The Seventh Prince

Chapter 15

Music played. Bells rang. Spring flowers were every around the castle and the whole town. Anyone who lived close to the castle was at the wedding. It was in the center of the palace gardens. People spread far and wide with flower beds weaving in and out of crowd. Everyone waited anxiously as the wedding began.

Suddenly the music went silent. As King Samson, Queen Isabelle, King Henry, and Queen Rachel entered the gardens everyone rose to their feet. The kings and queens took their seats in the first row of seats closest to the altar. Music started back up as the first prince, Edmund, walked down the aisle arm in arm with Princess Faye. Two by two each pair walked down the long aisle as people in the crowd whispered and marveled at the princess's beauty.

Scarlett was sitting with her mother and siblings when everyone around them stood up. She shuffled to her feet and pulled her brother, Asher up along with her. She was a good ten or so rows from the front and sitting very near the aisle, good seats in her opinion. 

She couldn't help but want to get a good look at Princess Alice, the princess the paper said had chosen Luke. Scarlett didn't resent her, it wasn't her fault. She was angry at the king and queen a little for setting up this crazy wedding, but being mad at them wouldn't do any good.

She hid her face behind her mother to ensure that Luke wouldn't see her. Unfortunately, as he and Alice passed Luke recognized Scarlett's mother. His eyes quickly moved to meet hers. Scarlett's heart nearly broke in that instance. It would've been shattered were it not for the look on Luke's face. It was not sad or sorry. It was not happy or loving. It was solemn, mostly, but there was something else that Scarlett could not understand.

Alice stood at the altar facing Luke. They were looking straight into each other's eyes. His face was much different than Alice had ever seen him. It was calm, understanding, maybe even happy. Alice was worried that Luke had come to love and now she would be breaking his heart. As these thoughts ran through her head, Luke's look made her feel like he could hear them. Does he know?  Alice thought.

The preacher talked on and on and in addition to her own busy mind Alice was listening to every word. She didn't want to miss her only chance.

"If anyone here objects to the marriage of these ladies and gentlemen, speak."

Alice waited a beat like she had planned before saying as loudly as her small voice could, "I object!"

She turned first and foremost to face Luke who to her surprise was not looking at her in shock. He was looking out in the crowd. 

In the same second it took Luke to comprehend what Alice had said, Alice realized that she had not been the only one to speak.

Luke had objected too.