20 SWORD MASTER: The Wedding

Adriele took the gown from her and put it back "That's too indecent, not appropriate for a royal"

Taking back the dress, she insisted "For married couples, indecency doesn't imply in that sense"

"Have you been married before?" Adriele muttered

"No, but I know enough to tell you that Royalty is a hoax in this situation. Behind closed doors, it's just a man and a woman *in love*" she said sparing a glance at Clarisse at the last word

"But..."

"No buts, this will be my gift to you," ignoring her plea Harley said "What do you think Clarisse? When should she wear it? Her nuptial night?" Harley asked trying to figure out Clarisse's expression

"Nah, I don't think she should wear it on her nuptial night, he might think she's cheap or too bold" Clarisse tried to sound unfazed.

"Hmmm, that will be a lot for him to handle on the first day," Harley said and the two girls starred at her to know what she had concluded. "She should wear it when they quarrel"

"What?!! Clarisse and Adriele exclaimed,

" Don't give me that look, if you guys have an issue he would need comfort, do you want him to go looking for another woman out there? I guess not, so you should wear this and seduce him, he'll be so lost that he will do anything to please you" she laughed "I can just imagine you in this and Prince Darren's expression when he sees you and then he..." Adriele put a hand on her mouth before she could continue "Don't embarrass me, you're so young, how can your mind think of such filthy things?" Adriele said as her face flushed in embarrassment

"Yes, you are too young to think of such" Clarisse added

"What do you mean? I am of marriageable age" Harley retorted at being called *too young*. 'I mean they are just one and three years older than me' she thought

"Yeah, right," Clarisse said.

After picking some more clothes, Harley insisted on getting the nightgown before they, left.

The days went on smoothly and tomorrow is going to be the wedding and signing of the treaty. Clarisse is in Adriele's room, she wants to talk to her about going with her to Kleevland.

"Adriele, may I come with you to Kleevland along with Dennis and Harley?"

"Of course you can, everyone is going, right? Or do you think you are not invited to my wedding?" Adriele asked a little dissatisfied smile on her face

"Oh, no don't get me wrong, I will show up even if you don't personally invite me, I might even dress so well and steal the eyes of the people with my gorgeous self" Clarisse joked

Adriele laughed and said "Someone is being full of themselves, but please don't steal their eyes on my wedding, I might do the same at yours" and both girls laughed.

"Okay, what I wanted to ask was if I could stay along with Harley and Dennis for the next two weeks with you in Kleevland"

"Oh, have you asked aunt?"

"Yes, mom said if you accept then it's okay with her. I just feel like I've am the one who spent the shortest time with you I should be the first in line to go with you and help you at your in-law's place"

Adriele thought for a while then said "Okay"

"Really?!!" Clarisse asked excitedly

"Yes" Adriele answered, then Clarisse came over to her and gave her a big playful hug

"Thanks, we'll have the best time together. Okay, good night, have some rest, we don't want our bride to have dark circles tomorrow now, do we?"

"Okay, good night"

Clarisse goes out of the room and when the door closes her once genuinely excited smile fell to give way to a malicious and sinister one.

"I will go with you to Kleevland, but don't bet on me returning anytime soon, Darren is mine and I will prove it to the world. Smile all you want Adriele it won't last long" Clarisse said in a cold tone then left to her room.

The next day, early in the morning Harley, Giselle, Cynthia, and Naina who had accompanied her back to Silverland were in the room, getting Adriele ready

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen" Harley flattered

"Really, don't exaggerate." Adriele blushed red. Was she really happy about getting married to that man? She had not seen him for weeks, she was peaceful but now she is going to marry him, without liking him wasn't she supposed to be angry but for some reason, she wasn't.

She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize the room had become silent, the girls were not here

"Your parents would've been so happy to see you," Eleanor said as she put a hand on her shoulder. Adriele immediately came back to her senses. More than thinking about the marriage without affection she had been thinking of her parents, this was supposed to be the happiest day of her life but her parents were not here with her. Will they really be happy if she unwillingly got married? Will the situation be the same if they were still alive?

No, there were no ifs. She decided for her kingdom and she will stick to it. After a moment's pause, she said "They would have been, but they are not here now so you should be happy for their sake."

Eleanor chuckled then took out a box from her dress, which she opened to reveal a beautiful pair of round white gold emerald earrings.

"Your mom was scared she might not be there on your special day so she prepared this for you"

That was the last straw, the painful emotions, the tears she had been fighting ran down her cheeks as Eleanor put on the earrings for her. When she was done, Adriele stood up, turned, and gave Eleanor a big hug as she sobbed on her shoulder

Eleanor patted her on the back and said "Ok dear, don't cry now, Harley might bury you alive if you ruined her masterpiece" she coax her to stop crying and Adriele giggled. Harley had made her face today, she'll go red if it was ruined.

"Thanks, aunt"

"You're welcome, hurry up and get into your carriage ok, I'll see you in Kleevland.

Adriele nodded.

-------------------

The hall was large, a very big crowd and at the front knelt a man and a woman in front of the priest who blesses their marriage, a short while later the two Kings gave their blessings and the other guests followed giving their gifts when it was Harley's turn she gave Adriele the gift and went over to give her a socialist fraternal kiss, then whispered to her "Remember, it's for when you argue" then she scurried away before Adriele could realize what she meant. Adriele blushed furiously and Darren noticed it. 'Why would I ever want to seduce this man?' she questioned herself, while she took a glance at him and looked away quickly. Darren felt somehow disappointed the girl had been ignoring him since she came, she didn't even look at him when she said *I do*, many people just thought she was too shy and didn't think much of it.

After the gifts had been given, a table was set for the Kings, Princes, the Elders Supreme, and some Dukes. A document was put in front of them, it was the treaty. They talked agreed and signed. Cheering was heard from the crowd. Kleevland and Silverland were once again allies.

People from Kleevland shook hands with those from Silverland and congratulated each other.

Not long after everyone was settled in their seats, King Jerome was about to say something.

"Welcome my people as we gather here to celebrate the wedding of the Prince and the signing of the treaty, I still want to give you one more reason to celebrate" the crowd started chattering, wondering what he wanted to say

"When Prince Darren earned the SWORD MASTER title, his prize was withheld from him but now I think it's time," he gestured to the Elders Supreme and Rovero, and Salazar got up and Salazar opened up a scroll in his hand and began to read

"Prince Darren please come forward," Rovero said

"Prince Darren Knightdale son of King Jerome Knightdale, you have done many good things for Kleevland, coming back victorious from every battle and won the title SWORD MASTER, for your reward you have been entitled Crown Prince of Kleevland, we believe you will lead the Kingdom well too," he said and immediately Rovero added

"By the power invested in me as an Elder Supreme of Kleevland, I crown you Crown Prince of Kleevland," He said and put the crown on Darren's head and he immediately bowed to him "Your Majesty the Crown Prince" and so did everyone else.

When Salazar said he was going to be the next in line for the throne the hall went silent. Adriele's heart skipped a bit, it was like her heart had fallen into her belly.