor facially.
"Is everything alright?" I ask and she looks up and into my eyes.
"Your parents couldn't make it. They have plans on leaving Barune's Castle"
Just as I expect. Plans. Again.
Handwork of my beloved father, who takes plans more important than his daugher's wedding.
"Who will lead me down the isle?" I ask and the Queen shook her head.
"Madeline and four maids while Von Kleist will be a representative of your father... " she looks at me with pity as she exits the room.
"I'm sorry, Lyla"
I scoff. I knew it.
Such man with less interest in his own daughter. How thoughtful!
I hear the music blare up in the throne room where the wedding is to be held. People of Rokha are waiting for me. My parents shouldn't hold me back for any reason.
I walk out of my room with the white but transparent veil over my head and Madeline and four other maids, including Sonia and Lydia, follows closely behind me. When I got to the door where Von Kleist stood behind, I smile at him as I held his arm like he is my father.
"Are you ready my lady?"
"Yes. Yes I am"
The trumpets blares again and the door opened wide.
What the...
How many millions of people are here today? Just to witness one wedding? They must celebrate their Queens and Kings well here in Rokha.
Unlike two people who can't even come to see their daughter wed.
I walk down the isle as the flutenists start to play their flutes.
The sound of the flute brings peace of mind to me and I know that as I walk down this isle, I walk down with someone by my side.
I walk through life with someone beside me.
I got to the front and Magnus don't hide his surprise. I have never wore make up in front of him before because I believe in natural beauty but when it comes to him...
He gives me a certain type of joy.
Von Kleist holds me tight and Magnus gaze followed his (Von Kleist) every move. Is this jealousy or he is just being overprotective?
"Welcome everyone! We have come today to honor them and humble ourselves before those that are to be joined today... " I stare at the Dale. The old woman.
Is she that important? To the extent that she does everything in the Castle. And maybe makes decisions that will circulate round Rokha.
"King Magnus and Queen Lyla, we greet you!"
The women in the hall made a strange sound that I have heard from a certain type of bird before. I guess it means something here.
"And Now, Lyla... You're handed over to Magnus with great respect and honor"
Von Kleist placed my hands on the smooth and soft skinned palm of Magnus and took a step backwards.
"And may your love, forever last and remain till death"
With that, Magnus unveiled my face and gasps from all corners of the hall filled my ears.
He does look surprise. But only for a second before his cold, dark and mysterious expression returns.
"Exchange vows!" Von Kleist ordered and all the people of Rokha stood up.
"Repeat after me Lyla, say I, mention your full name and Kingdom"
"I, Lyla Barune of the Barune Empire"
"Solemnly promise my loyalty to you and your Kingdom"
"Solemnly promise my loyalty to you and your Kingdom"
The old woman turned to Magnus and said;
"I, your details"
"I, Magnus of The Rokha Dynasty, solemnly promise to love you and my children and people with all my heart no matter what it cause"
Everyone seemed shock because the woman didn't even put him through the speech. Even I am impressed.
She nodded and smiled.
"You may all have your seats and enjoy the ceremony"
The whole place grew with applauds and shouts of joy.
I smiled happily and I turn to see Magnus smiling and staring at everywhere. This is my day!
We are being led to our thrones. Magnus holding fastly to my arm as we walk down the stairs.
Everything is going just the way I want it.
The day turns out splendid.
Our wedding... Turns out splendid.
***********
Magnus enters the chamber of both him and Lyla and started getting his clothes off.
Lyla faced the mirror as she read the book in her hands intensely and with focus.
"Seems like you love to read?" Magnus asked, knowing that she didn't notice him when he enters the room.
She close the book abruptly and placed it on her makeup table.
"I do. I can stop if you don't like it" she state and Magnus half smiles.
"It's fine. Just don't let it get into your head that much"
Lyla nods and stands up from the chair she sat on and walked upto her bed.
She is finally going to lay on a bed that she and her husband...
Are going to lie on together.
Magnus changed into a sleeping robe while Lyla closed her eyes.
Now it's time for Lyla to change. But he watch as she does it. Thankfully, she wore something inside her dress, probably knowing that something like this will happen.
She rounds up and switch her lamp off by blowing on the fire gently and she sat on the bed, beside Magnus.
"Are you ready?" Magnus asks with a frown.
"Yes"
They both closed their eyes as they prayed.
"We thank you for our wedding today. We pray you help us to live with one another without fights and damages. Amen" Magnus prayed shortly
"Amen" Lyla said and they both opened their eyes.
"Goodnight" Lyla says and lies down while Magna takes a while before he replies.
"Good night"