Chapter 3: The Wedding Vows
1247 Words
As we climbed the steps to the altar, I could feel the piercing gazes of the nobles burning into my skin.
Every single pair of eyes in the grand cathedral seemed to be fixed on me.
Honestly, I couldn't blame them.
A dead woman had somehow returned and was now marrying the most powerful man in the empire.
If I were sitting among them, I would stare too.
Still, it didn't make the situation any less terrifying.
I had no idea what I was doing.
The altar itself looked strange to me. Actually, everything in this world still felt strange.
The towering stained-glass windows.
The golden pillars engraved with symbols I didn't understand.
The noble customs.
The complicated dresses.
Even the people.
Everything reminded me that I didn't belong here.
Thankfully, all I had to do was repeat after Cassian during the ceremony.
At least that was simple enough.
Before the vows began, one of the priests stepped forward and carefully lowered a veil over my face.
I froze for a moment.
Unlike the heavy layers of fabric making up my wedding dress, the veil was surprisingly light.
Soft too.
I could still see through it slightly.
Not perfectly, but enough to make out the shapes around me.
I doubted Cassian could see my expression though.
Not that it mattered.
What expression was he wearing right now?
Probably the same cold one he always wore.
The kind that made grown men nervous.
The kind that made people whisper behind his back.
The kind that made me wonder whether he was capable of smiling at all.
The priest began speaking, his voice echoing throughout the cathedral.
The ceremony progressed quickly.
Before I knew it, it was time for the vows.
My stomach tightened.
The priest turned to Cassian first.
"Duke Cassian Blackthrone, do you accept Lady Darlene as your lawful wife and companion before the eyes of the heavens?"
The entire hall fell silent.
I could practically hear my own heartbeat.
Then Cassian spoke.
"I do."
His deep voice echoed through the cathedral.
Steady.
Certain.
Without hesitation.
The priest nodded before signaling for him to continue.
I expected something short.
Something formal.
Something cold.
This was Cassian after all.
Instead—
"I vow to stand beside you in times of peace and war."
His gaze remained fixed on me.
"I vow to protect you from any danger that seeks to harm you."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
The words were simple, but there was something in his voice that made my chest tighten.
"I vow to place your happiness before my own."
Wait.
What?
My eyes widened beneath the veil.
Was I hearing things?
The nobles looked just as shocked.
Even some of the priests exchanged glances.
Cassian continued.
"I vow to be the shield that stands before you and the hand that lifts you when you fall."
The murmurs grew louder.
I stared at him through the thin veil.
This couldn't be right.
This was Duke Cassian.
The feared war hero.
The man rumored to have ice running through his veins.
Why did he sound like a man deeply in love?
"I vow to cherish every moment granted to us by the heavens."
His voice softened slightly.
"So long as I draw breath, you will never face this world alone."
For a second, I completely forgot where I was.
The words hit me like a brick.
Was he acting?
Was this part of the ceremony?
Or...
Did he genuinely mean it?
A ridiculous thought entered my mind.
Did Cassian actually love Lady Darlene?
The original Darlene.
Not me.
Her.
I remembered everything I had read in the novel.
Lady Darlene had died before their marriage could truly begin.
Most of the story focused on Cassian's rise to power afterward.
There was never any mention of romance.
Nothing about love.
Nothing about heartbreak.
But hearing him now...
Maybe the novel had gotten it wrong.
Or maybe there were things the author never revealed.
The priest eventually turned toward me.
"Lady Darlene, repeat after me."
I quickly snapped out of my thoughts.
Right.
My vows.
I repeated each line carefully.
"I vow to stand beside you."
"I vow to respect and honor you."
"I vow to remain loyal to you."
"I vow to share both joy and hardship."
Thankfully, my voice didn't shake too much.
The priest smiled in satisfaction.
The ceremony continued for a few more minutes before finally reaching its conclusion.
The moment the priest declared us husband and wife, applause erupted throughout the cathedral.
Some nobles looked happy.
Others looked disappointed.
A few looked like they had swallowed poison.
I had a feeling those were the people who wanted to become Duchess through marriage.
Too bad for them.
I was apparently the winner of this strange competition.
Just as the ceremony seemed to be ending, the large doors of the cathedral suddenly opened.
A royal eunuch hurried inside.
Behind him were several attendants carrying beautifully decorated chests.
The crowd immediately became silent.
The royal messenger stopped before us and unfurled a golden scroll.
"The Emperor's decree!"
Everyone bowed their heads.
Even the nobles.
The messenger cleared his throat before reading aloud.
"His Imperial Majesty congratulates Duke Cassian Blackthrone and Duchess Darlene Blackthrone on their union."
The speech continued with several blessings and formal words.
Then came the gifts.
Jewelry.
Gold.
Rare fabrics.
Expensive artwork.
Enough treasure to make several noble families cry from jealousy.
The crowd gasped repeatedly as each item was announced.
I honestly stopped keeping count halfway through.
Rumors said the Emperor would never have remained on the throne without Duke Cassian.
Looking around the cathedral, I couldn't help agreeing.
From what I knew, the Emperor spent most of his time enjoying luxurious banquets while Cassian was the one fighting wars.
When neighboring kingdoms attacked years ago, it was Cassian and his soldiers who defended the empire.
If not for him, a large portion of the population might have ended up as slaves.
Yet somehow the Emperor received most of the praise.
The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I became.
These people had no idea how much the Duke had sacrificed for them.
And the strangest part?
Cassian never seemed interested in taking credit.
Most men would demand recognition.
Cassian simply continued doing his duty.
Honestly, this man was impossible to understand.
One moment he looked ready to freeze someone to death with a glance.
The next moment he was making vows that sounded like they belonged in a romance novel.
Who exactly was Duke Cassian Blackthrone?
I was still lost in thought when his voice suddenly broke through my thoughts.
"This way."
I blinked.
Apparently the ceremony had ended.
People were already moving toward the grand reception hall.
When had that happened?
Feeling slightly embarrassed, I followed behind him.
We soon reached a long table reserved for the highest-ranking guests.
The Duke.
His bride—which was unfortunately me.
Close friends.
Members of the royal family.
And several powerful nobles.
The moment I sat down, ninety percent of my worries disappeared.
Because sitting before me was enough food to feed an army.
Roasted meats glistening with sauce.
Fresh bread.
Colorful fruits.
Delicate pastries.
Soups.
Cheeses.
And dishes I couldn't even identify.
My eyes nearly sparkled.
Forget mysterious dukes.
Forget political conspiracies.
Forget being trapped inside a novel.
At this very moment, there was only one thing that mattered.
Food.
And I was about to devour every delicious thing within reach.
- Writer
