Chapter 28

Bastian could care less about the vows but he knew that they had to be made, it didn't mean he would have to keep them.

He still couldn't believe that she'd pledged her life to Ratri-kar, it was ridiculous was what it was. His pledge to Samadur had been because no Sovereign had ever devoted their life to him, they would choose Ratri-kar or Timor-mask—the ruler of the sun and the third great Primal—but no queen had ever chosen one of the great three. It was a sign of equality that put the other off.

Of course him treating her as an equal was one of her conditions. It was the only one he remembered at that moment.

But the whole dilemma hardly mattered now, they were now approaching the second to last ceremony, and the most integral one.

The Union.

They left the grand pedestal that had been prepared for the Patriarchal Ceremony and he continued on to where he knew the litter that had been prepared for them was.

Four strong men were each ready to lift the magnificent, golden poles that were connected to the litter.

He stopped in front of the small steps that were before the curtained entrance and turned to the woman next to him.

She truly did look beautiful today. The silver Union gown looked splendid on her. Her pale face was smooth and glowing in the noon sun, with the delicate henna drawn along her forehead and shoulders. He had nearly stared at her when he'd first seen her, but how was she different than all the other women he had seen before.

She was like a beautiful apple but not quite tempting enough to taste, he had many others to try and many others he already knew he liked. If one day she grows to be more tempting then maybe he would be willing to taste her.

The crowd of noblemen and women were gathered round them as he helped her to ascend the steps. He followed after.

The litter was raised on the sixteen men's shoulders and they began moving at a steady pace.

It was quiet but he didn't mind. The seat was very comfortable with all of it's blankets and cushions and it was covered from the rays of the sun. The entire litter had no walls but was covered with curtains that were thin enough so that he could see the crowds of people moving along with them.

His guards were all riding alongside him on horseback.

They reentered the palace through the arches and into the courtyard.

The courtyard was large enough to fit a small town in. There were gardens and fountains and in the centre there was a grand stage covered with branches and gifts from neighbouring countries, along with gifts from the lords and ladies of his court and gifts from the Premiers of his country.

Since he and Hydrangea were still linked at the wrists they both ascended the stairs and stood before the masses of people as the high priest once again came to stand next to them.

He raised his hands and Bastian fought the urge to roll his eyes at the gesture. He knew that his parents had strongly believed in the Primals but he could honestly care less about the supposed all powerful gods.

The old priest Ritwik chanted a few words in the ancient tongue which Bastian understood clearly but he could see the woman across from him didn't. Ritwik then lowered his hands and smiled happily.

"The Primals have blessed this Union. Our great Sovereign has chosen to follow the almighty Lord Samadur. And our Persevering Queen has chosen to devote her life to the great Lord Ratri-kar."

Bastian listened as the voices and murmurs rose from what the priest had just said. But he had already known of Hydrangea's choice to follow Ratri-kar so he wasn't shocked, what did shock him was the fact that she had been named The Persevering Queen. 'More, the Stubborn Queen.' He thought to himself as he read the girl's delicate facial features. Her face was blank but her silver eyes had a sliver of confusion.

'Hah, so she is confused by her title also.' He thought amused by her reaction.

The priest continued, "By these knots on their wrists we know that they have vowed to dedicate their lives to one another. So with this scarf we, along with the Primals, will hold our leaders to their oaths." And the bald man wrapped the Union scarf around their already bound hands.

They both watched the old man's hands as he carefully secured the finely embroidered scarf.

His heart tugged at him with a strange feeling, the vows they had made were false and he felt his shoulders being weighed down with it. He quickly refocused on the priest's words but could not shake the feeling.

"With this-" The priest took a bowl of the holy water of Samadur and held it over their bound wrists, "I pronounce you Unified through Ceremony." And he poured the blue water over the scarf and the cheers and shouts overwhelmed the courtyard.

He looked up and saw the colourful crowd with dresses and tunics of all colours.

The scarf was unwrapped and their hands were untied, but for appearance's sake they still held hands.

After the noise had silenced he released her hands and moved to where a crown was set. It had been his mother's crown and still held quite a few memories for him. He pushed them away and turned to face the woman before him.

"Hydrangea of Cadarama, the Persevering Queen. Do you vow to be loyal to the Sovereign, loyal to the people and loyal to the country of Cadarama?" He asked holding the crown above her dark haired head.

Her eyes were on the stage, "I do."

"Do you vow to uphold the sanctions and laws within your station?"

"I do."

"Then with this crown, I crown you Queen Hydrangea of Cadarama."

He rested the crown on her head and made sure that it was secure. She raised herself and stood next to him grabbing his hand.

'Strange.' He thought but quickly moved forward with the ceremony.

He held his free hand up to silence the crowd and announced in a loud voice, "We thank all of you for joining us on the day of our Union. Cadarama thanks, Viskogorny." He bowed to the leaders of the said country and Hydrangea followed.

"Cadarama thanks, Mathuba." The two of them bowed to the officials of the desert country.

"Cadarama also thanks, Selva." They bowed once again in the direction of more leaders.

"Cadarama thanks too, the country of Bobian." And a bow, "And the country of Cadarama thanks, Membentuk."

And with that they bowed their last, "To extend our gratitude we ask that you join us for the final ceremony, The Ceremony of Feasting."

They descended the flight of stairs off the stage and he led her into the grand hall of the palace, them being protected by many guards, and into the back of the room where he was to sit, along with his new wife.