12 — The Vows

A transparent veil was placed on Cynthia's head as she sat in a chair, facing her reflection in the mirror.

A white sleeveless gown elegantly embraced her perfectly hourglass figure. A thin, transparent lace fabric draped over her arms like sleeves, though it was separate from the dress—intended to draw less attention from the nobles to Cynthia's fashion sense than she usually received. A few pearls adorned the center of the dress near her chest, arranged to form a flower.

A few maids were double-checking her outfit, while the princess remained surprisingly silent without causing a scene.

"Perhaps she is nervous like any other girl would be before her wedding?" one of the servants whispered.

"Her? Nervous? There's no way. She makes others nervous," another woman replied with a faint laugh.

Taking a deep breath, Cynthia spoke.

"How long until the wedding?" she demanded, her voice as sharp as ever, echoing in the room that fell into silence.

Her employees gulped and exited the room one by one, leaving only Rin by Cynthia's side.

"The wedding will begin soon. Just bear with it, Your Highness," Rin said with a grin, gently brushing off a stray thread from Cynthia's dress.

"Why aren't you leaving?" the princess demanded.

"Do you wish to be alone?"

Cynthia nodded.

"Alright. I will return once you are called for," Rin said, bowing before exiting the dressing room.

Cynthia rose from the chair, lifting her veil and placing it carefully atop her silver hair. She spun around and examined her wedding dress and the precious jewelry the maids had tried to fit on her.

It seemed nothing had changed.

With a scoff, Cynthia removed a ruby necklace from her neck and selected an emerald one from the numerous jewelry boxes in her wardrobe.

Humming faintly, Cynthia sat back down and smiled at her reflection after changing her jewelry.

As minutes passed, she grew impatient, tapping her fingers on the dressing table.

"Your Highness," Rin said, knocking as she entered the room.

Cynthia's bored and uninterested expression shifted towards the young woman entering.

"The priest has called for you."

"It's about time," Cynthia inhaled deeply before rising from her seat.

Guided by her maid, Cynthia glanced around at the hallway decorations. They were adorned with carefully crafted flower patterns and numerous lights that kept the palace illuminated through the night.

Although the wedding was scheduled for an odd time—at sunset—King Alistair wanted to make his sister's wedding the best it could be.

The large door leading to the wedding hall creaked open, and the bright lights inside nearly blinded Cynthia's view, but she did not flinch. Loud music and whispers echoed in the large hall once everyone noticed the bride's arrival— whom everyone was impatiently waiting for. 

Paying no attention to the nobles' glares, Cynthia kept walking straight until a firm grip around her arm halted her.

Frowning, she glared at the person who dared to touch the princess without her permission.

It was rude to make physical contact with a royal without consent; one could even lose an arm for such a daring act, and yet...

"Congratulations, Your Highness."

Lady Valentine, dressed in a white gown, stood before Cynthia. The dark-haired young woman bowed to the princess, greeting her with a malicious smirk.

Cynthia carefully examined the lady standing before her and snorted.

And they say I'm outrageous!

"Thank you. However… don't you have other clothes? You should have told me, Lady Valentine. I would have sent you new ones," the princess said mockingly.

"E-excuse me?" Valentine curled her lips into a rictus grin, trying to mask her irritation.

"Well, your dress. It's a wedding, Lady Valentine. It is not proper to wear the same color as the bride. The bride should be the one to stand out, not the other way around," Cynthia said with a bright smile, though her tone was sharp.

A few ladies in the corner chuckled at the princess's remarks.

Shaking with embarrassment, Valentine clenched her fist, unable to utter a word.

"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you," Rin said, trying to prevent a commotion.

"Then... see you around, Lady Valentine," Cynthia sneered, a peculiar sense of satisfaction settling over her, even though such behavior was nothing new for her. She turned and walked toward her brother, who awaited her by the second entrance.

His blonde hair was combed on top while a few locks fell on his forehead. He was dressed in a dark suit and pants, which contrasted with his bright hair color.

"I, Cynthia De Luminas, greet Your Majesty, the King of Eldoria," she said, bowing slightly and lifting her wedding dress despite its weight due to the heavy metals.

"Rise," Alistair gently lifted his sister with a grin and extended his arm for her to hold.

Cynthia gently gripped the king's arm and faced forward.

A familiar tall figure stood before the priest who waited for the bride's arrival at the center of the hall.

The man was dressed in a white suit and pants, a contrast to his dark hair combed to the side.

The smile on Cynthia's face slowly faded as she looked at the groom.

Finally, we met!

Cynthia looked at Lucian, her bright complexion shifting into a darker one. 

Noticing his sister's change in demeanor, Alistair halted in the middle of the path to the groom, confusing Cynthia.

"What's wrong?" The silver-haired young woman locked her violet gaze with her brother's.

"If you don't want to do this, then don't. We can fight them. I won't let any harm come to you. You can refuse, even now. It's not too late!" Alistair said, placing his hand gently on his sister, though his grip tightened.

"Be glad the music has drowned out your words, brother. We can't afford another war. While we can manage to live for now with the imperial resources, another conflict would mean death for everyone. And," Cynthia pursed her lips.

I can't let you and my second brother die.

"And?" Alistair raised an eyebrow, waiting for his sister to finish her sentence.

Cynthia shook her head.

"Let's go," she said, resolute to proceed with the marriage regardless of the circumstances.

The king released his grip and took his seat on the throne, arms crossed as he watched his sister approach her fiancé, who was standing before the priest.

Dressed in a white coat, the priest demanded the couple to recite their prepared vows.

"I, Cynthia De Luminas, Princess of Eldoria, take you, Lucian Von Gwyndor, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Though Cynthia spoke these words, the vow she kept to herself was quite different.

I, Cynthia De Luminas, Princess of Eldoria, vow to never let you find peace until death parts us.

"I, Lucian Von Gwyndor, Grand Duke of Erion, take you, Cynthia De Luminas, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part," Lucian said, biting his lip as he spoke.

Though his words were sweet, his inner thoughts boiled with hatred.

I, Lucian Von Gwyndor, vow to make your life a living hell, Princess of Eldoria!