Arriving at the front of the palace, Rihannan and Igor stepped foot out of the carriage. Countless men and women waiting for their appearance quickly shouted in elated joy.
Petals fell from the sky like a never-ending snow.
Igor held Rihannan’s hand warmly and headed to the grand hall where the wedding ceremony would take place.
A magnificent and beautiful place was heralded in display. Everything… was… perfect. She recited the same oath she once said and held the wedding ceremony in the same order – a kiss from the groom, the king, and to the bride, the queen.
Rihannan slowly closed her eyes remembering her previous wedding. He lifted the veil covering her features. Rihannan kept her eyes shut and waited for the procession to pass quickly. But even so, she felt nothing touch her lips. Curious, her eyes fluttered open and looked at the man whose gaze seemed far away.
Purple eyes…
Those purple eyes that once stared at her with cold anger, like it wanted to stab through her in her past life, was full of warmth.
She had trouble maintaining the gaze that she turned her eyes away, but at that moment, his face grabbed her chin and she had no choice but to look him in the eyes all over again.
And now, in this lifetime, she had a clear look of those purple eyes once more. Those clear and deep purple eyes were a clear genetic trait seen amongst Arundell’s royal lineage. Igor inherited many features from Chrichton – his large physique and sharp features were one, but his noticeable black hair and pupils belonged to Arundell.
Their eyes connected. Igor looked at her and stared longingly. He bent down and kissed her soft lips. He kissed her as if she was a poem, as if every poetic word laid bare on her lips. He kissed her in the same way the red sun kissed the sky.
She was caught in a sudden reverie of surprise. She did not think to close her eyes but accepted his kiss that contained a sort of longing like the night sky yearning for stars to shine. She remained firm, though unable to breathe till his thick black eyelashes flickered and his purples were revealed again.
He straightened his back and touched his lips, his movements… shy? Rihannan realized what had occurred; she turned red from bashfulness. It was no deep kiss that penetrated her mouth but soft and different, neither violent or lustful.
She was confused.
Her heart quickened.
Igor pulled down her veil thereafter.
She could feel her heart thumping loudly.
Fortunately, she was covered in a veil and no one could see her current expression.
“Throughout this ceremony, Rihannan Alessin and Igor Cesca have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the existence of the bond between them with words spoken and with the giving and receiving of rings. May the blessings of life, the joy of love, the peace of truth, and wisdom and strength be your constant companion, now and always. I, therefore, proclaim His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen husband and wife.”
The priest joined their right hands together as the processional was nearing its end and declared their matrimony with the giving and receiving of a ring that they be blessed by the heavens.
After the ceremony finished, Igor reached out to her hand again and squeezed it, pulling her to his side.
On this day, Rihannan Cesca was pronounced Queen of Arundell.