One had to take note that though Seren was dressed in a rather simple manner, jewelries relatively plain-looking with small gemstones aside from her tiara, it was only because Seren was being considerate of the bride, not wanting to take attention for herself.
However, who among the guests were not reputable people? How many of them were not collectors of rare gemstones and expensive jewelries?
Many of those in the crowd in fact noticed that the modest studs on the Queen of Megaris skirt were actually real diamonds grinded into dust, and those keen-eyed merchants were awed to discover that the unassuming ornaments on her hair were antique relics from the empress of an empire that had fallen centuries ago.
The doubts about how she was treated in Megaris were cleared, not only because of how she was dressed but also when they observed how Drayce treated her as they sat on the seats meant for them.
‘I thought it was just rumors, but they do seem quite affectionate with each other.’
‘She has tamed the Devil of Megaris!’
‘I have interacted with the King of Megaris before during wartime, and I cannot imagine a day will come where I see him smile without bloodlust!’
Because of the scandalous reputation of Seren, the marriage between her and Drayce was a favorite pastime of people during social events of high society, even though months had passed.
Rumors had spread that the King of Megaris heavily doted on his wife, promising to not take another woman in his life, and at first, many people scoffed at this idea.
It was common for rulers to have many women in their harem to ensure the royal bloodline, and not only was the King of Megaris impeccably handsome, he was still young.
Not to mention, his predecessor, King Theron, was also said to have initially loved his queen to the point that he looked at no other woman, yet in the end, did he still not take more wives? Though after her death, none of his other wives ascended to become his queen, it was still a fact he bedded other women.
‘Well, it is still too early. What if, similar to the previous queen, the witch too becomes unable to bear a child?’
‘Give it a few more years, maybe the King of Megaris will lose interest and add younger, more beautiful women to his harem.’
However, these malicious words, those people could only keep to themselves.
Soon, King Armen and Queen Niobe of Abetha arrived, together with Queen Julien of Griven, coming together to represent the families behind the bride and groom. They walked the aisle, followed precisely by Cian and Arlan, and their other close relatives. All the guests bowed towards them to pay their respects.
As the one officiating the ceremony, King Armen remained standing on the pedestal at the end of the grand hall, while Queen Niobe and Cian sat in the smaller thrones placed further behind. The royals from Griven sat in the sitting arrangement made for them on the right side of the throne, with the Queen of Griven and her son being at the frontmost seats.
“His Royal Highness Prince Lenard Cromwell of Griven has arrived!” a royal herald announced.
As the large double doors opened, the groom entered with a steady gait. It was a young man with the bluest eyes, looking six to seven points similar to Arlan, wearing the yellow gold ceremonial groom attire of the royalty of Griven.
Prince Lenard Cromwell, the second son of the King and Queen Griven, and the man of the hour of today’s wedding ceremony.
He then stopped after reaching the step at the bottom of the raised pedestal, looking dashing in his dignified clothes as he waited at the end of the aisle for his bride.
A nervous expression then appeared on his face as soon as the music within the grand hall changed.
“Her Royal Highness Princess Meira Ilven of Abetha has arrived!”
The sight of a blushing bride welcomed the guests.
In her youth, Niobe Nefertiti was acclaimed to be the most beautiful woman in the continent, and as someone who had fully inherited the angelic blond, blue-eyed features of her mother, Meira’s beauty was undeniable to all.
Wearing a flamboyant wedding dress made of layers of different hues of blue, she indeed appeared like a goddess that had graced the mortal world, the delicate and rich-colored fabrics representing the favored blue color of the royal family of Abetha.
pAnDa (nov)e1
Though this was an arranged marriage with a political agenda, a decision made by their parents for them, it was obvious that for Princess Meira, this was a wedding she wanted with the man she had feelings for.
Maybe it was simple attraction, maybe it was yet to develop into love, but still, the way her eyes brightened at the sight of the man waiting for her at the end of the aisle touched the hearts of many guests.
As for Prince Lenard, the moment his gaze landed on his bride, his entire face turned crimson red. This made Arlan almost laugh out loud, and his mother had to pinch his arm so that he would remain well-behaved.
Even Seren could not help but form a small smile under her veil seeing the happiness emitting from her older half-sister.
‘Every woman deserves to find a companion whose eyes light up the moment he sees her.’
As she had this thought, Seren took a sneaky peek at the man sitting by her side. When Drayce met her eyes, she hurried to look away, a small blush heating up her cheeks.
As the music played by the orchestra changed once more, Meira made steady steps on the aisle while holding a large flower bouquet, her eyes not leaving Lenard’s.
The bride and groom then stood on the bottom step of the platform, facing each other. Meira offered a shy smile to her groom before lowering her head as he returned a shy smile of his own.
It was hard for Lenard to take his eyes off of his beautiful blushing bride, and he almost did not hear his father-in-law’s words as he presided over the wedding ceremony.
‘So this is what it looks like to be blessed with a loving family.’
