"I… Seraphina Rose-"
"I object!"
Damian's voice rang out loudly, startling everyone. Sera's gaze, which had been fixed on Genghis, quickly turned towards the corner of the crowd, where Damian stood.
"What?" the priest whispered in surprise.
Sera couldn't help but sigh with relief. Damian stood tall, his hands clenched in front of him. She glanced around to see if anyone had noticed her sigh, but everyone was too busy staring at Damian to pay her any attention.
She looked at her father, who had already turned his back, just like the rest of the villagers present.
"Yes. This marriage needs to stop, now," Damian declared in his commanding voice.
Whispers and discussions erupted among the crowd, their volume overpowering to Sera's ears.
"What? The marriage needs to be halted? Why?"
"Who is that? Is he a knight from the palace?"
"Why is he here?"
"Is the marriage going to be called off? Oh no!"
"Is he Sera's lover?"
The whispers continued as no one recognized Damian.
Sera stood frozen, suddenly unsure of how to react. In the time Damian had been late, she had almost made up her mind. To make matters worse, she hadn't considered how she would react if the plan worked.
"W-what are you s-saying?" Genghis stuttered. "Who are you?" He voiced the question that everyone was longing to ask.
"I'm sorry, Father. Wait, there must be a misunderstanding—" Valerian interjected, attempting to defuse the situation. "I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave. This is a mistake, please... Continue—"
Valerian's gaze shifted back and forth between his daughter and Damian, his expression filled with concern. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened, displaying his confusion just as the rest of the room felt.
"I make no mistakes. I'm Damian Oberon," Damian declared, ensuring his voice carried to all in attendance.
In an instant, all the villagers fell to their knees. Objects slipped from their hands. Sera gasped at the sight.
Men and women alike bowed before Damian, while some women held their children close, scolding them to show respect. The whispers ceased, replaced by an eerie silence as everyone recognized who stood before them.
"What is happening?" Sera whispered, observing Damian's contentment with the turn of events.
The arrogant expression on Damian's face only intensified Sera's unease. His lips curled into a slight smile, and his eyes exuded an undeniable sense of power.
"Can I take my bride now?" Damian repeated his question, this time directing it at Valerian. His voice resounded throughout the room, causing gasps and whispers to ripple through the crowd like a wildfire.
"Take his bride? Is she really his bride?"
"I don't understand what's happening. Is this even possible?"
"The prince wants Seraphina? How did they even meet?!"
"Isn't he the one who murdered her mother? How lovely!"
The conversations spread rapidly. Even though the villagers remained on their knees, it didn't stop them from discussing the situation among themselves. Their human nature prevailed, even in their most trying times.
"Hush! Valerian, this may be the most difficult decision you'll ever have to make. But let go of Sera. I will take good care of her. She is my bride, my soulmate. Allow her to come with me. And..." Damian paused, scanning the room, taking in the terrified faces before him.
The villagers trembled in their boots. "The village will be safe. Forever. I need Seraphina by my side to shape the future of the kingdom..."
More gasps filled the room.
But the loudest gasp came from Seraphina herself. She was utterly shocked by what she was hearing. Her hand instinctively covered her open mouth as she looked at her father.
"W-what are you t-talking about, L-Lord Damian?" Valerian managed to raise his head and question.
Confusion engulfed the entire village. They vibrated with a mixture of fear and worry.
"How else can I explain?" Damian muttered, shaking his head. His thick black hair fell across his face, which he absentmindedly brushed away with his fingers.
"Not the best time to look good," Sera thought, feeling a tight knot in her gut.
The icy wave of sensation crawling up her back did nothing to ease her mind. The reality of the situation began to sink in.
Yet, she couldn't tear her eyes away from Damian. Their gaze locked, and Sera gasped as her breath caught in her throat. His intense stare held her captive. He was truly looking at her.
"This is really happening," she whispered to herself, keeping her eyes fixed on him.
He took deliberate steps, advancing down the aisle. People slowly raised their heads to catch a glimpse of the prince of Kingdom Lumina walking toward the commoner, the human daughter.
Finally, he reached the foot of the stage.
"W-what do you think you're doing?" Genghis's voice sounded stern.
Damian glanced at Genghis, and in an instant, Genghis was on his knees, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Over Damian's shoulder, Sera noticed several villagers making eye contact with her. She quickly averted her gaze, focusing solely on him.
"Will you come with me?" Damian asked, extending his palm.
Sera looked at the outstretched hand.
'This is really happening,' her anxiety threatened to overwhelm her. She hadn't anticipated the nerves she would feel if she actually went through with their plan.
Along the way, she had treated her life as a game. But with the marriage unfolding before her eyes, and Damian walking down the aisle, she had no choice but to embrace every part of it.
Yet, every moment made her knees weak.
"Princess?" Damian's voice softened as he offered his hand once more.
"H-huh?" Seraphina's world seemed to pause. The man who had just entered claimed they were soulmates. And now, he displayed the audacity to walk all the way in and ask for her hand.
She looked at him, then shifted her gaze to her father. She was taken aback by what she saw. Her father wore a slight smile, tears glistening in his eyes.
'Does he agree with this?' she wondered, then glanced at Kara. As expected, Kara wore a smile too.
Sera stopped questioning and extended her hand, placing it upon the rough, masculine skin. Her fingers trembled as they met the warm embrace of his palm.
"Fine, Kara... Bring her clothes," Damian instructed.
Kara nodded promptly and hurried inside.
"L-Lord Damian, forgive me. B-but you're taking her to the palace?" Valerian asked, still looking up at him.
Damian smiled, lifting Sera off the stage and setting her gently on the ground. Sera's heart raced even faster as he did so, right before everyone's eyes.
The eyes that fell upon her held a mixture of jealousy and envy.
"Yes, I will. And don't worry, she can meet you in a few... Well, she will come back to meet you, and, uh..." Damian paused, gathering his thoughts. "I'm sorry for the loss... of your wife," he said sincerely, looking at Valerian.
Sera looked up at Damian and witnessed a flicker of genuine emotion in his eyes. He was actually sorry for what had happened, even though he wasn't responsible for it.
"I..." Valerian hesitated. The sudden realization of Damian being the cause of his beloved's death struck him. His eyes displayed a hint of anger, but then he looked at Sera.
Sera's hand was still entwined with Damian's, as if they were destined to be together. Although Valerian didn't know it was all an act, this small gesture indicated where his daughter would be going.
No one understood why Damian had walked in and declared Sera as his soulmate, but no one dared to question the prince of Kingdom Lumina. In their eyes, this prince possessed the power to obliterate a village with a mere hand gesture.
"Thank you. I appreciate it," Valerian said, bowing respectfully.
Kara rushed in with a bag in her hand, which she handed over to Damian.
"This was already packed, so..." she trailed off, glancing at Valerian from behind.
Her eyes locked with Sera's in an instant. Through silent pleading, Kara conveyed her uncertainty about what would happen to her best friend. Sera met her gaze but revealed no emotions.
She showed no emotions because she didn't know what to say. Should she apologize? Should she pretend ignorance? Or should she express remorse for the lies and the act they had played? She had little idea.
"Well then, I hope to see you all happy and prosperous in the years to come," Damian declared, starting to walk away.
With Sera's hand in his, they both exited through the gates of the ceremony. Seraphina avoided making eye contact with anyone, her gaze fixed on the ground.
With each step, a newborn anxiety gripped her heart. Sera's heartbeat quickened as she felt the weight of everyone's eyes on her back. She squeezed Damian's hand.
"Let's go," Damian whispered, sensing her nerves, and they moved forward together.
-
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