Duke Lansbury had six sons and one daughter, Keenu. She was the last child and the only daughter so her father doted on her. Keenu got away with everything. She became my best and closest friend when other girls were warned to stay away from me.
Initially, I had a lot of friends, genuine or otherwise. After all, as Lord Bailey's daughter, I was a big deal. But when I started my magic campaign, some nobles realised I was not worth the trouble. At first, they let their children play along. But we started doing these rituals and they all disappeared, except for Keenu, that is. After that, I was labelled as the craziest person in the Southside. Good times.
Keenu had called me the instant she had heard that I had left. The poor girl was a sobbing mess as she explained that the household servants as well as her brothers had been instructed not to say a single word about the alliance. She found out two days later when she had left home without her father's permission and heard about it. Duke Lansbury was worried that if Keenu had caught wind of what had been going on, she would have helped me run away. The man was smarter than he let on.
I wish I had run away, though. I wouldn't be sitting on this chair in front of a mirror, clad in a heavy white gown with jewellery covering most of my neck. I could barely recognise myself, wide eyed and disbelieving. It was yet to sink into my head that this was actually happening. It was my wedding day, and thinking about that made me want to cry. I could have, but I wasn't allowed to do that anymore, something about ruining my makeup and smelling like tears.
To some consolation, Mother called me everyday and they were getting closer to finding Aimee. The rebels had claimed three more towns, which was a major disadvantage. However, there was clean water supply in the capital and more food was being distributed. I wish I could go there and actually see it. I promised Mother I would drop by soon, and she had been so emotional over being absent for my wedding.
The week had passed by so fast, but it had not been uneventful. I sucked everything in like a sponge, and not all of it was good news. Between interactions with different people during lunches and dinners, meeting different members of different courts as well as listening in on some gossip, I had a good grip on what happened at Jewel Palace. Turns out, Barbara didn't like me very much, and so every servant at the palace didn't either. The High Court officials just didn't like me because I wasn't Aimee. There was another unofficial group that had high importance known as the Ladies of the Court, which was just some influential women who didn't like me because I took away their chance of being with Midas. Then the rest don't like me just because no one else does.
Yay, fun.
"Are you ready to leave, Lady Amaya?" Barbara asked me from the doorway as Wanita and Judy finished tidying me up.
I pulled out a sparkling pin that was tugging at the roots of my hair. "Can I have some gum? Strawberry flavour would be nice."
"You are not getting any of that. We are running out of time. It won't fare well for you if you're late," Barbara insisted.
"Well, you're going to have to drag me there because I'm not going anywhere without that bubble gum," I stubbornly refused with a sly grin. "I've always wondered how fun a dramatic wedding would be..."
I chuckle at the veins popping out from Barbara's temple. Her skin is always flawless and her expressions blank and unreadable. It was exciting watching the elderly woman unravel. She had been winning during our silent challenges by constantly using brute force or talking down to me. His favourite was to threaten to tell Midas, who would invite me to take the next ship home. I wondered what they'd use against me now that I would officially be married to Midas. He can't threaten to send me home and I'm sure I will have some authority over the household. Midas did mention that I would not have any political significance but I'm sure that I will mean something socially. If not, I don't know why the Ladies of the Court are worried at all.
Barbara relented, letting Judy bring me some assorted chewing candy. I was surprised there was any here at all. It tastes marvellous. I felt livelier now that I was chewing something other than my tongue. Chewing was my distraction. I lost most of my nails to that habit. Mother failed to change that about me. Chewing gum at my wedding would come across as rude, but I could not start dealing with ulcers or sores in my mouth.
I was graceful, elegant and beautiful as I strolled across the red carpet. It was quite a journey actually because the banquet hall was quite large. It was oval shaped room built like an auditorium with steps leading to the circular centre, where Midas stood. He looked tall and charming, his dark brown hair tamed by a lot of gel, with one rebellious lock dangling over his forehead. He looked quite sharp in a black tux, his hands behind his back. His eyes were fixed on me and I lost my breath over the intensity within them. Somehow, I felt even more anxious and could not hide my chewing.
A large man was standing for us. My workists had begun to ache from holding the oversized bouquet, as if the train of my gown was any easier to drag along. I still managed to force a smile as I looked at Midas, who took my hand as we faced each other. I was relieved when the bouquet was taken from my hands. My nose was beginning to itch from the combination of flowers. The large man with us gave me a kind smile that sent me off guard. No one had been that nice to me since I came here. I decided that I liked him very much, even though he was the largest man in the room.
