DANIEL OPENED HIS EYES TO A BRIGHT ROOM, the other side of the bed was empty and cold. It had been this way for the past few days.
Magnolia either left for training with Laya really early in the morning, or she slept late and only woke up after Daniel left the room.
At night, she was always asleep before he came to their bedroom. It was odd because even though they shared a bed, they had not spoken or even seen each other for days.
He sighed and turned to lie on his back.
'She has not even given me the chance to listen to anything that I have to say. Maybe she will speak to me today since we have to be in public for Henry's wedding.'
Daniel was hopeful. He pushed the covers and sat up. The day was going to be long, and he needed to finish some work before they left for the temple.
Daniel headed to the training grounds. He had never skipped training ever since that cursed summer when his parents died, and he found himself Duke of Salicera at the age of sixteen.
It has always helped him clear his mind, but also channel the built-up energy he usually got because of his magic.
He sparred with his commander before looking at some documents. He really missed his assistant and best friend, but he was also happy for him. Even though the circumstances of Henry's marriage were not the best, he had hope for his friend.
"A letter with no sender?" Daniel raised a brow at his butler.
He took the letter and opened it immediately. "Thank you, Jasper."
The butler bowed and left.
'To the Duke of Salicera,
This is your only warning. Make sure the Baron's Bill passes in parliament, otherwise we are not responsible for what happens to you and your close ones.'
Daniel crumpled the paper in his fist.
'They dare threaten me?'
He slammed his hand on the desk, making the towers of documents crumble to the floor.
"Bastards. They have gotten really bold lately. I wonder whose support they have secured." He paused at the dreadful thought he had just had for a minute.
'Maybe the queen is finally making her move.' He pressed his lips together, annoyed.
The morning went by fast. By midday, he had already finished his work and dressed for the ceremony.
He was waiting for his wife by the staircase. For some reason, he felt a bit anxious. Not because of the letter he had gotten, he had already spoken to Victor about having more security around the castle. It was the idea of finally sitting with Magnolia, the ride to the temple was at least an hour.
'I will make sure she speaks to me for certain.'
Magnolia showed up at the top of the staircase just as his resolve became stronger. His eyes fell on hers and for a second, he had forgotten everything he had been thinking about. His mind was filled with only her. He swallowed hard as Magnolia descended the stairs.
He had missed his wife so much. He missed having her in his arms, her lips, her hair, her scent. He groaned at his growing need to hold her.
She was wearing a deep green velvet dress embroidered with gold motifs. As he watched her, Daniel thought that she looked like a Goddess descending from the heavens.
"Your Grace," Magnolia greeted him. Her icy tone brought him back to reality. He forced a half smile and offered his arm to her.
"Shall we, then?" Magnolia nodded to him as she placed her arm in his.
The ride was quiet and awkward. Magnolia did not move her eyes from the window, and Daniel only stole glances occasionally without uttering a word.
He thought about bringing up her brother, but he did not want to get her upset right before the wedding and spoil the whole day.
'Maybe at the banquet.' He thought to himself. 'Or maybe on the way back.'
It took a lot of strength from Magnolia to keep her eyes glued to the window. She had been avoiding Daniel for the past few days and was quite nervous about today.
She was still mad at him for not considering her feelings and her situation. She might have lost the chance to see her brother forever because of what happened. She wanted to scream at him, she wanted to ask him to fix it and find her brother, but she was not going to.
The way to the temple seemed even longer than the last time they rode there on their own wedding. When they arrived though, the atmosphere in the temple was very different from that day. There were many carriages waiting in line to get to the entrance, it was loud and lively and quite crowded.
Daniel guided Magnolia to the front bench, where the Marquis and Marquise of Corossa were seated. They greeted each other before he walked to where the priest was.
"Your Holiness," he greeted.
"A pleasure to see you again, Your Grace." The priest's grin almost split his face in two. "I understand you are the groom's witness."
"That is correct," Daniel answered before Richard joined them
"Your Holiness, Your Grace." The earl bowed slightly.
"What a splendid day for a wedding," the priest rejoiced.
The two men mumbled in agreement before stepping to the side to wait for the ceremony to start.
"How have you been? You look exhausted," Daniel told his friend.
"This past month has been like hell," he confessed. "My mother waged war on me and Florence and made every single step of planning this wedding torture." He sighed. "I don't even know how my sister survived it, but I'm the happiest man alive today." He chuckled. "It's finally over." Daniel laughed with his friend.
"I can only–" Daniel started but his words hung in the air.
When Richard looked at him, the duke's eyes were fixated on one of the guests.
"Who the bloody hell is the bastard making pleasantries with my wife?" His words barely escaped his clenched teeth.
Richard quickly put a hand on his friend's shoulder because he could feel his bloodlust. Even the priest shifted in his spot at the aura, not able to even look in the duke's direction.
"Calm down, Daniel. That is Lord Fred Saknas, the queen's nephew. He is here in her stead."
Daniel watched with wide eyes as Fred brought Magnolia's hand to his lips, lingering a bit too long.
"He better let go of that hand before I make the queen's nephew crippled, or worse, dead."