To Belong ✰ ✰ ✰ Paul Atreides (ON HOLD)

six

The day comes by faster than I think...

After four weeks of preparations and discussions, it was finally happening, I was getting married to Paul. The event is not going to be something big, just a few people who will bare witness and Paul's parents.

My stomach is turning as Lady Jessica is braiding my hair, adding little flowers to it. She looks at me so fondly and smiles. I know she already sees me as her daughter, but having her today with me, it makes everything easier.

"How are you feeling, my dear?" Lady Jessica asks me.

"Nervous," I sigh. "It's my wedding day, the happiest day of my life, and I... A part of me always hoped that I'd have my parents with me on my wedding day. I always dreamt of my sisters being my bridesmaids. Everything is so different."

"But look at the bright side," she remarks. "By the end of this day, you shall have a family that will be close to you no matter what," she adds. "And I know we got off on the wrong foot, but you're my daughter and I shall always love you despite anything that might happen."

"Thank you. You are the closest think to a mother I have ever known," I tell her.

Once Lady Jessica is done braiding my hair, it is time that I put on my dress. It is beautiful, with milky white silk and small embroideries along the skirt, flowers around the waist, and long sleeves. Lady Jessica helps me tie the corset's strings and then puts on my veil.

"You look like an angel, Chalice. Paul is lucky to have you in his life," Lady Jessica tells me, her words making me smile.

A knock on the door makes both of us turn our attention to it.

"Can I come in?" we hear Duke Leto say.

Lady Jessica goes and opens the door for him, and they both walk towards me.

"Chalice, you look beautiful," Duke Leto compliments me.

"Thank you, father," I reply, smiling.

"What is it darling?" Lady Jessica asks the duke.

"It's almost time," Duke Leto informs us. "Paul is already in the chapel, and people are already there. The bride has to make an entrance soon," he adds. "Chalice, my dear, I know I cannot ever replace your father, but as a custom, the father of the bride always walks her down the aisle. It would be my greatest pleasure if you'd allow me to walk my daughter down the aisle."

I look at him in disbelief. "Duke Leto, I would love that. Thank you," I rejoiced.

"As I said, Chalice, you are not alone," Lady Jessica says.

Lady Jessica puts the veil on my face as Duke Leto takes my hand, puts it around his arm, and then we make our way out towards the chapel. Indeed, everybody is already there, and Paul is waiting for me at the end of the aisle. Paul smiles as he sees me walking towards him, and I smile back. Once we reach Paul, Duke Leto gives him my hand.

"Take good care of her," Duke Leto tells to his son.

"I will, father."

Paul takes my hand and we both walk together towards the priest, kneeling before him.

"We have gathered here today to bare witness to the love between Paul Atreides and Princess Chalice Corrino of the Known Universe," the priest begins. "The Orange Catholic Bible tells us that marriage is not just binding two people, but two souls who have chosen to love and cherish one another, the souls who have chosen to move forward as one."

The priest continues with the wedding ceremony, saying different prayers and anoints us with chrism. Then, everybody kneels down and we all offer one final prayer.

"Stand up, my children," the priest tells Paul and I. "Before you all, I announce the marriage of Paul and Chalice Atreides, Prince and Princess of the Known Universe, future Duke and Lady of Caladan."

Paul and I turn around facing each other, and Paul takes my veil, pulling it away from my face.

"I guess we have to kiss now," I say, shyly.

Paul does not say anything, instead he cups my cheek with his hand and brings his lips on mine. The feeling is magical. Until now, we have only shared kisses on the cheeks, or he would kiss my forehead comfortingly, but this is different. We are now one, we are husband and wife.

Everybody else stands up, and we turn around, facing them. Paul takes my hand into his, and we walk towards his parents, bowing before them, before we walk down the aisle as a married couple.

Then follows the wedding party, the whole castle filled with music and laughter. Paul and I are sitting down together at our table, watching everybody else dance, or talk, or laugh.

"Remember earlier in the chapel?" Paul asks me, and I nod my head. "Well, I have a confession to make," he sighs, nervously, frightening me. "I've been wanting to kiss you ever since our walk before we first ever trained together," he confesses.

His words leave me shocked, blood rushing into my cheeks, changing their colour into a crimson red. I turn my head around and look him directly in the eyes. "Really?" I ask.

"Mhm," he assures me, nodding his head. "And now, all I want to do is whisk you away from here and kiss you until the morning," he adds, before kissing my lips.

"The consummation..." I point out, thinking about what he truly meant.

"Listen, Chalice, we don't have to if you don't want to. You're young, I can wait for you however long you'd like," Paul assures me. "You, Chalice Atreides, are the one I want, and I am willing to wait for you no matter how long I need to."

"It's just... I have never done it before," I sigh, nervously. "Have you?" I ask him.

"Only once, long before you came here," he confesses.

"And after?" I inquire.

"No," he tells me truthfully. "Even though I did not like you, I respected you, and I knew that doing that to you wouldn't be fair. You deserve someone who loves you and only you."

"What are you saying, Paul?"

"I'm saying that I love you, Chalice, you and only you."