I was about to fall asleep when he began talking. I was distracted by the people in the room. The men were in smart suits and tuxedos. The women looked extravagant. On one of front rows, I was surprised to find Madeline with Lin and Lucas. I was so happy to see some familiar faces that I almost jumped in excitement. I managed to get a hold of myself and gave them a small smile. I looked back at Midas, who had been staring at me the whole time. Everyone knows this is only a political marriage so we don't need to act like happy bride and groom.
My heart leapt to my throat when I heard a deep, animalistic rumble that vibrated through me right down to the tip of my toes. I realised a second later that it was coming from Midas, who was shooting daggers at a group that had silently waltzed into the room. My brows furrowed in confusion as my eyes darted across the flurry of silver, blue and white robes.
"Alpha King, excuse our intrusion," spoke the man in front with robe of the darkest shade of grey among the group.
"What are you doing here, Rowland?" Midas asked, his voice deeper and rougher.
Rather than scaring me, his voice made my body tingle in a way I didn't quite like. It wasn't bad, just uncomfortable. I took a step back as the guests came forward, some of them spreading across the room.
"You invited us, Sire, and the Moon requested our presence here," the man in the dark grey robe, Rowland, probably, replied calmly, his gaze falling on me. "I'm sure that the Moon would like our presence during such a monumental occasion."
"Then I'm sure you can do that without being observed," Midas suggested, even though it was more of a demand.
"Actually, your majesty, I would like to bless this union myself, if you could let me," Rowland said, with a small smile on his face, one that told me he was going to get what he wanted.
Midas resigned with a sigh, coming back to his place in front of me. Murmurs ensued as the nice large guy left after giving me a nod and another one of his kind smiles. Rowland took his place instead and silence reigned once more.
I thought this was going to take a more dramatic turn, but we were back to long speeches again. I thought weddings were just saying I do, kissing and dancing. Why did they have to say so much? At least the other guy had quickly begun to wrap it up, this Rowland guy was saying some stuff in a language I could not understand. He creeped me out to be honest. But I was sure I had no say in it.
When we finally got to the vows, I sighed in relief. Midas gave me a warning glare but I just smiled. My gum had long lost its taste but coordinating my teeth and tongue seemed to be a better pastime than this wedding. We didn't say any vows because we had not prepared any. I had asked Midas to skip that part because I really didn't want lie. I was numb as a light, silver band was slipped onto my finger. I kept staring at it around my ring finger and it still did not make any sense. Was I really doing this?
"I present to you Alpha King Midas Kennedy and his wife, Lady Amaya Kennedy. You may kiss your bride."
My brain froze. It was like I had just jugged down a bottle of ice and my mind stopped working. I had anticipated everything except for this tiny detail. The kiss, no, my first kiss in front of an audience at that. I gaped at Midas, my eyeballs bulging out of their sockets and my over chewed gum almost falling out of my mouth. When I took a closer look at him, he looked like he wanted to laugh. He was trying so hard to keep a straight face but his eyes were glinting with amusement. Midas took the first step closer to me. My feet were rooted in place, numb from the glass slippers they forced me to wear even after I had told them the shoes were not comfortable. His right hand slipped to my waist and rested on the small of my back, covering the little distance between us. His other hand held the back of my neck as he dipped down to my short height. My hands went up to his chest. It was on pure instinct to push him away but he was just too strong. I closed my eyes when his breath trickled my cheeks. I could only hear my pulse in my ears and my laboured breathing. Then his lips touched mine and I couldn't hear anytime else.
I think it was revenge. I was beginning to wonder what I had been thinking when I kissed Midas that day back at home. I managed to surprise both of us with that bold move. Now, as his soft lips moved against mine, I was sure that this was his revenge. He was getting back at me for kissing him. We never discussed this when we talked about the wedding proceedings. He did it on purpose.
The applause that followed was loud. I sank into deep green eyes, trying to find their secrets and half dazed from the kiss. That was not something I was going to get used to any time soon. I pulled away from him and looked down, not wanting to face the crowd. I gasped when I realised something.
I didn't have my bubble gum anymore. I lost it during the kiss. Could Midas have...? Nope, I won't think about it. It is too embarrassing.
Rowland was the first to congratulate us, informing us that the Moon was happy with our union. I only gave him a smile even though I had no idea what he was talking about. If I thought the strange man's words were boring, I was going to die from all the people I had to meet. Thankfully, Madeline managed to push through the crowd and give me a tight hug.
