DUKE’S WEDDING

Returning from the library, Annabelle was surprised when she entered her room. Some maids were already there. They prepare water full of spices and fragrances in the bathup. After Annabelle got into the bath, they wiped her body with a soft damp cloth. Make sure there is not the slightest dirt stuck to his body.

It didn't stop there, the maids sat Annabelle on a chair and began to style her golden hair. Makes the hair smell nice and soft and neat. Annabelle's nails were trimmed and cleaned.

After a day in her room, Annabelle became very bored. That night, he wanted to go out of his room, but the servant forbade him. "Sorry, you can't go out until your wedding tomorrow," said the maid guarding the door to her room.

"But I need to eat," Annabelle made an excuse to get out of her room. From noon, he was not allowed to leave his room, it felt like he was imprisoned.

"We will deliver your food immediately," said the waiter who immediately sent another waiter to get Annabelle's food.

At bedtime, a maid came in and lit a candle with a very soothing scent. " Good night. You must go to bed immediately, so that tomorrow morning, there will be no dark circles under your eye bags. It will spoil your appearance during your wedding ceremony."

"Go! I want to sleep now," said Annabelle venting her annoyance at the maid. The servants bowed their heads and left in front of Annabelle. After the maids came out of her room, Annabelle lay down on her bed.

The fragrance in his room right now seemed to make his eyes heavy. Not long after, Annabelle went to dreamland.

***

Returning from the priest's place to marry him, Albert looked for Annabelle, but could not find her. He also asked the whereabouts of Annabelle to his servant. The maid said that Annabelle hadn't come out of the library since she left. Hearing this, Albert followed him to the library.

How surprised she was to find out, Annabelle wasn't reading a novel like Lady Louis used to do. The woman was seen trying to climb up the bookshelf to grab something. Seeing that the chair that Annabelle used to stand on was rocking, Albert immediately ran to grab the woman's body.

Luckily Albert got behind Annabelle's body, just in time. Deftly, Albert caught Annabelle's body, so it wouldn't fall and hit the marble table behind her. Albert really wondered whether Annabelle was deliberately trying to crush her head or break her neck by standing on an unstable chair.

When he finds out what Annabelle is looking for, Albert realizes that he will marry a woman who is curious, adventurous and does something that feels abnormal to all ladies, but perfectly normal to him. Annabelle has a unique character, which captivates Albert's heart.

I can't wait to wait for tomorrow. The day that Annabelle officially became a Lady, Lady Louis. Albert stood at the high window in his room which was decorated with velvet. His eyes stared at the gate that led to his castle. Seen several horse carriages have arrived. They were guests that Albert had invited to witness his wedding tomorrow.

The awaited day arrived, in just one night, the castle hall was transformed into a very beautiful place. Red and gold ornaments dominate the room. Flowers are white, chosen to fill the castle.

Music played beautifully, echoing in every corner of the castle. The music made the two people who were getting married that day nervous. Albert was already waiting for his future wife where they would be blessed. Staring at the main gate, from which Annabelle would emerge from.

When the gate was opened, Albert's breath seemed to catch on. There stood a very beautiful woman in a very beautiful dress. A dress that would probably suffocate Annabelle for a while because of the corset she was wearing. The waistline is V-shaped, making Annabelle look very slim and seductive.

Her dress bulged at the bottom and covered her long legs perfectly. Her golden hair was neatly rolled up into a few strands, letting it fall on her shoulders. Albert's hands were very excited to see the hair roll, he wanted to free the beautiful golden hair and let it loose just like that.

Annabelle slowly walked among the guests, approaching Albert. His eyes couldn't stop staring at the man in front of him in awe. The man who was so manly and masculine, seemed to dominate the room. Not a single woman could ignore the Duke's charms.

After Annabelle arrived beside Albert, someone took a long white silk cloth and tied it around Albert and Annabelle's wrists. A gold-colored cloth with very beautiful decoration, covered the back of the two. The procession really made Annabelle nervous. His hands instantly felt cold. Luckily Albert's warm hand, gently grasped his hand and warmed it.

"Calm down! It won't take long," Albert whispered, knowing that the woman beside him was feeling nervous.

Not long after, the priest in front of them began to speak. "Repeat what I said," said the priest, which Annabelle and Albert later imitated.

"Albert Louis, I accept you as my husband," Annabelle said.

"Annabelle Taylor, I accept you as my wife," Albert said.

The priest then said, "In front of God and witnesses, I declare you as husband and wife. What God has put together, man cannot separate.

Albert turned his gaze towards Annabelle. There was a tinge of red on her cheekbones, Annabelle's breathing was faster than usual. It made Albert hold Annabelle's hand even tighter. Making Annabelle look at the man beside her. There their eyes stared at each other, the first glance when they were declared husband and wife.

Annabelle's feelings welled up with an indescribable feeling. That polluted status will disappear by itself when he becomes a respected noble. Annabelle's eyes misted over her husband's golden brown eyes.

Both of their thoughts were interrupted when the priest's voice sounded again. "Put the ring on his finger and fit the palm of your hand to his palm," the priest said to Albert. Albert did what the priest said.

Annabelle's heart was beating wildly as her hand was in Albert's palm. What's more when Albert put the ring on his ring finger. There was an emotion there, an emotion that couldn't be expressed in words. The pounding did not stop, when the palms met, Albert's fingers seemed much longer than his. It felt soft and warm when it touched Annabelle's skin. Albert also looked at Annabelle as she put on the same ring as he did.

The short procession was a sign that today, they had legally become husband and wife. The music that had been playing softly turned into music with a faster tempo, indicating that the party had started.

Albert took his wife to the center of the hall and began to open their dance, which was then followed by the other guests. "Welcome, My Lady Annabelle Louis, Duchess of Hamilton," Albert whispered into Annabelle's ear as they danced.

Annabelle smiled with less nervousness. "Thank you for accepting me, My Lord."

"I can't wait to drag you to my bed and unroll your annoying hair," said Albert which made Annabelle's body heat up instantly.

***