Royalty? It's Not What You Think. (ON HOLD)

Chapter 9: The Ceremony

I spotted Prince Auden waiting outside the doors to the hall. He turned at the sound of our footsteps wearing a white dress shirt covered by a button-up, blue tunic rimmed with gold fabric; tight-fitting, white trousers, and knee-high black leather boots. A long red velvet cape that extended to the floor was settled on his shoulders. It was pinned to the side with a diamond broach encircled with silver. His hair was slightly tousled, and his eyes held a nervous gleam. He looked handsome.

When we approached, he bowed to me and his mother.

As we stood side by side, the Queen looked at us both with love. She was on the verge of tears.  She reached for her son and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. “I cannot believe you are already of this age.” She whispered as she ran her hands down the Prince’s arms. He smiled and hugged her back.

Feeling as if I was intruding on their moment, I inched away from the Prince and the Queen and turned the other way.

Breaking away, the Queen cupped Prince Auden’s face in her hand and pulled it down to give him a kiss on his forehead. With a smile she dropped her hand and wiped a single tear from the base of her eye. The Queen turned towards me, picked up one of my hands and one of the Prince’s and held them together. Her eyes sparkled with pride. Just the look she gave us was enough to say everything. Without a word, she dropped our hands and cracked the doors open just enough for her to slip in with a wide smile and disappear.

We were left to the silence.

 Not saying a word, Prince Auden held out his arm.  I rested mine on top of it and felt him tense at my touch. He glanced at my gloved left hand seeming to notice that it was the injured one.

“How is the injury?” He asked quietly without looking at me.

“I am alright.” I replied. “I should be able to wear the ring.”

He gave a nod of acknowledgement.

Another moment passed. We just stood there hand in hand. I could almost feel the awkwardness in the air. Hopefully no one else would be able to. I looked around everywhere except at the Prince. I felt as if the waiting was going to be more nerve-wracking then the actual engagement.

Prince Auden suddenly asked, “Are you ready?”

“No.” I replied bluntly.

He rolled his eyes at my quick answer.

“Are you?”

“I cannot say that I am.” He admitted.

His answer hung in the air. Both of us were unprepared. Both of us were not ready to go through with this. It makes me wonder how this will all turn out.

Finally a soft melody began to play from behind the doors. That was our signal. Exactly on cue, the doors before us opened bringing a breeze with it that chilled me. The Prince and I walked slow and measured down the aisle and toward the dais. All of our allies’ heads turned to take us in. I heard gasps of amazements and whispers of excitement spreading through the crowd.

The Prince is very handsome…The bride is so beautiful…A very nice couple…Splendid match… Made for each other…

The crowd’s whispers floated to my ears. I wanted to laugh out like a mad woman.

If only they knew the half of it.

I caught a glimpse of my parents and my brother seated in the first row. My eyes locked on my brother. Soon, the Kingdom of Creeyn will be left in his hands. He met my eyes with his which held mixed emotions for me. I had not spoken to him since the day before when this marriage was proposed. He gave me an imperceptible nod and a tiny smile.