Wedding day.

8:50am

Lanslore garden, Bristol hotel.

One hour to the wedding...

"How is everything looking Bernard?"

"Everything is in place." He answered. Bernard had taken over Andrew's duties for the period which Andrew was away. I had sent him to the courthouse early, so that he'd be able to get the footage without anyone noticing. However now, it was an hour to the wedding and there has been no sign of him... Same for Maria.

I went out some minutes ago to check on Maria and her wedding preparations, though i wasn't allowed to see her before the wedding, i still wanted to checkup on her. This whole marriage certificate thing had really gotten me riled up. When i reached her bedroom though, her bride'smaids informed me that she hadn't arrived yet and that they had been calling her. They told me not to worry and that they'll inform me the moment she got there. I thanked them and left. I too tried to call her but she wouldn't pick up her call. That was very strange because Maria always picks my calls, the moment her phone started ringing. In my heart i hoped this had nothing to do with the certificate.

"Sir please straighten your back." Said Augustus.

"Sorry." I was getting the final fitting for my suit. I didn't like the colour of the previous one so i had my designers work overtime to get a new suit ready by today.

"Are you feeling restrained at all?"

"No it fits perfectly." I replied.

"Okay then. We'll take the suit and finish up immediately." Augustus Tortellini said before he walked out of my room.

"Call Andrew ask him if he's gotten anything yet." I instructed Bernard. He left moments after. I paced around the room for a while before hearing a knock on my door. I was relieved thinking it was either Andrew or Bernard. To my greatest surprise it was neither of them. I froze, staring at the person infront of me.

"What are you doing here?" I growled. I tried to control all the emotions that had be aroused by this stranger's presence.

"Oh come on. Did you really expect me to miss my twin brother's wedding?" He smirked evily.

"Didn't you all say you wouldn't be attending my wedding?"

He sighed, "That's what the family said, not me."

I laughed, "Oh really? The family's treasured Prince going against his own people. That's an irony." I sniggered. James had caught me off guard, he was the last person I'd ever expect to see. Especially considering how we parted ways the last time we saw each other, over fourteen years ago.

"I know it's ironic but i couldn't help but feel compulsed to be here. Though i resent it." He rolled his eyes in disgust, "Blood is thicker than water."

"Cut the crap! What do you really want?" Though it had been years, i still knew my brother well. James would never approach you unless he wanted to gain something or return a favour. My eyes drifted towards his hands, he was holding something. "Is that for me?" I questioned, drawing his attention to the obvious.

"I see, as intuitive as ever. Now i guess there's no need to hide. Here." He threw a wrapped box onto the floor. The box slid across the polished floor, coming to rest Infront of my feet. "You sent me a gift on my wedding day, now I'm returning the favour." His face turned dark.

"What is it?"

"It is a collection of all your old stuff you left back at the family mansion. Having to look at them all these years has been more than an eye sore for me. Thankfully, i finally got to get rid of them." He smirked once more.

He turned his back to leave. Suddenly he recalled something. Slowly he approached me until he was right infront if me. With a mischievous grin, he leaned into my ear. "Don't think your sins have been forgotten or forgiven. I wonder how your bride will react when she finds out she marrying a murderer."

"Don't you dare!" I pushed him off me. Resentment glowing in my eyes. I fisted my hands, desperately restraining myself from punching him. I didn't need anymore problems from my family. "That wasn't my fault." I stated through gritted teeth.

"The fact are there. Try as you might, you can't keep the truth hidden forever. And when it's all finally revealed, I'll make sure you loose everything. Everyone who ever loved you. I'll take it all." He gritted his teeth, "The same way you took her from me. I swear Ethan. I will ruin your life." He promised and without haste, he left.

Though he had left, i still stood there, disbelief written all over my face. I quickly held onto the table beside me for support, my legs weakening in strength. My heart raced, my breathing erratic. I remained that way until Bernard came in.

"Sir i have good news!" He burst through the doors. "Sir are you okay?" His tone dampened, his gaze shifting between me and the poorly wrapped gift on the floor.

"It's fine, leave it there." I stated noticing his move to pick up the gift. "What's the good news?" I straightened myself.

"Andrew said he's making progress, it's only a matter of time now sir."

"Good," I moved and picked-up the gift. I placed it on the table. "And Maria? Has she arrived yet?"

"No Sir. But her assistant says they're on the way."

"Good." I walked to the bay window. I opened it then stood at the balcony. I stared down at the garden where the marriage rites were going to be conducted. No sign of him. "Bernard."

