Just as she closed her eyes, knowing that even the hand holding her dad won't save her, and she was in for huge embarrassment, she found herself falling into something warm.
But the fall she expected never came. Instead she knew that she was saved midway with two hands, huge and warm, holding her with both her arms.
"Are you alright, my lady?" A magnetic yet gentle voice sounded in her ear, surprisingly too proximate for her to register.
The thought of someone saving her felt too unrealistic after experiencing a housefull drama show first hand throughout her life.
She slowly opened her eyes, her eyelids fluttering through the veil, only to be met with those ocean blue eyes, the ones who seemed to captivate her entire self with one single stare - too dreamy to seem true.
"Do you feel unwell? Are you hurt somewhere?" He asked, with that same magical and gentle voice, his eyes never leaving her face even once.
Ether could feel her cheeks heating up at that proximity, his eyes looking at her with the look of care, his slightly raised pointed eyebrows, and that slight frown covering his forehead.
And she suddenly had this urge to caress his forehead with her tiny fingers, and erase that frown forever. But of course the Princess and her teachings in her would never allow her to do something like that, not when thousands of eyes were watching.
'What are you doing Ether? How can you think of something as outrageous as touching His Highness Prince Asterion. Sober up Ether!' She scolded herself internally.
"I.. I am fine. Thank you, your highness." And for the first time in her life, Ether found herself stuttering, making her flush even more.
Embarrassed, flustered, shy, nervous and a few butterflies in her stomach - all these were the exact feelings she was experiencing at the same moment.
She took a step back, taking her hand out of Asterion's hand while instantly lowering her veil covered head, not noticing the small smile he managed to hide in time.
But the most satisfied person right now was King Ignis, standing beside Ether proudly, looking at the couple's little conversation with affection.
Prince Asterion was already a step ahead, saving Ether even before he could register what was happening, showing how alert he was regarding Ether even before they had tied the marital knot.
Plus the way Prince Asterion had addressed Ether was enough for him to know how his dear daughter will be treated further.
My lady was a way to address queens and princesses by royals ranking below them. But Prince Asterion had used the same word for Ether, showing how much he respected her.
King Ignis finally thanked the heavens for granting Ether a wonderful person to rely upon after all her miseries.
"Thank you Prince Asterion. I can entrust my daughter's responsibilities to you without any worry now. I hope you will keep taking care of her, and save her whenever she faces problems at any point in her life." King Ignis said respectfully,
"Thank you, your majesty. I will definitely fulfill my duty and make sure that Princess Ether is never unhappy." Asterion said in a firm voice, showing his determination for the same.
This whole time, Ether was completely immersed in her thoughts, replaying the scene between her and Prince Asterion. In fact she was so indulged in her own fairy world that she didn't even know how the wedding rituals ended.
Of course all her lessons of princess life were put to use over here, where she could act like she was involved in everything happening around her, even when her mind was somewhere else, including her small talks and thanksgiving to people she didn't care about much.
She just couldn't erase the sight of those angel eyes looking back at her with that worry and care, a feeling too new for her.
"Ether." Suddenly she heard her mother, lady Aurora's voice.
Ether turned towards the voice, only to realise that the ceremony had ended and it was the most difficult part of the occasion - the departure.
"Mother." Ether replied respectfully.
"I know you are a sensible lady and need no more lectures now. I simply want to wish you happiness ahead child. Just remember, now Prince Asterion will always be your first priority. Your majesty and I will always be proud of you." Lady Aurora instructed everything slowly in a nasal voice, making sure that Ether heard it all.
"Yes mother. I will." Ether replied warmly.
"Take care of yourself." King Ignis said to Ether to which she nodded, her eyes tearing up once again.
Ether instantly touched her right ear, stopping herself midway from being the crybaby she was, especially whenever she was in front of King Ignis and Queen Aurora.
"Please forgive her if she commits any mistakes. She hasn't seen the world outside yet. If she ever troubles you, please have a big heart to excuse her and teach her the right thing. She is a good learner." King Ignis said, not as some king but a mere father who adored his daughter to no end.
"Rest assured, your majesty. Princess Ether will be my prior responsibility forever." Prince Asterion replied curtly, to which King Ignis just nodded.
On the other hand, Riva, Ether's only best friend hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go of her.
But knowing they had less time and Ether needed to go, she broke their hug, managing to not cry.
"Take care of yourself. I don't know how many people you can count on in the Country Nero, but his highness is definitely one of those." Riva said while feeling relieved herself as Ether had at least one man by her side.
Ether just nodded to her before both of them separated.
Soon the couple walked off till the huge red metallic gates, where everyone bade them a goodbye as Prince Asterion left with Ether in the beautifully decorated carriages covered in blue diamonds, followed by his men on horses.
Ether, like a child, kept looking at the palace, the gates and her family even when they were out of sight. She couldn't help as a single tear rolled down her face, realising that she had truly left her home, her palace, her country and her few but most affectionate people behind.
"Please don't cry, princess." She heard a gentle voice beside her as a golden silk handkerchief was suddenly held in front of her face.
"Thank.. thank you." Ether replied while sniffling, taking the handkerchief from Asterion, without looking at him.
"Ether." Finally Asterion called out her name, and Ether never expected that her name could ever sound so magical.
She instantly turned to look at him, eventually noticing his fine features properly for the first time today.
"Finally you are looking at me. For a second I thought that maybe I looked ugly and you would keep avoiding looking at my face forever." Asterion replied with a slight smile.
Ether was completely mesmerized by that one smile, to the point that she kept staring at those thin but perfect lips, frozen, forgetting all her lady lessons for a moment.
She was completely immersed while staring at her newly wedded husband, though the husband didn't mind this in the least as he too was enjoying watching her like that, especially when her face could be read like an open book, all her feelings being expressed right through her sparkling eyes.
Little did he know that out of everyone, Ether would be the last person on the list to ever express her emotions and let the world see through her original feelings. It was just that he made her feel different than others, resulting in her lowering her guards around him.
He was about to speak when suddenly his expressions changed, his eyes turning a shade darker while a frown covered his face.
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- Kizy