His Only Control, Her Protector

A Wedding Party

The Find's Household was all in euphoria as they planned

Sienna's wedding.

Only Emma was not happy, She felt Sister Margret was leaving her again. Sienna was all that Sister Margret ever was and Safi has been more than a mother to them.

Mr Find made sure that the wedding was classic so that everyone would know that his daughter is getting married to the Son of the Minister of Agriculture and Wealth.

He had risen from obscurity to light and he was going to keep that light till eternity especially now that Anne has agreed to write the exams and even promise to pass, He would soon have the kingdom of Marlowe in his hands.

Safi was the happiest though, from the unhappy maltreated teenager, She had found happiness in Find and having five beautiful children to cement their union, She was a proud Mother. Her children were all best in all they do and even little Anne whom she nearly lost at birth is still brilliant and would soon be the bride to the Prince, She was the envy of most women in Marlowe.

The Boys on the other hand felt it was the best time to seek brides for themselves especially Suz, Who felt he was becoming too old at 16 to the amusement of the rest.

The wedding day had everywhere decorated beautifully, Mr Find had granted everyone that worked for him a holiday that special day to celebrate his daughter's wedding.

Dishes of all kinds have been prepared for all who cared for them.

Music too.

Emma was to witness her first wedding celebration in Marlowe as Emma, She still could not remember all that happened as Anne, or maybe she was never Anne.

The thought of what Zoran had told her still lingered in her mind, She realized that he might be true but She just wanted not to be a Pawn, To lead instead and She would start with being with Zoran.

The Wedding Party............

Weddings in Marlowe was a huge celebration that involves some rituals though. After the Betrothal is done usually when the children are still younger, The wedding happens when the bride is 18, and then She must have learnt all She needs to, to run her home.

The wedding day is picked by both parents and on that day, The Bride visits her in-laws with her friends to inform them she would be coming to be part of their family member, The Groom's family approves by giving her gifts which includes her wedding clothes and lots of jeweleries.

The Bride returns to announce the approval to all waiting for her in her Father's house.

There are shouts of celebration and She is dressed up as the Bride.

The groom is to arrive Two hours later with his family for the wedding and the wedding only involves the groom swearing on the altar of the Bride's Family to love, protect and provide for her all his life, The Bride's Father completes the ritual by pouring libations on the Altar so it would allow the Bride leave with her husband. When that is done, The couple leave the venue for their family who continues the party.

The groom carries the bride to his personal horse coach and he as the coachman would take her to his Sanctuary to consummate their union, The Sanctuary which would later become their home.

The New couple is accompanied by Seven of the Groom's friends who would serve as Guards.

A group of other men would try to steal the Bride from them on their way to the Sanctuary in the form of a mock battle.

If they succeed, The Groom would have to forfeit the Bride or Do whatever they ask him to.

Most times this is usually a funny display to complete what has to happen and is also staged by the Groom's friends but other times, a rival lover would come and the fight might get b****y and lives may be lost.

Safi's wedding was one of those. The young and overzealous Find staged one on the day She was to marry the Son of a Noble Man. The groom at first thought it was a joke as usual until they brought out real swords and Challenged them to a fight.

The Son of the Noble Man lost his life in the process trying to retain his honor and Find went away with Safi, just as they planned. No charges were served because it was custom.

Sienna on the other hand was well protected till the Sanctuary, as not only the Groom friends but Mr Find and The Minister made sure nothing happened to any of them.

Away from the wedding........

Emma went to the field to be far away from the noise that disturbed her soul, Her Father had promised to make sure She gets betrothed to Zoran, but she still felt empty without Sienna.

"Too much noise huh" Zoran's voice asked,

Emma turned but no one was there, She felt goosebumps all over her.

"Where are you" She asked,

"My home, it's the Mate bond that makes it easier for us to talk to each other, so whenever you miss me, Talk to me, I'd hear you."

Emma chuckled,

"Mate like age mate or mate as Bride and Groom",

"No, Mate as Soul mates," Zoran replied, "You have not heard of that"

Emma rolled her eyes,

"You are not funny,"

"Yeah, but I am serious," Zoran replied, "That is why you are here, my beautiful Emma,"

Emma sighed,

"So where is Anne," She inquired,

"You are Anne, You are Emma, You are all of them, There is no one else," Zoran answered,

"So if I am Anne, how did I live in both places at the same time," Emma questioned,

"You don't, You have been living as Anne, you just happened to be caught between timelines, don't blame me though, blame the Order" He explained,

"Who is the Order,"

"That I don't know," Zoran replied,

"What are you doing alone here,"

Emma turned to see Daro,

"Everyone is waiting for you".