The hall turned silent, the type that was so uncomfortable, even without looking up, I could feel their gazes on me, to be honest I was scared, I've never had this many eyes on me. "Now, let's welcome Lady Cleodora, my beautiful daughter" My father walked up to me as he said those words "don't mess this up" he whispered as he took out his hand for me. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I took his hand and followed him as he led me to 'God knows where'.
Walking, I clenched tighter onto Father's hands, butterflies were fighting in my head not even stomach, I felt sick.... "sit here dear" I heard him say, on lifting my head up I saw The Prince....at that moment, I forgot how to breathe, 'it's really him', maybe I'm having a heart attack right now without even knowing because my heart is pounding heavily in my mouth . I didn't sit, I just couldn't, it was really him, after three long years of yearning to see his beautiful face again... This man in front of me...is going to be my husband... 'don't mess this up' those words rang in my head again, bringing me back to reality 'OH MY GOD. how long have I been standing here?'. The man just stared at me with those grey eyes....no emotion on his face, he was calm, calm like nothing was going on meanwhile my brain was a battlefield . Slowly, I sat beside him and faced the floor, the ceremony began.
the priest sat opposite us, we had to repeat after him, it was long and boring... "Prince Lucian, do you accept Lady Cleodora to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better, for worse , for richer for poorer in, sickness and in health, to cherish and love her until death do you part?" Asked the priest "I do" replied the Prince almost immediately, the priest asked me the same question and I replied "I do" "I now pronounce you husband and wife" concluded the priest and people began to cheer and shout, they clapped and clapped and drummed.....it was loud. My Mother had a big smile on her face with teary eyes, same as Mana 'you're gonna make me cry...' People walked up to us to congratulate and drop gifts.... I smiled at them sweetly, my cheeks began to hurt but the man beside me didn't even try to look less dark towards the people, he still hadn't said a word to me which made me feel more nervous than I already was 'good Lord help me'. Father came up to the both of us with Mother beside him "congratulations Your highness" Father said to my husband and the man nodded with a "mm" "oh Honey, congratulations, you're now a married woman" Mother said,hugging me, she whispered the last sentence by the way "thank you Mother" "congratulations Prince, welcome to the family, we are happy to have you as one of us" she continued for the Prince to smile slightly, it was barely visible . The celebration continued for a long time....after the dancing, eating and drinking... It was finally time for my husband and I to go back to his place.
I was in my room, saying my last goodbyes "I'll miss you so much Mana" My eyes were teary, I hugged her so tight not wanting to let go "my darling, it's going to be so lonely without you around. I hope you stay happy and please take care of yourself okay?"she said patting my head.
I hugged my parents at the exit of the gate "always remember, don't be clumsy mm, you're a wife now, you should learn to be coordinated okay??. I love you sweetheart" Said Mother to me with tears flowing down her cheeks "yes Mother, I love you too" "Father...." I turned to my Dad, even if he was playing stone hearted, I knew he was already missing me "i love you daddy" I whispered to have him pinch my cheek lightly and give me a kiss on my forehead.
Turning over to the carriage which had that prince in it, my maids and guards helped me through my thick dress into the carriage and we began to move...I waved at my parents for the last time before settling myself.
He was stiited at the other end of the carriage, looking straight at nothing?, 'won't he talk to me? urgh! this is killing me!' . I decided to stay quiet too and wait for the journey to end. The journey was quite a long one as we arrived at night. I slept on the way though. the carriage halted in front of a gigantic black gate . Guards were seen opening it "they're here!!" I heard people shouting and we moved in. The Prince got down first while I was still trying to figure out how to jump out of the carriage with the dress on "you need a hand?" He asked, HE FINALLY SPOKE '!!!' "huh??" "y..yes please " I nodded and took out my hands for him to hold but surprisingly he carried me down instead...'okay....' "thank you" I said to him still bending my head , unable to look at him . Maids came on rushing on me ... "tell us if you need anything Mi Lady" they said but I just shook my head and rushed up to my husband. Wasn't comfortable with so many maids, I never really stayed around a lot of people so it was just so scary at times, to me... 'weird right?'.
I followed him very silently until he opened a door in which he walked into and of course I was quick to follow suit. He threw himself on the bed immediately, 'he seems exausted, I need somewhere to change' "Y..your highness" I called out "Lucian" he corrected
"huh?..oh.. Prince Lucian" "just Lucian" he corrected again "you can change in there" he said pointing at a door 'so he knew' . I walked into that door quickly,shutting the door behind me, 'urgh! this dress is so hard to unzip, I can't even raise my hands. Without having a choice, I walked out of the room still in my dress. Lucian stared at me, his gaze very sharp, he raised him brow questioningly and again, I bent my head coyly "I can't unzip my dress...." my voice came as a whisper .... I didn't dare to look at him, his lips curved into a wicked smile, slowly, he got up and stood before me "you....need my help?" he asked slowly circling me, I nodded slightly, this was somewhat uncomfortable ....my heart was beating in my mouth again..!!! he halted right behind me 'what is he doing?' I felt his hands on my waist and then up my back, with very slow movements he began to unzip my dress ' why is he being so slow?' it felt like he moved downwards every three seconds, I didn't even know what to say. Finally he unzipped it completely and then suddenly.... I felt hot air on my neck 'huh!!? is that his???' "for some reason the Priest didn't say 'kiss your bride' " Lucian said, making me face him now, he held my face up with his thumb and leaned closer to me, our faces were now inches apart "how about we do it now?"