After King Alexander presented the dowry to Zed,consisting of magnificent jewellery, beautiful materials of silk, gold coins and other things worth of value stacked high in carved chests, the final rites began.
The grand all shimmered with candlelight, the blooming roses hanging in the air. Skye had ignored the earlier expression on Zed's face choosing not to dwell too much on it.
Zed offered Skye his hand and she accepted as they stood, sneaking another glance at her.
The officiant, an elder of the royal court, stood between them, his voice steady and low as he read from the Book of Ancient Bonds, a tradition kept by Gumstom royalty for centuries.
Zed repeated the vows after the officiant, his steady gaze never leaving Skye as his deep voice echoed through the vast hall. When it was Skye's turn to repeat the vows, her voice came out softer, trembling, but clear. When the elder tied the ceremonial silk ribbon around their joined hands, one end crimson for strength, the other white for devotion The nobles rose to their feet and cheered the new couple. the gathered nobles rose to their feet.
And with that, it was declared before everyone, Prince Zed Laskaris and Princess Skye were now husband and wife.
Suddenly, music enveloped the room and servants trooped out with different delicacies. Glasses clinked, and laughter filled the air as nobles and guests began to sway under the glow of the chandeliers.
Skye moved gracefully among the crowd, her heart still fluttering with the realisation of her situation. She gave warm smiles to the people who congratulated her.
She felt a presence behind her and when she turned, she bumped into Pharian.
"Princess Skye Laskaris," Pharian greeted with a sly smile and tilted his head downward to bow and she flushed red at how he had addressed her.
"Pharian," she acknowledged with a small smile.
"May I have this dance before your husband discovers I'm here?" he smiled, offering his hand to her.
Skye giggled and accepted, placing her palm in his. His presence made her feel less tense and she was grateful her mysterious friend was present.
The crowd parted slightly as the two began to move to the rhythm of the music. Pharian was a surprisingly graceful dancer, his steps confident and accurate, unlike Skye, dancing was never her forte and she had stepped on his foot more than once. Each time she gasped out an apology which only made him smile.
The song began to slow down before it gradually ended. Just then another melody began, a much softer one.
Skye heard someone clear their throat behind her, followed by a deep familiar voice. "I would like to dance with my wife now."
Her heart stumbled in her chest. She turned to find Zed standing behind her, his gaze was fixed on his brother waiting for him to leave them.
Pharian gave a wicked grin and bowed. "Of course, my lord." Then, with a wink at Skye, he vanished into the crowd.
Skye felt her cheeks burn at the words he had used, he had called her 'his wife'
Zed extended his hand toward her. "You look like you're about to explode," he teased, noticing her rosy cheeks and stretching forth his hand and she accepted it.
Skye flushed. "I….. I'm not."
"Then dance with me, wife," he said softly, and the way he called her 'wife' sent shivers down her spine.
She took his hand, and immediately, he latched his hands onto her waist pulling her close to him, sending her heart to her throat. She clutched on his broad shoulders and looked down. She still felt uncomfortable in his hands, she felt he wasn't pleased with her and Zed sensed it.
"You look…" He hesitated, searching for words. Compliments were never his strength. "Good."
Her chest tightened, Good?
He thought she just looked good, like okay, nothing special?
After all the time she had spent preparing? She blinked rapidly, fighting the sting of tears. "You do not like my dress?" she asked the tears almost breaking through her and he frowned, the red in his eyes dilated turning slightly Amber.
He decided to try again.
"Skye," he began, his voice softer now, "you look lovely. The dress is perfect on you, You're so beautiful I can hardly find the words." He admitted and the faintest smile tugged at his lips. "I'm… still trying to breathe properly "
That was good, right?
Should he try again? He thought to himself.
Her tears vanished, replaced by a shy smile, easing the tension between them and Zed couldn't help but notice how red she was.
Looking up at him she smiled.
If not for the number of people present, she would have kissed him. She felt happy again. She had thought he was disappointed in her, he loved her dress and that made her happy.
"And you look handsome as always, Prince Zed." He smiled at her flattering words.
He chuckled. "We are married now you are free to call me by my name" he smiled at her while they ignored the people staring at them.
She nervously swallowed "Zed" . She said the name shyly and quietly, it was almost inaudible, making him smile, a real, genuine smile that softened his usually sharp features. For a moment, the world faded around them. If not for the hundreds of eyes watching, he might have kissed her right there.
Yet another music began, and a man bold enough had walked towards the couple, wanting to ask the beautiful princess for a dance. But one look from Zed, cold and unblinking sent the man retreating into the crowd.
He returned his attention to focus on Skye.
Zed smirked. "What do you do in your free time, wife?"
The word wife rolled off his tongue like silk, and she felt her cheeks burn again.
"I… I mostly read," she said. "And sometimes I sing when I'm alone." She looked down, unable to meet his eyes anymore. Zed noticed all her expressions and his lips twitched in amusement.
"Singing?" he echoed, intrigued. "Then perhaps you'll sing for me when we return home, wife?" He asked with a smile, his amber eyes glowing and the red streaks in them currently missing.
Home. Wife.
She only seemed to realize now that she was bound to him and she was now his forever and so was he hers. She was married to the evil Zed Laskaris, the most feared Prince in all the lands.
"I'll… try," she said bashfully.
Zed laughed, a rare, warm sound that made her heart skip a beat.
Pharian watched from a distance and smiled seeing his brother genuinely happy. Although they fought and Zed mostly ignored him most of the time, he still loved his older brother and only wished for his happiness.
But not everyone in the hall shared that warmth.
High above, in the shadowed balcony, Zed's father watched from the highest stairs as Zed was smiling and happy with his new wife. His eyes glowed faintly in the dark as his mouth curved into a cruel smile, he knew Skye would become Zed's weakness, now all he had to do was wait and then he would take over.