A Kiss A Day

4: The Wedding-II

"What do you mean??" Arrakis asked alarmed.

Cassiopeia glared at him, "If you only read your laws, you'd know what I mean!"

Arrakis is starting get angry now too. Cassiopeia has been insulting his intelligence since the beginning of their conversation.

He wanted to explode and yell at her but he knew that if he did that, he wouldn't find out what's going on and so he reined in his anger and took a deep breath.

"We have already established that I'm not well-versed in laws so just please tell me what do you mean we cannot get divorced now? What did I do?"

"More like what did you not do!" Cassiopeia snorted.

"Will you please just tell me??"

"I'm trying to!" she bit back and held a finger up, "first, you did not read the law," Arrakis rolled his eyes. "Second, you did not marry your mate immediately."

"If I've done that," Arrakis put his hands on his hips, "then you would have just been my concubine. It was Cyranda who asked for a marriage alliance." He raised an eyebrow.

"If you were married, Cyranda wouldn't have asked for an alliance with you. I would have been married off to the South, probably. I even chose Prince Calix personally, it'sjust that strategically, the West is the better option due to proximity."

That was news to Arrakis. And he didn't know why, but hearing her say she'd choose a different man than him angered him that he growled.

Cassiopeia was not fazed and put a third finger up, "And third, either you lied or you did not tell the King that you've found your mate."

When Arrakis only stared at her, she continued. "I'm saying, if the King really knew you found your mate, he cannot order you to marry someone else, the law prevents him. Unless you've been rejected or it is your intention to reject your mate. So, the mere fact that we're married right now means you pick me as your 'chosen mate' and you're now obligated by law to reject your original mate." Cassiopeia explained in one breath.

"And since you're going to reject your mate, there can be no tetheral a******y. If there's no tetheral a******y then there can be no fate-induced impotency. And if you're not impotent, then there's no amicable dissolution of marriage!" Cassiopeia looked like she was hyperventilating and the room suddenly grew cold. Ice was starting to cover the room.

Arrakis held Cassiopeia by the shoulders and used his fire to warm her up, "calm down, ice princess, breathe with me." He made her look at him and started to breathe slowly. She mimics him taking a deep calming breath and the ice on the ground they're standing on slowly melted.

He noticed how her eyes that turned icy blue when she was using her powers are now slowly returning to a deep royal blue color. He can hear her slow breathing now matching his and his eyes dropped to her lips.

Since they left Drakonia at midnight and traveled in separate carriages for 12 hours to get here, she have yet to kiss him for the day.

So when her lips slightly parted, he leaned in waiting for the kiss. But Cassiopeia suddenly cleared her throat and moved away from him.

"Uh-mm, thank you. I better go get ready now...l'll think of a new way to get divorced so don't worry, I won't force you to reject your mate." She then fast walked to the bath.

Like he was snapped out of a trance, Arrakis growled at the mention of his mate. What was he doing? He has a mate and she's not her. So why did he wanted her to kiss him? And why does he always forget about Astraluna when he's with her? He shook his head and started to get furious. Although he didn't know what exactly he's furious about.

He's probably furious with his uncle for his betrayal. At himself for being a trusting i***t. Or the situation itself that he now has to stay married to this infuriatingly smart, unintentionally alluring ice princess, who schemingly had him addicted to her kisses.

There he goes again thinking about her kiss and forgetting Astraluna! He groaned. He decided that he needed to stay away from wife if he ever wanted to think straight.

~~

Arrakis was dressed and ready by the time the servant knocked on their door to fetch them for the wedding.

Cassiopeia told him to go on ahead without her as she's staying behind to read at the library to look for another solution to their problem.

"Won't they look for you? You said you're the dragon maiden, whatever that means sounds like you're important, princess."

"Tell Lady Eliana I'm not feeling well."

