"Princess, it is time" Gwendolyn was called upon.
Finally it was time. Followed by a train of maids, she was escorted to the front door of the Palace hall. Her heart thumping faster than horses could ride. She was nervous. Not in a good way though. She was nervous she was about to get neck deep in this Forced marriage. She was anxious cause she wasn't sure if she would ever be able to get away. Gwendolyn had no knowledge or whatsoever of what the future holds for her.
She halted in front of the door. Behind that door was the beginning of a new world and a new life or an imminent death. She could turn back now— in fact she took a step backwards but stopped again. It's pointless. There was no point running now, she had already began and she would finish it.
Gwen signalled the doorman to open the door. The door was opened and her figure was immediately bombarded with the eyes of everyone in the room. She couldn't tell which was heavier, the weight of their stares or the weight of the dress she had on.
Trying her best to hide her anxiousness and anxiety behind a straight face, she started making her way into the hall. As straight as a stick and steady like a rocking chair, she sauntered her way down the long path kept for her. This was new to her but she tried her best not to stumble on her dress.
Standing before the Vicar, Arvcan followed everyone's eyes and turned to the door when it opened. He was awed. The girl that walked in had exceeded his expectations. She was not just beautiful but there was this air that surrounded her as she walked.
As much as he wanted to look away, He couldn't help but keep staring at her...and then the girl looked up, their eyes met. He expected to see nervousness in her eyes or perhaps pride but there was none. It was all... all just empty.
She spared him a blank gaze for what felt like a millisecond and then turned away. What was that supposed to mean?. Did she really think he wasn't worth looking at?.
Arvcan snorted angrily. He was displeased, very much irritated by her actions. Not that he expected to see her ogle at him or something but still why did he feel this agitated that she had ignored him?.
Gwendolyn almost tripped on her dress when her eyes met with that of the prince, he was breathtaking just as she imagine he would be— no wait that didn't sound right. As much as he looked handsome, he had that intimidating and intense look in his eyes that she expected he would have. Her heart began racing in fear, she panicked and looked away the next second. She was already doomed to keep looking at those eyes for probably the rest of her life so she could save herself the heart attack and pretend he wasn't there for today, not that it would be easy but yes that was her mission for today.
Mission avoid the Prince of doom.
She got to where the Vicar was standing and stood next to Arvcan. All the same without sparing him a glance. She didn't need to look to see the cold look on his face, the air around him was Bone chilling. All the same the ceremony started.
They repeated the customary vows after the Vicar as they both didn't have anything personal to say. The marriage went in a blur. Probably the fastest in history but who would care. No one. One third of the crowd were there to see either of the Kingdoms embarrass themselves, another one third was there to see if the wedding would actually hold. No one cared if they said the vows half-heartedly or out of a willing heart.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife" the Vicar said loudly "you may kiss the bride"
Gwen's heart stilled. Could they skip this part?. A smirk took its place on Arvcan's lips. He stretched forth his hand round Gwen's waist and pulled her closer to him. Glued to his body, her heart almost gave up beating. She gulped her saliva and prayed this moment passed quickly.
Arvcan bent the placed a fleeting kiss on the corner of her lips. Then he whispered in her ear "This is the only thing you would ever get from me as a husband. Don't expect me to touch you, not even on my dying bed" when he was done whispering, he stood up straight and flashed a provocative smile. Gwen's face was pale, out of both anger and fright.
How dare him say such thing to his new bride!. Not even on his dying bed he said? Well he was doing her a favour of a lifetime. She didn't want to be touched by a monster either. This was no real marriage, so she wished for no consummation of any sort.
Seeing her pale face, he felt satisfied. Albeit not all that satisfied, sharing that flinting kiss with her had got him greedy for a real one. It felt... different and he wondered what it would feel like it is last for more that a millisecond. Maybe he was just being thirty. He couldn't wait to go back to Rylica and there at least he had his parties for entertainments, and perhaps a whore or two to change this misconception of a kiss and offer all the pleasures that accompanied a kiss. Don't be shocked, He was no chaste Prince.
The wedding came to an end. The newly wedded Prince and Princess made their way out of the hall, leaving the rest people to chatter and mingle with themselves.
Gwendolyn broke out of the Prince grip immediately she was outside the hall. "Please excuse me your Highness, I have a few things to attend to if you don't mind" She curtsied and immediately turned to leave with her train of maidservants.
"Your bride is running away aren't you going to hold unto her some more" Alex joked standing next to Arvcan. There was a playful smile on his lips.
Arvcan rolled his eyes and let out a scowl "what a delight it would be if she ran away literally" he said this yet his hand that was once hooked with Gwen's felt surprisingly empty. He wiggled his hands to send away the desolate feeling.
"I could really use a stroll, let's go" he motioned the three of them away.