𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Wedding

"Ferox has arrived ma'am." The doorman said before letting him into the sitting room.

The tall, blonde haired man looked straight at me. I pasted a smile onto my face as he took my hand.

"Hilda," he said, "my wife to be." He added smugly.

How can someone act like that? I thought. "Ferox, how nice to see you again."

"Hilda!" Came mother's voice as she stormed through the doorway. "Ah, good, I see you have arrived." She said looking at Ferox.

"Your majesty." He said, bowing.

"Ferox is hear to talk about the wedding." Mother said happily.

***

The doors of the church opened and Hilda gracefully walked through, her arm linked with her Fathers. Ferox was stood at the front, near the lectern, feeling proud and smug in the knowledge that he would be King one day.

Hilda walked down the aisle, a bright bouquet of flowers in her hands, held in front of her chest. Behind her was Lena, wearing a pale pink dress, followed by younger girls baring baskets with rose petals inside.

Reaching Ferox, the King let go of Hilda's arm and took the beautiful flowers off her. She gathered up her dress and stepped onto the platform, where all the people in the church could see her. Ferox had planned all this.

Father Nickolas stepped forth and told them to repeat after him.

Having said their vows, Ferox knew what was next. He took her veil and pushed it behind her head, gently he cupped her cheek and pulled her towards him. Their lips met. Fire and passion felt like it passed between them. Breaking away, Hilda looked into his eyes and smiled, her eyes lighting up.

***

As I gazed into his eyes, I felt an urge to run. Run away from everything. Run from everyone. Run and run until I could no longer run. But I couldn't. If this charade was going to work then I had to stay put. Stay here. Stay with him.

I swallowed nausea down me as I turned to look out at the pews full with people. I hated attention and I had just faked a marriage in front of the whole town.

I felt Ferox take my arm and pull me down the aisle. I looked at Mother and Father and gave them a fake smile. It was returned by both.

"My beautiful wife." Ferox whispered in my ear. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Ferox." I whispered back.

We reached the oak doors and someone opened them. What must have been the whole town was on the other side. I tensed and Ferox felt it.

"Don't worry my love." He said, trying to calm me. "They will be expecting us to kiss." He added, reaching for my face again.

The crowed cheered as we leaned closer. His lips brushed mine once, then twice, then three times. As we moved apart, I flicked my eyes over the town, searching.

Then I saw him, standing a little way behind the crowd. I tried to communicate to him through my eyes.

Help. I thought, I love you, Wymond, not him.

Then I was being dragged towards my wedding carriage where we would be taken to the castle before leaving that evening to the cottage that Ferox and I would be living in until the throne was ours.

***

Wymond watched Hilda be taken by the man. His wife was being taken by someone who thought they were married to her.

He turned to his friend, Kamden. We need help, he thought, I can trust him, he will help us. "We need to talk." He muttered and led him away from the crowd.

"Wymond?" He asked.

"You need to know some things." He said. "Can I trust you?"

"Yes, you can, you are like a brother. Whatever you tell me, is safe with me."

There was a moments pause before he took a deep breath and told him everything.

***

"What heavens do we do then?" Kamden asked him.

"That's why I have turned to you. I need your help. I have written a message and I just need to get it to Hilda without anyone knowing."

"Leave it with me." Kamden said.

Wymond finished writing the message and handed it over. It felt strange to do that. What if it got into the wrong hands? What if? There is always a what if. But like Hilda would say, don't think about it until you have done it and it is then too late to worry.

***

"Thank you, Harlow." I said as he handed me some scrunched paper after describing who it came from. Whoever was Kamden? I thought.

I had left the room for a moments peace, having said that I had a headache when I walked into Harlow and the message. Ferox wanted to come with me but I shooed him off, lucky for me else there would be questions.

I ran up the stairs and into my room where I unfolded the paper:

My dearest Hilda, my love.
I am so sorry for this to be happening to you, I really am. Just remember, I love you.
This will have to be short, probably for your benefit rather than mine. There is so much I want to say to you.
I have got help: Kamden. With any luck he would have gotten this to you. He is more respected than I!
You need to stay where you are. Keep up this charade. We need information. I will explain all at a later time but for now, it is best to just look out for unusual goings on's.
Meet me tonight, whenever you can, I will be outside your cottage.
With all the love I can give you,
Wymond.

Look out for unusual goings on's. What did he mean by that? I thought.