What Raden had to offer in his Silver Tower was a far cry from the simple private room of the maids' quarters. It exceeded her wildest fantasies of what a princess's room should look like and even added more to what she had wanted for herself. It was like a fairy's nest with flowing fresh water from a small endless stream, a balcony where wildflowers grew from rich thick vines, and a ceiling decorated by small diamond lights.
He didn't have to go so far for her; she had told him as much, but Raden had insisted, saying he didn't want his nephew to come and witness his bride being treated so poorly. "So enjoy the view," he had said after letting her know that dinner was at seven, along with all the practicing Mages.
Of course, Viella did not have the heart to tell him that it could be that his nephew would never show up and he was doing all of this for nothing. She was waiting for nothing. She uttered her gratefulness, then excused herself, wishing to be left alone.
Left alone she was.
Now Viella sat in her new bedroom, leaning against the balcony as her eyes watched the sun set beyond the ocean line. She contemplated her options, wondering what she was to do with herself. What was a better option? And should she tell Gideon she was arranged to marry someone else?
Should she stay here, learn everything she could, and be the best herbalist she could be, then leave after three years? But what if he came back then? No. She could just explain her situation. Viella was sure Raden's nephew would be more angry than appreciative of his good intentions.
Or should she leave tonight and live the life she had always wanted to have? Learn a new skill that was far more befitting of life over there? Viella bit her bottom lip as she looked at the simple silver ring sitting in the middle of her palm.
It was the very first piece of jewelry she had received from someone she loved and someone who loved her. A symbol of their spoken promises and what would be a sign of an oath she wanted to say so horribly. She wanted to be Gideon's wife, live a simple life, and be a wonderful mother. Then she could finally have what was robbed of her—a real family.
With that last thought accompanied by years of suppressed anger, Viella prepared herself by packing her essentials. She slipped the ring on her finger, then apologized when someone was sent to fetch her for dinner.
It was only a matter of time before sleep took her, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for her to go already. Viella took her bag and slipped it under her arm. The long, narrow corridors of the tower were easy enough to navigate, every door left unlocked, and the laughter of the Mages inside was loud enough that Viella could easily avoid them.
By the time it was almost eleven, Viella was already outside the Silver Tower. Her feet carried her lightly through long paths surrounded by all manners of medicinal herbs, teas, coffees, and flowers Viella almost stopped to sniff. Now surrounded by all she could have studied, Viella wished she could have stayed. But a life of adventure awaited her, a life she had always wanted to have. It was just a pity that all of this couldn't be a part of that.
"Wait for me, Gideon," Viella said as she left the Mages' Grounds.
It took her almost half an hour to get to the docks, but it was well worth it. Gideon was already waiting for her, sitting by a stack of crates in what looked like a sailor's outfit. The type a captain might wear. It was dark blue with silver buttons and embroidered waves around his collar and sleeves. His sandy hair was pushed back, tidy, and laced in sweet oil.
"Gideon?" Viella asked. She almost couldn't believe what she was seeing. It couldn't have been the same man, but it was.
"Viella, what do you think? Do you like it?" he asked, with his arms stretched wide. Viella's lips widened in a joyful smile. She threw herself into his arms, sniffing at his expensive cologne. She had to step back, curious as to how he had managed all of this.
"Someone I told went and told the captain. He's happy for me," Gideon said. He pulled her into another embrace, then said, "Come, I have a wonderful surprise for you."
Viella let him take her to a hidden part of a large warehouse. A small room where two ladies sat waiting for them. Gideon kissed her cheek before leaving her with them. Her heart pounded nervously as she turned to face these two women.
"Come on in, sweet. Nothing to worry about for tonight," said one woman who was at least in her sixties. Her breath smelled of tobacco, while the other woman, who was at least ten years younger, smelled like fish. The two of them brought her inside a well-lit room, transformed into what looked like a changing room, complete with a glued-together mirror.
In the middle of it all was a white wedding dress. It had seen better days, but it was washed clean, with newly added white roses around the waist.
Everything then happened so fast.
Viella was already in her wedding dress, with a bouquet of red roses in one hand. Her hair was done wonderfully, adorned with little broken pieces of painted seashells. Only her lips were coloured red from powdered rose petals—a gift from one of the ladies, passed down from their late husbands.
"I knew it would come in handy," she said, leading Viella out to the entrance of the warehouse.
Viella couldn't believe what she saw. Everything was beautifully set up to look like her dream wedding. Gideon had gone out of his way to create it from reused materials.
Gideon wasn't lying when he said he had good friends. The seats were full of sailors who did their best to dress for the occasion. In the corner, an old, broken-down piano still managed to play a few notes, wonderfully played by a skilled musician.
Viella walked over multiple clothes laid on the floor, forming a long white carpet. She felt tears gathering in her eyes as she moved towards Gideon, who stood proud, his eyes shining with love.
By the time she reached the altar, her hands were visibly shaking. Her cheeks were wet, and everything in her heart trembled with happiness. No one had ever been so kind to her the way Gideon was. And today would mark the beginning of her life with him—a life full of laughter and children.
In front of them, the captain of the ship stood in his uniform. It was slightly darker, with buttons made of gold and sewn with silver. His graying beard was neatly trimmed, his eyes shining as he lifted in his hand a book.
"Are we ready?" he asked.
Both Gideon and Viella answered with a joined, "Yes."
The captain nodded, then spoke with grace. "Today, under the endless sky and upon the vast ocean that binds us, we come together to celebrate the union of two souls. Sailor Gideon, you've faced the stormy seas and found an anchor in Maiden Viella," he said, then looked from Gideon to Viella with meaning in his eyes.
He continued, "Viella, you've lit the way for Gideon—a lighthouse guiding him home. And Gideon, a sailor who has seen her light. Will you be a faithful and loving husband to Viella, in sickness or health, in wealth or poverty, for as long as you shall live?"
"I do," Gideon said, one hand stretched out to take hers. Viella placed hers in his.
"And Viella, will you take this sailor as your loving, faithful, and guiding husband, whether it be in sickness or health, in wealth or poverty, for as long as you shall live?" the captain asked.
"I do," Viella said.
Upon hearing this, the captain lifted the book into the air. His words carried the weight of an anchor binding them to the ocean floor.
"It is with pride and joy that I, as your captain and witness to this bond, declare you…"
But the captain never finished his words.
Viella felt a horrible, sharp pang from her wrist. The black mark where the dead branches had carved into her skin started to ignite fiery sparks.
It shone brightly, and with each passing second, the brightness increased in intensity. Dark smoke started to form around her, accompanied by a gentle but ominous whisper calling forth the mark. It began to spread up her arm, burning through the material of the dress.
Around her, the sailors watched in wonderment and fear. They took refuge behind tilted chairs and barrels, staring on. Gideon was pulled back by the captain, who stood expressionless.
"Viella!" Gideon called out to her. But his voice sounded distant to her ears.
Everything started to fall away, calling forth a pair of bright blue eyes staring into her soul.