"Are you certain it's alright for you not to make an appearance and greet the new rulers of your home Kingdom?" Arrakis knew she's skipping the wedding for good reasons, but somehow he wants her by his side. He didn't want to attend alone and be with the company of complete strangers. He couldn't understand his feelings because she's a stranger herself and he had resolved earlier to keep his distance from her...yet here he is, wanting her close.

Cassiopeia bit her lip in deep thought before she sighed, "I guess it is my duty to congratulate the Crown Princess...maybe I could miss just the ceremony," She compromised. "Alright, tell Lady Eliana to come help me prepare."

"But aren't you already dressed?" Arrakis asked as he look at her in regal white dress.

"I'm not talking about getting dressed," she said exasperated, "just tell Lady Eliana to come here after the ceremony, it's about the Mark, she'll know what it means."

At the cathedral's entrance, Arrakis was greeted by Dalton.

"Your Highness, Blessing to the Mage." Dalton put a fist on his left shoulder and bowed. "I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself earlier, I'm Lord Dalton Lavignia, Royal aide to the Crown Prince. Pleased to meet you."

Arrakis nodded to the aide before straining his neck to scan the room and look for Lady Eliana. "Would you know where I could find Lady Eliana? I need to relay a message."

"I'll tell her to come find you in your seat, Your Highness," the royale aide said with a smile and proceeded with seeing him to his designated seat.

The bells sounded and a soft music started to play which signaled the beginning of the ceremony. Crown Prince Garrett Delokovich of the Northern Kingdom of Cyranda and his bride, the Princess of the Eastern Kingdom of Nova Mordica entered together and everyone stood up.

"Why is the Prince wearing blue?"

"I don't know, maybe it's an eastern custom?"

Arrakis heard the murmurs of people behind him and found it curious. The Northern prince was wearing a blue ensemble instead of matching the traditional black dress of his bride. It's curious in that he initially thought it was a Northern wedding custom because princess Cassiopeia was also wearing a blue dress in their wedding.

After the ceremony and everyone was led to the grand hall next door, Lady Eliana approached Arrakis.

"Excuse me, Your Highness," she curtsied, "Please forgive my tardiness, I was told that you have a message for me?"

"Ah yes, that's quite alright. Princess Cassiopeia asked me to tell you to come and fetch her...something about the Mark?"

Eliana's brows furrowed before realization had her eyes bulging. "I see." She told Arrakis, "So she failed to attend the ceremony because of the Mark, I knew it." She murmured to herself.

"Thank you, Your Highness. If you would excuse me, I'll go fetch the princess right now." She smiled and gave a small curtsy before heading to the doors.

A few moments later, Eliana returned with Princess Cassiopeia. As Arrakis lay his eyes upon her, a sense of wonder washed over him, for she is a vision of pure elegance and grace. The moment freezes, and he found himself captivated by the sight of the beautiful girl in a stunning white and blue dress.

Her attire, a delicate interplay of colors, seems to mirror the skies on a tranquil summer day. The pristine white fabric embraces her like a gentle breeze, emphasizing her radiance, while the subtle hues of blue add depth and sophistication to the ensemble.

The dress gracefully caresses her figure, accentuating her every curve, as if it were tailored just for her. The skirt is embellished by tiny crystals that make the dress sparkle like stars. The bodice, adorned with intricate lace or subtle embroidery, draws attention to her neckline and collarbones, an exquisite frame for her enchanting face.

Her aura is as enchanting as the dress she wears, exuding an air of confidence and poise that effortlessly draws others towards her. As she moves, the fabric dances with her, trailing gracefully like ripples in a calm ocean.

Her eyes sparkle like stars, reflecting the joy and warmth she carries within. A small smile graces her lips, enchanting everyone fortunate enough to witness it.

The scene is akin to a masterpiece painted on the canvas of reality—beauty, elegance, and charm combined in a breathtaking display. Time seems to slow down, and for that fleeting moment, there is nothing else in the world but the captivating presence of the beautiful girl in her white and blue dress.

"Mine," Arrakis unwittingly growled.