<on hiatus> 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝟑𝟕 [𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧]

[meanwhile in auden]

"... I look like a corpse," Cadence blinked at her reflection as she looked at the mirror in front of her. The princess had her white wedding dress on, a ball gown dress design tailored just for her, with intricate lace and beading detailing on the bodice and skirt, as well her veil and tiara. She wondered if Nicholas was doing better than she was.

"Sweetie," Queen Roseanne said with a sigh. "We're so sorry we couldn't do anything about this..." she gave her a hug, resisting the urge to cry.

"Mom," Cadence hugged her mother and patted her back, "It's not your fault you couldn't stop this from happening. Neither is it Daddy's."

"You deserve so much better than this," the queen caressed her daughter's cheek, sadness evident in her eyes. "You more than deserve to be with someone you love, and loves you for who you are."

"Mom... I'll try to be happy," Cadence said. "If anything, I'm only doing my duty as our kingdom's princess."

"... If you think of it that way," sighed the king, not wanting to believe that she was getting married that day, "then we have no other choice than to respect your opinion and decision. I swear if he ever does anything to you–"

"Daddy," Cadence smiled at him as she held his hand, "it'll be alright."

"... Your mother and I can't stop worrying about you, even now," King Henry sighed once again as he gently pulled his daughter's translucent veil down to cover her face.

"Aw, Daddy, don't cry," Cadence hugged her father when she saw him rub his eyes, clearly hiding his tears from her.

"No, darling. It's just–sweat..." he trailed off, giving his daughter a hug.

"Like I said," Cadence told her parents, "I'll be alright. Whatever I am doing now is for the sake of our faith and our people."

"We'll be here if you need us, Cady," Roseanne assured her daughter with a smile, holding hands with her and her husband. There was a knock on the door that interrupted their moment.

"Hey, sis," Crown Prince Christopher Adrian de Auden, Cadence's older brother and the king and queen's only son and eldest child, walked into the room with his usual grin. The prince was wearing his royal uniform, and was a carbon copy of his father the king; he had his sapphire blue eyes, and his platinum blonde hair styled in the exact same style. "Hey, Denisse, close the door."

"So, you're marrying a wacko today, huh, Cady?" Princess Denisse Casilda de Auden, Cadence's younger sister and the king and queen's youngest child, said as she closed the door behind her. The younger princess was one of her bridesmaids, and was wearing a pastel blue dress. She looked exactly like a younger version of her mother the queen.

"... that is not the exact word I'd use to describe him, but whatever floats your boat," Cadence shrugged at her little sister.

"Woah," the prince whistled upon seeing his younger sister. "You look amazing, Cady."

"Really? I think she looks terrible," Denisse said dryly.

"Denisse," King Henry and Queen Roseanne folded their arms at their youngest daughter and her bluntness.

"What?" Denisse shrugged. "There's no reason for any of us to be happy today. Dad, you look miserable. Mom, I think you just need a break. Chris, you–"

"My goodness," Chris gave his little sister a noogie. "The things you say."

"Ow! Dad! Save me!!!"

"Son, be gentle with your sister. Come here, darling," Henry gestured for her to come over to him.

"Mom, are you going to do anything about him?" Denisse said as she looked up at her mother, holding onto her father's arm.

"Denisse, my goodness," sighed Roseanne, placing a hand around her youngest daughter. "Just what did your brother do to you before this? Chris? Honey, you better not lie this time."

"Damn, Mom. You're always on her side these days," Chris rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Dad?"

"Rosé?" Henry turned to his wife.

"Not you too, Dad..." sighed Chris as Denisse blew a raspberry at him. Watching her family interact with each other made Cadence realise just how much she'd miss them once she and her fiance seal their vows in church, and when she leaves them for her husband-to-be.

"..." she sniffled.

"Aw, Denisse, look at what you did," Chris pinned the blame on his sister. "You made Cady cry."

"No I didn't! Mom!"

"I'm gonna miss you... everyone..." the bride cried.

"There there," Chris hugged his sister. "If he ever does anything to hurt you, call me, and I'll fly over to personally slice his head off his neck."

"Cady. Here," Denisse hugged her older sister. "I'll miss you too."

"We all love you, Cadence," Henry said and smiled at his eldest daughter. Roseanne shared the same smile, and so did the rest of her family.

"I love you too," Cadence managed to crack a smile between sniffles.