Bells tolled and flowers fluttered as two figures stood by the door of the throne hall. The woman donning a beautiful white long dress barely moved from her spot. Holding a garland decorated with a variety of beautiful fresh flowers, they didn't feel just as beautiful as they appeared. For Aries, the bride, this garland was nothing but a rope that would tie her with the murderer of her family under the eyes of the law and God.
And yet, her countenance behind her veil didn't show disgust, hatred, or even the slightest defiance. She was calm and unmoved. The grandeur right before her with important noblemen making a beeline for either side as their guests didn't faze her. Even those two golden thrones adorned with real jewelries waiting to be sat on didn't elicit excitement or any emotion from her.
In her eyes, those chairs were nothing but stools, and these people were men who were here with invisible daggers on their throats. The fear, exhaustion, and distress in their eyes were enough for her to pity them in witnessing this wedding and coronation.
The only person who seemed neutral about this was Javier, the fifth prince, standing near the last step to the throne. He didn't have the same air as everyone else, smiling proudly at his brother — Joaquin, the groom — while nodding encouragingly.
"Don't you like it?" Aries arched a brow when her groom leaned to her side and whispered in her ears. They walked at a slow and steady pace, heading to the throne. She didn't answer him, knowing he already knew her answer: she couldn't care less.
Aries and Joaquin stopped in front of the first step of the step-ups before the throne. In front of them was a Reverend from the church, standing nervously. His book shook as he held it open, darting his eyes between the groom and bride. Beside him were other ministers in their uniform, standing motionless and expressionless.
On such an auspicious occasion as this, being able to witness the union of the new monarchs and watching them get crowned was the greatest honor. But alas, neither the Reverend nor the guest felt honored. What they were witnessing wasn't an auspicious occasion, but how their empire would fall to the hands of a tyrant.
Both the bride and the groom faced each other as the ceremony started. Unlike their first wedding, their second wedding was shortened since they would have to receive their crowns afterward, and their royal mantles.
"I do," Joaquin answered after a ceremonious sermon of their union, eyes on his bride. Although she was wearing a white veil, he managed to hold her piercing gaze and smirked.
"In this union of Her Royal Highness, Daniella Circe Vandran and His Highness Joaquin Imperial…"
Aries arched a brow and glanced at the Reverend, stopping him before pronouncing them husband and wife.
"Won't you ask for my opinion?" she asked in ridicule, making the Reverend gulp nervously.
"You don't have a say in it," Joaquin answered for the Reverend since it was his request to hasten the wedding ceremony. Asking her and waiting for her 'I do' would take forever. They didn't have time to waste.
"I don't," Aries said louder, smirking back. But her refusal to take her marriage vow simply drifted into nothing, since no one cared about it. Even if they do and wanted to honor her refusal, how could they? They were all hostages here, just like her.
"Continue." Joaquin cast the Reverend a sidelong glance and smirk. "She's simply not in the mood since the wedding dresses I gave her weren't par for her taste."
Aries snickered as the priest cleared his throat. "It's not that they're not par for my taste. I just… don't like you."
Cold sweats broke out on everyone's back and forehead upon hearing her reply. Even though they weren't the one talking, listening to her rebuts were enough to make one bite their fingers.
Does the crown princess have a death wish? Did she think she had many lives to spare?! What would she gain by pressing Joaquin's nerves? She would get them all killed if she continue this!
Their distinguished guest, and even the ones facilitating the wedding, looked at Joaquin cautiously, bidding their farewells to their loved ones outside the imperial palace. Much to their relief, Joaquin kept a smile as his attention was solely on her.
"How sweet." Joaquin chuckled, side-eyeing the Reverend to continue.
The latter instantly cleared his throat and proceeded to bless this union. He felt like his tongue was getting burned upon mentioning the god they believed in, and blessing this 'consensual' marriage with nothing but poisonous lies, knowing that wasn't the case. But everyone just wanted to survive and so, despite the fear and guilt of lying, the Reverend continued.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Joaquin extended his arms and carefully lifted her veil. As soon as he did, he was welcomed with a poker face, as if she was forced into this — which was the case. But he ignored it, pinching her chin gently to face him. He tilted his head and bent over, stopping when she looked the other way.
"I don't want to," she expressed, almost in a whisper. "It's too early to get married, so I'm still not in the mood."
He naturally ignored her remarks, treating them as some sort of annoying humor. Using a bit of force, he guided her chin to force her to look back at him.
"I told you, my love." He flashed her a smirk, leaning closer ever so slowly. "You don't have a say in it."
His silver eyes glinted dangerously as he claimed her lips, biting them hard until they bled as her punishment. Her eyes lowered, keeping her lips into a straight line, watching him draw his head back coldly.
"Disgusting," came out a whisper, licking the blood on her lips and spitting it out to the side, all the while holding his gaze. Meanwhile, he simply smirked and wiped the blood on his lips with his thumb. His gaze lingered on the side of her bottom lip where he bit and was now bleeding.
"There's always something so arousing in you whenever you look at me fiercely, despite the bleeding."
Aries snorted but didn't say further. With that being said, they turned and faced the people standing and on the step up. But the Reverend who blessed their marriage was replaced by three ministers. This time, not to bless their union, but to proceed to the succession of the throne and proclaim them the new monarchs of the Great Empire.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