Sixteen years later...
The bride looked at her groom with dreamy eyes and the brightest smile she could master. He was finally going to be hers. Her husband. And that good for nothing sister of her's couldn't do anything about it. Her eyes shifted to her flat belly and her smile widened further. The priest's words echoed in the crowded church hall.
"Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your- " his words were cut off as the double doors burst open.
A slender woman walked in, stunning everyone present. She was dressed in black pants, tucked under black leather boots, a white shirt and a black coat that reached just above her knees. Her chestnut hair was braided beautifully and her hazel eyes looked ahead frostily.
The hall turned dead silent as all the eyes turned to the woman. Her boots made a clicking sound as she made her way to the altar. She was holding a basket filled with red and white roses. Murmurs filled the room as the people recognised the woman. The bride's sister!
Both the bride and the groom's faces turned ugly as the woman made her way around her sister and stood in front of them. She looked between the two with an icy expression and a stone cold face that sent shivers down their spines.
"How could you think of proceeding without my blessings?" She asked, her lips stretching into an evil smirk. She sighed deeply as her eyes moved between the bride and groom.
"I wish you... all the misery this world has to offer sister," she started, raining the roses on the couple.
"I wish your conscience eats at you until you can no longer live with yourself. I wish you see my face and hear my cries everytime you close your eyes. You will never know happiness for as long as you live!.... and you," she said turning to look at the groom whose face was as pale as a sheet.
"You will forever regret the day you decided to betray me. Everytime you look at her, you will be reminded of the mistake you made by choosing her. You will despise her mere existence. And your child," her gaze turned to look at the bride's flat belly and her eyes flickered. "I hope she never knows this kind of pain." She said slowly then threw all the flowers at them.
Elsie glared at her sister angrily, At that moment, she wanted to strangle every breath out of her but when her eyes landed on the sword on her waist, she decided against it and tried taking deep breaths to calm down. Wasn't she just causing trouble because the man she loved was marrying another woman. This just showed that her sister was only putting up a front that she didn't care but deep down it hurt her. A smug look appeared on her face as she thought about her sister's grievances.
Gasps spread across the hall as the woman walked right between the two and out of the hall.
The groom on the other hand had a guilty expression as he looked at Delaney's retreating figure. His hands eased around Elsie's in an attempt to chase after Delaney but she panicked and quickly grabbed his hand. She glared at him and he had no choice but to stare at Delaney's back longingly.
Jealousy washed over Elsie and her jaw tightened. She would never allow anything to happen between Collins and her sister. He even thought of leaving her at the altar on their wedding day?! Just because of some words she said? She would make sure to mark her boundaries once they were husband and wife. She would never allow her child to grow up without a father.
As soon as Delaney walked out of the church hall, she took out her hip falsk and gulped down the drink to cool her nerves. She sighed deeply, sadness flashing across her eyes. If this was how it was meant to end then she had no choice but to accept it and move on.
With that thought, she made her way to the guild of hunters. She needed something to occupy her mind and what better way than a good hunt.
As soon as she arrived at the building, Erick approached her, accompanied by a new face.
"Delaney," he called in his usual mischievousness. "There's a man here in need of your services. He waited for you since morning."
"Miss Delaney," the man extended his hand but Delaney didn't take it. She studied him skeptically and she couldn't ignore the dangerously cold aura he exuded, in huge contrast to the smile on his lips.
"How may I help you?" she asked icily.
The man's smile widened, as he retracted his hand.
"Can I talk to you outside?"
"After you." Delaney said and the man walked in front of her, giving Delaney a glimpse of his back.
He walked elegantly with his hands behind his back and a straight posture like that of nobility. He was much taller than an ordinary person, with broad, majestic shoulders and long legs that glided across the ground in a swift movement. Delaney could tell he was no ordinary man even from the clothes he wore. They looked ordinary at first glance but if one paid attention, you couldn't fail to notice the golden cufflinks on his coat and buttons on his shirt.
"I wish to find a certain man." he said, pulling out a piece of paper from his coat's inner pocket. "They said your skills are top notch so I'm betting on you."
Delaney unfolded the piece of paper to find a man's portrait. Her brows furrowed, and the man didn't fail to notice that small reaction.
"Why do you want to find him?" she asked, staring into his hawk-like eyes.
"I thought you didn't ask questions." he commented, smiling in amusement.
"I can ask questions if I want to." Delaney retorted and the man chuckled. She sure was grumpy.
"He has something that belongs to me."
"Tell me what it is and I'll retrieve it instead." The man's brows also furrowed and his expression turned serious.
"No!" Came the flat answer.
"Then I'm afraid I cannot help you." Delaney folded the portrait and handed it back, before walking back to the building. She could feel the man's gaze on her back but she didn't turn.
"No one should hunt my master for anyone or any amount!" she announced in a loud voice, knowing the men could hear her clearly and they would pass on her message.