Mother Knows Best (Russia x Reader)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝘁𝐞𝗿 𝐋𝐕

The day of our wedding dawned, and the palace was a flurry of activity and excitement. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the grand halls were adorned with ornate decorations. My family, who had been so joyous since the announcement of our betrothal, seemed to be celebrating as if they had won the entire empire over. Yet, amidst the festivities, my heart felt heavy.

Soviet remained distant, his cold demeanor unchanged. We were both only 14 summers old, and the weight of our impending marriage felt like a burden too heavy for our young shoulders. As I gazed out of the window, my thoughts swirled with uncertainty and doubt.

As the hours passed, the palace grounds filled with nobles and guests from far and wide, all gathered to witness the union of our noble families. The grandeur of the occasion was undeniable, but I couldn't help but wonder if our hearts were truly ready for this moment.

The time had come for the wedding ceremony to begin. As I stood before the grand altar, adorned in a gown fit for royalty, my heart pounded in my chest. My parents, beaming with pride, stood at my side, while Soviet's parents, the Emperor and Empress, looked on with stern expressions.

The priest, with a voice as resonant as the bells tolling in the distance, began the sacred rites. As he spoke the solemn words of matrimony, I stole a glance at Soviet. His face was stoic, and I couldn't discern the emotions behind those piercing blue eyes.

"Do you, Natalia, take Sovietov to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"

I hesitated for a moment, the weight of those words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. My heart yearned for a love that had not fully bloomed, for a connection that was still shrouded in uncertainty.

But my parents' expectant gazes and the weight of tradition urged me forward. "I do," I whispered, hoping that my voice did not betray the turmoil within.

The priest then turned to Soviet, his eyes meeting mine briefly before fixing his gaze on the Emperor. "And do you, Sovietov, take Natalia to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"

Soviet's reply was as cold and detached as I had come to expect. "I do," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

As the ceremony continued, I felt a sense of detachment from the moment, as if I were a mere spectator in my own wedding. The weight of duty and expectation seemed to overshadow any flicker of love that might have existed.

As we exchanged rings, I couldn't help but wonder if this was how love was meant to feel, like a duty to be fulfilled rather than a flame to be kindled.

Finally, the moment arrived when we were pronounced husband and wife. The hall erupted in applause, the nobles raising their glasses to toast our union. But amidst the celebration, my heart remained heavy, burdened with the weight of a love not fully realized.

The wedding banquet was a lavish affair, with tables adorned with delectable dishes and exquisite desserts. The atmosphere was jubilant, yet I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that seemed to linger within me.

As the night wore on, Soviet and I were expected to dance together as newlyweds. The room fell silent as we took to the dance floor. I could feel the eyes of the court upon us, awaiting a display of young love and affection.

But as we danced, Soviet's touch felt distant and cold, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond me. I tried to hide my disappointment, to bury the longing for something more, but my heart could not be silenced.

As the night drew to a close, I found myself alone in my chambers, the weight of the day's events bearing down upon me. I knew that our wedding was a grand affair, celebrated by all those around us, but in the depths of my soul, I couldn't help but question whether this was the love I had hoped for.

Was this the destiny fate had woven for us, or was there something more, something waiting to be discovered amidst the layers of tradition and expectation? I couldn't help but yearn for a love that would set my heart ablaze, a love that would make me feel alive and cherished.

As I lay in bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through the window, I knew that the path ahead was uncertain. Our young hearts were bound by duty and tradition, but within us lay the potential for a love that could transcend the boundaries of expectation.