The atmosphere filled with cheers. Six years of war has ended in peace. Both sides lost a lot, both sides suffered a lot and the only thing it left them with was scars. It has been a while since the people of both nations got to rejoice and to celebrate. It was the day that the both nations of Alman and Lizvia come together and become one. It was the wedding of Agathon Aurelia of Alman and Clarissa Dominik of Lizvia.
The security was on high alert to keep the people from causing a scene. Alcohol was completely put out of the menu and in order to stop any drunken disruptions that may cause. The major names from both nations were attending the wedding. It was a stressful day for those who were arranging it.
Clarissa sat in her seat as two of her maids put makeup on her face as Clarissa looked at her. The door lightly knocked as one of the maids standing by went to open it.
Clarissa gestured to the maid to stop and turned her head to the door. Her eyes fell on Agathon who stood by the door dressed in a black tux with his black hair with a few white ones in it neatly slicked back. The black color of his jacket complemented his sharp facial features very well. His red eyes gleamed as he smiled at her.
"Leave us." Clarissa told the maids as they left the room and Agathon held the door for them. He closed it behind them.
Clarissa stood up from her seat as her white dress draped down to the floor as if it was sitting down on it. Her shoulders were covered with a white organza as the rest of the dress was shown with silk. It hugged her waist from down there and flowed down smooth like a river. Her hair was yet to be done as they messily fell down her shoulders.
Agathon examined her for a second and said, "You look breathtaking."
"It's a bad omen for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."
His eyes widened a little as he let out a soft chuckle putting his hands in pockets he said, "So your answer is yes?"
"I'll let you know this, I hate you and I'll hate you forever. I will never be a wife to you but I'll be your partner in establishing the peace you want. I'm done with the blood shed and I'm done with the politics that our elders have played for years. I want it to end and get rid of the chaos once and for all."
He stepped forward to her as he looked down at her. "I'm sorry that you hate me." He said looking into her charcoal dark eyes. "I just need you by my side, Rissa. I promise you this step that we're taking together is going to change things and bring forth a brighter future." He reached out to hold her face but she stepped away.
He smiled disappointingly. "I miss the time when we were twenty, ignorant and so much in love." He said.
"We weren't in love, Agathon." Bitterness vivid in her voice.
"I guess you weren't… but I was." Saying that he turned to the door. "Let's make this work together." Saying that he left the room.
Clarissa could feel her body trembling in anger as she felt tears bordering her eyes. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself.
War was bloodshed, it was chaotic and it was destruction but there was one thing always clear to her in war, killing, she just had to kill the enemy and take over their territory. Eight years of her youth were spent in war and now here she was trying to achieve peace. She knew the peace would never heal her soul, it would never benefit her but she was a leader and she couldn't think of herself, she had the responsibility of her people and with most of their resources replenished in war she knew her people were weak and they needed the peace for them to live normal lives.
Back when they visited the Aurelia Castle, Agathon had told her his plan telepathically through skin to skin contact by kissing her. He had told her what he had planned and he had given her a choice to marry him if she would support him or to run away if she was going to betray him and his family.
Clarissa had decided to stay because even though the scars of war were there, the hurt of war was there, she had to think of them before she could think of herself.
_
The arrangements were done in the ballroom of Lizvia's Palace. The cheers of the crowd from outside could be heard inside. The attendance of people were huge as they sat impatiently waiting for the bride to arrive. Agathon stood by the Altar with his brothers on his side. His eldest brother Theon moved near him and whispered, "Are you sure, brother, you want this?"
Just then the guard announced Clarissa's entrance and the doors opened. She walked in with a white net veil covering her face. She had her head slightly bowed down as her father led her down the aisle. As soon as Agathon's eyes fell on her he smiled softly and turned to his brother.
"Absolutely." He whispered back.
The attendants in the wedding stood up as they watched her slowly walk down the aisle. The band softly started Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner as she walked. Her eyes down on the floor with the bouquet of white flowers in her hands.
Agathon took her hand into his when they reached the altar. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on it. She looked at him from behind the veil and he gave her a smile. He helped her get onto the altar. She stood in front of him, her head still slightly bowed down. The sunlight from the yellow tinted glass window fell on her, in a way illuminating.
The celebrant cleared his throat as he started the ceremony.
"Please be seated." He said.
"Dearly Beloved and honored guests we are gathered here to join Agathon Aurelia of Alman and Clarissa Dominik of Lizvia in the union of marriage.
