The (Unwanted) Wedding

The day had arrived. Music was in the air, all around the village to the castle. Today was a momentous day after all, their prince was to be wed. Kings and queens came from the other kingdoms for the festivities, donned in their best attires. The smell of delicious meals were wafering in the air, making anyone's mouth water with anticipation.

Princes Arora was ecstatic. It was finally here, the day she was to be married to Prince Garret, a well sotted prince. Sitting straight and sending little smirks to the princesses who had tried to gather the redhead's attention but failed, where she succeeded. Looking over at the prince beside her, he looked happy and just as excited as she was.

She sighed happily and leaned her head against his shoulder. Today was a perfect day.

"To my friends, my equals," King Alastir spoke up standing, with a chalice in hand, "let us toast to this occasion. My son," his deep brown eyes turned to the prince, "may you be happy and Princess Arora," he paused, "may you understand his love."

There were cheers and laughter.

"My turn, I suppose," King Valor stood up and cleared his throat, "today is a day I have waited for some time," he looked at his daughter, "to see my daughter married off, rich with happiness."

"Oh father," the princess teared up.

"Take good care of her, Prince Garret," the king stated and drank his wine.

Cheers sounded and all returned to their meals. Princess Arora smiled shyly as she glanced at the prince once again. Grabbing his hand, she tugged him gently. Green eyes looked at her.

"What is it Princess?" He questioned.

"Shall we dance? We haven't done so yet," she questioned with a smile.

Garret looked at her for a moment and sported a slight frown. They haven't officially been blessed yet, and she already wanted to do more than he did. Technically, he would rather this whole farce be taken care of before the official commencement. He did feel guilty for not telling the princess the truth, but he knew why they had to do this… he just hoped she understood.

"After you are officially my wife, I shall dance with you for however long you'd like," he bargained and she grinned with a nod.

Inwardly sighing, he looked over at Lynn. She was wearing her knight garb, but those pretty brown eyes were so clear and looking at him. Smiling, she made a tap against her armored chest where her heart was protected. Green eyes brightened and his smile stretched.

'Ah, what you do to me, Lynn,' he breathed inwardly feeling the way his heart stuttered and float.

To his (not) surprise, the prince… the one from the Kingdom of Sushti, Prince David. He found his lips turned downward when he saw the blonde speaking with his lover, HIS. Surprising himself from such anger, he turned away and ate quietly listening to the merry voices around him. Letting out a sigh, he looked up to see Lynn and that prince was no longer there. He tried very hard not to frown deeply from the thought that his… Lynn was with Prince David… alone.

'Stop thinking in such a way,' he yelled at himself, 'Lynn would not do anything like that.'

Yet his mind was telling him that it was possible, that Lynn did take a liking to the blonde-haired prince. He didn't know how long he was mulling over his thoughts, but he heard his father announce that it was time. Forcing a smile on his face, he stood up, offered his arm for Princess Arora, and headed to the center where they would be married.

"Prince Garret and Princess Arora," the priest spoke up and the rest of it, Garret wasn't paying attention. He just wanted everything to be done and over with. Glancing at the mage, he saw Kurt was dropping something onto the floor as he walked, unbeknownst to others.

'So he is preparing already? Good. Let this day be over with,' he smiled and looked at the naïve princess, 'I am sorry Princess Arora, but my heart belongs to only one.'

Sliding the golden band on her finger, Garret clenched his teeth. The princess did the same, but with the softest of smiles.

"Prince Garret, Princess Arora," the elder spoke, "solidify this union with a kiss."

'For Lynn, for my kingdom,' he told himself as he leaned forward pressing his lips lightly and pulled back quickly.

Clearing his throat, he looked over at the priest who was blinking in confusion. Everyone around them was quiet and he found himself sweating nervously.

"Prince Garret," King James spoke up, "that was a lackluster kiss. Even your wife would agree."

'Why would you want to see me kissing anyways?' He thought with a frown.

With the crowd now chanting for a do over, Garret wanted to just throw everything, the plan and all, out of the castle.

'No, no,' he told himself, 'you must show you can follow the rules. You are a prince. You mustn't bring shame to your family.'

