Pain in time

Chapter 8

Reina just got engaged to already magic-influenced Levi at the masquerade. They danced the night away, everyone cheered for the perfect couple and Reina was having the time of her life. Everything worked out perfectly.

Levi looked at Reina, with love in his gaze, and said with excitement: "I can't wait to be your husband." As they were dancing, and Levi held her tight, he whispered in her ear in yearning voice: "I want to marry you tomorrow. I feel that fate brought us together." Reina smirked, thanking Deianira in her mind. "You know what Levi, let's do it. But first, I must step down from my duty as a priestess on the court." "Yes, if I must, I will accompany you there." Reina protested: "No, no, no. I'm a capable young woman - I will plan the wedding and hand in the resignation to father Simon." Levi smiled and said: "Well done. Don't forget - tomorrow at noon at the chapel in the valley." Reina nodded, feeling irritated by his clingy behavior.

She stepped inside the chapel and interrupted father Simon, who was praying. "Hi, Simon. I have... a resignation for you." She says as she throws the papers in his face. Father Simon looks at the young woman with disbelief. "Reina... I'm at a loss for words. You have been very religious since your childhood. Why are you doing this?" Reina just showed him her left ring finger decorated with a big red ruby. "Ah, this is how it is," Father Simon says. "Well, I will send your resignation to the Vatican and I will let you know of the date of your wedding." Reina protests: "What? But I want it tomorrow." Father Simon looks at her with disbelief once again. "Tomorrow? But by tomorrow the letter won't even arrive." Reina rolls her eyes. "I will deal with that. I know someone. Just sign the paper." Father Simon sighs and grabs a quill. "Alright." Reina snatches the resignation from him and walks away.

Reina barged into Deianira's chamber. "Deia, you here? I need a favor to ask. I need you to go to the Vatican and give this to some cardinal." After saying that, Deianira looks at her with a curious expression. "I see you started to like the new Levi," Deianira said as she giggled. "Yes, yes, thanks for that. Anyway, here it is. Off you go," she says with a dismissing gesture. "Sure... it will be done by the morning." She replies as she disappears.

Reina woke up at dawn. Sir Levi was lying next to her and supporting his head with his elbow. "Good morning, my beautiful fiancée." Reina looked at him, feeling grumpy. "Go make me a coffee... fiancé." He looks at her and laughs wholeheartedly: "I like hearing that from you, beautiful." Reina looks up at the ceiling, whispering with her hands in prayer: My God, please give me strength! Levi stood up from the bed and walked up to Reina's vanity table. "By the way, Deianira left you a letter here." Before leaving the room, Levi tossed it on the bed sheet and walked away.

Reina tossed in the bed, reaching for the envelope, groaning in morning laziness. It was the letter from the Vatican, accepting her resignation. 'Great, now I can marry this doofus,' she thought. Levi came into the room with a tray, on which was the breakfast and two cups of coffee. He laid it down on the bed and turned to leave. Reina looked at him with a surprised face. "Where are you going? We are getting married today. Don't you remember?" she asked him playfully. "Oh, of course, my love. How could I forget?" he says, laughing. Reina just sighs as she drinks her coffee. They enjoy breakfast together.

Later, Reina ran to the chapel and tossed the letter from the Vatican to Father Simon. He reads the letter with a surprised expression. "How were you able to get the approval this fast? It normally takes weeks, even months to arrive." Reina smiles knowingly. "That is no concern of yours. Now let's plan the wedding." "Okay. Is nine o'clock a good time?" Reina nods and leaves. She comes back. Then she and Levi go to the tailor.

Reina looks around at the displayed wedding dresses and picks one at the very back. Levi sighs. He knows she just picked the most expensive dress she could find. They were simple in design, but the fabric was decorated with silver thread ornaments all over. She turned to him with a pleading gaze: "Levi, I am getting this one. Go pay." "Of course, darling," Levi said with a sigh, as he was about to spend his monthly salary on her dress and went to pay.

A few hours later - at nine o'clock

The whole chapel was covered with white ribbons and the benches were decorated with white roses. Reina was anxiously awaiting outside. She realized that she would have to walk down the aisle on her own, without her father since he was sent to exile by evil Yolanda. 'That is about to change,' she thought. The music started playing and Reina walked inside the chapel. Everyone stared and admired the bride's beauty, also noticing she was walking alone, remembering Harold's betrayal.

She walked up to Levi, as he was looking like crying from happiness. "I can't believe you'd willingly lose your title and county to marry me," he said as he was trying not to weep with joy. Reina looked at him with a shocked face: 'What!? Am I hearing this right? I didn't agree to this.' "S-sure," she said as she tried hard to remain composed. Father Simon started the ceremony. "Today we have gathered here to unite these two beautiful souls in the sacred act of marriage before God. Sir Levi, please, recite your vow." Levi took out a long-ass scroll and prepared to read his vow to Reina. Father Simon grabbed the scroll with a horrified expression. "Are you serious?" he asked. Levi responded with seriousness, as he took it back: "Yes, I'm."

Twenty minutes later

Father Simon sighed as he looked at Reina and asked her to recite her vow. Strangely enough, she kept it short. "I will obey you in all circumstances and that's it." Levi interrupts her with pain in his voice: "That's it?" She just nods. "In the name of God, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Levi reluctantly kissed Reina. They exited the chapel. As they left the chapel, there were no celebrations or wishes for the newlyweds. Outside were standing soldiers, accompanying the queen.

"Reina, why didn't you tell me you rescheduled the wedding?!" the queen shouts at Reina. Levi, protecting his wife, stepped in. "Why are you shouting at my wife?" The queen looks at Levi menacingly. "Sir, I'm a queen. Mind your tongue!" she scolds him. "Reina, you shall name a new count or countess tomorrow." Reina nods and holds Levi by his shoulder as they leave.