THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 55

In walked the bride and everyone stood up. All eyes were on her. Her long, cream gown sown with gold thread swept the floor. It had a square neckline with a tight bodice but flowing from her waist all the way to the floor. Her hair fell in loose curls over her back. On her head was a flowery shaped diamond headband that went well with her diamond earrings and brought out the sparkle in her eyes. She carried lilies on one hand and held onto Charles' hand using the other as he walked her down the decorated aisle.
At the front stood Julian in his military regalia with a cap flowing from his back to his calves. He smiled at her when she smiled at him.
On the second pew from the front, stood Audelia in a jungle green dress with a golden belt. She looked on as her sister walked towards Julian. Walked towards the man she also wanted to have. There was nothing she could do at that point but watch. Watch as he married her to fulfill her mission. She felt emotional but still looked on.
"No tears," she thought to herself.
Aretha was handed over to Julian and the officiator began the ceremony. As was the norm, he talked about the importance of union and the need for peace among couples before inviting Aretha and Julian to the front.
"Do you Julian, count of Warrick, take Princess Aretha of Alkion as your wife ?"
Julian looked into Aretha's eyes and she smiled at him. He could see the love and the need for him in them.
" I do accept her," he replied.
" And you, Princess Aretha of Alkion, do you take Julian, count of Warrick as your husband ?"
"I do," she replied happily.
" With the powers vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife," the officiator said with a grin. There were cheers and claps from the guests as the newlyweds exchanged rings.
Time felt as if it was frozen as Audelia looked on and felt her heart break right within her. Her eyes betrayed her and tears began to fall from them as she stared at the now husband and wife in front of her. Never had she thought that that was the pain she'd feel when he married her.
"Are you alright ?" Fabian asked her.
"I am Fabian," she said and began to clap." Excuse me."
She walked out and briskly walked away into the balcony facing the southern gardens.
There she cried her eyes out and tried to calm herself before heading into the garden where there would be a small banquet to celebrate Aretha's marriage.
She walked towards the garden and towards Aretha who was holding hands with Julian. She stood between them and hugged Aretha who let go of Julian's hand.
"Congratulations Aretha. I am happy for you. You too Julian. I am sure that you have married a wonderful girl. Now your dreams are about to be fulfilled. One more step is left and you will be there."
He laughed nervously and Aretha who couldn't understand what she meant looked between them and spoke.
" What step ? Which dreams ?"
" It's nothing Aretha. Audelia is always like that," Julian said.
"What did you mean by that Audelia ?"she asked again.
"Nothing Aretha. I just mean that you now need a child for your marriage to be stable."
"A child ?" she smiled." Stop it Audelia," she chuckled.
" I will give you my gifts later when the guests leave. You need to ," Audelia said.
" But we will be busy tonight. Right Aretha ?"Julian said.
"Julian stop it," she blushed.
"Why ? We are married, aren't we ? I can talk to my wife and tell her whatever is on my mind and in my heart, right ?"
"Julian, Audelia will hear us."
"Let her. No one can stop me from talking to my wife."
"I will go now," Audelia said. She could feel unwanted by Julian.
"Julian, you're making me blush," Aretha giggled.
"Am I ?" he teased as he tickled her.
On seeing that no one had acknowledged what she had said, Audelia went and sat at a corner.
Some food was served to her by a maidservant. Those present there made merry and danced to the music. That included Julian and Aretha who joined in. Anthony was not happy about the union so was Charles so they spoke to each other in murmurs. Therese was busy speaking with  her friends and Fabian with his. Only she was alone at a corner with no one interested in her. She drank her sorrows away and retreated to her room to lick her  wounds.
In the middle of the night, she heard a slight knock at the door. She wondered who it would be and when she opened the door, she was about to bang it back but Julian stopped her. He entered her room and she closed the door behind her.
"What do you want ? Aren't you supposed to be with your wife fooling around and teasing her ?"
"You sound jealous Audelia."
"Why would I be ? It was the duty I gave you. I appreciate you for that. Here, have a  drink to celebrate our victory," she said as she handed him a goblet of wine and poured some for herself." Where is your wife ?"
"In our room."
"You're here with me. What about her ?"
"It doesn't matter. You are the one I want to be with. You want it too. I know it."
"I don't."
"I saw you when you ran out and how you cried after Aretha and I were proclaimed as husband and wife."
"It was a moment of weakness. Nothing more."
"I don't think it was. That was the second time in my entire life when I have seen you cry. The first was after your father's death. Tell me. Why did you cry ?"
"It's nothing."
"Don't be this way with me. You know that you can let go in front of me. Tell me."
"I always felt that Aretha was nothing but a person I could use to get what I want because she follows me blindly because I am her sister. The reality is that I envy her. I can't help but feel that I should be in her place. I would have everything she has if I wasn't part of the world I was brought up in."
" Why envy her ?"
" It's because she can live a normal life. She is not like me who has to be on guard all the time, keep scheming to get what I want and live with this much hatred inside. She is surrounded by people who love her when I can only stay alone because nobody wants me,"she said with a miserable laugh as she wiped away her tears.
"Don't be envious. You know that I love you," he said as he nuzzled into her.
"I don't," she smiled.
"I will show you how much," he said as he lifted her off the floor and the two got lost in each other.

"Is this alright with you my lady."
"Yes Marie," Aretha said.
"Where has the lord gone ?"
"He said that he will be in the garden for a while then come to me. Do you think this style looks good on me ?"
"Yes my lady. This is the third hairstyle you've tried tonight. You look great. But my lady.."
" What Marie ?"
" Pardon me for interfering but I don't think any man who claims to love his wife so much would leave her on their wedding night."
"Don't run your mouth Marie. He is now a member of this family and you should respect him."
"I am sorry but I am concerned about you."
"Pass me the perfume gifted to me by Germaine today. It has a wonderful scent and I'd like to wear it. Afterwards, you may leave. I have to wait for my husband alone."
" Yes my lady."
Aretha was left alone sitting on the bed awaiting his return. The long candles that had been lit, had burned out and she still sat on the bed waiting for he who was lying with her own sister.