Limerence

Chapter I- A Matrimony in Heaven

Notes: marriage ceremony, hate/deep dislike (reader giving), insults (reading giving), attempted comfort (reader receiving), cliffhanger
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This was supposed to be the happiest day of your life.

But it was beyond the worst to exist.

Everything was too loud: the jovial chattering from just behind grand oak doors, the clattering of polished silver cutlery and crystal glasses, the ringing ting of an erratic heart beat-- your erratic heart. Everything was too perceivable: the intricate angel lace scattering your dress and vining up your arms, the prickle of corrugated stems from the peonies and lilacs held tightly in your hands, the flutter of your perfectly styled hair clipped near the nape. Just outside the banquet hall, the hallway you stood in was oddly quiet- nothing your mind couldn't noise with a reflection of your life until this very moment where the balls of your feet burned from standing in bejeweled, shiny heels for far too long. Although, it could have only been a few minutes- you were ushered out to place and promptly left alone by Camelot coordinators. But it could have been an entirety at this point.

Perhaps they left you there to reminisce on your life before being trapped in the winding labyrinth that was the castle. You could be stood outside of a random door and not even know it; you just followed where guards and advisors directed you to with a swift ushering and minimal protest. Yes, it seemed for as long as you could remember, nothing was of your own decision. You were forced to the throne back at home and left with a disaster of a kingdom to recover- which you didn't, evident of why you were standing here. At home, your house was puny- not one of royalty.

But you loved it. You loved waking up to the sun spilling through the windows capped by the songbirds' melodies. You loved the aromatic scents of verdant grass and wildflowers from the valleys stretching around. When traversing in the small town of your home, you loved the warm smiles of your citizens- you listened to their stories, dreams, and just- their life. Because they were who you were protecting- they were who you did everything you could do to reduce the famine and sickness from spreading across the land. They were your people: your friends, your family, your utmost loyal, loving subjects.

They were the reason you agreed to marry him.

All of sudden, everything went silent. You returned from your thoughts and to the dim lighting of the hallway and the same ominous oak doors towering in front. Far off to your side, a small arched window looked out onto the sky. It was in that moment, when the light of outside cast the opening in a light blue, did realization strike. This was it. This was truly where your life would change. It would be a long time before you'd return back home; this was your "home" now. In a place you could hardly stand, a place you didn't know, a place- and person- you didn't love would be where you'd find "solace". This might as well have been the end of your life as you knew it.

Your breathing was gradually getting heavier, you had to blink continuously in order to keep your vision clear from the tears welling in your eyes. No, no you couldn't cry. But the lump searing into the back of your throat told you otherwise. You squeezed your bouquet until the outer layer of the stems dusted off into green shards against your palms. You bit your lip so hard you were sure crimson blood stained the skin instead of the baby pink your dressers styled you in. Too many people depended on you and this moment; you couldn't cry. Defeat plummeted your chest; you drooped your shoulders and stared numbly at the floor. The sheer white lace from the train of your dress fluttered the floor and revolved around your feet. Surely, assistants would come and aid to the long fabric- it was ridiculous how long your train was, just a waste of materials. Alas, it was out of your hands- just like everything else in your life. You glanced around to see nobody. Maybe, just maybe, you could leave. You didn't know the way out but surely it was somewhere? Hell, you'd even jump out of that window at the end of the hall if it meant you didn't have to stand here. Every muscle in your body tensed, on the edge of completing your tempting intrusive thoughts. That was until something rumbled through the cobblestone floors and reverberated through you to your very core.