Court Of Blood And Ivory

♤The Wedding♤

Eloise ties the light purple ribbon in my hair neatly. It blends with my curls seamlessly. I stare at my reflection as she adjusts my corset once more. "You must be thrilled for your friend miss." Eloise says with a smile.

"I am over the moon." I respond as she helps me into the light purple dress. My eyes find the empty side of the room before looking back to the mirror. "He seems agreeable." She continues. "Indeed." I agree.

She fastens the dress before leaving me to finish getting ready. I am in the carriage in less than ten minutes. The ride to the chapel is longer than that however, painfully long and painfully silent.

The footman grabs my hand gently as he helps me out. The chapel is already filled to the brim with people. No doubt here to gossip and drink wine rather than celebrate. I take a seat in the back. Little to no one is next to me. All is anxious to see the shining bride im all her glory. The doors close as the organ sounds loudly from the front. Liliana makes her way out of a side door causing evrryome to stand to their feet.

She catches my eye and flashes me a nervous grin. "Weddings are dreadful." A velvety rich voice whispers in my ear. I would know that voice anywhere. That is the voice from my sweetest of dreams. The organ music comes to a stop and we forced to sit. "Most are, I agree." I whisper softly as the priest starts speaking with no restraint.

Liliana looks at Jonathan with stars dancing in her eyes. She looks madly in love with him and anyone can see it. "She must really love him." I mutter quietly. Alexander looks to Liliana. "She must." He looks to me briefly.

The ceremony is long, but endurable. They hold a reception at Lilianas family home, a grand two stroy home with enough room for ten families. She must have grown up with the world given to her, but looks can deceive easily.

I grab a glass of wine as it passes by on a tray and take a sip. My nerves instantly calm. People occupy every space, I lost Alexander in the crowd however.

"My goodness is that you Athena dear?" I feel the muscles in my shoulders tense as the nasaly voice scratches my ears. I plaster on a fake smile and turn around. "Mrs Dolores." She gives me a grin causing her pudgy cheeks to squish unattractively.

"You have grown significantly more into a young lady since I have last seen you. You have filled out more!" She exclaims. I feel my eyes widen as her words reach my ears. "I don't believe that is appropriate to say." I look at her with a slight frown. "It is just a compliment dear." She says her smile lessening. "A rather crass one." I shoot back.

She frowns causing her double chin to make an appearance. "With that attitude it is no surprise you are not being courted. No one wants an opinionated brat." She hisses out angrily. She wants and opinionated brat, then that is what she will get.

I feel a warm hand slip into mine. "Care for a dance my lady?" Alexander asks softly. Mrs. Dolores jaw about hits the floor. "I would love one." I give him a forced smile as my hate filled eyes never leave hers.

"For future reference Francine, I am courting Lady Athena." Alexander responds with a tight lipped grin. "Excuse us." He steers away from the devil herself and into the crowd of socialites.

"Thank you." I breathe out as I take a long sip of wine. He watches me with a smirk as he just nods. "She has always been a bit stuck up her own." He replies. I flash him a smile and nod. "That she has. She was always part of my mothers evening tea sessions. Always judging me, always making a fuss." I frown at all of the harsh memories she left in my childhood.

She always complained to my mother when my hem had at least a speck of dirt on it. It must be the fact she has no children to to pick on for herself. Mother had no backbone, of course, and allowed me to gey scolded by the witch. How her husband keeps with her is beyon my knowledge.

"If I did not adore Liliana as much as I do I would not have come at all." I tell him honestly as I look at my now empty wine glass. "If I did not adore you as much as I do then I woud not have come either." He whsipers softly.

Despite the loud chatter and screaming of the violin I heard his words. I feel a smile form on my lips as I look at him. "You adore me?" I ask softly. "Just enough to come to a foolish event such as this for you." He says as he looks around with distaste plastered on his beautiful face. "Why do you not like weddings?" I place my empty glass on a waiters tray.

"Prehaps because my parents were unhaply after they married. They became distant. Servants talk. I am an only child, they gossiped like no other and paid no mind to a boy of eight. They died years ago. It feels like forever ago now." He mutters as he looks at a painting hung above the fire place.

"There must have been a reason." I think out loud. "I found out later on he was a drunk, he died when I was just ten. Good riddance." He scoffs as he downs a glass of scotch.

He sets it on a tray and shakes off his frown. He turns to me and holds his hand out. "What?" I look at him with wide eyes. "You still owe me a dance my lady." He gives me a cheeky grin as I smile and place my hand in his. "That I do my lord."

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~scarletbride30