Ruby Locket #2: A Grand Wedding

CHAPTER 6 - Betrothed

The people's idea of Amari was further solidified when all the attacks seized the moment he fled from Armedea. For a moment, it seemed like the cause of all their problems, was in fact, Amari.

"It's been five days and you've still not found him? You've not found anybody. URGH!!!", Isabelle groaned as she grabbed her hair. Pierre did his best to calm her down. " This is unlike him. Nicholas, you know this. We all know who is doing this. Why aren't we telling the people the truth?", she asked

"Because they wouldn't believe otherwise." Pierre blurted. He took a deep sigh and said "Isabelle, people fear what they don't know or understand. It's easier to pin the blame on people that don't follow the norm"

Right then, a house staff walked in and conveyed the message of the king's demand for their presence.

Once in the throne room, prince Nicholas took notice of the change in the demeanor of his parents. "Father! Mother! Is everything alright? You seem unwell." What happened next shocked his brain so powerfully that he couldn't speak. Isabelle and Pierre were also at a loss for words for what was happening was eerily off-putting.

"My dear son, we have never been better. In fact, we are so much happier now that that pansy is out of the picture, we can now give the kingdom and you a better match", they both said in perfect unison. Their eyes glowed red and they were still and unwavering. The trio took a step back when Lyanna walked up to them.

"Ta-da! Did you miss me?" she said gleamingly. Immediately, Nicholas called for the guards but once they trooped in, they stopped in their tracks. Their eyes glowed the same red as his parents. Instead of attacking Lyanna, she turned their focus towards them.

"Tsk tsk tsk my dear Nicholas. It is rude to attack your guests like this", she taunted.

" You aren't invited here", Nicholas grunted.

"Are you sure about that?", she countered and zoomed toward Nicholas and planted a passionate kiss on him. His eyes glowed red and he leaned in for another.

" My love", he said.

"NOO!", Isabelle yelled as she yanked Nicholas away from her. " You have no right to show your face here", she threatened.

"Urgh! You meddling twat. You are the reason everything ended up the way it did. Sticking your nose into things that don't concern you. Well, have I got a surprise for you" Lyanna roared as she cast a spell that made the entire castle ground shake. Pierre fell under her spell and Isabelle was placed in stasis. She laughed maniacally and spun on her heels. "I think it's time for a wedding don't you?", she asked as she took a seat on the throne.

ꕥꕥ

Deep within the thick forest, was Amari bathing in a river. He had run away from the trouble that was Armedea. Hopefully, his absence would give Nicholas a chance to marry not only someone he loves but one the Kingdom approved. His tummy rumbled loudly almost echoing. He'd been surviving on berries and small nuts he was able to find.

He had begun footslogging once the hunger really hit him. Suddenly, he could not recognize where he was or where he came from. He had been so distracted that he forgot to continue marking his path. Luckily, before him was a cottage. He knocked three times. Slowly, it creaked open and then a voice said " Come in your grace"

As soon as he stepped in, he was greeted with a bow. "Please don't. I do not have a title", he said.

." How come? Are you not betrothed to the prince?", she asked.

"Not anymore. If it wouldn't be a problem could I please have maybe a tub of milk or a crust of bread? I am famished.", he begged.

" Why, certainly", she replied and quickly brought out what was requested. "A thousand thanks Ms.?", Amari began.

"..Amelia. Amelia thistlewit", she replied. He devoured the food almost instantly. He barely waited to finish the first bite before he took another gulp of milk, and then a second bite. As she lay some food on the table, she proceeded to ask. " If I may ask, why did you run away?"

The chewing stopped. Finally, he had been confronted with the question he was running away from."I did what I had to do. For the kingdom.....for Nicholas", he replied sadly.

"So abandoning your friends, family, and subjects in their time for greatest need was what you had to do?", She inquired sarcastically.

" Don't judge me. Alright? You weren't there. Do you know what it feels like to have the entire kingdom against you?"

She chuckled. "Believe me when say, I do not judge you. I have no reason to condemn your actions. Besides, we are all on our separate journeys", Amelia replied as she poured herself a piping hot cup of tea. " I'm just the curious sort. On the bright side, you can start your life anew and not worry about your old life. Especially with that wedding coming off later today"

"What wedding?",

" I thought you knew. Lyanna is getting married...to the prince but that doesn't matter does it. It is for the good of the kingdom after all" she continued sarcastically. Amari jolted out of his seat and rushed to the door. He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the witch.

"Why are you helping me?"

"I'm not. I couldn't care less about your choices. The human concept of good and evil are below me and I simply hover over it. I just questioned your stance. As for the conclusion, well, that depends on you. Either way, I'll get my reward"

"What does that mean?'

" It means you better be quick and pick what path you're going to take"

ꕥꕥ

Although impromptu, the wedding was set up. Soon, Lyanna would officially ascend to a throne—the throne. Everyone at the palace was under her control. Paying heed to her every word all the while Amari rode as quickly as his horse to manage. This didn't bother her at all. For it was all according to plan.

She had set up the ceremony in the middle of the village: very indicative of her showy nature. Of course, she wanted everyone to see her. Her happily ever after, was coming to fruition.

Amari rushed into the castle right into the throne room. "Well, well, well. The pansy decided to show up", Lyanna taunted from the throne. She wore his crown from the betrothal ceremony. Amari gritted his teeth." You do not get-" he began

"Oh shut up!! With all that has happened, do you still have the guts to speak? I'll be sure to put you in your place once I'm done with you. That is, after our wedding of course." Nicholas then walked up to the throne from her left side with his eyes still glowing red. Amari's heart sank when he saw her plant a kiss on her. As he charged at her she warned him.

"Take one more step and they'll all suffer for it". That was when the king, Queen, Charles, Edgard, the Rosegoode couple, Isabelle, and Pierre came out. All with glowy red eyes.

" What have you done to them??".They crept closer like mindless beasts.

"I think the better question is, what am I going to do to you?", she replied as she slowly walked up to a now-restrained, Amari. He struggled as the people he cared for capped him.

" You see, dear. I've always told you. This is where you belong—At my feet. And that is where you'll stay. No amount of fancy dresses or heavy titles will hide the stench of your pansy nature. You are sub-par to everything decent in this world and pests like you must be eliminated." She giggled maniacally.

She lifted her hand and opened wide her mouth. A devilish screech let itself out of her. He screamed as he lost control of his body then his eyes glowed red. His garments turned pitch black and his nails got long, thick, and black like tar which contrasted his appearance with Lyanna's cloudy white appearance. A beautiful girl dressed in white—the epitome of goodness and purity against a villainous pansy warlock—the people's embodiment of perversion and evil.

Truly, she was no longer the villain of this story. "LET THE WEDDING COMMENCE!!", she bellowed.