Swallowing down the saliva, he looked at the princess once more. He leaned forward again and closed his eyes. He pictured Lynn before him: the slight calloused hands in his, the smell of rose and lemon, and the softness of soft hair through his fingers. Pulling back, he could hear the panting breath against his face and the slight tremble of fingers on his chest. He could hear the clapping and the cheers from their audience. Pulling back, he smiled thinly, and his green eyes found the person he had imagined in the kiss.

Brown eyes looked at him and he felt his fingers twitched. Placing his hand over his heart, he hoped she understood. His knight nodded and placed her own over her heart.

"Let us celebrate with dances!" King Valor shouted happily and holding the hand of Hilda.

Garret brought his… wife to the dance floor and everyone joined, but a those who were suspicious.

"Alastir, Celeste, Annabelle," King Ronald and Harry greeted.

"Harry, Ronald," Alastir smiled cupping their shoulders, "thank you for coming."

"It is lovely," Ronald smiled, "however, there are problems, are there not?"

���Look at you all, hiding in a corner whispering. Are you conspiring something?" Queen Bella, the only one from the Kingdom of June, questioned with a smirk.

"Bella, beautiful as always," Harry bowed to the incomer.

They all shared a short laugh.

"Annabelle, I cannot believe that man," Bella griped staring at the crowd dancing, "to bring a wench with him. Here of all places!"

"That woman is more than we know," Alastir let out a sigh, crossing his arms.

"How so?" Ronald looked at his friend, "I know there is something wrong here, Alastir. Speak honestly."

Alastir rubbed his beard and glanced over at those dancing in merriment. He knew his friends would not question him, but he also knew if he was in their shoes, he would be suspicious. The king nodded and began explaining.

"The Lost Kingdom of Namaste held the powerful mage. She is now here among us."

"What? That woman has escaped? How?" King Harry glanced around wondering where she was.

"You mean…" King Ronald's eyes widened, "Valor… he wouldn't-"

"My husband did."

They looked at Queen Anabelle, quietly staring into the crowd with a forlorn look. Feeling a soft squeeze on her hand, she looked over to Celeste who encouraged her with a smile.

"My kingdom is not as it used to be. Many who speaks up or tried to leave were killed. Those who were attractive, even slightly, were sent to be punished and killed. It was thanks to Queen Bella that some of my people live."

"They are safe, Annabelle," Queen Bella smiled then felt her face fall, "for you to live that way…"

"Do not worry," she smiled at the raven-haired queen, "I believe King Alastir and Queen Celeste have a plan to stop this."

"That we do," the redheaded queen nodded, "we ask that you all trust us. She is not as powerful as she once was, but she will still be a force to reckon with."

They nodded, all in agreement, as they watched the people dancing, uncaring that the mage who brough destruction to her own kingdom was among them.

==

Kurt waited as the sun began to set.

It was almost time and he looked over at the joy on the guests faces. Turning, he moved over to the edge of the garden and stared out at the fountain. He hoped he had prepared all the precaution he needed because if things went wrong… he wasn't sure if he'd be able to hold her back completely.

A slight cough escaped his mouth and he covered it with his palm. Pulling it back, he saw the small splatter of blood. Inwardly sighing, he pulled out his handkerchief and wiped it away. No one needed to know. They were all counting on him.

He heard footsteps near him and he turned to see the young knight walking toward him.

"Kurt," she said softly and he nodded.

"I am prepared."

There was a small pause, before the female sighed.

"You placed a lot of your magic in this gem," she looked at him, "could you not retrieve it?"

"Why are you asking about that?"

"In case you run out of your magic."

"… why do you think I am-"

"Kurt," Lynn sighed and grabbed his boney arm, "I can tell this is taking a toll on you. All the black magic you've been using. It is affecting your body."

"You don't understand-"

"I understand that I don't wish for your death," Lynn stated clearly, "I understand that you are my friend and I do not wish to see you buried; I understand that you would do what you must to protect us, even if it is to sacrifice yourself."

His eyes widened for a moment, before a soft laugh escaped his lips.

'This child,' he shook his white hair.

"Are you thinking of doing the same, Sir Lynn?"

She grinned underneath her mask, like a child that was found out.

"We are both stubborn, Mr. London," she nodded, "I would do anything to protect those I love, that includes you."

Face softening at her admittance, he nodded in understanding.

'Let's see Lynn,' he thought looking out into the crowd, 'which one of us is more stubborn.'