Caged Heart

Chapter 7

The wedding was to be set in the evening, allowing the villagers enough time to celebrate and then gather outside in the courtyard for when Princess Serenity and Prince Godric would make their debut as newlyweds. The tradition for marriage in Dahlia was that the groom and bride would spend the entire day together. That meant they would dine together, they would walk together, and they would dress together. As far as romance in arranged marriages went, the dressing together of the bride and groom was meant to be the most romantic thing that could be done before consummation.

"You look beautiful," Godric whispered with a smile as his betrothed sat down next to him.

She smiled back and thanked him with a bow of her head; it was all she could do in the moment. She was sandwiched between her fiancé and her brother, and across from her was Emerson, who was sandwiched between her mother and her sister—Genevieve sat across from Caleb, and Violette sat across from Godric. Breakfast was to be the most important and peaceful meal of the day, but in these past weeks it had felt more hostile and less important to the eldest princess, especially on this day; she felt she could definitely go without this meal today, but she knew that would not be acceptable.

King Emerson was first to break the silence that had been engulfing the room, "I've heard that it's a big day for you two," he said as he looked up at Serenity and Godric, "Allow me to extend my congratulations."

"Thank you, your majesty." Godric answered, his fake smile faltering when he realized the king's focus was mainly on Serenity, who was staring back at him with a paralleled intensity.

"Yes," she spoke after a brief moment, "thank you. Although, a congratulations from you is hardly needed."

"Or wanted." Caleb mumbled.

Ignoring that comment, Emerson only chuckled at what the eldest princess had said. He took a bite of his oatmeal, swallowing before smiling once more at the couple, "It may not be needed, but what kind of guest would I be if I didn't say it? After all, you make a wonderful couple. Both of you are so... loyal—to a fault, one might say."

Serenity narrowed her eyes at Emerson, "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Only that you two—"

Queen Violette cleared her throat, interrupting Emerson's sentence, silencing the table. The look the king of Hallow had on his face expressed that he was not one to tolerate being interrupted; Serenity could see him biting his cheek as he did his best to not snap at her mother for doing so. So polite, she thought as she rolled her eyes.

"I am sorry, your majesty, but I am afraid that all three of you are mistaken." The queen began, looking at her husband as she spoke, "Some dates have been changed."

At that, Genevieve's head quickly turned towards her parents, "What do you mean some dates have changed?"

Darius took the floor, looking at each of the couples who were to be wed, "Your mother and I have decided that Emerson and Genevieve should be the one to marry first."

"What?" They spoke in union, all of their faces showing the same emotion: confusion.

"But, your majesty, it was you, and my sister, that came to the conclusion that Princess Serenity and I should be—"

The king of Dahlia put up his hand, shushing Godric immediately, "I know that this information is very jarring, and we shall be sending a letter to Queen Lilith of our decision as well as informing the public about it. King Emerson, we suggest that you send word to your noblemen and mother; your wedding to Genevieve will take place at the end of the week, giving us enough time to get a dress made for her and a suit tailored for you." He made eye contact with all of them as he spoke only once more, the tone in his voice letting them know that his choice was final, "As important as our alliance to your kingdom is, Prince Godric, it was forged on the notion that we would still be at war with King Emerson's kingdom and thus would grant you protection if you provided whatever resources we required. Now, the precedence of maintaining the alliance with his majesty is of great import."