Dahlia Vis thought her lungs were going to burst from holding her breath. No matter how hard she swam she could not reach the surface of the water. Looking above seeing the sun beam down on the lake reflecting a rainbow. Has she finally carried out what she has wanted. She could feel death gripping her toes, "Is this finally it?" she thought while swallowing the lake water. Has she finally succeeded? No. Her body shot out of the water. Gasping for air, she looked up at the sky. "Why not this time!" She clutched her fists and punched the water in frustration.
"My Lady! You gave me a scare! Please come out the lake!" Jessica the maidservant yelled from the lakeshore. Dahlia just continued to float on top on the water. Her linen undergarments were sticking to her body not leaving much to the imagination. "My Lady please! The duke will lose his temper if he sees you like this!" Jessica pleaded.
"God, I hate being a woman." Dahlia whispered before glancing back at Jessica. She could clearly see the tears building in Jessica's eyes from the fear. Guilt started to build in within Dahlia, she did not want to get Jessica in trouble. Dahlia understood clearly what her consequences would be if her father were to find out what she was doing the day before her wedding. She started to swim towards the shoreline. Jessica was holding out the dress she was wearing prior. Let us just say it was a spontaneous dip in the lake. The linen sticked to her body like a second skin; her long vanilla hair went down to her bottom. Her light blue eyes that almost looked gray locked onto Jessica's. "I am sorry to worry you, Jessica. I just wanted to have one last farewell swim in the lake before I become Lady Draven, wife of Alaric Draven." Dahlia grabbed the dress from Jessica slipping on the dress was more difficult then usual due to her wet linen. Jessica quickly helped Dahlia put her hair into a long braid.
"My Lady, we must hurry! I can see Lady Poppy's carriage!" Jessica yelled in panic. That made Dahlias head snap up from her shoes. She puckers her full lips in disappointment. "What is she doing here already? I thought you told me that she was not supposed to get here until nightfall Jessica!" Dahlia said in panic. Jessica looked as surprised as Dahlia.
Dahlia quickly made her way to the castle, "poise, stay collected" Dahlia told herself. As she made her way into the castle thru the kitchen. She was trying to sneak herself into the castle to make it seem as she was always there. The maidservant's and chefs gave her a side eye. Dahlia quickly gave a small smile.
"Poppy! My dear daughter oh how I have missed you." Dahlia heard her father say. Dahlia quickly looked for a reason for her absence. Her eyes landed on a glass vase filled with fresh flowers. She quickly grabbed them and on cue Poppy asked about her. "Hello father, well I see Dahlia could not be here to welcome me. How incredibly rude." Poppy spat out.
Dahlia's and Poppy's relationship always has been distant. Poppy always thought she was above her in every way. You name it Poppy was better in everything and will let it be known. Dahlia just wanted her acceptance or even longed for a friend. She was wise enough not to get close to anyone. No one could help her. Dahlia let out a deep breath before stepping out to the main area. "Hello Poppy, I hope you had a safe trip. I got you these- "Poppy cut her off.
"What are you wearing?! And that hair!" Poppy looked at Dahlia is disgust. Dahlia can feel Poppy's eyes analyzing and criticizing her apperance. "You look like a milkmaid; well, it suits you since you will be married to a knight commander." She chuckles. Dahlia can feel the tears creeping into her eyes. Poppy looked amused, "oh Dahlia if it makes you feel better, I think I heard that he got raked to Grand Master." A smirk came across her face.
"Now Poppy, Sir Alaric Draven is a Supreme head of the order he is a force to be reckon with." Father spoke. Poppy let out a chuckle. "Now Dahlia, go make yourself presentable, the last thing we need is for this marriage to fall apart before it even starts. Who would want a woman looking like a wet dog?" No longer able to hide her tears Dahlia made her way up the stairs to her chambers.
She was never going to be accepted; she was never going to belong.
Dahlia looked at herself in the mirror. Anxiety filled her, the white silk dress fit her a like glove. She examined herself. Her vanilla hair was straight down companied with a veil, her full lips were glistened due to her biting her lip to keep herself calm. Her light blue eyes filled with tears. Forcing herself to breath Dahlia's button nose flared from how hard she was breathing. Her chest rose up and down. "I can't do this." Dahlia thought while she kept examining her white silk dress. It was beautiful, nothing like she has seen before. "I am scared Jessica. I do not know if I can do this." Dahlia said before looking out the window. "I do not know him personally! What if he is mean... cold or heartless? You must be heartless to be in battle, no? And how do I bed with him? What does that mean?!"
