Save her!

"Seraphina?" Her father's voice broke through Seraphina's locked gaze with Genghis.

"Yes, father?" she responded, refocusing her attention.

A hushed silence settled over the crowd within seconds.

"Is there anything you would like to add?" her father inquired, his words carrying a mix of concern and uncertainty.

"Not really, father. Let's continue," Seraphina replied, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. Genghis glanced at her from the corner of his eye, and she mustered an awkward smile, briefly acknowledging the audience. The disapproval emanating from the crowd was palpable, but she paid it little mind, consumed by thoughts of Damian.

'Please save me. Please... Please...' she pleaded silently, her desperation intensifying. In some twisted way, this moment felt worse than facing the assassins back in the kingdom.

"Very well. Let us proceed with this sacred ceremony, witnessed by God and all those gathered here today. Before we continue, let it be known that this union is not just the joining of two individuals but also the unification of two families and communities. It is a union blessed by the heavens above and witnessed by all of us," the priest proclaimed, his voice resonating through the murmuring crowd.

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the assembled onlookers.

Raising his voice, the priest continued, "Let us invoke the blessings of the divine upon this union. May the gods bestow love, happiness, and prosperity upon this couple in their journey together."

All eyes turned toward the couple, brimming with adoration and joy. Seraphina's gaze swept across the faces in the crowd once more.

Her gaze rested upon her family, standing to the right in the gathering. Her father, Valerian, clasped his hands tightly together, tears welling in his eyes as he averted his gaze from his daughter. Seraphina then turned her attention to Kara, who regarded her with a similar intensity. In that moment, for the first time since Seraphina's arrival in this world, she saw her friend's vulnerability.

Because this was it. If she went through with this marriage, her fate would be sealed with Genghis. Her future would be shackled, devoid of any chance for escape or freedom.

"Let us keep the ceremony brief yet meaningful, for this marriage we bear witness to carries unparalleled significance for our village under the Kingdom of Lumina. With that in mind, let us proceed," the priest declared.

"Yes, we may," Genghis responded promptly, his voice betraying a sense of impatience.

Sera said nothing but nodded, agreeing with Genghis.

'Damian, if you are not here today, I will find you and make sure you never forget the consequences of going back on your words," Sera thought and looked around.

Her eyes roamed around the crowd, searching for any hint or figure of Lord Damian.

'You are not here, are you?' she asked again.

Her thoughts were in disarray as she realized that her marriage was going to happen.

With the beautiful gown she wore, she was about to be tied down to a man of his father's age.

Oh, heavens!

The priest nodded, approving the responses by the couple. "The vows you are about to exchange hold great significance. They symbolize your commitment to one another, a promise to cherish and honor each other for all eternity."

"Genghis, son, you may go first."

Genghis nodded. He looked directly into Sera's eyes as she looked down.

'This dress is not worthy of this ceremony…' she couldn't help but think.

Only her thoughts could provide her any consolation or solace.

Seconds passed. Genghis hadn't uttered a single word since then. The crowd was silent as no one dared to say anything more.

"Genghis? Would you like to tell your vows?" The priest questioned again.

"O-Oh, yes, I'd, father. Seraphina Rose… With God as the witness, today we stand in front of each other—looking forward towards a promising future. A promising future for both of us and the lovely village in front of us." He paused before continuing.

Sera's eyes raised to look at Genghis. She noticed the pool of drool in the corner of his lips. She winced at what she witnessed.

"I pledge to protect and provide for you, to be your rock and your shelter. I promise to cherish and hold you dear, for as long as we both shall live..." He said with extreme emotions in his eyes and his voice.

Some people cooed in the audience. Some awaited silently for Sera's vows.

She, on the other hand, hadn't spent at least a minute preparing for the vows. And that was how much trust she had in Damian.

'I will see you soon,' Damian's voice and words rang in her head over and over. It was a promise he made.

Although at first, she thought that this marriage wouldn't be that much of a problem—with time, she realized what the problem was.

If she got married, she'd have to deal with the everyday chores—day and night. She would have to keep up with Lady Meredith and the other ladies in the house. She will have to bear Genghis's kids in her womb—and engage in the marital act with him, which sent shivers down her spine, but not in a good way.

"I... Seraphina Rose-"

-

"Arthur, I can assure you, today is not the day to deal with them," Damian said in a coarse voice, glaring at the knight who had just walked into his bedroom.

"What are you saying?!" Arthur's masculine voice echoed through the bedroom walls.

"You heard me. Get out of my room now, I have things to do," Damian retorted.

He didn't look back as he started walking out of the room without a single word.

"Damian..." Arthur lunged forward, sword to his throat. "Your stubbornness puts the entire kingdom in danger-"

The intensity in the room escalated as Arthur turned Damian to face him. Their eyes locked onto each other.

Damian was dressed in his usual dark clothes, while Knight Arthur Ionheart wore the formal attire of a knight.

The sword inched closer with each passing second. Arthur's black eyes radiated anger and seriousness.

"Well, what the fuck do you want me to do?" Damian questioned, matching the anger in his voice.

He had plans.

When he woke up in the morning, he contemplated the consequences of his impending actions within the next twenty-four hours.

That one woman who felt like she could save the future of the kingdom and his own future made him question his actions like never before.

He questioned his actions, he questioned his own conscience. But in the end, he knew what he was about to do was the right thing.

"I want you to grow the fuck up," Arthur said, the sword still at Damian's throat.

Damian showed no fear. His blue eyes shifted between Arthur's without a hint of apprehension.

"I would have fucking killed you right here if you weren't the godsent annoyance twenty-seven years ago," Arthur said, lowering the sword with a 'sling' noise.

"It's sharp," Damian remarked, adjusting his suit.

"Damian, where are you headed? Risking the future of the kingdom, where could you possibly be?" Arthur questioned, sighing as he realized there was no possible way to change Damian's behavior.

"I will tell you once the reason arrives," Damian said abruptly.

"Arrives? Do you have your father's permission?" Arthur inquired.

"If it wasn't for our friendship, even you wouldn't know. And for God's sake, Arthur, take care of the little threat. It can't be more than twenty men, now can it? You have lots of Grisha on your side. Make use of them and leave this man alone," Damian said, pacing around the room.

He was about to leave, but then he remembered there were other items he might need. He needed his bag, just in case, and he also needed his set of knives—after all, who knows what he might encounter in the wild?

Arthur sighed loudly. "It's no fun without you, Damian."

"That's your real reason."

"Well, I need to have my own perks. The prince of the palace talks to no one but me. The prince of the palace has also been my best friend since childhood. But this hidden secret that has been ongoing for days... That's something I'm not a fan of."

Damian smiled upon hearing his friend nag.

"I'm going to crash the wedding of my future bride," Damian announced.

Arthur's expression instantly changed. He looked at Damian with confusion in his eyes.

Damian could sense the hidden fear in Arthur's gaze.

"Did you-" Arthur began to ask an important question, but Damian frowned and cut him off.

"No, she's not," Damian replied swiftly. 'She can't be,' he thought to himself as he walked out of the room.

"Good luck, mate!" Arthur called after him.

Damian continued walking, his mind no longer dwelling on the matter. He had already contemplated his decisions and the implications they would have on the future of Kingdom Lumina, and he felt ready.

More ready than he had ever been.

-

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