"Today represents not only the union of his Royal Majesty King Zion Elsmore and her Royal Highness princess Arabella Jane Louise, but also the union of our two beautiful kingdoms. We are gathered here today to make peace, to form allies, to-"
"Achoo!'
The hall grew silent and I could feel their eyes on me, including the king.
"I'm sorry, please continue." I squeaked.
The marriage officiant cleared his throat and continued.
"We're all here to form allies between two mighty kingdoms. Your Majesty, your Highness." He addressed us each with a bow.
"I pray that you will unite and bind these families together. To become one as a family, to love, encourage and support each other. Hence, we commence with the vows."
He took a short pause before continuing.
"Do you King Zion Elsmore, take Princess Arabella Jane Louise to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
His voice sent shivers down my spine. He sounded cold, very cold.
It made me wonder if I could even get a divorce. Can I even get a divorce, like do I have a choice?.
I almost wanted to giggle at this point, but then I remembered that I'm not so very alone. I'd have to do that another time. Or maybe I could just-
"Your Highness?." The officiant's voice snapped me back to life.
"Pardon?." I asked dumbly.
"You didn't answer the vows."
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know. Can you come again please?" I asked politely.
Needless to say, I was deeply embarrassed. I could hear the few murmurs going on behind me.
And I knew very well, that I'll be receiving an earful from my mother after this.
" I said, Do you Princess Arabella Jane Louise, take King Zion Royale to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
From my hazy view I could see him presenting the rings to us. King Zion was the first to take my ring and insert it to my ring finger.
His touch shot shivers down my spine, another cold part of him. With a deep breath I nervously did the same, inserting the ring to what I hope to his ring finger.
"Today as we join you as husband and wife, as we join the two kingdoms together. Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." His voice rang through the silent hall.
When nothing was heard. He continued. I didn't think anyone was going to say anything anyways.
"Now let us humbly invoke God's blessings on this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favour with his help those on whom he has bestowed the sacrament of matrimony. In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.'
My heartbeat rose at an impossible rate as I saw him inch forward to lift the veil.
What if he doesn't like how I look?
What if he doesn't like the shape of my lips, or how big my head is?
.What does my forehead even look like? Are my breasts too big? He probably likes them bigger.
What if-
My breath caught in my throat as his face came into view. Deep obsidian eyes locked intensely with mine. His face was blank but his eyes held so many emotions I couldn't decipher.
I'm very sure I must look like a deer caught in headlights as I stared wide-eyed at him like a child seeing a candy shop for the first time.
Why is he getting closer?.
Shit, he's supposed to kiss the bride.
I am the bride.
Do I kiss back or just stand there like a statue, I've never kissed anyone before. Oh my God, he's gotten even closer. Come on Arabella, don't be a bitch.
I closed my eyes and slowly leaned in and felt the tip of our nose brush, then our lips connected.