The Crimson Chains That Bind Us

Chapter 4: Wedding Night

The horrors of the ceremony didn't stop the wedding banquet from happening, and though I wanted to hide in fear of my new husband. I had no choice but to attend my own banquet. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the night ahead of me. I walked in on Ashton's arm we walked side by side to the banquet hall. When we returned back to the estate, Ashton vanished to wipe the blood from his face and change his clothes. I waited for him in the hallway, maids who passed whispered to each other. When Ashton returned to my side he was fixing his collar and as we continue to our banquet, he finally offered me his arm as we entered.

I had vowed to enter into the marriage as planned this was my mother's wish. But Lord Ashton seemed to have no interest in me. The wedding banquet echoed with excitement, everyone seemingly forgetting the events that happened before the ceremony. But for me, the events were on a constant replayed in my mind, filling me with unease as my new husband escorted me into the banquet. We bowed to King Edward who leaned back in his chair drinking wine, his eyes lingered on me causing me to be uncomfortable. And as the music began, I shared a dance with Lord Ashton before the Carole dance started.

After our first dance, he left me alone on the floor as I forced into a dance with the ladies and gentlemen who attended the banquet. Laughter filled the air, but for me I felt nothing but unease. I looked around the room for my husband only to find him at the head table kneeling beside the King. Listening to Edward, his face it's usual blank facade. My heart ached as I spun around, servants were scattered throughout the room holding out trays of wine to the guests. I even saw my Father dancing with Lady Abagail of Banwood, who was only a few years older then I. She was already a widow running her late husband estate, scandalous rumors had followed her. And yet she had the courage to flirt with father, she was twisting his beard around her finger. I felt disgusted.

Mother had only been gone for a short time and barely cold in her tomb , and here they were flirting in front of everyone.  Even a battle had taken place only a few hours ago. As the music ended, I bowed to my dance partner, the elderly Count Winstroll, he was once loyal to the late King.

A servant walking passed by me I took two goblets from his tray as he bowed to me and searched the hall for my brother. I felt relieved when I spotted him by the stain glass windows. I hurried towards him, trying my best to weave through the dancers filled with merriment. "Brother," I offered him a goblet. His skin looked clammy and grayish, he offered me a weak smile.

"Congratulations, sister." His sweaty hand squeezed my shoulder.

"Are you feeling alright?" I watched him take a slow sip of the wine. His ashy blonde hair looked oily and stuck to his face, he was drenched with sweat. "Perhaps you should lie down, Theodore." I wanted to be comforted by his kind words, but his health was more important to me then such comforts.

"And miss my beloved sister's wedding?" He weakly chuckled that turned into a coughing fit. "Perhaps." He whispered after his coughing died down, taking a long sip of wine. "I shall take you up on that offer, forgive me sister." He placed his goblet on a nearby table and placed a overly warm kiss on my cheek. "Congratulations, little Farrah. Although you don't seem so little anymore." I watched him walk away, leaving the banquet staggering as he left. I was worried perhaps I should follow and escort him to his room, making sure he arrived to his room safely. But duty required me to stay, and could feel eyes on my back. And when I turned I saw both my new husband and the king watching me. Lord Ashton was standing with his arms behind his back, standing beside the king. Edward had his feet on the table, resting his head on his left hand and a wine goblet. He was licking his lips as he stared at me. I shivered under their eyes and I decided to pay them no mind, and silently pray for my brother's health to quickly return.

Taking this opportunity, I slipped away from the crowd to observe the festivities from the balconies above. That was were I decided to stay and spend the evening alone to my thoughts. After awhile I watch my husband leave the kings side, and gather to his men, the knights who came to escort us back to Dragmyr Manor. And it was there where I saw Ashton moving so easily among his men, exchanging jests and banter without a hint of his former aloofness. Laughter lines creased his stern face as he praised a soldier's newest scar and embraced a young relative who had freshly returned from the borders to witness Ashton marriage. Charles, I believe was his name.