Ugh
I feel so disgusting this morning .
This bedroom looks so pleasing to the eyes. Wait....something is happening today. Let me see,today is certainly not my birthday so why am I in a nice place? Since when did I celebrate my birthdays outside of home in the first place though? What else cou-
Oh I'm getting married.
I swear few seconds had not pass by before maids burst through the door like a wrecking ball. They came assaulting and invading my personal space.
This was going to be a long day.
The maids grabbed me from my bed, and started their merciless work. I feel so overstimulated. The hands on my body is too much. Everyone should just calm down and relax. It's not like it's one of the biggest events in history of the realm was occuring today? Right? Well it was! I felt like throwing up. This was really happening. They removed my night wear and left me in my birthday suit. Usually,I would feel so flustered if anyone saw me this way, but did I really have a choice here?. A set of persons each assigned themselves to something. Some people my hair, some my hands, some my body and other parts of my being.
I layed in the divan watching as my maids scurried around me, preparing me for the big day. A set of maids carefully applied a layer of golden honey to my skin, her strokes gentle and soothing. The sweet, sticky scent filled the air, making my stomach twist with nerves.
Another set worked on waxing my eyebrows into perfect shape, her hands moving with precision. I winced slightly as she plucked out stray hairs, but her expression remained serene. A third maid threaded delicate gold jewelry into my hair, the intricate patterns glinting in the light.
The maids worked in silence, their faces intent on their tasks. I wondered what they thought about me, about this arranged marriage. Did they pity me? Did they envy me? Did they feel like angry that their future queen wasn't of their kind?.
Next, they applied some highligher to my cheeks, shaped and painted my nails, and massaged fragrant oil into my skin. I felt like a canvas, being transformed into a masterpiece. The way they did makeup was different from how we did it back at home. Ours was moreangelic while theirs was bold.
An hour or so had gone by,then the real "fun" had now began. Someone came in the room with a mannequin that wore my wedding gown.
For the first time in months I was happy. The dress had gold!. Wait....this wasn't a dress but a robe. In arkanis, their brides wore robes? Wow. That's new we wore gowns though with a long veil. But, thiers was a robe. It was a robe long enough to stop above the feet, it was white with intricates of gold embroidery. It was beautiful though, it was different.
The wedding robe exuded confidence, sensuality, and glamour, which supposed to make me feel like a true queen on my special day.
" The crown prince was the one who designed this for you my lady. He didn't give you the dress queen wore for her wedding, which your people do we instead let the husband design what he wants his wife to wear. Of course the husband would know his wife very well so he would design something she would like." Wow, in my house,most of the time due to our customs,the brides wore what the mother-in-law on her wedding day. If the crown prince designed this, he has good taste I have to give it to him. Also this meant two(2) things, one(1) he didn't seem me worthy to wear his beloved mother's dress or, he wanted to be different. I feel it's the first one. But since they said it was their tradition I would say he wanted to be different. I would have loved it if some things from my culture was brought here. The maid that held came with the wedding robe, gave me a piece of paper and told me to put it in my breast piece. Ok? I hope this wasn't poison or something.
As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. The woman staring back at me was a vision of loveliness, her skin aglow with a subtle radiance, her eyes bright and bold with the daring strokes of kohl. It complimented her dark green eyes. The wedding gown, a masterpiece of gold and white embroidery, hugged my curves in all the right places, the delicate embroidery sparkling like diamonds in the light. The intricate patterns danced across the fabric, shimmering with every movement, as if the very gown itself was alive.
My hair, a rich, dark brown, cascaded down my back in soft, loose waves, adorned with delicate threads of gold and precious gems. The maids had outdone themselves, transforming me into a true princess, fit for the palace.
And yet, as I gazed upon my reflection, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. This was, after all, my wedding day - a day that should have been filled with joy and anticipation. But as I thought of the man I was about to marry, I felt nothing but a hollow sense of duty. Our union was one of arrangement, not love. A union born of obligation, not passion.
I took a deep breath, the corseted bodice of my gown tightening around me like a vice. I would do my duty, of course. I would smile and curtsy and play the part of the blushing bride.
As I finished my preparations, the bridesmaids entered my chamber, their faces beaming with excitement. They were okay with this? They didn't feel like I was out of place in their world?They escorted me out of my room, and we made our way through the winding corridors of the palace. The air was electric with anticipation, the very walls seeming to vibrate with the weight of expectation.
As we stepped into the grand throne room, I was struck by the sheer number of people gathered before me. The room was a sea of faces, all turned towards me with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that this wedding would be the talk of the kingdom for years to come.
