Marie
Today was a momentous occasion: my wedding day.
I had been awake for a while, carefully waiting for everyone else to wake up naturally. I certainly didn't want to betray my excitement.
I was looking at my goofy little sister, a picture of unselfconscious sleep, her mouth slightly ajar, wearing a T-shirt twice her size. Was this the same girl who, unable to restrain herself, had compelled a man to dance with her last night?
I had pulled Ayshe away the night before and demanded to know what on earth she was thinking. She was scattered, discussing everything except my actual question. After we went back downstairs, she nearly dragged me to follow the men outside, only to find them gazing at the moon.
She definitely liked him.
How will that dynamic unfold? I have no idea, but it will certainly be entertaining to observe.
I remembered a moment last night, watching from above. Asin reached out into the sky toward the full moon; he looked so ethereal. It was almost as if he genuinely believed he could attain it.
I felt my face burning. This has happened frequently since last night. But how could I not be slightly captivated?
And tonight...
"Ahhh!!!" I covered my head with a pillow.
My scream, understandably, woke my grumpy little sister.
"W-what? Wh... why are you screaming!?"
Before I could answer, our door was flung open.
"Where is he!?"
My father ran inside, gripping a fire poker.
"W-where is who, Dad?" I asked, hastily pulling up my blanket.
He looked around, then slowly lowered the metal bar.
"...I thought someone had attacked you! Why are you screaming, sweetie?"
"I asked her the same thing," Ayshe murmured from under the covers.
"I... had a nightmare. I apologize," I lied seamlessly.
He let out a long, held breath and visibly relaxed, placing his 'weapon' down.
"Well, it matters little. As long as you are safe and healthy, my beautiful daughter, who is so deeply in love."
He leaned down and kissed my forehead. Deeply in love was, perhaps, a gross exaggeration.
"We might as well commence the preparations, hmm? Ayshe, darling, do get up. It is your sister's wedding, after all."
He practically danced out of our room, and my sister gave me the evil eye as she hauled herself out of bed.
"Happy, happy..." she murmured.
"I'm sorry about that, but you look much better now."
She looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Not as flushed... or as crazy-stalker-like," I smiled playfully.
She attempted to hit me with a pillow but possessed the upper body strength of a toddler. It missed me by a mile.
"I told you, didn't I? I am... deeply suspicious of them. That's right... suspicious of them."
She got up, suspiciously trying to hide her face.
I didn't press the matter for now.
I had a great deal to accomplish and a specific plan to follow. And then, a man to marry. Because Asin Martell might seem like a boy at first glance, but make no mistake, he was a man of consequence.
I texted my friends, who were responsible for ensuring everything ran smoothly, and took one last look in the mirror.
I need to curb the fantasies. No one will want to marry a blushing tomato.
---
Oliver
We spent the entire day running frantically. The wedding details were straightforward, but the setup for the crew was woefully incomplete. Leyla did her utmost but desperately required assistance.
Before we knew it, we were an hour from the ceremony. Our absence wasn't noted since most of the family were thoroughly engrossed with catering, flowers, and the musical arrangements.
The wedding itself was to be held in the middle of the town square, ensuring a huge public attendance.
I noticed that despite his lighthearted words and actions, Asin was visibly wrestling with a profound decision. My fears only intensified when I saw his eyes still held a clouded, uncertain look in the mirror's reflection, just moments before the ceremony.
"Allow me to help," I had seen enough and stepped forward to assist with his cravat. "I wanted to talk to you about... you know, the plan."
He looked up, expecting this discussion.
I offered him a comforting smile and tapped his shoulder. "Tear it up if you feel compelled to do so." I shrugged nonchalantly.
"What?"
"I mean, if you truly do not want to break this girl's heart, I understand. To be honest, I never should have suggested it in the first place."
It had been all fun and games until you were forced to hurt the very people you were supposed to protect.
I didn't want to compel my friend to go through something so emotionally taxing. He would have to be cold... and unfeeling. The two qualities that were fundamentally missing from his character.
"What about... our way of life?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Our way of life is whatever we collectively decide it to be. Who is to say... perhaps it was destiny leading Leyla to them, and them to us."
"Them?" he asked with a faint smile.