"I told you I'd make it," she whispered into my hair as I refused to let her go. "You have to meet someone."
We broke apart and I waited patiently. A little girl appeared from behind Madeline's emerald green dress. She had her tiny hands holding the dress tightly, wide innocent green eyes staring up at me. Her dark brown hair was so curl and it was held back by a silver band. She was wearing a silver dress and she looked like a fairy with her porcelain skin. I watched her closely, something nudging the back of my head. I looked at Midas as I noted the similarities. The hair, the eyes, that nose. I had three hunches and I didn't like one of them. The first could be that it was just a coincidence. The second was that is was his sister. The last, and worst, was that she was his daughter he hid from me all this time.
"This is my daughter, Norah," Madeline introduced, bringing the girl closer to me.
I only became more confused. "She looks so much like-"
"Me," Madeline said. "She looks like me. Not like Midas. I am her mother and he is just her uncle."
"Wait, are you and Midas related?" I asked, looking between the two.
Now that I thought about it, there were some similarities. Madeline had brown eyes and light brown hair. Midas has green eyes and dark brown hair. Midas's skin is a soft caramel shade whilst Madeline's is much lighter. But the nose and lips and even the contours of their faces were almost the same. Why didn't I notice that before?
"You're only realising that now?" Madeline almost yelled.
"I'm sure you can talk about this later. We still have other people to meet," Midas stopped our conversation, his eyes on the approaching horde of beautifully dressed people.
His hand was on my back gently manoeuvring me through the crowd. I put on my best fake smile as I politely greeted the strangers. Some were familiar from when we met for lunch or dinner, but I did not know any names.
The ballroom was our next destination. Midas said we still had people to meet and I felt like crying. My feet were being tortured by my shoes and I was hungry. Barbara had been limiting my food so that the dress would fit. I eyed the buffet but I was sure Midas would not let me go there. So I let him drag me across the room, smiling at people I really did not care about.
I had been trying to get one of the champagne flutes that waiters carried around. Each time I managed to get one, Midas would get it from me and place it back on the tray as if he was swatting away a fly. Not only was I hungry and exhausted, but I was thirsty and bored too. I had my revenge, though. I made sure to step on his toes as frequently as possible. He looked unbothered by it but I knew he felt the pain.
Midas left me for half a minute when it was close to midnight. I relieved my numb toes when I took off my shoes and kicked them under a table. My dress hid the action. The tail had been detached but it was still sweeping the floor, hiding my feet. I had a feeling that I would get in trouble for that but what he doesn't know won't kill him.
"How much longer do we have to do this?" I asked, after Midas had taken me to the dance floor for the umpteenth dance, yawning into his shoulder.
"This is the last dance," he promised, his voice soft as he whispered into my ear.
Midas let me rest my head on his chest and I shut my eyes as we slowly swirled to the soft music. Midas had danced with me first. Then some other men asked to dance with me. At one point, I got dizzy from all the twirling. At least Mother had insisted that I take dancing lessons. I didn't humiliate myself.
I think I dozed off for a while. The song had changed when I opened my eyes. Midas's hand on my back had been supporting most of my weight, otherwise I would have slumped on the floor. I heard him chuckle when I yawned again.
"Let's get you to bed," he said, taking me away from the dance floor.
I smile at his suggestion, still cradling into his side. "Food first."
Even though I could barely keep my eyes open, I managed to slip away from him and head to the buffet. The food had barely been touched, not that I'm complaining. I got a small plate and piled it with as much food as possible, filling my mouth as well.
Midas sighed when he saw me and looked around to check if anyone has noticed. "We could have asked someone to bring food to us."
"We could, but that's different. It won't be a buffet anymore," I argued.
"Here I thought you were sleepy," he grumbled. "A second ago, you could barely stand."
"I do want to go to bed, but I can't sleep on an empty stomach," I reasoned, then offered some of the food on my plate. "Want some?"
He gave me a hard look, as of to ask if this was a joke. "No."
"Good, I hate sharing," i muttered, my mouth full of food.
He dragged me out after he deemed that I had enough to eat. Plus, had my eyes closed and swayed from side to side. The food was too good. I didn't want to let it go yet.
I had to hold on to Midas's arm as we wound through corridors and up a couple of stairs. I had no idea where we were going but I was glad there was going to be a bed there.
As soon as we arrived, I was out like a light.