Love!
He had long ago given it up, knowing it came with pain despite its sweetness. Love had a bitter side much darker than anything he had ever experienced. It had shaped him into the person he was now - cold and distant. He vowed never again to let love creep into his heart.
But this woman was doing something wondrous to him. He couldn't deny how ravishing she looked; he wished this could be real.
His eyes were fixed on her face - her blue eyes, her lips. She was like a breath of fresh air and she was undeniably beautiful in her white gown, one he couldn't tear his eyes away from.
She was stirring something inside him. But he reminded himself that he would not allow himself to love her. She might be doing dangerous things to his emotions, but he would resist. He refused to love her, unless he was ready to suffer that pain all over again.
The crowd settled back into their seats, now fully focused on the wedding about to begin.
"You look lovely," Draven whispered, catching her shy smile. He wasn't lying; she did look lovely.
"Thank you, my king. You do as well," she said, her words barely escaping her lips.
Damn it, lady, stop speaking.
Luckily, the priest spoke next before he could shove her into his arms and silence her with a kiss.
"My lady," the priest addressed Madeline. He was a bald-headed man, his robe reaching his knees. Surprisingly, there was no Bible in his hand as she had expected, only a small scroll. Was this the custom of a royal marriage? "Place your hand on this scroll and repeat after me."
Madeline obeyed, placing her hand on the scroll and repeating the words after him.
"I, Madeline, have accepted to marry the king, King Dra..ven," she slightly stumbled over his name but quickly continued, "as my husband, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. I vow to always stand by his side and carry out my duties as a wife and queen." She gulped when she finished, looking back at Draven, whose piercing gaze remained fixed on hers.
Draven repeated the same words using her name. Unlike Madeline, who had kept her focus on the scroll, his gaze never wavered from hers.
"Now, you may kiss," the priest announced, prompting murmurs throughout the congregation.
At that moment, Madeline could hardly feel her legs. Nervousness washed over her as she realized she had forgotten about this part of the wedding ritual – the moment she was supposed to kiss the other person. She hadn't prepared for this, and she doubted if she could go through with it.
Her eyes darted towards Sebastian, who stood behind Draven. He gave her a reassuring nod, encouraging her to proceed. Madeline swallowed nervously, then turned to face Draven.
Noticing her apprehension, Draven leaned forward, holding something in his hand. Madeline almost recoiled but held her ground, reminding herself that this was her wedding, even though it felt like a nightmare.
"You will be the next queen of this country, my wife. You will stand by me," Draven spoke softly. If his face hadn't been so serious saying those beautiful words, Madeline might have found herself swooning at his feet.
He took her hand, slid a ring onto her index finger, and kissed her hand.
Madeline blinked, unable to ignore the sensations that coursed through her as his cold lips met hers.
"I don't have a ring," Madeline whispered, realizing as she stared at his gloved hand.
Draven nodded. "We can always get one later."
Madeline gulped as he caressed the back of her hand, then squeezed it and pulled her towards him. Her heart pounded rapidly. Was he going to kiss her now?
In that moment, she heard nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat, and saw nothing besides his handsome face and intense gaze.
When his lips finally met hers, she felt her legs wobble and butterflies flutter in her stomach – feelings she never expected to experience because she did not love him.
An electrifying sensation surged through her as he continued to caress her lips gently. His lips moved softly against hers, eliciting gasps from her. When he eventually pulled away, his eyes quickly averted from hers, but Madeline caught a fleeting change in the color of his eyes or maybe it was the kiss making her feel dizzy. He then turned back to her and offered a smile.
Madeline's mouth was agape, unsure how to process what had just happened. The kiss had been slow and brief, yet she had felt emotions she shouldn't have been feeling. Who was this man?
The priest finally announced with a wide grin, seemingly more excited than the couple, "And now, I pronounce you The King and the Queen of Ravencrest.."
The crowd rose, clapping and chanting, "All hail the King and the Queen!"
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
That night, a ball was held outside, with a large circle formed for dancing. Music played nearby, glasses clinked, and people danced with their partners. It was a lovely event, and Madeline had even reunited with her parents before sitting beside the king, their gazes fixed on the swaying couples in the circle.
They had not exchanged a word since leaving the aisle. Madeline had at least spoken a few words to Sebastian, but Draven remained possessive, not allowing her out of his sight.
"Should we dance?" Madeline finally mustered the courage to ask, finding the silence unbearable.
A smile appeared on Draven's lips as he turned to her. "Sure, my wife."
Madeline gulped. He didn't need to use formalities, and this new world of marriage was still unfamiliar to her.
"May I?" he asked, standing up and extending his gloved hand towards her. She would ask him later about why he always wore gloves, perhaps it is something sensitive, so she would choose her words carefully.
Taking his hand, Madeline forced a smile, concealing her true feelings from the observing crowd, who didn't need to know that she didn't love the man she had just married.
He led her to the dance floor, where all other couples had cleared a path for them, leaving the spotlight solely on them, much like when she had first arrived. The music had transitioned into a graceful and elegent tempo in gentle beats.
Draven's hand settled on her waist, hers grasping his upper arm as they swayed to the music. Their eyes locked, causing Madeline to regret it as she couldn't control the racing of her heart. His gaze seemed to penetrate deep into her soul.
"You are beautiful," he murmured, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. "So beautiful, my wife."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. How did he have a way with words that managed to make her smile against her will?
As they danced, his lips remained near her ear, his breath grazing her skin. To onlookers, they appeared in an intimate moment, though Madeline wasn't sure she felt the same way. Nevertheless, the closeness felt intimate to her.
"Do you want to get out of here?" he whispered.
Madeline paused. She truly desired to leave alone, returning to the room and collapsing onto the bed. But the way he phrased his question implied he wanted to leave with her.
She nodded.
"Good," he responded, now holding her hand. "Because we both have duties to fulfill as husband and wife." He squeezed her hand and winked.
Madeline's eyes widened. Duties? What did he mean? Before she could inquire further, he whisked her away from the ball.