Dusk til Dawn

-6-

Once the wedding ceremony had finished, I was brought outside for short conversations with people I had never met before. Many of these conversations consisting of a "congratulations" or "Wow, your so grown up". A conversation that I didn't expect to be hearing would be from a couple of ladies around my age. They made their way over to me after I have finished a chat with an wealthy elderly couple. The girls were dressed in lovely gowns, all covered in lace and flower patterns. If only their attitudes were as inviting as their dresses.

" You think your so much better then everyone else, don't you?" Said a blonde girl. She seemed angry, but I couldn't quite figure out why. Perhaps I knew her. " He was mine. My mother promised she has connections that she could introduce me to. Connections that could get me close to the Duke." Okay, this makes sense.

" Your just selfish. His poor father died a year ago, and yet your here marrying him for his money." Another girl exclaimed. This girl had long brown hair and beautiful freckles covering the bridge of her nose. She also did not seem impressed by my situation.

" Do I know you?' I asked.

" Your going to wish you didn't." Said the brunette girl as she inched closer to me. " Just because your royalty and stuff now, doesn't mean your safe from us." She got closer and closer with each word. I took a step backwards until my back abruptly collided with someone else's. To my surprise it was another boy. Around my age. He was a scrubby boy. He wore a farmers uniform which was smeared with dirt. His hair scruffy and falling to cover his forehead. He had brown eyes, so shinny I could see my reflection.

" Oh umm. I am terribly sorry your highness." He said, as he brought his hand to scratch the back of his neck. The girls who were pestering me had now left and I was left to stair into the eyes of the boy before me. The more I looked, the more familiar he became. I had seen him before, many times, yet I couldn't find where. Endless solutions rushed through my head. The longer I looked into his charming eyes, the less I noticed the people around me. One by one, the people surrounding us seemed to disappear. " Well, I better get going. Wouldn't want the rich folk to realise one of the farmers was near the bride." He said as he began to walk away.

Before I could stop myself, I had reached a hand out and attached it to his wrist, causing him to immediately turn and face back in my direction. He gave me a questioning look. " What's your name?" I asked.

" Rich folk usually don't ask me for my name, they usually just send me to work for minimal wage."

" What tell you i'm like those rich folk?"

" Maybe the wedding gown your wearing? Or the fact that you just married the wealthiest man in the country, Miss Miller? Oh wait- shoot, it's not Miss Miller anymore is it?" His cocky voice making me boil inside, yet I couldn't seem to stay mad.

" It's Sydney Howard, or to you Your Majesty." I said, hoping it would surely make him fume, considering how much he seemed to despise the rich.

Instead he chuckled. Turning to leave, before quickly turning back to look my in the eyes with a warm smile. " The names Drew. It's nice to see meet you Sydney." And with that, he was gone. Lost in the crowd of endless people, wishing they were marrying the wealthiest man in this country. None of them quite as 'lucky' as me.

***

After about another half an hour of shaking hands and faking a smile, I was guided away by none other then John. His face still resembling a grumpy old man. He walked me away from the chapel and up to a horse and cart. He opened the door, not bothering to glance in my direction. I picked myself up into the cart and dragged the back of my dress in with me. John soon after joined me in the cart, signalling for the driver to begin our journey.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I was wondering where we were going. Wondering why I hadn't seen my 'husband' since the ceremony. Perhaps I was just a publicity stunt. Perhaps he didn't want to marry me, and all he wanted was the fame and attention from the other girls in the country.

After a few more minutes of silence, the cart pulled to a stop. I looked out the window and immediately recognised the building standing before me. It was the same one I was brought to when I first arrived back in town. People once again crowded the entrance gates. I watch as a guard walks to the gates and pulls them open. The cart then proceeds through the entrance and parks just in front of the door. John opens the door next to him and takes a step out. He reaches a hand out for me and I carefully accept it. He helps me down and we both begin to walk to the front door.

No one had told me what was meant to happen after this. I was told I would be married and nothing more. A guard grasps the handle of the large wooden doors to the mansion. Opening it wide for both John and I to fit through. John guides me through the building until we meet a room with a desk and a lounge area. There were two white, long couches and another one seat couch. There were two guards standing by the doors, both gazing off into the distance. In the room were four men, all dressed in formal wear. The long couches were both filled and all that was left was the one seat couch. John leads me into the room and gestures for me to sit on the one seat. Each of the men have now turned their attention upon me. An awkward silence filled the room, almost as if they had been discussing something private and I have just ruined their conversation.

We sit in silence, I assume they are waiting for someone. Suddenly, each of the men stand, turning to face the door. They all begin to bow and return to their seats. At the door, stood my husband, accompanied by Peter. I was shocked to see Peter. His gaze fell upon me, and I gave him a soft smile. He returned it, then quickly looking anywhere else but me. My husband begins to walk in my direction. " Peter, a chair would be nice..." Said the boy. He begins to walk towards me, stopping less then a metre away. He reaches his hands down to my level and grabs mine from my lap. He pulls me so I am standing and bows, leaving a delicate kiss on my hand. I take my seat again, just in time for Peter to bring back a wooden chair which he sets down next to me. The boy sits down on the chair and looks over at the men. " Gentlemen."

" Your Majesty. The wedding was a success. How does it feel to be married, Lord?" One of the men asked. He was an older man. His grey hair was balding.

" It doesn't quite feel different." The boy said. His tone seemed almost disappointed. " How do you feel? M'lady?"

I sat in silence. I didn't want to speak. I didn't want to tell them how I really felt. How I thought this whole thing was ludicrous. How I wished I was back in the woods. How I wished I could know if Spot got away. How I wish my parents never died. But I couldn't. If I had said any of that I would have probably been executed on the spot. " Well, it defiantly feels different. This isn't exactly close to what my life was like two days ago Sir" I said timidly. I tried to keep my voice just above a whisper.

" You don't need to call me Sir. My name is Alexander Howard, but you can call me Alex."