It was the wedding reception day with only the bride's closed family, the royal family's immediate political main noble faction seated witnessing the ceremony. All the palace servants stood in a line at the rear of the temple to witness the Royal Wedding Ritual.
The whole process of getting ready before dawn, all those diets and tight corsets going together with a flash course of strict rules, what not, what should be about the royal family has become a complete farce.
Suddenly I felt helpless at my own wedding, alone without my immediate family like Ah Ma, my two big sisters. My brother and little sister. I frown deeply in irritation.
This morning, I was hauled out of the room against my will after those tiring hours of preparation only to end in fifteen minutes. I was pissed off. Yet, the awe of the ceremony still has not settled down. The moment I appeared at the front entrance of the sacred temple, everyone's focus was on me. The murmuring noise from the guests makes me nervous about continuing further down the aisle.
"Your Highness. You must continue forward to where the crown prince is." The nearby Royal Guard whispered to me.
'Tell me something I don't know!' I glared at the Royal Guard, but I still can't move my feet forward. I scanned the hall, and I saw the familiar silhouette standing alone on the front of the altar. He did not turn around to look up to the aisle. Still, he looked marvellous and attractive as I remember he'll be. This is the only step that makes me, his bride and him, my groom, the wedding ritual, but considering what conspired at the town squire a week ago, I doubt he even agreed with the marriage. I can't even imagine how he reacted to such a ridiculous request for marrying a stranger. The commotion noise makes the groom turn my way. I froze to my spot. I can't continue with the marriage after all. His look of displeasure showed all over his face. I turned away and locked eyes with brother Jacob among the attendees. He was seated not far from the royal family. He was watching me the moment I entered the hall as if he understood my predicament, immediately stood up and strode up to me. The murmuring becomes louder as if they have never seen such a move from the bride's family before. A loud knocking of the High Priest's wooden staff silenced the spectators down.
"What's going on? Cold feet?" I freeze at his comment. If only I could escape from this. I heaved a sigh.
"Sorry. I think I'm having a nervous breakdown." I apologize to him. Seeing him in front of me now, the memory of visiting brother Jacob at his mansion a week ago gave me goosebumps. Coriane. Thinking of her condition back then, it was obvious how painful brother Jacob felt that moment. It might not be about me, but I have to do it for Coriane and the sake of Emperor Aleq, although I don't trust him. He smiled at me. He was sweet to me. He offered his arm to walk me down the aisle. I took it with relief. He didn't care how people reacted.
The long walk finally ended at the front of the altar. I steal a glance at the groom. His chisel, handsome face scowls ignore my presence and look on the front. I never wish for this kind of vow exchange. I always wish for a perfect wedding ceremony, even without this gorgeous gown, makeup and place. Just a happy short, private ceremony. Like no other in the world.
I closed my eyes in disappointment. Is this the same person that I had dreamt of several months ago?
I look forward to the presence of the High Priest Romou standing behind the huge altar with only a small dagger and a bowl filled with water. 'Now, what other surprise do you have for me, High Priest Romou?' I stare at him in question. I grit my teeth in silence. I was about to ask about that when the High Priest nodded to both bride and groom, and he began the ceremony. He signalled me to turn towards the crowd for a second.
"Before we begin the ceremony, all Hail the bride of the empire, our new crown princess."
Everyone present stands and bow their heads to me like I am someone so important for them to bow for that. I hold my head up straight while trying to get the heavy crown to stay atop my head. I felt dizzy at that very moment—lots of things I need to process right now. Running away was not one of the options right now, but I swayed slightly due to my dizziness, and he grabbed my body in his arms, trying to steady.
"Let's be done with it," he whispered low for me to hear. His grip tightened, only indicating his meaning. I am aware the temple has turned completely silent. Ones might hear a single pin drop in that kind of silence. Everyone was anticipating what we, the main focus of the show, were trying to do. They wondered if the couple would humiliate themselves with that royal wedding or if the bride would flee away from the altar, jilting the groom and run away with another lover like the rumour said? I can't even retort. With my eyes closed, I can sense the power from the crowd.
