Elliot Leighton, dressed in white and gold, sat in his carriage as his nerves began to rise. This is really happening, he thought. He was marrying Vincent Whitehall, a man he barely knew and whose family, in some ways, was an enemy of his own.
The church was draped in gold and blue banners, the colors of the Leightons and Whitehalls, respectively. The kingdom of Gaea had never seen a wedding this grand, second only to the queen's own. The streets buzzed with excitement as crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the grooms.
A bouquet of white peonies sat heavily in Elliot's hands as his gaze shifted to his family. Their eyes were fixed on him, with varying expressions etched on their faces. He turned to face the queen, her commanding presence in front of the altar sending a nervous shiver down his spine.
White roses lined the pews, their scent filling the air, while a rich crimson carpet stretched down the aisle. Elliot exhaled as he took deliberate steps, walking toward a future he could no longer control.
As he neared the altar, his gaze locked on Vincent.
Vincent was dressed in black and blue military garb with silver accents, denoting his high rank. He stood beside the priest, waiting.
The priest began the ceremony, but Elliot, overwhelmed by the weight of everyone's gaze, barely noticed when it was time for the vows. When the moment came, both he and Vincent recited their vows.
To the room, it sounded genuine, but to those who knew them—especially their families and the queen—it was a performance.
As they exchanged rings, the priest gave his final blessing. The room held its breath. "You may kiss," he said, and the air thickened.
Vincent leaned in, cupping Elliot's face with one hand. His kiss was deliberate but brief—a mere touch of lips, sealing their union. The crowd erupted in applause, but behind the smiles and cheers, there was a mask that neither could drop.
–
It all started when a letter arrived at the Leighton estate, sealed with the royal family crest. It was addressed to Elliot, the youngest Leighton sibling and an omega.
When he arrived at the palace, he was led to the grand hall—a lavish room surrounded by golden tapestries and gleaming marble floors.
He spotted Vincent already waiting. The man stood tall, his broad shoulders and lean, muscular build contrasting with Elliot's slender frame. His silver hair was neatly combed back, though a few strands had fallen, framing his blue eyes and giving him a slightly disheveled look.
When the queen entered, both men bowed deeply. She wasted no time explaining why they were summoned.
"You two are to be wed," she said firmly.
Elliot gasped but quickly swallowed his words. He didn't dare question the queen.
"I want to end the feud between your families," she continued. "The only way to bring your houses together is through marriage." Her gaze shifted between them, waiting to see if either man would object. When neither spoke, she added, "The wedding will take place this week. You are both dismissed."
–
As Elliot and Vincent entered their carriage, Elliot did his best to mask his nervousness. He didn't want Vincent to see him as a weak omega. The two of them remained silent, both men unsure of what to do but bound to follow the queen's orders.
However, Vincent's face remained unreadable. Elliot barely saw the man smile; his piercing blue eyes stared daggers at Elliot, as if judging him.
They approached their shared manor, where the wedding reception was being held. Elliot's eyes scanned the lavish decorations. Tables were lined with an array of delectable dishes and pastries.
They straightened up, ready for the next stage of this meticulously planned affair. The maids and butlers finished setting the final touches as the Leightons arrived. Elliot's tension eased briefly at the sight of them, grateful for the chance to speak with familiar faces amid the chaos. But before he could engage, the Whitehalls arrived. Elliot greeted them courteously, watching as Vincent exchanged greetings with his parents.
As the festivities began, the room fell silent when the royal guard announced the queen's arrival.
Elliot and Vincent rushed to greet Her Majesty, bowing in unison.
"Thank you for joining us, Your Majesty," Elliot said respectfully.
Vincent echoed the sentiment, escorting the queen into the hall. "Not bad," she remarked, eyeing the decorations with approval.
As Vincent escorted the queen to her seat in the dance hall, Elliot couldn't help but think about the moment ahead—the first dance. He wasn't sure what to expect, but the weight of the evening's performance loomed over him.
The crowd watched in anticipation as Elliot and Vincent took to the dance floor. The music began, and the two fell into a perfect rhythm, their movements smooth and synchronized. As the tempo slowed, their bodies drew closer, gracefully following the music's flow. When the song ended, they bowed to the queen and the guests, who erupted in applause.
Elliot couldn't help but notice how Vincent and he had been moving in sync today. He thought the man probably didn't want to be seen as foolish with all the eyes on them.
Vincent had been silent for a while, exchanging only pleasantries with some guests as he mingled with a drink in hand. Elliot noticed he had been drinking heavily—it was probably to ease his nerves.
As the celebrations came to an end, it was time for the newlyweds to return to their chambers.
Elliot acknowledged Vincent with a nod and said, "We will be sleeping in different rooms."
Vincent smirked, finally showing emotion, Elliot thought, and he replied, "Want to sleep with me, Elliot?"
Elliot rolled his eyes. The alcohol was probably doing more of the talking for Vincent than his brain at the moment. "No, Vincent."
Elliot navigated through the manor, ignoring and leaving the drunk Vincent behind. They were staying at one of the Whitehalls' empty manors as their new home.