[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: LOVE IN THE MOONLIGHT ~ PARK BO GUM]
The cherry blossoms had fully bloomed in the palace, their petals falling generously, giving the palace a new, beautiful look. The constructions were finally over, and the lively energy lost in the palace had returned, uplifting everyone’s spirits.
Kitanna lay on her bed, her hair resembling a bird’s nest. She stared at the ceiling with intensity, then shifted her gaze to Larel.
"Why is he avoiding me? We’re getting married in a few days!" The princess threw her legs up, shaking her body on the bed. Frustrated, she had noticed Nix avoiding her ever since they decided to get married.
Larel pinched the bridge of her nose, unsure how to comfort the sulking princess. "I don’t think he’s avoiding you. He’s trying to get everything ready and learn how to be a fit husband for you and king for Morado." Larel adjusted her neckline, sitting properly on the bed.
"I love him just the way he is. He doesn’t need to do too much." Kitanna rolled on the bed, expressing her desire to spend more time with Nix, who seemed occupied with preparations and ministerial duties.
Larel shrugged, reclining on the bed while holding a pillow close to her chest. "I’m here, princess, because the governess who was supposed to teach you about your new role as the queen complained that you always bunk classes."
Kitanna sat up, folding her legs. "I can’t do that. The rules are full of must-nots, as a queen you must not do this or that. The endless list, makes me tired. I just want to live happily ever after with Nix. Is that too much to ask?" The princess wailed.
Larel shook her head, "You are terribly lovesick, and it seems you’ll have a lot of vows to make during your wedding." She twitched her lips.
Meanwhile, the rest of the palace was being decorated with ribbons, and the gardens were trimmed perfectly. The upcoming events were not just a wedding but also the coronation and the opening of the new throne room. The anticipation for the celebration was palpable.
"The people accepted Lord Nix so easily. I was not expecting that," remarked the crown prince of Avon, one of the guests who had arrived for the celebration.
"What were you expecting? An uproar of rejection? They don’t have any choice," replied Hieron, the elder white Lord.
Adric cocked his head to the side, "An uproar won’t be bad; it might end up to my advantage, which I’m still praying for." He gave a lopsided grin which Hieron did not appreciate.
"Why are you here?" The elder white Lord couldn’t help but ask, because obviously the crown prince was an enemy of the upcoming celebration and anything or anyone that would ruin the wedding between his grandson and daughter-in-law he was not going to tolerate.
"A friend of mine invited me. Are you not feeling confident about your grandson?" Adric teased again dropping his teacup on the table.
"Don’t mind him Lord Hieron, he is trying to get on your last nerves since he couldn’t get the princess. He wishes them well, he knows he is not even an option." Cortez spoke up from behind, joining the duo.
"Prince Adric has tried his luck in the past and he knows even if there was a reincarnation, the princess would never look his way." The young merchant chimed, giving Hieron a slight bow.
"Ouch! Cortez, if not that we have been friends for so many years. I would have asked my guards to seize you." Adric threw his head back in laughter.
Hieron, now feeling more comfortable with the young men, suggested, "You two should also look out during the celebration for eligible women that would be your wives. I mean, you need to start having children so my great-grandchildren can have prospective partners, don’t you think?" The old man grinned.
Adric laughed, holding his chest, "Lord Hieron, you are one flexible man. That won’t be bad, a future partnership. I should look around for eligible maidens then."
Cortez nodded, trailing his eyes as he spotted a figure running toward the inner palace.
"Princess, princess, your gown is ready!!" Axilla shouted running to alert the princess, she was so excited when she saw the gown that she couldn’t wait to let the princess know about it.
Kitanna who had finally left her bed, after much persuasions from Larel, rushed out of her room. "Where is it? Let’s go!" she exclaimed following Axilla.
"I’ll go check if Labre is awake; I’m coming," Larel waved her hands, heading to where the child was resting.
Inside the royal shrine, a frail looking Mubera sat on with her legs folded but two pillows were kept on her side to keep her steady. The poison she ingested despite taking the antidote still made her weak.
"You want me to be there for the wedding? But I don’t deserve to, I am paying for my sins now." Mubera’s voice sounded weak and tired, as she coughed causing her whole body to tremble.
Nix stood in front of the woman, "I’m sure the princess would want that too." He said, with his hands dipped in his pocket.
"Your union is one already ordained by the heavens, which would lead to the prosperity of the kingdom. With my weak health, I’m not sure what I can offer, but if you insist I’ll be there." Mubera smiled, bowing to the young man out of respect.
Night finally arrived in the kingdom of Morado, the palace was lighted with candles at different pillars giving it the brightness the outside lacked. Kitanna who was now exhausted after she had used the whole day to fit her gown and check out her shoes, sat in front of her vanity mirror.
"You are not asleep?" Kitanna turned immediately, to see Nix standing in front of her door.
"Nix!" Kitanna called out, she had missed him so much.
"Princess?" His blue eyes sparkled in the dark, as he watched the princess lift herself up from the chair and walk towards him.
"I’ve missed you so much, I feel like it’s been ages since I saw you." Kitanna used her tiny hands to hold his large ones, feeling the warmth.
Nix rubbed his thumb on her wrist, planting a soft kiss on Kitanna’s lips. Pulling back, he said, "The feeling is mutual, I’ve been trying hard to control myself from eating you up. While waiting for the wedding day, I want it to be a special day for you." His velvety voice carried softness.
Kitanna craned her neck to look at his blue eyes. "I can’t wait to finally be called your wife. It feels surreal, and I’m so excited; I don’t need too much, just being by your side is enough for me."
Nix pulled the princess into a tight hug, brushing his hands gently on her back.
After two days, the day of the wedding arrived. Everyone worked tirelessly to ensure a flawless celebration. It was not just a perfect day for the palace but for the entire kingdom of Morado. New outfits were given to the palace servants for a fresh look.
Axilla rushed into the room where Larel was unwrapping the wedding dress. "There is a problem!" Her voice trembled.
Larel turned to her, concerned. "The bouquet... Labre was playing with it, then..."
Ding... ding... The bells rang from a distance. It was time for the wedding.