Ruby Locket #2: A Grand Wedding

CHAPTER 8 - Gloria Regali

"Are you alright?", Nicholas asked. Still, in tears, he sobbed into his chest. The worst was over. All was calm and quiet. Guilt thickened the atmosphere as clogged the throats of the townspeople. They were wrong-- so wrong. The priest walked up to Amari and bowed his head. " On behalf of the entire kingdom, we humbly ask for-", he began.

"NO!", Amari blurted. The looks of shock danced on everyone's faces. Amari had a look of disdain and fury in his eyes. He turned to his love and kissed him gently.

" I have nothing but love for you however, I can't marry you", he said. Nicholas' heart sank.
"W-why?", he blurted.

" I am not wanted here. The people would be happier with a princess rather than me", he said through sobs. Although it hurt, he was done with the charade. There was no point in staying somewhere where you're surrounded by hate.

"Amari, please reconsider. It was just a misunderstanding", the king begged.

" Yes, please", added the queen.

" You can't leave. Not after all this", Isabelle added. "You've come too far"

"That was my mistake. I should have nipped this in the bud. That way, we wouldn't have been in this mess", Amari continued. He felt a hand grasp his wrist. His face met a stunned and teary-eyed Nicholas. It broke his heart.

" I'll go with you. I'll renounce the crown just....please don't leave me", he begged. These past months although short have been the best they've ever had. All their little fights to when they reached amicable compromises.

"PLEASE FORGIVE US, YOUR GRACE", came a multitude of voices from behind. He turned to face a crowd bowing down their heads in shame. " It was all the work of that witch" the priest added.

"No! You're not going to do that. She did not spell you. None of you. You saw an opportunity to show your true colors and you did. You don't want me here. If we are going to be anything to each other, let's at least be honest", he cried and giggled. " I thought the betrothal ceremony was a move forward but it just shrouded your fear and hatred. Regardless, I share in your fear of the unknown especially when it comes from within but I refuse to stay where all I receive is pain and humiliation. No one deserves that........I don't deserve that."

He took a pause and a deep breath. "Never have I spoken ill of anyone here. Never did I treat you like you never mattered. I did what I could to help this kingdom, did I not?—remember the orphanage?" He giggled once more "Despite all that, you turned your back on me in an instant."

The tears flowed continuously. There no was use in hiding his pain. He turned back to Nicholas and his loved ones. "Even though dark clouds have engulfed me all this while, I'll never forget the silver linings that treated me with love", he continued.

The crowd begged for his forgiveness." Why should I? Will it change anything? Tell me honestly" he began as he moved closer to the crowd. "If I forgave you and stayed, will it change anything?.... Will you see the humanity in me or will I be made into a villain once more?", the atmosphere was thick with sorrow and shameful guilt. Each word he uttered cut deeper into them. What they did was in some ways, unforgivable and probably a valid villain origin story.

ꕥꕥ

Three months later in the early hours of the afternoon, the town seemed empty. Where could everyone be? A faint sound could be heard from the cathedral once again. It was a wedding. A glorious one.

The wedding was a vision of elegance, with the grand hall decorated in sumptuous fabrics of deep red and gold, draped with garlands of flowers in shades of white and pink. Amari was breathtaking in his ivory garment with embroiled gold. It had a long train that swept behind him as he walked down the aisle. The groom was equally impressive in his white and gold suit, complete with a long silky cape as he made his way to the altar with his beloved. His suit sparkled with the light reflecting off the hundreds of tiny crystals that had been stitched into the fabric. Every eye in the room was drawn to the beauty of the couples, and the joy of the moment was palpable.