Is this really happening? Has my life really changed all in one day? I was now the daughter-in-law of the wealthiest family in the Empire, I was now Sylvia Hartford, no longer a Melvyn.
My stomach was tied in a knot, I kept gulping countless times. I could only hear the rhythm of the song playing in my head like a slow beat that got me lost, maybe this is what I needed right now, I'm still getting used to the fact that I'm actually married, and now I was at the after-party, a banquet held just for us.
After the wedding, the carriage carried me back to Hartford Manor. I can still remember how I was amazed by the majestic environment I was never used to, a castle. But I just had to tell myself that this was my home now.
A group of dancers performed a slow beat dance as the instrumentalist played a wonderful sound. I tried my best to focus on the music as laughs and talks filled the round table like a plague.
"Congratulations Cedric, you got yourself, a silver-haired," a man called James Albert said, who I was told was one of the ambassadors. His silver-haired wife beside him, she was more uncomfortable around her husband and his eating habits like a pig. If I remembered correctly her name was Camille Albert, she was beautiful and dressed wonderfully in a blue slender gown, along with a white long sleeve kimono on top embodied with blue design.
All silver-haired had the same hair and eyes, only features and character traits differentiated us. Her husband James was all fat like a ball, brown hair gelled backward, black eyes, eating to his content.
I looked away as a wave of nausea found me but I held it in, I was mostly dining with middle-aged men that held high status just like Cedric. They were all ambassadors of the Empire as I was told.
"Make sure you enjoy yourself" James adds, winking at Cedric.
I grimaced at his words, Cedric just peacefully took his wine glass and took a sip of it, not minding the world around him like he was in his own solitude, for a second it seems like he didn't agree to this marriage as to the banquet just like me, but the kiss was breaking that thought as I slowly reach and felt my lips once again. Why did I keep remembering it, it was annoying!
"You know James, Cedric is the type who doesn't have fun if you ask me," a man said while drinking his wine, my eyes landed on him, he had amazing features just like Cedric, blond hair and dim blue eyes.
He was the only one who didn't have a silver-haired beside him. I figured his wife couldn't make it or something. His blue eyes landed on me and he smiled, I looked away, as warmth flushed my cheeks, that was one welcoming smile I have had since I got here, funny it was from a stranger.
"You know me too well, Lawrence," Cedric said actually for the first time since we started this banquet.
"So you're the silver-haired who grew outside the Empire," another man said, my eyes drifting to him. If I could remember the introduction well I think his name was Dalton Heathcliff, he had brunette hair and dark brown eyes, his silver-haired wife beside him eating elegantly, she was on a slender red gown that brought out her pale skin, along with a short sleeve thick black kimono embodied with red designs. Her name was Danette Heathcliff.
"Yes" that was all I said, tearing my eyes away from him. I knew where this was going without a thought and I wish there was a way to avoid it.
"You have no training at all or how we do things around here, how do you suppose you will serve Cedric when you're untrained," he said rubbing his chin.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Serve you say?" I began, my eyes landing on him. He nodded.
"I don't know what you're talking about and like you said I know nothing of how you do things around here," I said as sassy as I could.
Dalton's smile faded at my reply. Everywhere fell silent as all eyes drifted to me like I did something wrong, I said my heart, what was wrong with that? Lawrence let off a laugh, it echoed in the silent hall.
"You're really interesting, Lady Sylvia" he acknowledged in amusement, I forced a smile.
"I would say rude" Camille said under her breath as she took her wine. But I pretty much heard her.
"In the presence of men, you speak rudely!" Dalton hissed as his brown eyes glowed a bit... uh oh, I just angered a warlock.
His raised voice got me jumpy a little, I have never been talked to like that, not even by my own papa, I had a feeling that was about to change.
"You should teach her some manners Cedric, she needs it" he adds through clenched teeth as if restraining himself.
My looks darken as my fist tighten beneath the table, it clenched my gown tightly, I turned to Cedric who was silent like nothing was stirring, he just took his glass and spin it slightly as the wine in its swirl, his eyes fixed on it like he was assessing the texture of the red wine.
"Manners are taught at a young age, the blame goes to the parents for their lack of etiquette," Cedric said.
My eyes shake at his harsh words. I turned to him.
"Her manners are not mine to teach but that of her parents, who by far failed at that" he took a sip of his wine, I rose to my feet shaking the table in impact.
I stared at him fiercely, holding my anger in as I burned hate at his face. Who does he think I was, some savage?Just because I spoke my mind?
"My Papa is not someone you can speak low of, he did everything for me, he doesn't deserve your mean words," I said as my eyes watered, my fist tightening on my gown more.
He dropped the wine glass on the table and his eyes finally met mine, it was intense and piercing, not even a flick of emotion, I was scared of the look.
"You may have learned to speak up in your father's house, but here... is the Empire, silver-haired are in their husband's shadow, I suggest you do that too, so sit down you're embarrassing me," he said, darting his eyes away from me.