What have I made myself get into?! I steel up my heart and follow the man towards the altar together. There were low murmurs heard in the background. Brother Jacobs gave a deadly glare at the attendees, and it became calm once again.
Now, standing side by side beside the groom gave me the chill & frightening at the same time. His height is similar to brother Jacob but more slender and leaner with enough muscles bulging under his attire for the wedding ritual. How big can ancient people be compared to millions of years later?
High Priest Romou glared at me before going back to his blessing of the holy instruments of the ritual.
As soon as he finished, he gestured to the groom to begin. The groom took the knife, and with a swift move, his finger already bled out. I was flabbergasted at the brutal scene and let out a low suck in a breath, but I quickly covered my mouth. One. Two. Three. Three drops of blood fall into the bowl of water.
"Now your turn."
"What? Me too?" What is this? Some black magic or spell of tying one into submission until eternity? I shook my head. I refused to obey. In the background, the crowd is already in an uproar when I refuse to continue as I step back away from the altar.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance. At the same time, he looks nervous at the crowd and takes a step forward, trying to take my hand. It was a swift move, and my hand was already in his grip once again. I know I was wrong to refuse him and now surrender my finger to him as an apology. I hissed at the pain as he did the deed for me. Another three drops of blood get into the bowl. I narrowed my eyes, trying to see what was going to happen soon. 'I am not going to drink my own blood or his blood for that matter. Thank you.'
"From the beginning of time, God has created a man and a woman to be one. Two flesh unite shall bear a blessed flesh to create more man and woman, flourishing this blessed land of god. Without God's will, no man can separate this couple nor themselves." As soon as he finished with the blessing on the bowl, a shiny white light appeared on the centre of the combined blood clots into a ring shape of small and large sizes.
I was fascinated with the view I just witnessed.
The prince took out the smaller ring and slipped it into my ring finger smoothly. I clumsily take out the only remaining ring and slip it into his ring finger. Another surprise happened, the ring changed its colour into clear water and slipped into the skin. It gave out a cool sensation and gave rise to another painful, sensitive feeling on my left chest. I slit open my chest and saw a flower bulb with a tiny growing bud from it. It slowly disappeared back to her normal skin. I turned to the man beside me, and I can see his own tattoo on the left chest, a cracking egg-like tattoo appearing. It didn't take long before it disappeared without a trace. 'Oh, what was that magic just a moment ago?'
With that, the ritual ended without any more problems, and brother Jacob with the rest of the royal family came to congratulate us.
"Congrats on your marriage, dear brother." crowds begin cleared the pathway, and emperor Aleq came forward to congratulate us. He gave a light slap to his shoulder. He seemed to be more friendly than the man beside me, to begin with.
A sudden movement from the temple's rear makes me turn that way, only to see the Holy priest Romou already leaving the temple. I excused myself and rushed to see the High Priest Romou.
I finally found him in one of the changing rooms inside the temple's back room.
"Have you found him yet?"
"I don't understand what you're talking about?"
"You clearly know what I meant. You promised me to look for that Mr Alice."
"I apologize. But I'm afraid you can't return home."
I turned speechless at him. I wished he had the same arrogant, 'know all' confidence look. But it was nothing at all. His innocent look makes my hopes to return shattered to pieces. My eyes felt hot and stingy. Misreading my mood, he continues cautiously. "The last time the same incident happened was thousands of years ago."
I was stunned by his story. A glimpse of hope sparks, I look at him excitedly. "You mean there was someone else who saw those curtains?"
"Well," he looks away. " I did say that, but it was different from yours."
"Maybe if I can find that person, I can ask for help on how to return to my era."
"You don't see that point here!" Romou's raised voice makes me jump away. "This is a serious matter. I can't allow this to continue. They dare to disrupt the balance of the world for their little interest."
"Does that mean I am going back home soon?"