Page 48 of Kingdom of Lies

I beam at her. "Lena, your eye for beauty astounds me as always. However, would I have chosen fabrics and florals without you?"

"It will be the most wondrous wedding in the whole kingdom!" Lena declares excitedly.

"And you're next!" I tease her.

She blushes. "No! You really think so!"

Rona, another handmaiden, dabs at her eyes. "We are most overjoyed for you, Miss Kat. You will be the most radiant bride!"

I embrace them, my heart overflowing with gratitude. "You dear girls have made this process magical. I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness."

Lena's gentle fingers playfully arranging delicate baby's breath in my hair, Rona's soft humming as she meticulously stitches shimmering sequins onto my slippers keeps me firmly rooted in the present moment, banishing any lingering doubts or fears

Amidst the whirlwind of wedding magic, a pang of sorrow remains that Grandma is too frail to attend the ceremony. Her health improves daily with treatment, but she still needs more time before leaving the care of the finest healers in the land.

As Lena delicately places the flowers in my hair, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness. "I wish grandma could see this, share this day with me," I confess to her.

"I know, darling," Lena says soothingly, squeezing my hand as she finishes the floral arrangement. The colorful petals contrast beautifully against my dark hair. "She’d want you to be happy."

"I think so too..." I manage a bittersweet smile. "And you're right. She'd tell me to enjoy every moment."

I shall savor each second of this fairytale – for both of us. I only hope Grandma will continue recovering so we can visit her soon, show her the woman I have become thanks to the man who saw my potential when no one else did.

And when the long-awaited wedding day arrives, it is amidst happy chaos.

The hushed chapel fills with admiring gasps and smiles as all eyes turn to the radiant bride. Sunbeams through stained glass bathe the space in ethereal light.

Under the flower-woven arch stands my beloved, his eyes shimmering with adoration and awe as he gazes upon me. My heart races in time with his as he takes my hands in his, his touch sending electric sparks through my body. This is the moment we pledge our lives to each other.

His voice, deep and husky, fills the air as he speaks his vows: "My dearest Kathleen, you have breathed life into my soul, awakening a light I never thought possible. I vow to always cherish your tender heart, nourish your unbounded spirit, and hold each moment we share as a precious gift." His emerald eyes never leave mine as he makes these promises, and I know in my heart that every word he says is true. He is a completely different man than I met that fateful day.

And I'm a different woman.

Tears threaten to spill down my cheeks as I steady myself to respond:

"My love, you saw worth in me when no other would. I vow to stand by your side through anything life could throw at us, I will ease your burdens… My heart is your home, now and forevermore."

Our earnest words hang in the air, intertwining our hearts and souls in a binding promise. As we stand before each other, surrounded by loved ones and the beauty of nature, time stands still. Every word is spoken with such weight and emotion, as if our very existence depends on them.

The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur, but my focus remains solely on my beloved standing before me. His presence lifts me up and sets me free, filling every corner of my being with love and joy.

A smile spreads across my face, unable to contain the joy bubbling inside me as the normally stoic and serious Draknir takes my hand and leads me onto the dancefloor. To my surprise, his movements are fluid and graceful, a natural dancer emerging from within him.

With every step, he exudes confidence and mastery, guiding me smoothly through spins and dips that leave me breathless. As an elf, he moves with the innate elegance of his people, effortlessly.

Draknir, my beloved betrothed, has taken on many roles throughout our whirlwind engagement – fierce protector, gruff commander, cautious ally. Standing at my side, he is the prince from my childhood fairytales come to life. With a mischievous grin and sparkling eyes, he expertly twirls me around the dance floor as I laugh breathlessly in his arms. In this enchanting scene, I feel cherished and alive, like a princess in her own fairytale. The once hard-edged soldier has shed his armor becoming a dashing gentleman just for me.

Our guests admire Draknir's flair and finesse. But I see something deeper - for once he feels joy and freedom, far from duties and burdens.

Our union is finally fulfilled, on our own loving terms.

We are now united for life, facing whatever lies ahead hand in hand.

28

DRAKNIR

Our footsteps resound through the ancient stone castle halls as I carry my new bride into my opulent chamber to consummate our marriage. The weight of her in my arms feels light and precious, like a delicate feather fluttering against my chest. After the grandeur of our wedding ceremony, we are finally alone in this secluded haven. The room is dimly lit by the glow of the moon peeking through a narrow window, casting long shadows on the ornate wood furnishings that adorn the space.

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