Apologize

In the end, Luca chuckled as he pulled Ayana into his arm and gave her a brief peck on her lips. Ayana's face stiffens for a second before getting back to her usual expression.

Several people from district 2 who were quite familiar with Luca's attitude seemed to heave a sigh of relief at his actions. Luca was not someone who would gladly listen and followed what other people told him to. 

"He is toying with us," One of the elders laughed cynically, fuming at Luca's action. Luca, who appeared to realize that all the guests' attention was on him and knew that his little act caused the elders' hearts to leap in their throats, smiled in satisfaction before casually turning to the priest.

"I really think something bad will happen," Rainy, the white colonel from district 2, whispered while patting her chest.

"Lower your voice a little. Haaahh... I thought he was gonna break the girl's hand since he never let go of her hand. But did you realize that he looks so calm standing next to the girl? This is weird. If that person is our general. He would do something to break the marriage that forced him," Enoch, the Blue colonel who was sitting right beside Rainy, said in a whisper.

"Maybe you did not know our general well enough. He is just pretending to be calm! I think his heart was burning with rage now but could not do anything since his grandmother was the one to talk him into this marriage. Take my word, Luca will leave his wife as soon as the important parts are over." Rainy sneered at the man beside her with a low voice.

One of the enders' wives who sat near the colonels smiled after hearing the conversation, "It's good that the man still heard what his elders said. It turned out, he is not that bad."

Beyond all the guests' expectations, the wedding proceeded smoothly despite the groom's disappearance even before the wedding ceremony was over. There was a small banquet after the wedding where all the guests could congratulate the bride and groom and enjoy the food while chatting with others. 

"And I was right, again," Rainy said as she sipped her wine.

"The bride really looks pitiful. The groom left her even before the ceremony was over," Enoch said with a voice full of sympathy as he looked at Ayana, who was standing around her family and someone from the groom's family.

"Don't pity her just because of this. Her life will be more miserable after this," Rainy said as look at Enoch with a mocking smile. How could a man have such a soft heart? Enoch and Rainy were close since they were kids, but because of the difference in the environment where they live, Enoch was the soft heart one while Rainy was the one who thought rationally. 

A man who stood behind them seemed to hear their conversation as he moved closer to them and said amusingly, "I don't know if one of our new colonels was a softie?"

Enoch and Rainy turned around at the person who seems to be the district 2 senate. They bow down a little to show their respect.

"No need to do that. Your conversation was interesting, so I wanted to join in," The man said as he waved his hand. He takes a look at both Enoch and Rainy before nodding his head. 

"You need to learn from your friend, young man. You need to eliminate your heart if you want to survive. It was like a miracle you could become the blue colonel with that soft attitude of yours," the man said as he raised his glass to Enoch.

It was normal to think that way since, in District 2, the colonel of the special groups was a position right under Luca's direct command. It was a great achievement to become one of the colonels of the 12 specials group since they need to have a lot of experience and achievements. The senate just finds it rare for someone in Enoch's position to have a tender heart. 

Enoch nodded his head in understanding and took a sip from the glass. 

After the wedding, the guests slowly began to leave the hall one after another.

The important members from district 2 appeared to prepare for their return, and this time, they would be back with Ayana. Irene Kingsman was Luca's only family who attended the wedding.

The groom's parents and siblings were nowhere to be seen. Some said that they disagreed with the marriage, but no one knew the truth since everything was only their speculation.

***

Not far from the hall where Ayana's and Luca's reception was held, Luxon family members, especially Haruka and Roxanne, seem reluctant to part with Ayana.

Haruka hugged her daughter and whispered a few reassuring words in her daughter's ear. She met Irene Kingsman, Luca's grandmother from his mother's side, and the woman's friendly attitude assures her a little.

The situation appeared gloomy as several members of the Luxon family were seen taking turns in saying goodbye. Roxane even told Ayana that if Ayana doesn't want to stay in district 2 anymore, she could find her in District 1 as she was working in the laboratory. The two brothers also assure her that she could reach them anytime if she wants anything.

Everyone bid goodbye, only Bryana left. She hadn't said anything to Ayana today. Her face look awkward like she was reluctant to approach Ayana. 

When Bryana's turn came, everyone looked at them with worry since they seem more distant lately.

At first, they thought it was because of this marriage proposal, but even after everything was settled, their relationship kept getting cold. Bryana even avoided going back to their house after work lately. She would rather spend time sleeping in the hotel than go back and look at Ayana's cold attitude. She was wrong and embarrassed to admit it. 

All of them can feel the cold and awkward atmosphere around the room. 

Just as Haruka wanted to mediate the two daughters, Bryana approached Ayana and took her twin sister's hand.

"Ayana, I am sorry for what I said the last time we fought. I truly regret that and hope that we can be like we used to be," Bryana said with regret in her voice.

Ayana didn't say anything as she only looked at Bryana deeply, making Bryana flustered.

"Can you give me a second chance? If you do that, I will try to make you trust me again. I will be a good big sister for you and make you forgive me eventually," Bryana started to lose her cool as she saw Ayana's stoic expression.

Ayana didn't say anything. Bryana cannot help it as she turns toward her mother, asking for help.

"Ayana, did something weigh your mind that can't make you forgive your older sister?" Haruka stepped in. She sighed as she saw the reluctance in Ayana's face. Ayana did not try to hide it.

"I am sorry, mother, for being too wicked, but I can't just forget what my older sister said to me at that time. I might forgive her in the future, but not now," Ayana said as she pulled her hand from Bryana's hold.

All of them were stunned, never imagining that Ayana would say it bluntly like that.

Bryana never expected Ayana to reject her straightforwardly in front of their family. She actually took advantage of their family presence to force Ayana to forgive her. She thought that Ayana would have no choice but to forgive her.

Didn't she want to maintain her kind daughter's image in front of their family?

Bryana was embarrassed as her face was getting red. She looked at her mother and her eyes started to moist, her tears would fall any second.

"Mom, I said that I am sorry, why can't she forgive me? Is it that hard to forgive me because of something like this?" Bryana said pitifully.

"Dear…" Haruka was going to persuade Ayana when Ayana's voice cut her.

"I might forgive you now," Ayana said, making all the family members sigh in relief.

"But after you repeat what you said to me in front of my room back then without missing every word, and ask for my father's forgiveness." Ayana's words caused everyone to turn their head to Bryana.

Bryana was stunned. She rejoiced just a second ago, thinking that she succeeded only to be disappointed after hearing Ayana's next statement.