Today was the wedding ceremony, full moon night. The hall was buzzing with music, musicians were playing their instrumentals, many nobles, politicians, and royals were inside. The grand hall was illuminated by hundreds of crystal chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling. Tall arched windows were draped with rich crimson velvet curtains embroidered with golden thread. Marble pillars lined the hall, while polished silver candelabras cast a warm glow across the ballroom floor.
I was wearing a white Victorian High Neck Long Sleeve Gown. My makeup included light pink tint, and a faint blush; and faint pink eyeshadow on my eyes. My hair was tied into a French braid.
Cassian and Lorenzo both wore tailored black suits, their hair neatly styled back. Oh God, they looked incredibly handsome.
As for Sera, she wore a white gown, and her makeup included red tint on her lips, pink blush, and a black winged eyeliner and a bit of faint red eyeshadow. Her hair was styled in a wrapped bun.
The guards bowed to us as we all entered the grand hall, everyone stopped dead in their tracks, some looked at us with envy, others with awe, and a few seemed to be imagining our deaths behind their polite smiles.
"Congratulations, Prince Lorenzo!"
"Congratulations, Princess Sera!"
"Congratulations, Prince Cassian Valemont!"
Congratulations, Princess Eirlys!"
Voices began congratulating us, even though some of them were looking at us with disgust in their eyes and some already scheming against us, hiding their mischevious smiles behind their fans.
We reached the stage, Queen Mira and King Draven were already there.
They signaled for Sera and Lorenzo to come ahead first, then Cassian and Eirlys.
"My lady," Lorenzo said as he offered his hand to Sera.
I swallowed hard. The woman I had to kill, I thought, was becoming my sister-in-law, and the Queen of North.
Sera placed her hand in his, and then they walked to the center of stage where the priest was waiting. Then the priest began speaking and soon came to the main part of the ceremony, where they exchanged vows;
"Sera, I take you just as you are and in every form you may ever be. You are the light in my life and the beat in my heart. I promise to tend to your weaknesses just as I applaud your strengths. I promise to reach for your hand when I am lost. I promise to show you, day in and day out, that you are my everything. On this day, I give you my heart." Lorenzo said.
"Lorenzo, today we mark the day our lives officially become one. Although we both have made sacrifices to get here, our relationship has brought my life joy beyond measure. I promise to show how much I care by making sure we're always on the same page. I promise to show you respect by thinking not only of myself, but your needs, too. I promise to love you in your best of times, and to love you even more in your hardest. I will continue to walk, in faith, holding your hand. I promise to be there every morning when you wake up, and every night when you go to sleep. I can't wait to see what our future holds." Sera said.
Then they exchanged rings and kissed, while Sera's cheeks were deep crimson. Then they sat on the sofa to the left of Queen Mira, and my father, King Draven, they both looked at them and smiled warmly and gave a subtle nod.
Now it was Cassian's and my turn.
Then Cassian took my hand, "Don't be nervous, I'm here." He said as we went to the center of the stage. I replied with a nod.
"Just as Adam and Eve became one, Cassian and Eirlys shall become one today as well as they become united in marriage. Now it's time for the bride and groom to exchange wedding vows. Princess Eirlys and Prince Cassian, please look at each other and go ahead and present your vows." he said.
"Eirlys, when I look into your eyes, I see more than just your beautiful face. I see the future that we'll paint together as partners. I vow to listen to you with empathy, to speak to you with kindness, and to support you in all your endeavors. I give you my endless love, honor, and respect, not just today, but for the rest of our lives together. You are my choice, now and forever." Cassian said.
A faint blush formed on my face and my eyes became teary,
"Cassian, you are the southern star that leads me and the song that fills my heart. I commit to be an anchor, your conspirator. I pledge to be your faithful partner in laughter and tears, in sunshine and in storms. Your dreams will become our dreams. I will celebrate your wins and commit to being right beside you every step of the way. I come to you with open arms and an open heart." I said.
"Now that the couple's vows have been decreed, it's time for them to exchange their wedding bands with each other. Prince Cassian, give your ring to Princess Eirlys and repeat after me. "As this ring symbolizes, I promise to love and cherish you for all the days of my life as we stay one flesh in the eyes of God." the priest said.
"As this ring symbolizes, I promise to love and cherish you for all the days of my life as we stay one flesh in the eyes of God." Cassian said, as he took my hand, and slid the ring into my ring finger.
Then the priest asked me to do the same, and I did.
Then the priest said, "Prince Cassian and Princess Eirlys, please join hands. Prince Cassian, do you take Princess Eirlys to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do take Princess Eirlys to be my lawfully wedded wife." Cassian replied as he looked deep into my eyes.
"Princess Eirlys, do you take Prince Cassian to be your lawfully wedded husband? the priest asked me.
"I do take Prince Cassian to be my lawfully wedded husband." I replied.
"Prince Cassian and Princess Eirlys, you have come before God this day to profess your love and promise to act together as one flesh. This marriage is now bound under God's blessing and grace. By the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church Ministries, I now pronounce you married! You may now share a kiss!" the priest announced.
I blushed slightly, but then Cassian placed his hand on the back of my neck, and another hand cupped my jaw, "My lady, can I?"
"Yes..." I said, my eyes darting away, and then we kissed.
People started clapping and cheering, some genuinely happy and others only pretending.
Then, as I and Prince Cassian, were walking toward to the right sofa beside the King Draven, something didn't feel right, like someone was watching us..