Home for the Few - The Awakening of the Silenced Ⅰ

XIX. Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue.

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   The light of dawn dyed the snow a soft blue as the sun gradually made its way, painting the skies orange. With it came the morning of the wedding.

   In her chamber, Kaira sat on the floor with her feet tucked beneath her. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror—her body was present, but her mind sailed the furthest seas she could imagine. Her hair spread across the floor as Zervus lovingly combed each strand. She wore her nightgown with translucent sleeves; her gaze shifted to them, observing the scars inflicted by her own family, hidden from the eyes of the people.

   Shortly after, the rest of the maids entered the room. They undressed her and covered her skin with fragrant honey ointments to soften it. Gently, they perfumed her and brought color to her cheeks with pigmented powders. The Princess simply let them do as they wished, while Zervus sang to her sweetly in an attempt to bring her some peace.

   At the White Stone of the Gods, The Black Block prepared in silence. The tension in the air was palpable, and no one dared to speak. They sweated with nerves. Gradually, they began to step into the streets, where citizens were beautifying the city and dressing in their finest clothes.

   Farkas stood in front of the castle's private garden, watching the altar's preparation. He loved that garden; it seemed as though the plants had come alive, trying to build their own castle of vines and thorns, forming a dark yet beautiful labyrinth.
   The mistletoe altar was being arranged in front of a massive fountain—a stone representation of the garden inside the hall, where the spiral staircase was located. Figures of Egot and Knglo could also be seen.

   The clock ticked forward, approaching the golden hour, the moment of the grand ceremony. Most of the guests had already entered. The Black Block ascended the castle stairs, feeling as though they were walking into the slaughterhouse.

   They had bought, stolen, and tailored new garments for the occasion. All of them had carefully styled their hair and applied makeup while concealing small daggers within the folds of their clothing. Others had also hidden potent potions and lethal poisons in their corsets. Each of them wore protective amulets that Jolly had crafted to safeguard them and ensure their safe return home.

   Wilhelm climbed the two hundred and one steps, arm in arm with Sao, followed by Meena and Lilith. They were the only four members of the rebellion who would enter, to avoid suspicion. The rest were strategically positioned around the castle, pretending to prepare the streets for the celebration. Others kept watch through windows, ready in case they were needed.

   Farkas tried to focus on his future as King and the progress he needed to bring to Serendipity—he had promised his father. But the Princess's unhappiness in recent days prevented him from completing any task successfully.

   He stood at one end of the garden, guests moving around him. He wore elegant, loose brown trousers with a slightly lighter belt. His shirt had elaborate cuffs, as white as the clouds that morning. A thick crown of laurel leaves rested on his head, highlighting the orange of his beard.
Lorenza had tried to convince him to wear a velvet coat with a light train, like the King's, but he didn't feel comfortable in such attire. Instead, he opted for an elegant vest, the same color as the leaves on his head, and a scarf matching his belt, softly wrapped around his neck.
   At that moment, more than ever, he doubted if he was doing the right thing. Sauro hid too many things, and from that afternoon on, there would be no turning back. Kaira would be chained to him forever. He hoped it wouldn't mean condemning her to eternal unhappiness.