With all attention fixed on Aurora, she stepped onto the lawn of the Sinistra manor. She was being flanked by her mother and aunt as she was walking toward the stage set at the far end. Every single eye in the lawn was focused on her. The bride.
Aurora's face remained expressionless. Her gaze was steady and forward without even the least bit of smile on her face. Her eyes were locked on the man waiting for her atop the stage.
Alex stood on the stage, an arrogant smirk was carved across his lips. Even from a distance Aurora could see the provocation and the triumph in his eyes.
It was as if he was saying, 'Look, at last, I have won. I have taken what I wanted.'
And he had won. She was disgusted of Alex, hated him but after today she would be his to be called. Aurora did not know what kind of fate awaited her in the future.
There had been a way out. To run away from everything, abandon the wedding, accept expulsion from the family and the family magic. Her magic would have weakened, her status destroyed, but she could have lived a life free of Alex.
But too many considerations held her back. If she ran, it would not be only her who would have suffered. Her parents would face consequences as well. They would have not escaped unscathed.
And even then, what guarantee was there that Alex would let her go? A man like him would not accept rejection. He could use force, and there would be no one to protect her.
There had been another hope. A single piece of parchment in her room, one that Antonio was supposed to use to save her from this fate. She could have used it herself. She had considered it a hundred times.
But what could she accomplish alone, without Antonio backing her? Despite the power of the magical oath binding the parchment, without him standing next to her, it was worthless.
And so here she was, walking willingly into hell.
In the crowd stood Drafel, her father. His heart was twisting painfully in his chest as he watched his daughter approach the stage. How he wished he could raise his wand, stop the wedding, tear her away from the monster waiting for her.
But he was not courageous enough. He knew he was not powerful enough. He knew he was a coward. He feared death. He did not want to die.
All he could do was clench his fists, helpless, while his daughter walked toward her
Aurora finally stepped onto the stage.
"How are you, Aurora?" Alex whispered, leaning closer to her. "You are finally going to be mine."
He leaned in even closer and inhaled slowly, almost as if savoring her scent. Aurora flinched but she did not back away.
"Oh," he growled under his breath, "how much I have desired you. And how you have slipped out of my grasp for so long. But no more."
"Where would you run now?" He chuckled softly.
Aurora closed her eyes in disgust. She had always known this was what awaited her. The filth of Alex Timirus.
"Let us proceed," Alan Timirus boomed from below the stage.
Alex smiled and gestured for Aurora to sit on the large sofa placed behind them. She was just about to move when a ripple passed through the crowd. Whispers burst out, spreading across the lawn like wildfire.
Those near the front frowned in confusion as the guests suddenly parted, forming a narrow path.
A man was walking through that open corridor, calm, composed, and unmistakably purposeful with powerful and confident strides. It was none other than Antonio Olario.
Gasps followed him like echoes. Eyes had widened, hands had frozen and breaths were hitched.
Every person was reacting to Antonio's presence differently.
Drafel and his wife, Ivory, felt relief flood their bodies so strongly that their knees nearly buckled. Their anxiety melted away, replaced by hope. It was real, desperate hope. Their shoulders loosened, and faint smiles appeared on their faces despite their attempts to stay composed. They could see the fate of their daughter changing.
Raphel Sinistra and Alan Timirus, however, were struck with confusion. Their faces tightened as they exchanged bewildered glances. They did not yet know why Antonio was here, but they both smelled trouble. Raphel especially, he knew the truth behind Aurora's connection with Antonio. And he could feel that things were going to get out of their hands.
And Alex. Alex was livid. His jaw had clenched and knuckles tightly clenched. His eyes narrowed with murderous rage. Antonio's presence here, at his wedding, was an insult, a challenge, a humiliation he was not prepared to tolerate. He did not know Antonio's purpose, but he knew one thing with absolute certainty. It was nothing good.
Though he was not aware of the recent rekindling of the flame of friendship between Antonio and Aurora, he was well aware of the close relationship they had enjoyed in Hogwarts day.
And finally, Aurora. Relief washed over her entire self. Her heart was hammering wildly and frantically inside her chest, each beat louder than the last. All the fear, dread, and suffocating despair she had been carrying evaporated in an instant. For the very first time, her expression changed and a very faint smile appeared on her face.
Antonio had come. He had actually come.
Aurora felt an overwhelming urge to run to him, to leap into his arms and never let go.
He was here. And everything was about to change.
"Alex! Alex!" Antonio chuckled loudly, his voice ringing across the silent lawn. "I did not expect this from you. Truly, I am disappointed."
"I never expected this from you," he added with a theatrical sigh, laughing again.
"What are you blabbering?" Alex growled, confusion and fury mixing on his face. He had no idea what Antonio was insinuating, but he could feel the eyes of the entire gathering burning into him.
Antonio stepped up onto the stage in one smooth motion and positioned himself squarely between Aurora and Alex. Aurora, now partially shielded by Antonio's back, felt an immediate wave of relief. She still did not understand what he intended, but every fragment of fear she had been suppressing began to fade. She trusted him. She trusted him completely.
"You did not invite me," Antonio said with a wounded expression, pressing a hand dramatically over his chest. "But look at me, I still came."
"And," he continued, pulling a folded parchment from his coat pocket, "I even brought a gift."
Instinctively, and far too aggressively, Alex snatched the parchment from Antonio's hand. His eyes scanned the writing.
Within seconds, his face turned red from anger. The hand holding the parchment began to tremble.
His whole body followed.
"What? What is this?" Alex roared, his voice cracking with rage as it echoed across the lawn.
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