I didn't answer, for often, silences convey more truth than words. My friend visibly let go of our escape plan. He seemed immediately more relaxed.
"Thank you," he said, embracing me. We stood there in a close embrace for a long moment.
"All right now," I tapped his back, wiping my own eyes. "Let's go and get you married. And remember..."
"I know. Whatever it takes, I'll be there," he promised earnestly.
Our way of living... is whatever we decided to be. That sounded right.
Married or not, he won't change. Perhaps Marie will even prove to be a positive influence on him.
Asin, brother, may this day be the start of a happier future.
---
Ayshe
The ambient electricity in the square was so thick one could almost physically feel it.
As I watched my sister utter the solemn "I do"—a little shyly, but unmistakably happy—it made my soul feel nourished.
She will be fine.
Asin was asked the critical question, and his voice cut through the sudden silence like a hot knife through butter.
"YES!"
...And just like that, the entire place exploded with fervent applause.
I looked at his family while being half-buried by my crying mother.
Oliver was wiping his own eyes, seeing the man he loved as a brother wave his hand. Asin was joined by my sister, and they circled the area for the crowd.
We all approached to congratulate the new couple, and as per custom, they were immediately buried under a mountain of elaborate presents.
The whole country seemed to have come to witness the youngest Martell tying the knot. Some guests even wore military uniform—probably generals and high officials. Various celebrities and musicians offered their congratulations before our turn came.
When it was my turn, I gave them a picture of our family we took last night. I believe I nailed the gift, given the extremely limited time and budget.
"Hello, beautiful."
I turned around and saw Stuart.
"Oh... hello."
He walked closer and offered his hand, which I took somewhat reluctantly.
"Tell me, how does it feel to be part of the revered one percent?"
"We are not necessarily wealthier now; only my sister is," I explained.
That was exactly how I felt. It was her life. She should at least be given the chance to actually try to live it fully.
"Sorry for overhearing, but I was attempting to as well," Slug interjected, walking beside us.
"What is it?" I asked, knowing he wouldn't be smiling like that unless he had good news.
"Well, I spoke to Uncle Hassop earlier, and he was detailing the capital and how they will leave the town in 'good hands'... and what have you."
"What are you implying?" Stuart asked him.
"I am implying, my lovely breadfellow, that our town's nominal owners will soon depart... for better or for worse."
After dropping that little bombshell, he disappeared into the crowd.
Stuart turned to me, his expression earnest.
"Is that true, Ayshe? Your father would simply abandon the town he helped build?"
I looked at him and felt a little genuine sorrow. After all these years, he still fundamentally misunderstood my family.
Of course, my father was on cloud nine since the dinner we had. I had previously thought he was just happy to be part of high society again, to have his daughter find a man she could genuinely love.
But no. He was paid.
With that realization, all the bitter feelings returned as if they had never left me.
I shouldn't blame Asin or his family for this. After all, most of this was a tradition we lived by for thousands of years. But knowing my sister was sold... and we get to live near the very place she was sold to?
It brought shameful tears to my eyes.
Damn you, Father. Damn you, Martells.
"Ayshe, are you crying?" asked Stuart.
I left him without a word and headed straight toward my sister's friends.
"Lilly, can you tell Marie I urgently need to talk to her, please?"
We were not on the best of terms, but she saw my distraught state, and instead of asking questions, she just nodded and walked toward the two of them.
After she whispered in Marie's ear and helped her locate me, my sister found me and did what she always did: she tilted her head in question.
I smiled, lifting my phone, indicating I would text her where to meet me.
She nodded and even leaned over to kiss Asin before disappearing from my view.
~
I asked her to meet me at the nearby café that was being used to store all the wedding gifts they were taking home.
I waited less than five minutes before she appeared, a vision in large white silk.
"What is so terribly wrong?" She asked, walking closer.
I nodded toward the men trailing behind her, a protective pack of four security guards shadowing her every step.
She immediately understood and asked them to step away.
"Now you are genuinely starting to frighten me, Ayshe... what has happened?"
I was still so consumed by anger over the entire situation. I wasn't even sure what I was saying... or what the ultimate consequences of my words might be.
