As Cassian and I took our seats, nobles, royals, and politicians approached one after another to offer their congratulations. But of course the room atmosphere was now cold, and it had a strange weird energy now, like something was not right.
"Congratulations, Prince Cassian, Prince Lorenzo."
"May your marriage be blessed, Princess Eirlys, Princess Sera."
"May the North and South prosper together."
Though many smiles seemed genuine, others appeared forced. Behind elegant fans and polite expressions, whispers spread through the hall like wildfire.
Soon the musicians began playing once more. Couples filled the ballroom floor, gliding beneath the crystal chandeliers as laughter and conversation echoed through the grand hall. Servants moved gracefully among the guests carrying silver trays of wine and desserts.
Then the cake was served. It was a red velvet cake, and the top was decorated with elegant beads.
Sera, Lorenzo, Cassian, and I stood up and went over the center of stage, where the cake was placed.
"Why does it look so delicious though?" Cassian asked.
"Because it is," Sera replied.
Then I reached for the knife to cut it, but then someone's hand touched mine, it was Eirlys' hand, I looked at her. She looked back at me. After a moment we both spoke,
"I will cut the cake." Eirlys said.
"I will cut the cake." I said at the same time.
Cassian's lips twitched upward as he pressed his lips together while his shoulders were shaking from laughter, I ignored him, while Lorenzo looked away trying (and failing) not to laugh. Sera shot him a glare.
"My bad, lady." he said as he looked at Sera with a faint smirk and playfulness in his eyes.
Then we both stared at each other, glaring at each other in front of husbands, nobles, royalties and politicians, but of course we both did not care. The nobles, royalty and politicians shared confused glances toward each other while my parents were laughing loudly.
"Fine, cut it. But I'm giving it to you because you are younger than me," Sera said after a long moment of silence.
"Finally," I said in relief as she took the knife and cut it.
"Finally, a responsible adult thing, my wife did." Lorenzo teased, as he clapped as the cake was cut, Sera looked at him as though she wanted to strangle him.
-------
After a few hours, the wedding ceremony came to an end, Finally I can be free of this dress, I thought. No more stress. Sigh, thank you god, really.
We all were leaving now, few of the royals, noble families, and politician had already left. Then, Sera, Cassian, me, and Lorenzo were leaving now.
"AAAAAAGHHH-!"
A terrified scream echoed in the hall.
Then I saw a flicker of shadow near us, but it was too late. The shadow moved with lightning speed, and sliced Cassian's wrist, blood immediately flowed from the wound.
"CASSIAN!" Sera, Lorenzo and I screamed.
Lorenzo went to chase the man, but he had already disappeared.
"SERA! LORENZO!" I screamed.
They rushed to me, Cassian was leaning on a wall, grunting in pain as he said, "I'm....fine..."
"No! You're not! Stay still Cassian." Sera ordered him, Sera's protective older-sister instincts immediately took over.
"Sister, I'm really fine..." he replied to me. I placed a trembling hand on his arm, worried. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles, "I'm okay, Eirlys."
"Stop trying to become cool." Lorenzo said deadpan.
Cassian chuckled.
Then a servant came back with bandages, I took it and handed it to Sera. She looked at the injury and froze, I stepped forward to look. And I also froze.
His veins had turned completely black, and thick fur was beginning to spread across his body. And I heard the sound of bones cracking, my gaze went up to Cassian,
"Oh, what in the...." Lorenzo said as he stepped back and I also stepped back worried for him and terrified of what to do.
"Sera... s-step back or at least... look up," I said trembling.
Cassian was now much larger, his body covered in thick wolf fur. But Sera's eyes were fixed on his wrist, she was frozen, and widened, his wrist was now large and he had claws.
A deep rumble echoed from within Cassian's chest.
It wasn't a growl.
It sounded like something ancient had just awakened.