This marriage isn't just a union of two people. It's a union of two nations, two nations that have been poisoned by hatred over the years and the blood of many has been shed because of that hatred. Today we are here to end that hatred and to create peace and love. This marriage is the representation of that love.
Enough from me, the groom and bride have prepared vows that they will read now."
Clarissa's eyes widened in surprise as she hadn't prepared anything. Exchanging vows is an expression of love but she doesn't love the man standing in front of her. She hates him. She hates him more than she even realizes.
Agathon realizes her worry and holds on to her hands as he said, "Clarissa, when we first met we didn't know each other. We weren't enemies, we were just two kids who went to the same college."
As Agathon said those words, there was an exchange of looks between the Aurelia family. Everyone in the room seemed confused as no one in the room was aware that they both knew each other in the past or even that they actually had a past together that was forbidden for them to ever talk about.
"I remember once at a party and some guy tried to assault a girl. I was going to put him in his place but you were faster than me. You really gave it to him and he definitely deserved it. People were scared of you." He lightly chuckled. "Even one of my friends said that he'd be scared to even pass by you in the halls and I remember what I said exactly that day, I told him, 'She's not scary, she's strong, dependable and beautiful. If I ever marry someone that's the exact qualities I want in my partner.'" He paused for a second. "Our circumstances under which we are getting married may not be ideal but I promise you, I'm going to cherish you, love you and respect you for as long as I live."
Man, this guy has a silver tongue. Clarissa thought to herself.
That's one of my charms. She heard his voice and realised their minds were synced due to the skin contact they had by holding hands.
Do you need my help? He asked. I know you haven't written any vows. You can repeat after me.
She thought for a moment and realised the silence in the room was now getting uncomfortable as everyone was looking at her in curiosity how she was going to top what Agathon had just said.
Fine. She said in defeat.
Very well...
"Agathon. I want you to know that I'm going to stand by you. To be by your side when you need me. I'll be your support, I promise to never leave you alone. We were kids when we first met and I had always admired you, in your strength… in your character…" Her heart had started to beat faster now. "... and I'm glad that I'm taking vows with you right now. I'm glad that I'm making a promise of loyalty to a man who resides with peace and not with violence."
Her heart skipped a beat as she felt the blood rush to her face.
How? She asked.
Isn't this how you feel? He asked. I can feel your emotions, Rissa. When I make contact with someone it's not just telepathic, it's spiritual. Of course I left the part where you hate me and want to rip my head off but I know now that your loyalty resides with me. Thank you.
"That was beautiful." The officiate said. "And now… Clarissa Dominik, do you take Agathon Aurelia as your husband?"
Agathon's grip on her hands tightened lightly as she said the words, "I do."
"And Agathon Aurelia, do you take Clarissa Dominik as your wife?" He asked.
"I do." Agathon replies.
"Agathon and Clarissa will now exchange rings as symbols of love, peace and commitment. Please put on the ring and repeat after me."
Agathon's eldest brother Theon stepped forward and handed him the ring. It was a platinum ring with the engravings of the Aurelia family symbol in it. It was a family heirloom that has been passed down the generations. Every new bride in the family was to wear it. The ring for the former owner would get replaced with a new one but their tradition dictated that the new bride was to wear this particular ring, it was thought to have brought prosperity and love in the marriage.
"As a sign of my love." The officiate said as Agathon repeated after him.
"That I have chosen you."
"Above all else."
"With this ring I thee wed." Repeating those words he put on the ring on her finger.
Clarissa's best friend Leah stepped forward and handed her the ring. The ring was made of black stone. It was customary in werewolves to give black stone rings to their mates, it represented protection and loyalty of the giver.
Clarissa also repeated the same words and put on the ring on Agathon's finger.
In a traditional vampire or werewolf wedding, the people getting married would bite each other to seal the deal. For werewolves that's how they marked their mates and for vampires it was a way of marking their soulmates. Both represented the same thing but this wedding was different. Because a bite from a vampire could poison a werewolf and vice versa. So this wedding wasn't going to end with a bite.
"And now by the powers vested in me, it is my honor and delight to declare you married. You may kiss to seal this declaration." The officiate announced.
Agathon reached out and pulled up the veil from Clarissa's face. He looked into her dark eyes and gave her a soft smile before leaning down and locking lips with her, his hands behind her neck as she stood steady there.
As they pulled away. The officiate patted on their shoulders and announced,
"I'm so pleased to announce the newlyweds, Agathon and Clarissa."