---
Oliver
I spoke gleefully to my brother, sharing some top-shelf bourbon.
The music was loud, and about a hundred people were dancing like there was no tomorrow.
"Just one," I reminded him, took his glass, and finished it myself. "You need to score twice tonight!" I laughed heartily.
"I hate you," he declared flatly.
I laughed even louder, searching the crowd again. I couldn't spot her.
"Where is your wife?" I asked with a large, liquor-induced smile.
"She said her sister urgently required something or other. They've been conversing for a while."
"Are you worried?" I inquired.
"No. I sent some guards with her. Look at Dede..."
I looked where his finger pointed and saw Uncle Erwing dancing with the vigor of a much younger man. The women adored him. What woman could resist a man who could dance with such impassioned skill?
I felt suddenly quite full watching him spin and excused myself.
As I dodged the crowd with increased efficiency, I decided I truly liked bourbon; it went down wonderfully smooth.
I chuckled to myself and skillfully sent the security detail away who attempted to follow me covertly.
I was contemplating heading around the back of the café when I turned the corner.
(BANG)
I ran squarely into something soft.
"Ouch..."
I stopped rubbing my head and looked ahead.
"Ayshe?"
"Oliver... my apologies for this. I was just..."
I quickly gathered myself and helped her up.
"Thank you."
"Why are you not at the celebration? The wedding, I mean..." I fumbled.
I felt like an absolute idiot. That's precisely why we don't drink hard liquor. Even a simple sentence like that required careful planning when it emerged after bourbon consumption.
She noticed my state and walked closer... to smell me.
"You are celebrating for both of us, it seems," she remarked.
I smiled a little shamefully. This was certainly not how our second conversation was supposed to unfold.
However, her perfume hit my nostrils as she leaned in... and that scent will get you intoxicated even if you were stone-cold sober.
"Come... let's go inside, and you can take a seat."
She looked a little nervous, and her eyes were noticeably red. Her sister getting married must be profoundly hard on her.
I let her guide me inside and took a seat among a vast collection of nicely wrapped gifts. I kind of wanted to open them.
"All right, stay here. I'll get you some coffee."
"Thank you. I'm not accustomed to... drinking," I apologized.
I took off my tuxedo jacket and undid my tie.
Her voice came from behind the bar where she was making some sobering juice.
"I understand. You don't strike me as the hard-drinking type," she smiled, handing me a hot cup.
I took it, nodding in agreement, taking a small sip.
"Thanks. I spend most of my time working and don't have much opportunity for socializing."
"What exactly is your occupation?" She asked, taking a seat as well.
"I work at a law firm... owned by my mother," I added.
She nodded, understanding immediately.
"So, a high-class lawyer. Please don't be offended, but it sounds a little... boring," she said honestly.
I chuckled and spilt a little coffee on the floor.
If you only knew.
"It truly is," I admitted.
It was mostly busy work. I let my team finish most of the tasks, but it was boring as hell every time I had to go into that office. Most lawyers were arrogant and slightly glib when talking to the owner's son. They viewed me as some over-privileged kid.
"Asin told me you were speaking with your sister. Everything resolved?"
She looked away, which usually indicates something sensitive has transpired.
"I just needed to apologize. To tell her the full story... that's all. I felt dreadful about something my father did."
She looked infinitely sad, and it ignited a flash of anger in me, though I wasn't sure where to direct that feeling.
"Well... whatever it was, you apologized. So, I assume it significantly affected all your family... what he did."
She nodded and drank her cup.
Well, her father was a good-natured idiot... but an idiot all the same. I didn't want to ask her any more probing questions, so we just sat there, finishing our cups.
"Should we return?" she asked.
"I kind of have to leave," I checked the time and made quick calculations. We had spent too much time here. I had to depart if we were to be ready for Asin's departure.
"...Don't tell me. Work?"
"Yes. I have to finalize some paperwork at the hotel. I sincerely hope you feel better." I said, opening the door for her.
"I already do. I told Marie everything I needed to."
"I see. Well, I suppose that's goodbye."
I was genuinely sad that we would be leaving for the capital.
She stepped closer and lightly touched my arm.
"For now..."
Before I could ask, she was gone.
What did she mean by that?