Saving My Duke

chapter nine

i feel fathers grasp loosen, and i let go, stepping coyly to meet ryuuji. as i walk up the stairs, margaret takes a hold of the end of my dress. i smile at her, and walk slowly to the top of the stairs. when i reach the final step, ryuujis eyes land on me. they look thinner than usual, and his face is slightly red. i smile softly at him, and turn to the pastor.
his mouth opens widely, and his voice projects through the whole room.
"WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE UNION OF TWO HOUSES, HOUSE RAVENORE AND HOUSE SEIBERT"
i feel his fingers graze mine. i push his hand back slightly, and it swings back to mine. i smile as our hands tie together, he's warm.
"NOW, SPEAK YOUR VOWS, DUKE SEIBERT."
ryuuji clears his throat, and turns to face me, now taking a hold of my other hand. we stand there, under the arch, and under the roof of a truly elegant chapel.

"persephone, you are truly the most beautiful and divine woman i have ever laid eyes on. i could never imagine loving, or letting my gaze stray to another. my love, and my heart, will always belong to you." i stare into his eyes, my stomach is exploding with butterflies. i watch as his eyes twinkle like a starry sky.
"i am absolutely, and always yours. you have always been a unique girl, and that has never changed. you are still, the perfectly awkward and breathtakingly gorgeous girl i met 3 years ago. i'll never forget that moment, talking to you for the first time amongst the rose bushes. your voice, your face, your smell, all of it allured me. i wanted to talk to you more, know you more, i wanted you. and now, i'll never regret meeting you, and i'll never take that for granted..." he never let his eyes escape mine, never once did he look away.
it's suffocatingly passionate, and i am smitten with him as i squeeze his hand tighter.
"now, finally, after years of dreaming and reminiscing of this moment, it is finally upon me. and i will make it perfect, just for you, my love. nothing matters more to me than you, and your happiness. i promise to always be with you, i promise to support you through everything. and most importantly, i promise to love you, forever and ever more. so i ask you, please, will you take me as your husband, and love me as i love you." 

my eyes open widely, i'm red in the face as sudden anxiety falls over me. my mouth begins to speak without me moving it. "i do."
i watch as his face lights up, his eyes are bright. i couldn't be happier, my heart is beating fast.
"NOW LADY RAVENORE MUST STATE HER LOVE." the pastor exclaims, as i shyly look down.
i breathe in slowly, attempting to let go of the anxiety in my stomach. i feel ryuuji squeeze on my hands. i look up at him through my eyelashes, and realise. this is for ryuuji, the love of my life...
i have to try.

"ryuuji, i l-love you, very much. and i truly do not deserve you. but still, i vow to love you, so much, and be with you forever. i w-will always be there for you, because i am truly so enamoured and in love with you. you really are my dream, i could think about you all day. you are all i think about... you are so kind, handsome, strong and caring. you never fail to make me laugh. and i would want nothing more to be your wife, and look at no one but you, as i always have. if you would have me... please let me be yours..."
his eyes widen, and i watch as his face grows a deeper shade of red. his mouth pulls into a small smile.
"i do."

and suddenly, the audience erupts into a loud round of applause. i smile at ryuuji, and he smiles back at me. he takes a hold of my cheek, and bends down. i move my face closed to his, and close my eyes. i feel his lips press onto mine, as i take a hold of his neck. his lips are warm. he kisses me slowly, his arm around my waist. i smile into the kiss, he is so loving.  i wrap my arms around him as his soft touch disconnects from mine. i stare into his eyes, my arms still around him. he looks at me softly, and moves his head to my ear. he whispers softly, tickling my ear. "you look beautiful my love."

soft classical music plays in the ballroom, i stand by myself, watching the crowd of ladies danced in fancy dresses approach me. i glance away for a second to see ryuuji talking to his knights, i smile softly, admiring his loyalty. i hear the clamber of heels against the marble floor draw near, and look up to meet the mysterious crowd.  my body grows nervous when i see the noble women, all stood around me as i step back against the wall. and then, begins the chatter. "lady persephone! must i say, your dress is to die for!" a blonde haired noble smiles, "yes, simply enchanting!" a auburn haired noble smiles back. they gossip amongst themselves, i smile nervously. "thankyou so much." i bow my head, their faces growing more cheerful. what a wonderfully overwhelming atmosphere.
suddenly a woman in a purple dress gasps, and turns to look towards the band. "they're playing slow music!" she gasps softly, i watch as her deep brown eyes light up. "i'm going to find my husband so we can dance, you ladies should join." she smiles brightly, turning away and rushing towards a young man with red hair. isn't that... the rosemary duchy's heir, bertold?
he's certainly a young man with a lot of power in his hands, i hope him and his brown eyed wife don't dislike me for how i acted against lady rosemary.
still, i can't help but hold a little bit of hatred towards the rosemary duchy;
they are followers of my mother, after all.