It was already three o'clock and everyone was expecting the wedding to start but with the groom's absence in the hall, the ceremony couldn't proceed as planned. In the face of embarrassment, the King sent some men to the Everston manor to check where the lord was.
Standing at the shadowed part of the balcony upstairs, Lauren looked at the expecting guests in the main hall. The triumphant smile Eloise had didn't escape her eyes. She wondered if her sister did something again. Though this time she had a feeling it was the lord himself who caused the delay of his arrival. He wouldn't go back on his word, would he? Lauren wanted to trust that he wouldn't, after all they had a contract signed with their blood.
Besides, she doubted if he would act rashly when he already gave his word to the King. He was a man of power, but a royal wedding was something to be taken seriously. An offense to the crown as grave as this surely would create a ruckus.
"Why didn't you even ask Lord Everston to stay in the palace the night before the wedding?" Ethan asked who was standing not far from where Lauren stood.
"He is a busy man and we are not a real couple so I didn't think it was necessary."
"Where do you think the lord is? Hmm… perhaps he must have realized he didn't want to marry a woman like you and is now hiding somewhere."
Lauren snapped at the man behind her, "Will you shut up, Ethan? Your silence shall be much appreciated."
Downstairs, whispers slowly turned to noisy chattering. Everyone was curious about where Alec was, wondering if something happened on his way that delayed his arrival or if he purposely ditched the third princess.
"The lord must have come back to his senses. Poor Princess Lauren, the wedding she put her best efforts to organize all went to vain," said the older woman sipping wine with her daughter by her side who belonged to Eloise's circle of friends.
"Do you think she let the lord drink some love potion but now it's wearing off?" another woman joined the conversation which was picked up quickly by the people near them.
"Is that possible?" asked an innocent young lady to her friend, wide-eyed at the thought.
As potions were forbidden to make and the information about them kept well hidden by the rulers, the innocent young people didn't know their existence. But those who were well informed of the world they lived in knew that dirty doings had always existed no matter how the rulers tried to eradicate them. Not everyone would abide by the law, not everyone would live in the light.
"A groundless accusation against the royalty. You should be careful, madame," Vivian couldn't stop herself from speaking. She stood behind the gossiping group which made them turn to her.
The woman who started the conversation about the potion raised a brow, finding the lady unfamiliar. As Vivian looked like a lady of noble birth with how she dressed, the woman cleared her throat and refrained from speaking impolitely.
"And you are?" the older woman inquired.
Before Vivian could answer, the chamberlain spoke in front announcing the delay of the ceremony, and asked for their understanding. Meanwhile, Eloise who caught a glimpse of Lauren upstairs went to tease her sister.
"My! That wedding gown looks perfect on you, Lauren," said Eloise with a big smile which didn't fail to annoy Lauren.
"Even rags will look good on me, Eloise," Lauren smiled without humor. She was currently having internal turmoil and her wicked sister didn't do any help. She felt the urge to push her off the balcony.
"I wonder where this beautiful bride's groom is though. Perhaps you had a fight?"
Lauren's eyes narrowed. "Why so curious about my love life, Eloise? Don't you have yours to get yourself busy with?"
Eloise was about to come up with a retort when Alec's arrival was finally announced after a long twenty-minute delay. Lauren's eyes immediately went to the doors and saw Alec entering in a groom's vest and suit. With a stoic face, he went to the King for a short greeting before he was guided by the chamberlain where to stand.
The chattering stopped. A servant went to inform Lauren that she should now head to the hall. Without sparing Eloise more of her time, she walked to the stairs.
Careful to not step on her long white gown, she held the sides of her skirt as she descended. She could feel everyone's eyes on her and she felt nervous which was new. She was used to attention as people loved gossiping about her life so much like enjoying a hot tea in the morning. And she had to admit, it was entertaining for her at some point. But this time it was different. A cold sweat touched her nape and the growing anxiety made her feel lightheaded. Perhaps it was the idea of her marriage coming into life which she never thought was possible.
Alec stared at her as she started walking down the aisle holding a bouquet of blue roses. His eyes were void of any emotion. Lauren eyed him sharply as she got closer wondering what he got busy with to forget the time of their wedding. What could she expect from a man who didn't believe in marriage anyway?
Lauren stared at Alec's hand offered in front of her for a second. She gave him a look that told him she was pissed with him being late before accepting his hand.
"Refrain from glaring at me, Your Highness. People are watching. A bride should look at his groom lovingly, shouldn't she," Alec whispered before they both faced the priest who would wed them.