Society's Expectations & Too Many Complications {Finalist}

Epilogue

The church was full of people, all smiling at me as I glided down the aisle. My palms were slick and I had an urge that I was going to trip and fall in front of everyone; thus ruining the entirety of the rest of my life.

One step, two steps, I chanted in my mind. You can do this Rosalia, it's just a touch of walking. You used to love-

I felt a tiny teetering edge upon me, which made me stop all thought as I regained control. Drat these shoes. Drat Mother for buying me these shoes.

Calming my near-hysterical breaths, and myself I tried to glide serenely down. Serene was not my style. Pale, panicked and near fainting was my style.

I was only halfway down the wedding aisle. How long did an aisle have to be? This business of watching the bride walk down the walk, preening into front of what felt like millions- that might be great for any other lady, but for me, I just became a mess that wanted to curl up in the corner and cry.

This felt like it was taking a century. A century or two. Maybe a millennia. I was taking as large as steps as possible, without looking even stranger, and yet I still had not reached the priest.

My eyes looked up and I found those of the Pig. He grinned in his piggish manner, making my stomach squeal in revolt. Obviously he was happy at the idea of being married. I averted my eyes; perhaps throwing up on the wedding aisle might not make the best impression.

Finally, I joined the group up front, trembling all over; though whether this was from terror or excitement, I really could not tell. I thought Father Tallice had begun to speak, but I blurred it out, the butterflies in my stomach messing with my hearing. Yes, Father Tallice.

"Marriage is filled with the vices conjoining and conflicting-," he burbled on, shooting a not-so-subtle look towards me.

Was it a bad idea to ask the priest to repeat? I imagined not many brides failed to listen through their own wedding. Then again, I was certainly not many brides.

"You may kiss the bride." Well I heard that part. I turned to kiss my husband, suddenly feeling extremely nervous. It was not everyday that you had public displays of affection.

Sebastian turned to me, that constant laugh in his eyes and melted away my uncertainty in an instant.

Well most of it anyway.

Gently, he lifted my veil as if it were a thousand pearls and paused for a brief moment, before leaning in.

I love you, he mouthed to me. I scowled; it was his fault we were having a massive wedding- princes, especially wayward ones like him, tended to get married with a few thousand in the audience.

I hate you, I mouthed back. Father Tallice stiffened, and several of the congregation gasped.

I could not believe I said that aloud.

"I mean, I love you," I smoothed over the mistake uneasily.

Sebastian would have laughed but for the fact we were in a wedding. Soon enough, his mouth enclosed mine, gently but definitely.

My eyes fluttered close as his arms wrapped around my own- the taste of him a glorious one. I could hear the guests cheering, but it was washed out. Everything was him.

Sebastian pulled away, his eyes a triumphant glow. I smiled, feeling a tad light-headed after that exchange. I tossed my bridal bouquet up into the air, that very same bouquet that cost the same as a small dog. The tightly bound flowers tumbled through the air, to land in the awaiting arms of Ella Winters. Angel looked towards the bouquet in shock, which earned a round of laughter.