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⊰ chapter twenty two ⊱
Mary placed a small flower across Dara's bun. The emotionless Princess with her mind elsewhere put on her bracelets around her wrist. Her eyes stared at her neck, the red marks visible from three nights away. Ann did not question them, nor did the rest of the maids as they prepared her for the private ceremony. Dara later ordered for her Zekh to be brought, to hide the secrets which were not really a secret to her people anymore.
The country was surprised. Some saw it happening, Dara and Jungkook had been gossiping for weeks. Some thought it was politics, which they weren't too wrong about. Partly, Dara had the habit of thinking of things ahead, securing her place was the only deal. Whom she married did not matter, but decency and loyalty did. And only Jungkook showed her that.
Ann couldn't handle the silence anymore. She focused on Dara putting her earrings in silence as Mary was done setting the hair into a high bun with roses around it. Jewel stepped away from fixing her gown. Ann's lips tightened but she gathered her courage to speak after shoving the maids away from them, "Are you sure about marrying the soldier?"
"I sure know he isn't," Dara replied flatly, not answering her question, "Thank you for sticking to the plan. I need Jungkook. And because his loyalty touches heights above the sky, I can't choose someone else for the position of a Prince Consort."
"Basically your partner in crime," Ann recalled and it made Dara smile for a little while. Soon, Ann asked her another question, "What does your compass say about him?"
Dara looked at her through the mirror. She was silent. She didn't want to open her mouth. But she did, "He is not my love. The soldier will never be my love, it said and it makes things easier for us. I will explain everything after a few days...I heard he beat up someone at the Quarter after our marriage was announced?"
"The boy was teasing him. The soldier broke the injured boy's legs. He is at the royal dresser's chamber, dressing for the ceremony. I sent the red Zekh you asked for. It's gorgeous," Ann informed, "His belongings are being moved to the chamber that connects to yours...the keys will be here. The room for the Prince will be ready by tomorrow, you two have to adjust here for the night."
"Like we haven't before," the red haired woman rolled her eyes, standing up. Her walk to the Main Hall was short with Ann following her. The Main Hall was empty with three bishops and Jungkook standing like a still sag. Dara walked towards him across the aisle in silence. The bishops prepared for the vows but Dara denied it, "We will sign the papers and exchange rings. The celebration is for the people to do. Make it quick."
Dara did not hesitate once in signing the papers. She passed her agreement to the bishops, ready for Jungkook to sign the papers. But when Jungkook was given the papers, his eyes held the galaxy and pinches of sorrow as he stared at the papers. The bishops questioned the tears resting on his eyes, and the tight lip denying to speak.
