Song of Crowns

Episode 11: Wedding

Allory helped me with my hair and Maimie prepped me with my wedding dress. Since resources are low, they had to work with simple variations to make me look regal. The fabric I wore for my coronation is restyled and remade to match the wedding theme. I will applaud Maimie and the others for their hard work at the reception later.

Adrian came to my room this morning. He told me that I could back out if I ever want to. He must know how I feel about the whole baby issue and he wants to respect my wishes. However, dragging this way too long will just not get the job done. I wave him off; assuring him that this marriage is my duty to the new people I will lead. He didn’t try to convince me more, as if he was only doing that to relieve himself of the guilt of chaining me to him forever.

Porschia did her final touches on my face, making me sweet but sophisticated. I gave her a smile to thank her and she giggles at that.

When I am about to leave my room, Evos knocks on the door, startling my helpers and me.

"You look absolutely beautiful, your Majesty." Evos says as he closed the door behind him. "Senator Alfonzo wanted me to escort you to the hall room. I didn't want to but he said that I have to be a representative of your parents since I came from Sarkis."

"I understand." I gave him a slight smile, showing my grief over my parents' death and gratitude for the gesture. "I'll be out in a minute."

He walks out and my helpers did their final touches before they send me off. "Your Majesty, I really am happy for you." Allory says, on the verge of tears. I place a hand on her shoulder. "It's just that, it was my dream to marry too. And seeing you like this, I feel very happy because it's as if my dream came half-true."

I pulled her for a hug, and I took Maimie and Porschia's hands to hold me too. "This wedding is not only for me, you know." I say, pulling away and looking at Allory with a gentle look. "It's for those who survived. It is a celebration of rebirth. We are sealing ourselves to signify peace after so many hardships that came before us."

Maimie wiped her tears off. Porschia smiles happily at what I said. I cup Allory's face to make her feel better. "Don't you worry, Allory. I know it's uncommon for me to say this. Heck, it's also insensitive. But there are more fish in the sea more than ever. You will find that person soon and will marry him... or her. I will be the person to bless your marriage with good wishes. I promise."

"Thank you so much, your Majesty." Allory says, backing away as if to give me room to walk. "I will be cheering for your happy marriage as well."

Happy marriage. I don’t know what to think about that. I shake the negative thoughts away, instead.

I nod and turn to the door. Once I leave this room, my life will change forever.

I just hope that change will not break me as a person.

---

"Do you, your Majesty Queen Adeline Sarkis, take Sir Adrian Alfonzo as your lovingly wedded husband?" The priest says, muttering words from his book.

"I do," I say as I turned to Adrian. Adrian seemed joyful today. It's hard not to get contagious with his expression. "I do, father."

The priest asks the same with Adrian. I see him waver the slightest bit but he doesn't show it and turns to me with a gentle smile. He's comforting me, I think.

"I do, Father." He mutters as he puts a ring on my finger. The ring is metallic blue. It has intricate designs that I would mistake as the designs from my crown. I look over Adrian’s head and saw a crown befitting a Prince Consort, similar to mine but in an inferior type of way, showing mine as the superior one. Queen trumps Prince Consort, I mutter in my head.

We were asked to exchange kisses, as a confirmation of our marriage. When I pull closer to him, Adrian tensed. As if we didn't kiss already.

If he tensed, he doesn't let it linger too long. He cups my face and gives me one of his gentle kisses like the one he's been giving me these past few times we lip-locked.

The crowd roared in excitement and I forced a happy smile to show them how happy this marriage would be. My mother, the Queen, would be delighted to see this, a group of people enjoying the first steps of a happy marriage. I wince silently at the thought that my mother will not see this unfold. My father won’t be able to give his blessings as well. I have to start all of this from the start. I loop an arm around Adrian's and I feel him waving to the crowd as if he won a lottery.

But whatever it is, my world stopped when I saw Evos.

He's not smiling at all.

- End -