Wedding Day

~Ciprus 24, 1811~

Evangeline now 19 stood in front of the mirror in her wedding dress, staring at her reflection while holding the pendant of the locket her mother had given her. Holding back her tears, her vision became blurry. Using a handkerchief to gently dab her tears so as not to ruin her makeup, she saw a familiar apparition it was her mother. Unbeknownst to her, it was an illusion created in her mind. She gasped and said, "Mother?" She called out to her mother in a faint tone. As she turned, she saw no one in the room, only the sunlight reflecting on her beautiful hair through the open windows of her chambers.

She fell to her knees in her wedding dress, lowering her head and clenching her fists as she cried. She was distracted by the open doors and raised her head. It was Magdalene and Richard standing at the entrance, greeting her.

"My lady, everyone's waiting," Magdalene spoke, interlacing her gloved fingers as Richard bowed his head slightly, admiring the lady. His heart was beating fast, and he gulped slightly, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.

Evangeline stood up and nodded. She picked up her bouquet of a few flowers and walked out of the room as Magdalene followed her. Richard noticed the handkerchief on the floor, assuming it belonged to the lady. He picked it up, took a quick whiff of its fragrance, and smiled before leaving the room and closing the doors behind him.

In the hall, everyone was waiting for the bride, including the priest. Dominic was waiting for his bride, while Azielle, Evangeline's grandmother, tapped her fingers endlessly on the top of her walking stick, her foot tapping the floor. The guards opened the door, and everyone turned their attention towards it. Evangeline walked in with her veil covering her face, forcing a smile for everyone. The few guests greeted Evangeline with respect, but they were puzzled and quietly gossiped about the man standing behind her, curious about his background.

Dominic smiled at Evangeline and took her hand, which made her uncomfortable, but she had to endure being touched by him. He stared at Richard but Richard returned the state at him but he just turned away, leading Evangeline toward the altar. The wedding ceremony began. They took their vows, exchanged rings, and signed the contract due to the conditions of the marriage. When the priest instructed Dominic to kiss the bride, Dominic, knowing she wouldn't allow him to kiss her directly, gently removed her veil, held her chin, looked into her eyes, and kissed her cheek. This gave everyone the impression he had kissed her on the lips. Evangeline's cheeks flushed slightly, and Dominic chuckled at her. Everyone clapped as the servants threw flowers into the air.

After the wedding was over, the guests sent their blessings to Evangeline and Dominic and then returned home. The married couple walked down the hallway together, with Dominic holding her hand to accompany his bride, who was slightly unsteady from the wine she had consumed. Suddenly, they both stopped. Evangeline gently removed her hand from his grip and walked away without looking back or saying a word, her steps slightly unsteady. Dominic smiled, admiring her from behind. He imagined the idea of spending the night together and having him to himself for the night as husband and wife but quickly pushed the thought aside and sighed with a slight smirk because she despises him.

The guards standing in the hallway simply observed the interaction between the two. Some servants saw their lady walking away from her groom, and as Dominic turned, the servants quickly made themselves scarce, and the guards adjusted their positions.

Richard walked past Dominic, bowing his head. Dominic didn't say a word; he just turned his head, watching Richard walk towards his wife's bedroom.

"Richard... Hmm, why would he change his name, and what business does he have here? Bodyguard? Pfft, that's just a cover. I'll be watching you from the shadows," he muttered to himself in his mind as he left the hallway, walking towards the office.

Evangeline entered her room and closed the doors in frustration. She removed the hairpin holding her hair and tossed it onto the sofa, stomped her feet, walked to her bed, and sat down, noticing Richard entering the room. She smiled and playfully dragged Richard's tie. "Will you keep me company tonight?" she asked with a light-hearted chuckle clinging to him.

Richard noticed the scent of alcohol on her breath. "You're not in the right state of mind, maybe another time." As he turned to leave, Evangeline gently held his hand, pulling him closer, and kissed him on the lips

Due to shock, Richard's cheeks flushed slightly, but as she continued kissing him, he found it difficult to resist her affection.

He held her by the waist raising her skirt a little and carried her to the bed laid on her and kissed her neck as they were making out , Richard stopped himself from going any further. He couldn't take her innocence yet especially when it's her wedding night ,He pulled away from Evangeline but she pulled him back , and he kissed her again caressing her body with his hands making the lady to bit her lower lip, running his hands between her legs , She moaned holding his shirt with her slender fingers as she wrapped her legs around his waist , Richard didn't make a move he just played along keeping his lips and hands busy on her body taking off her clothes halfway just to fufil her wish.

Magdalene walked toward Evangeline's chambers and overheard muffled voices and moans behind the door. She hesitated, choosing to give her lady privacy, and left to rest in her own room. On her way, she noticed Dominic heading to the office and wondered who might be in her lady's room. She had a strong suspicion it was the bodyguard. Magdalene wasn't pleased, as she harbored feelings for the man herself, but she sighed and tried to stay calm.

After their tender moment, Evangeline stood up from the bed and smiled at Richard. "Could you get me out of this thing?" she asked. Richard carefully assisted her, and upon seeing her in a more comfortable attire, as she removed the attire leaving her exposed body he respectfully turned away with his red cheeks as her figure reminding him of the goddesses he has read in books. Evangeline then picked up her nightwear, put it on her nipples were visible due to the thin fabric of the nightwear which was seen by Richard and swallowed every thoughts with a gulp watching Evangeline returning to the bed. She lay down and gently patted the space beside her, inviting Richard to join her. He sighed, walked over, and lay beside her. She rested her head on his chest and quickly fell asleep as Richard stroked her hair, reflecting on the feelings he had feelings for the lady.

~CHAPTER END~