A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 7 (Part 4)

     The horses neigh as they pull a carriage down the street. The vehicle takes swift and sudden turns on the road, causing its wheels to screech. Then, the coachman swings his reins.

     Oliver and the Fuers sit inside the carriage. They gawk at the window, refusing to make eye contact with each other. Oliver glances at the sky through the glossy glass and sees white clouds painting the sky, obscuring the bright sunlight.

Suddenly, Layla stomped her parasol on the carriage's floor, causing Oliver to gasp and look at her. "Don't mess this up, okay?" Layla said and pointed at Oliver.

"...Y-y-yes," Oliver responded, stuttering in surprise.

     Layla cleared her throat and glared at Oliver. Then, it was silent inside the carriage. The stillness broke when Alexander gasped and grabbed Layla on her shoulder as he pointed through the window.

"Crowds!?" Alexander gasped.

     The carriage stopped at the church, and the bustling mobs on the street surrounded the vehicle. The coachman hopped off and squeezed through the roaring crowds. Then, he opened the carriage's door for Oliver and the Fuers.

     Oliver and the Fuers jump off the carriage. Upon seeing the crowds, Oliver immediately freezes and feels his feet glued to the concrete floor. He senses cold ripples hastening across his spine. Then, the air around him becomes thick, causing him to breathe heavily and loudly.

     The crowds gasped when their gazes landed on the Remaining Podeshire. Everyone became quiet as their eyes widened. All eyes turned towards Oliver. Then, the mobs began murmuring, and their mumbles filled the air.

"The groom does look like... Albert Podeshire..."

"Is he the Remaining Podeshire...?"

"Is it true, they say, he is a Podeshire??"

The crowds then looked at the Fuers.

"Who spread this news?" Layla growled, squeezing Alexander's arm.

The priest walked forward and welcomed them. "Welcome, Oliver Podeshire, to your wedding!"

The crowds broke into loud jeers and surrounded the Fuers.

"Scumbags!!" a woman yelled.

"How dare you hide him from us!" another woman shouted.

"What have you been doing to the Remaining Podeshire, you selfish people!?" a stranger jeered.

"You bloody embodiments of greed! You faked your address and selfishly took away the Remaining Podeshire!" another one called out.

"There had been natural disasters that the Podeshire could save us from, yet you've decided to keep him for yourselves!!" a middle-aged lady shrieked.

Layla then burst out in anger. "...Move! All of you aren't invited to the wedding!!" she yelled, thrashing her hands as she lowered her head.

     As the priest led the way into the church, Oliver followed behind, his eyes fixed on the floor. His hands began to shiver, and his breathing grew shallow and loud as he walked down the spacious aisle. A blurry vision warped around his eyes—as if the ground was tilting beneath his feet.