Chapter 3: The Wedding
"Ouch!" Lirian winced as the silk of the wedding dress brushed against her fresh wounds.
Her father's parting gift haunted her with the sharp sting with every move.
The black fabric clung to her skin.
It was a brave choice in a world demanding purity.
She'd chosen this dress as a symbol of her mourning—for herself, her lost freedom, and the life she was forced into.
As she was led to the carriage, whispers surrounded her, murmurs of the union between two notorious families.
"Perfect match," they said.
"Traitors both."
Her heartbeat was beating faster with each step, but her face showed no emotion.
The road to Gabriel Sylcrest's estate was fast.
The lavish surroundings and fancy decorations only deepened her sense of depression.
She imdiately thought of the story she'd read about him—handso yet cold, with a reputation as dark as his hair was bright.
Arriving at the estate, she was ushered into a grand hall where the ceremony would take place.
The room was full of guests, glaring at her as she moved forward.
Lirian felt every eye like chains, binding her to this unwanted fate.
Then she saw him—Gabriel stood at the altar.
His long silver hair frad a face that was both striking and severe; his golden eyes watched her approach.
Tall and muscular, he seed every bit the formidable person the rumors described.
Arrogant. Selfish. Petty. rciless.
They stood side by side, yet none of them even bothered to greet each other.
Not a word passed their lips, but the silence spoke everything they needed to hear.
There was no affection, no warmth—only the cold understanding of a shared destiny neither desired.
The officiant began the ceremony.
Lirian barely listened, she was already thinking of escape, revenge, and survival.
She glanced at Gabriel, wondering what thoughts he had behind those piercing eyes.
The officiant's voice filled the hall.
"Do you, Lady Lirian Nightwind, take Duke Gabriel Sylcrest to be your husband?"
"I do."
"And do you, Duke Gabriel Sylcrest, take Lirian Blackwood to be your wife?"
"I do."
With those words, their fates were sealed.
As the vows were exchanged, her body was calr.
Gabriel's tone seed equally impassive, each word he spoke was like a command rather than a promise.
The mont approval passed through the crowd. Lirian caught their sly comnts.
"What will he do with her? She has no magic."
"Divorce will follow soon."
The reception that followed was forced with pleasantries.
Lirian played her part, smiling when necessary, but remaining on the man now tied to her fate.
Gabriel stayed close, yet he said nothing, his silence was a fortress wall.
She wondered if he felt any of the dread that consud her.
At last, they were alone, away from prying eyes.
The atmosphere between them was uncomfortable.
"You didn't have a choice either," she finally said, breaking the silence.
He shrugged, "you didn't because I bought you."
His dismissive and arrogant tone was more painful than Lucius's whip. "Unfortunately," he added.
He looked at her for a long mont, as if trying to understand her words.
"We do what we must to survive."
Lirian nodded, understanding all too well the truth of his statent.
Yet, a part of her yearned for more—for freedom, for a life beyond the shadows of their families' sins.
For now, they were bound together, two reluctant players in a ga of power and blood.
And as they faced their destined future, Lirian vowed silently to carve out her own life no matter what.
But with this, she had to leave Rita's na behind forever.
>>>>____
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