Father's dance
1069 Words
She turned around, and to her surprise, it was her father.
The king looked at her quietly, his face calm, but his eyes serious. He stretched out his hand.
"My princess… May I have this dance?"
Nyx nodded softly and placed her hand in his. As they stepped onto the dance floor, a soft murmur spread across the hall.
The crowd never expected that the king would ask his daughter for a dance. The rumor that the king abandoned his daughter was not what they were seeing right now. It was totally different. From the beginning of the ceremony, the king showed attention to his daughter, from the moment he walked with her down the aisle to this moment where he asked her for a dance. The king truly loved his daughter, they thought to themselves.
On the other side of the hall, surprise and shock were written all over the faces of the queens, Tatiana, and Isabella. They never expected that the king would respectfully ask Nyx for a dance.
Tatiana had always thought the king abandoned Nyx because he hated her, but now she was surprised to see him walk her down the aisle and now ask her for a dance. Has the king been pretending, or was he just faking it? She thought to herself.
When their elder sister got married a year ago, despite his public display of love for his first daughter, the king did not dance with her on her wedding day. They watched in jealousy as their father danced with Nyx.
The king placed his hand lightly on her shoulder, careful and respectful. Then they began to dance.
Their steps were slow and steady.
Not perfect but peaceful.
"You look beautiful… just like your mother," the king said.
Nyx gave a small smile, her father complementing her. Was she dreaming? 'Would today get any better?' she thought to herself before replying.
"Thank you, father."
For a few seconds, they danced in silence.
Then his voice came again, lower this time. His eyes were filled with concern as he asked,
"Are you afraid?"
Nyx paused slightly before answering.
"I don't know," she said honestly.
"Everything feels… strange." She raised up her head to look at him.
The king nodded slowly, like he understood what she meant.
"This is not an ordinary marriage," he said quietly.
Nyx looked up at him. There was something in his tone. Something serious. Or did it relate to what her brother said earlier? What did her father mean by ordinary marriage?
"You must be careful. Watch. Listen. Do not ignore what you feel," he continued.
His grip on her hand tightened just a little. He was beginning to regret why he even agreed to his wife's decision in giving her out marriage instead of Tatiana. Nyx did not deserve to be in this kind of marriage.
But the deed had been done; no going back. They were already husband and wife. Now he could only give his advice and pray she takes it.
Nyx's heart beat faster; she was beginning to look afraid.
"What do you mean, father?" she asked.
The king looked around briefly, making sure no one was listening too closely. Then he looked back at her.
"Not everything in that kingdom is as it seems. Your husband is a very dangerous man, and he has many enemies, especially from his family. Being his wife, you just gained new enemies, even though you are innocent," he said.
A chill ran through Nyx.
Her mind flashed back to the dance with Alaric… then with Richard, and what he said.
"But father…" she started.
"Do not question it now," he cut in gently.
"This is your path now. Walk it wisely. You are now the wife to the crown prince of Dravenor, making you a crown princess."
They continued dancing slowly.
Nyx felt different now. Can today just end? She had enough already. She had never really thought of all these things since the wedding planning.
"If anything feels wrong," the king added softly,
"trust yourself. I know you are a wise woman."
Nyx nodded.
"I will."
Well, she had no choice than to trust herself. Who else could she trust in a new kingdom? She was not even sure she could trust Alaric.
The music began to come to end.
"You are stronger than you think, my child," he said.
As the final note played, he released her hand gently. Then he gave her a small nod before walking back to his throne.
Nyx stood still for a moment before nodding back and turning around. Her head already in chaos… her father's words stayed with her.
As she turned around to go to her seat without meaning to…
Her eyes slowly moved across the hall until they landed on Alaric. As their eyes met, Nyx's heart skipped a bit.
While Alaric just sat there like a prince of the world, looking like he didn't care about a single thing in this world.
Then slowly she walked to her seat, counting every step as she walked. Finally, she got to her seat. She could not even look at her husband; she just sat there thinking about everything her father and brother just said to her.
Well, what was the worst that could happen? Her years in this kingdom had taught her to be strong, independent, and wise. But she did not know if she would have been this strong without the help and support she received from Abigail.
She was going to an unfamiliar place without Abigail, her brother Richard, or her father King Alfred. Would she be able to survive this? she thought to herself.
"Let us begin the presentation of gifts to our beloved couple,"
A minister announced. The crowd applauded as music began to play. The presentation of gifts was the last thing before the wedding ceremony came to an end. The couple would sit down and people would begin to bring gifts to them. This signifies blessings to their new home. The king was always the last person to drop his gift.
As the presentation began, Nyx felt a hand press her hand. She almost jumped, but she quickly realized it was her husband's hand.
This act left her stunned. He refused to kiss her, and now he was practicing public displays of affection.
Nyx nearly coughed.
But what he said next shocked her…
- Writer