The nobles and dignitaries were all in attendance, their finery and jewels on full display. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the weight of politics and intrigue hanging heavy over the proceedings. I knew that this marriage was more than just a union between two people - it was a union between two families and two kingdoms.
I was enveloped in a world of breathtaking opulence. The ceiling, adorned with intricate frescoes depicting scenes of mythological gods and goddesses, seemed to stretch up to the heavens, its grandeur awe-inspiring. The polished marble floors, gleaming like a still pond, reflected the light of the towering candelabras that lined the walls, casting a warm, golden glow over the assembled guests.
The room was a masterclass in luxury, with every detail meticulously crafted to create an atmosphere of regal splendor. The walls, adorned with rich, velvet tapestries, shimmered with a subtle, jewel-toned light, while the air was thick with the heady scent of roses and jasmine, adding to the sense of enchantment that pervaded the space.
As I gazed around in wonder, I felt as though I had stumbled into a fairy tale, one that I never wanted to leave. The sheer scale of the room, combined with the exquisite attention to detail, left me breathless. I felt tiny, insignificant, and yet, at the same time, I felt like a princess, my coily hair and elegant gown drawing gasps of appreciation from the crowd. Some people as expected were not okay with this and showed clear disdain in their look. Well I'm not too but here I am though.
I sighted my father, mother and my brother looking at me. The expression different in their faces. My mother with wonder,my brother with reassurance and my father with pride.
I looked forward and sighted the priest standing and infront was supposed to be my husband.
My father walked towards me gave me a smile put his and in mine. Holding me as we walked down the aisle.
My father kept me in my position and I stood still in front of the crown prince. The prince looked different he's aura and all, from the men we have back at home. Well maybe it was because he isn't like them.
He was tall and looked down at me. He was a blonde and clean shaved.The robe he wore was the same as mine and I saw some tattoos peaking from his chest area. I looked at his hair, it was a messy middle part mullet. His hands bore a few rings. He didn't have a slender look but was abit muscular. He had a musky, vanilla scent. He looked at me with his piercing black eyes. He was ....I don't want to say it.
Fine, he was good looking. He was so handsome it made me a little bit happy about this marriage. You might judge me for being a fan of looks that much, but imagine if I was getting married to someone like thing. Exactly, I would throw myself doen the aisle and cry.
He knew I was thinking about his looks and gave me a side smile that said "Yes I know I am the most handsome person you have ever met in your life". Ok he was self aware, may I hard that it was like he was a narcissist. Let me not judge, afterall he had not said anything. He still won't say anything and kept looking at me.
The priest's words woke me from my deep thoughts and I decided to stop it. I was infront of hundreds of people. I was not going to mess this up.
We sat down on cushions, opposite each other with a bowl in between us. Flowers hanged above us. I looked around and noticed everyone was also wearing a robe and sat down on a cushion.
Dear beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of higher beings and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together Athena Thornhart and Kaden Aziz in holy matrimony.
"Athena Thornhart and Kaden Aziz, as you stand before us today, you are making a commitment to love and cherish each other, to stand by each other through all the joys and challenges of life. You are promising to be each other's rock, each other's safe haven."
"As you begin this new chapter in your lives, I urge you to remember that marriage is a journey, not a destination. It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. But it is also a journey that is filled with laughter, adventure, and joy."
The priest went on talking about the meaning of marriage, the commitments we should make and all, while I felt like I could pee on myself at any second.
"Do you, Athena Thornhart, take Kaden Aziz to be your wedded husband, to love and cherish him, through all the joys and challenges of life?."
" I do."
"Do you Kaden Thornhart ,take Athena Aziz to be your wedded wife, to love and cherish her, through all the joys and challenges of life?."
"I do." I heard finally head his voice. His deep voice that sounded pleasing to hear.
The priest then took my hand and cut it abit, cut Kaden's too and places our palms on each other's own. This culture was from my side. He also took flowers and went in circles and threw them around us while our hands were still together. This culture was also from my side. I looked up and saw the confusion in his eyes and smiled. Good. I wasn't the only one thrown off balance.
"Do you two(2) have personal vows written for each other." What? Nobody told me ab-
Kaden stepped forward and whispered in my ear.
" The paper a maid gave you earlier? Read from it." He stepped back, brushed my curls out of my face and stood back. I took the paper out and read.
"My beloved, from this day forward, I promise to love and cherish you, through laughter and tears, in joy and in challenge. I vow to stand by your side, to support your dreams, and to build a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. I love you now and forever." He has composed all this? He made it seem like we were long know lovers.
He brought his own out and read. It was the same, but with a more guiding and protecting tone.
Then by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Oh
Before I could think straight, he had pulled my lower back and gave me a kiss on my lips.
Beginning a new era of Kaden and Athena Aziz