Book 1: A Heartless Series

Chapter One

Standing at the altar with this stuffy prince is not how I imagined my 20th birthday. The leaves falling outside the Cathedral is all I could focus on. Not my parents stuffy but delighted composure. Not the fact that I'll be leaving to a different Kingdom. Nothing could keep my focus but the swaying of the palm trees outside the large windows that lined either side of the Cathedral. They swayed in the slight breeze. How I wish I was out there, sitting underneath one of those palms. Reading a book, any book in particular. I wouldn't even care if it was one of my favorites. As I slowly unravel into my own thoughts, I realize that there is something that I should be paying attention to. Ah, yes the wedding, with the stuffy uptight prince. I gaze up to him, he's got at least 5 inches on me. I'll have to stand on my tiptoes to reach those lips. My cheeks start to burn. It's not like he's ugly by any means but, he is not who I thought I would be marrying as the last daughter of Cosette and Aurelius Einar. The Queen and King of Kyrell. . I jolt at the sound of my soon to be husband clearing his throat. Regaining my focus. His eyes stared into me. Boredom shown there, in his green eyes.

Then I realized that the throat clear was for a reason. It was time to say my vows. My cheeks burned as I said, "My dearly beloved, I hope this union brings you and I plenty of joy. May I hope this union is strong and ever lasting. Until death do us part." Sighing, while I look back up to him. His eyes glaze over as he intends to say his own, as if he rehearsed as much as I have just to say a few dull, but respectful words. Ones that would seal our fate in a marriage only to keep our Kingdoms close. Not that we would even be in love, we've only just met in person. Before this, we've exchanged some letters, but nothing out of the ordinary of small talk and formalities.

Finally, he holds my gaze as he says, "My soon to be beloved, our hearts today combine knowing that our kingdoms will cherish this union. One that will bring strength and a long lasting union for both of our Kingdoms. May the Gods look upon favorably at us."

Then the Royal Cathedrals bells start to ring, signaling that we must kiss, to finalize our marriage Well aware of how many eyes are on me now, I blush, and realize that I must gaze up to my soon to be husband, as well as stand on my tiptoes. He meets me to a comfortable height and he reaches my lips first. With a soft but quick peck, our marriage is finalized.

Everyone, overjoyed at the union, stands and claps. The noise from outside getting louder as the citizens of Thornkeepclap and begin to celebrate as well. While they may not be able to attend the after party, were food and wine will be had, the citizens will take part in their own festivities, as there was to be a festival for the Last Great Wedding of the Einar line of Kyrell Kingdom, as I am the last daughter to be wed. Of my ten siblings, I hope they remember my festival the best.

The slow walk out of the Royal Cathedral allowed everyone, including myself, to marvel at the design of the Cathedral as well as my dress. And of course my new husband.

Though, more about my dress. It is made of a light chiffon to offset the heat of Thornkeep. The chiffon was the color of ivory, with a slight dusting of sparkles. The large flowy sleeves swept to the floor, that trailed along the floor with the train. The neckline was slightly showy but modest nonetheless, with a straight hem. I wore the biggest of necklaces. Dotted with light blue sapphires and light green emeralds. With diamonds here and there. My earrings also features these stones, dangling from my ears, almost touching my shoulder. My long brown hair flowed down my back, shimmering with sparkles as well and gems interwoven into my hair. They clinked together as I walked. The small tiara sat atop my hair with the same gems, a large emerald in the center.

My now husband, Aaran wearing a white tuxedo and a silver crown to match my gems and sparkles. In addition, he wore a light green cape that hung down to his knees. His dark brown hair curling a little due to the humidity. At least he wasn't hard to look at. The harsh lines of his jaw clenched. He must be deep in thought. I turn my head back forward and wave at the people in the pews. There is still half of the cathedral we must walk down. Arm in arm, we slowly make our way down the aisle.

As the doors open to lead our way outside, down what seems like the million steps of the Cathedral, the crowd being made to part as we make our way out of the door. I breath deeply. No going back, not like I had a choice. 

We finally make it to the end of the stairs after a minute or so. My arm tired from waving, my jaw from smiling. He must feel the same. I wish we had spoken more. I barely know the man beside me. He clears his throat again. I sigh. I hope he doesn't do this often, to get my attention at least. I look up at him, his eyes glossed over and slightly red.

"What's the matter?" I whisper. He looks down at me, also whispering and says, "I think I'm allergic to something here." I shake my head. Thinking and hoping it's not the daffodils. I plan on sending for them as well as bringing some with me, on our trip.

"Let's hope it's not the Anthurium," I say as I chuckle, dropping my head to the floor a little, but I remember that I must look presentable. "I'll be just fine. I won't let a little flower get the best of me." He says gruffly, like he doesn't want to seem bothered. Which, as I've noticed, he doesn't seem bothered by the whole day.

We finally make it to the carriage, a white one at that, with little flower details painted on it. I asked for this specific carriage, I can't pass anything up that's got flowers on it, it seems.

After a fifteen minute carriage ride, we arrived at the port. I did not want to get out of the carriage, for I know my life will never be the same. 

I must've looked sad and desperate, as I looked out the window, where people began to gather, because Aaran said, "It's okay to be feeling what you're feeling. Let yourself do so." Even if he was a little gruff, he seemed to mean it. I looked at him, in all his grumpiness and smiled. He may not be so bad after all. I might be able to break into that hard exterior he is putting on for everyone. I hope I can or this will be a long forever.

I got out of the carriage first. He followed. Once reaching the end of the stairs and put his hand on the small of my back as I looked up to him. He smiled. A small one, but a smile no less. With his hand on the small of my back, he lead me over to my parents, where I said my goodbyes and let out a couple of tears. I would miss them, I thought.