Love Can Come Later

Wedding day

It was with that Joy in her heart that Diana faced her marriage day. Although she had no hand in the details of the contract she was certain to give it her best. Only one tiny part of the contract still borders her. That is the clause that stated the marriage could be called off at any time by the Prince whenever he felt like it. It was the price they had to pay for being a small kingdom going into such an agreement with the Laguna kingdom. Why they had to, she was never told.

"I don't want to hear the news of this around this palace today, till this wedding ceremony is over. Especially not to the king " her mother warned sternly looking more at Juana who had a mischievous look on her face.

Diana started having an uneasy feeling in her stomach again like she felt yesterday before the poisoning incident. She had reason to believe there would be a surprise coming up on this day or it could be linked to the nervousness she was feeling inside.

She might have completed her list but it wasn't going to save her from the marriage on the ground.

With an encounter with the stranger, she began to wonder how good-looking her husband would be. How well built he would be, how good in bed he would be, and most importantly if they would ever love each other. She was willing to give love a chance but wondered if her husband would be cold-hearted.

"My Queen the groom's family is here" a palace maid came to inform them reducing the tension that was building up in the room.

At that moment there was an uproar outside as the sound of music and dancing increased to signify their presence.

"Two of you go ahead I will come with your sister " her mother informed her sisters who left immediately to have a glimpse of the Royal family from Laguna.

"Why do you keep allowing your sister to say things about you? The Queen attacked her immediately after they left.

" Mother, nothing else matters now, let us focus on this wedding and be done with it " Diana replied not wanting to be drawn into an argument. She knew Juana would do anything to be in her shoes. A shoe she desperately didn't want to wear. The one who wants it is not given while the one who doesn't desire it is given. The irony of life. Juana had even brought the idea of switching with her on her wedding day but her mother heard of it and killed the idea immediately.

"We wouldn't dare try deceiving the Laguna kingdom. We will pay with our lives " she had told them

Bringing up that idea at all only Diana how desperate her sister was to take her place

Holding her by the hand her mother led her outside taking her first to the inner room where the final rites of the marriage will be concluded before she will be brought out to the open with her husband.

" You will be fine " her mother assured her with a squeeze of her hand to calm her down

"I hope so" she replied

'We are here, put on your veil " her mother instructed her. It was in their tradition that till the final rites are carried out the groom should not see the face of his bride.

Diana quickly complied with the instruction. It was one part of the tradition she loved. It will allow her to have a view of her husband before he does.

Diana froze the moment she stepped foot inside the inner room for the final rites of their marriage. She was standing face-to-face with her husband-to-be and she could tell his face looked familiar. Those blue eyes and long white hair reminded her of someone she met yesterday night. She gasped when the realization hit her

Thank goodness for the veil on her face no one could see how red her face had become. The Prince standing before her was the same stranger she gave her virginity to last night in a bid to click the last thing on her list.

" Compose yourself, he probably will never remember my face he was drunk" She tried to encourage herself.

She looked around her and saw other familiar faces, her only brother Prince Kenze and her father with partial smiles on their faces. One could easily tell they had no option in this matter.

Her mother led her to a seat directly opposite her husband each family was sitting on a long table directly opposite each other. The Prince was with his mother, sister, and an elder from their kingdom while on Diana's side were her parents and elder brother.

The prince stretched his hands to remove the veil on her face but she held his hand firmly fearing he would discover her so soon.

"My prince you have to wait for us to complete the rites before you can see her face. That is the tradition here " her brother spoke in her defense.

"I don't care about your tradition. I want to see the woman I will take home to my land. Your tradition applies to only people from your land " He replied with a raised voice.

"What an arrogant fool" Diana cursed in her heart.

She looked across at her dad who gave a slight nod of his head indicating she should allow him to remove the veil. She instantly became more nervous

"What if he calls off the marriage even before the final rites are concluded? She questioned in her heart blaming herself for coming from a small kingdom.

She reluctantly removed the veil herself to reveal her face. She couldn't even bear to look at him in the face.

" look at me" he ordered her with an authoritative tone. Raising her head she noticed a slight change in his countenance although he tried to hide it.

"He recognizes me," She said to herself looking alarmed.

But what he did next surprised her, he put back the veil and relaxed.

"Let us continue," he said turning to his mother

"No, you cannot continue " a voice came from outside as the door gave way to reveal Juana walking in keeping a mischievous smile on her face.

"What is the meaning of this? Her father asked shocked by her entrance

" This marriage cannot hold, Diana is not fit to be his wife after what she did yesterday" Juana replied not minding the look on her face her parents

"I thought we have discussed this? Her mother replied

" No Mother, you don't know this but Diana didn't just sneak out, you also had s*x with a stranger yesterday night" Juana dropped the bombshell startling everyone including Diana. She quickly looked at her husband-to-be and noticed he didn't even move a muscle as he kept a straight face