Following Hearts

The Wedding

"So how exactly is this going to work?" Ferdinand fidgeted with his tie nervously. Balthazar and Ferdinand stood side by side in front of the window in the groom's suite. Luckily, they had arrived just on time, although the drenched and muddy state of their clothes drew more than a few confused glances. They spoke in hushed tones, as to not alert any of the other groomsmen while they waited to see Ambrose escorting Rose down the stairs. "I mean, with the whole, canceling the biggest wedding of the century thing?"

    "Well, Rose and I are doing a first look, and that'll be our only chance before the wedding to speak privately, so I'll just tell her that the wedding is off then. She has to hear it from me first." Balthazar breathed anxiously. "Do you think she'll hate me?"

    "She can't hate you for being honest."

    "But I promised her. I've never broken a promise before." The groom pulled his gaze away from the window facing the palace stairs to look at Ferdinand.

    "One broken promise does not make you a bad person." Ferdinand felt the urge to place his hand on Balthazar's cheek, but resisted when he remembered the crowded room. "Especially when the promise you're breaking wasn't doing anyone any good."

    "But Rose wanted this."

    "That may be. But she wants to marry you for honor. She's doing this, not because she wants to, but because she thinks it's the right thing to do. You said it yourself, she's not in love with you. If you get married, she'll never have the chance to find that love." Ferdinand peered back out the window. "Besides, I don't think a loveless marriage will do anything to bond our kingdoms."

    Balthazar smiled faintly and glanced at the clock across the room.

    "When is Rose getting here? I thought it was Amelia who was always la-"

    "There's Ambrose!" Ferdinand cut Balthazar off and pointed out the window towards the hulking guard making his way down the staircase.

    "But, where's Rose?" They both watched as Ambrose somberly walked towards the groom's suite with no sign of Rose. He entered the room, avoiding Balthazar's eyes. "Ambrose?"

    The handsome guard froze and slowly turned around to face the raven-haired prince.

    "Yes, Pri- Balthazar." He shifted uncomfortably.

    "Where's Princess Rose?" Balthazar stepped closer, his eyebrows raised curiously.

    "Your bride-to-be... needed more time. To get ready. For the wedding," Ambrose managed to stutter.

"More time? But the wedding's about to start! What about our first look?" Balthazar started to pace the room, beginning to panic. He looked to Ferdinand for a hint of comfort, but the younger Prince looked just as flustered as Balthazar felt.

    "I'm not sure there's time for that now." A deep voice bellowed from the door. The three men turned towards the direction of the voice to see King Ramses towering against the door frame. "We need to get in places." The King gestured for the wedding party to exit the room, but Balthazar instead went straight to speak to King Ramses.

    "Your Majesty, could we wait just a few minutes longer? I need to see Rose before the ceremony and I-"

    "I'm sorry Balthazar." He placed a gentle hand on Balthazar's shoulder. "But we can't keep the guests waiting any longer."

    After casting a desperate look at Ferdinand, Balthazar followed the King into the ballroom.

    Despite everything, Balthazar couldn't help but be enthralled by the state of the room. Elegant gold lanterns and bouquets of pink and white flowers dotted the walls, illuminating the room with a soft, warm glow. A long strip of gold fabric was laid in the aisleway, leading up to the altar, which was teeming with beautiful floral arrangements. The room was alive with idle chatter among the hundreds of guests. As he walked towards the altar, he glanced over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of several cameras lining the back of the room before he heard a voice calling his name.