"Sir!"

"Ensure security doesn't allow any member of my family in."

"Ask you wish Sir." He bowed then left. My brother's words lingered on in my head, i had to make sure no one finds out, else i could really loose everything.

******

******

The garden was getting roudy. The guests that had arrived had started taking their seats on both sides of the aisle which were lined with beautiful flowers. I was standing sideways Infront of the aisle. Beside me was an arch made of metal and richly decorated with subtle flowers of colours; pink, white, purple and blue. Towards my front, was a wooden pulpit meant for the priest. Everything about the decor of this wedding was subtle to really accentuate the majestic feel of the garden we were in. The time was nine fifty two. The wedding was about to start.

"Everyone please have your seats." Bernard instructed. He made his way through the aisle and came to stand behind me.

"You look good sir." He whispered. I smiled. Augustus really out did himself. The suit was marvelous and comfortable. It was white and designed like those of royalty, with golden embellishments. My black hair was slicked back.

Soon, the priest arrived and took his place. All that remained was for Maria to show up. We waited for about ten minutes and the crowd had already began to murmur. That was when someone came running in. It was Andrew. He was all dressed up and took his place behind me as my best man. I was relieved.

"Did you get it?"

"Yes Sir. But i couldn't watch it. We'll have to wait until after the wedding." He informed me, still trying to catch his breath.

"And Maria?"

"Isn't she here Sir?" Andrew asked back. Apparently he was unaware of what was going in. I sighed and was about to go look for her when.

"The bride is coming." A man dressed like a royal announcer walked into the venue then stepped aside. Soon, two rows of Maria's bride's maids made their way through the aisle and positioned themselves on the other side of the pulpit. Finally, a little boy came. He was spraying flower petals on the aisle and far behind him, i caught a glimpse of Maria. My heart stopped.

She was holding unto her father's arm as they made their way through the aisle. She was wearing a dazzlingly embroidered white gown which revealed her shoulders and upper bust. The gown was cinched at her waist revealing a miraculous curve which i never noticed before on Maria. From her waist, the gown expanded into a ball gown which occupied a lot of space. It looked like she was wearing lots of layers, however, she moved so effortlessly. I was dying to see her face but it was being covered by a thick veil which stopped right above her exposed shoulders at the front and flowed into her train at the back. This was a Maria i had never seen before. Beautiful, elegant and graceful. I averted my eyes from her so that people wouldn't catch me staring. In my mind, i wondered what look Andrew would have on his face but as i turned to him; he didn't look excited at all. Instead, he looked deeply puzzled, like something was wrong. Strange.

Maria finally arrived in front and the wedding ceremony began.

"Do you, Mister Ethan Alexander. Take miss Maria Annabelle Richmond to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do." I said confidently without a doubt in my mind.

"And do you miss Maria Annabelle Richmond, Take Mister Ethan Alexander. To be your lawfully wedded husband, to honour and to respect him. To love and cherish until death do you part?"

She was silent for a while as if contemplating what she was about to say. Finally she spoke, "I-I do." Her voice was oddly frail.

"You may exchange rings." I took Maria's hand in mine. It was small, smaller than usual. How was that possible? Thankfully the ring did fit, though it should have been a better fit on her. Maria then took my hand in hers, she was shaking, i could sense the nervousness on her. Now this was really strange. The Maria i knew would never be nervous no matter what. Something was off.

"By the power vested in me. I now in the presence of this humble crowd, pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

I took a deep breath before slowly raising the veil to reveal her face. This would be the first kiss i and Maria have shared. As i got the Vail off her face. I froze.

I felt something jabbing my heart like a dagger. Memories from nowhere started flooding into my head. My hands shook uncontrollably. I reached up then held her petite face in my hands. As i scanned her features, tears fell from my eyes. My chest tightened.

A lot of things were going through my mind. Relief, pain, worry, excitement. All these emotions mixed up inside of me, i was unsure what to do. However, through all the uncertainty, there was one truth. I had never seen such a woman as beautiful as the one who stood before me. My wondering gaze shifted and remained on her cherry lips. I was unsure of the move to take, instinct however, knew exactly what to do.

Without wasting any more time, i locked my lips with her.

In that wonderful moment, emotions came flooding into me, emotions i had never felt before. I cried as i deepened our kiss. I didn't understand how it was possible but at that moment i questioned nothing. I accepted my fate with bilss. The universe had turned in my favour. Though the facts didn't add up but somehow, i had married the girl i signed the contract with that night.

I had married Janet.