Jessica's eyes widened, "My Lady! Sir Alaric is famously known in all the kingdoms! He fought and won many battles! And not to mention he is extremely handsome!" Jessica blushed as she spoke. "You must be an obedient wife and if he hits you?" She paused and continued "you need to take it, continue as if did not happen."
The room was silent, everyone's eyes were glued to the couple in the front.
Dahlia and Alaric are standing next to each other in front of the podium. The priest starts to speak. "We gather here under the eyes of heaven and witness a bind of two souls in a scared union. One a noble night sworn to honor to protect. The other heart chosen to be loved."
Dahlia glance at Alaric he stood tall and emotionless. She looks dainty and fragile next to him. He was a giant; Dahlia's height did not even reach his shoulders. His fierce gaze could strike anyone down. He could break her at any moment. Alaric stood tall, he had an aura of so strong that it was almost impossible to approach him. Alaric had his jet-black hair pulled into a clean man bun. His onyx eye pierced the priest.
"Sir Alaric do you uphold your sacred oath not only to your kingdom, but also to your beloved. To guard. To cherished to walk beside them all the days of your life!"
Without hesitation Alaric responded "I do. With sword and soul, I pledge my heart, my honor, and my life to them."
Dahlia took a sharp breath. She has been so nervous it almost feels like she has been coming in and out of reality during the ceremony.
The priest turn to Dahlia. "Dahlia, do you vow to stand by your knight in peace and in peril, to be their light in shadow and shelter in storm, from this day until the last?"
Quietly she responded, "I do. With love and faith, I pledge my heart and hand to them."
The priest raised his arms "Then by the strength of your vows and the witness of all present, I pronounce you bonded in sacred union. Let no force of darkness or time undo what has been done here today. You may seal your vows with a kiss. "
Dahlia turns to face Alaric, her light blue eyes connected with his onyx eyes. She quickly scanned his face. He was the most beautiful man her eyes have laid on. His manly features were strong and sharp. Not realizing he has gotten close she puckered her full soft lips and give him a feather light peck. She has not realized he was staring at her, looking up at him her eyes locked onto his eyes. Only a few centimeters away from his lips. He focused on her face, electric. Dahlia parted her lips ever so slightly to inhale. At that moment Alaric firmly grabbed the back of Dahlia's neck and crashed his lips firmly into hers. As if he was claiming her to be his. Only his.
After the ceremony everyone was celebrating. Dahlia was looking for her husband. Yet he was no where to be seen. She thought back to there first kiss. She could feel the heat raising to her face. Trying to hide her embarrassment she quickly made her way to get some fresh air. That's when she found Alaric speaking with one of his knights. Alarics eyebrows are scrunched up and his frowning face looking annoyed. If a single look can kill this would be it. There was no way Dahlia can approach him like this, clearly did not want to be bothered.
Dahlia bit her bottom lip as she took in a deep breath. How was she supposed to have a relationship with someone she feels she cannot approach. Is this what it is to be a married woman?
"My Lady, we need to get you ready for the consummation ceremony!" Jessica approached Dahlia from behind. Dahlia's widened in shock, "already?! I have not gotten a chance to speak with him! Now I must consummate the marriage?!" Panic washed over her pale face . "Calm down. Just breathe. And hold it together." she thought as she gave Jessica a nod in agreement.
Alaric can sense someone was watching him. "We are leaving as soon as the consummation ceremony is done." Alaric told Leo. Alarics eyes landed on Dahlia. She reminded him of an angelic elf. Her long vanilla hair, her piercing snow eyes, her full rosy lips. Alaric was restraining himself. "Grandmaster. Are you not going to have Lady Draven rest? I can't imagine what you will put her thru. After that wedding kiss?" Leo winked in mischief. Alaric snap his neck back at him, grabbing him from the collar bringing Leo's face inches from his. Death was staring Leo in the face. "Do not imagine anything about MY WIFE. Leo." Alaric glared.
Leo pulled away, "I am only teasing Alaric." Leo laughed was it really this easy to stir the Grandmasters feathers up? "We will be ready to depart as soon as you give us your order, Grandmaster."