Chapter 28 - Matrimony

The day was bright with a blue sky and a few clouds. People dressed in their best attire, flocked to the Sharumez household. In their hands were wrapped gifts of different sizes. Wagons, carriages and carts were packed both inside and outside of the yard. The day of the wedding had finally arrived and excitement filled the air.

Women were seen happily singing and dancing outside. The men, on the other hand, drank and chatted loudly with each other. A few of them played drums for the dancing women. The beating drums went well with the clanging tambourines that the women played.

Akirexer and Naliya were running up and down making sure that everything was in order. They took care to make sure that all the guests were served while Sharumez and Jenu welcomed the incoming guests.

Naian was already at the altar with his closest friend, Karnam. With them was one of the Council of Elders. Karnam periodically spoke to Naian in order to calm his nerves. The elder on the other hand, just maintained his silence. He wiped his sweaty bald head as he listened to Karnam's soft whispers to Naian.

"It is almost time for your bride to come to the altar. You got this." Karnam said with his hand on Naian's shoulder. Naian said nothing but breathed out through his mouth.

Sharumez and Akirexer sat on the first role next to the altar. They proudly looked onto Naian who nervously stood there in his wedding attire that consisted of a white shirt, white pants and a long golden jacket.

****

Sitting by the mirror in her room was Emelinia. She was unable to recognize herself due to her heavy makeup. The women had spent hours beautifying her. She wore a sleeveless golden lace dress that was tight from the waist up but puffy and flared from the waist down. On her head was a golden lace veil and her hair was tied in a bun.

Flashback

"Naian, may I speak with you?" Emelinia asked Naian as he was on his way out.

"Er sure, what's on your mind?" he asked her back as he looked at his wrist watch.

Emelinia rubbed her hand in discomfort. "Well, I thought about everything and I..." she looked up at Naian. "I have decided not to leave."

"Are you sure?"

"Y-yes... um, everyone has worked so hard to plan everything so it just wouldn't be right to walk away at this point." she softly explained.

Naian looked at her with a straight face. "That's not a good enough reason to stay if you don't want to." he pointed out.

"No one will blame you for cancelling the wedding."

"Yes I know but I just don't know what to do... anymore." Emelinia tucked her lips.

"What do you want?" Naian point blank, asked her.

Emelinia looked at him uncertain of what to say.

"What do you want, Emelinia?" he firmly asked her again.

"I want to be happy." she answered.

Next thing Emelinia saw was Naian walking away.

Flashback ends.

Sharaina held her shoulders and smiled at her through the mirror. Emelinia blushed and smiled back. She fiddled with her engagement ring while Sharaina was calling Alainara. Alainara came in much to the delight to all the women there.

"You look so beautiful Emelinia. It is now time that Alainara and I added the final touch." Sharaina said and held out a beautiful golden necklace with green rubies.

It was tradition in Dark Star that the sisters to the groom put jewelry on the bride right before she goes to the altar. Sharaina chuckled as she set the necklace on Emelinia's neck. Alainara proceeded to put the matching ear rings on her ears. The two of them then put golden bangles on each of Emelinia's hands. When they were done they gave Emelinia kisses on her hands.

Channy stood in silence as she watched Sharaina and Alainara perform their tradition. She wiped a tear of joy when she saw that they were done. Together they helped Emelinia up. Channy dropped the veil and covered Emelinia's face. She then proceeded to lead her out of her room and to the altar where Naian was waiting for her.

Sharaina and Alainara carried the tail of the wedding dress and women followed them behind singing songs and playing tambourines. When Naian heard the women singing, he knew that the time had come and he became nervous. Karnam patted his shoulder and he felt a little better. The moment the bride was seen everyone stood up.

Channy left Emelinia at the altar with Sharaina standing behind her as her bridesmaid. Liss and Mayla stood behind Sharaina in the same maroon dress as hers. All three were excited to be Emelinia's bridesmaids. Seeing Naian and Emelinia up there made Akirexer emotional. Her boy was getting married. Channy and Akirexer smiled at each other and wiped their tears.

"We are gathered here to witness the marriage between Naian and Emelinia. If there is anyone against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." The elder said and no one stood up. "Well then, do you Naian take Emelinia to be your lawfully wedded wife for all eternity?" He asked Naian.

"I do." Naian said.

"Do you Emelinia take Naian to be your lawfully wedded husband for all eternity?" He asked Emelinia.

"I do." She answered from behind the veil.

"You may unveil your bride." The elder said.

Naian threw Emelinia's veil back and he was struck by how beautiful she looked. Emelinia felt uneasy and she blushed. Everyone marveled about how beautiful she looked and they loudly spoke about it much to Channy's delight.

"You may wear your rings." He said and Naian slid a silver ring down Emelinia's finger and she slide a silver ring down his finger. "By the name of King Raglan, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He said. "You may now kiss your wife." He said to Naian.

Naian felt extremely uncomfortable with this. He looked at Emelinia and she was equally nervous. He pulled himself together and gave Emelinia a kiss on her lips. He then quickly withdrew while the guests cheered and got up from their seats. Emelinia blushed heavily for she could still feel the touch of Naian's lips.

Naian held out his hand to Emelinia and she looked back at him confused. He could tell that the kiss halted her reasoning. That forced him to lean closer and gently get hold of her hand. He then slowly walked down the altar with Emelinia's small hand in his. Married women threw petals of vini flowers at the newly wedded couple while everyone else clapped happily.

The wedding ceremony went on smoothly and everyone had a good time. They danced, ate and drank like there was no tomorrow. The dancers hired to entertain everyone did a splendid job. When it was night time everyone began to leave. They all blessed the newly married couple and wished them the best.

Some married women came to get Emelinia and they escorted her to Naian's room. Emelinia nervously walked into her new matrimonial bedroom. The bed had fresh new bed sheets and a beautiful brown duvet. It was graced with a sweet smelling perfume. Scattered all over the bed were red and white rose petals. Candles instead of lamps lit the room and it looked even more beautiful.

The women helped her sit on the bed and left closing the door behind them. Emelinia sat at the center of the bed and folded her legs in her dress that took up almost half the bed. Her heart was racing because she was feeling afraid and nervous. Emelinia held onto her dress as she thought about losing her virginity.

"My child, do not be afraid when the time comes. Let your husband exercise his right over you." Channy's words echoed in her ears.

Naian entered the room and went straight into the bathroom. Emelinia felt tensed. She held her breath when she saw Naian walk out of the bathroom without his jacket and his shirt unbuttoned by three buttons. She looked away and took quiet long breaths. Naian unbuttoned his sleeves and took off his belt. Emelinia wanted to run at that point but her legs couldn't move.

She watched him pour red wine into two glasses. He handed her one and climbed on the bed sitting in front of her with his legs folded. Naian drank his wine in one gulp and Emelinia only sipped on hers. She didn't like the sour taste. When Emelinia looked up to him she was afraid to see him smiling warmly at her.

"Emelinia, we both know that we have gotten married out of helplessness." he thoughtfully said to her. "It is for this reason that I think we shouldn't rush into...you know...getting intimate." he said and Emelinia was astonished.

"I know you aren't ready for that. To be honest I don't want to force you into doing something you aren't ready for." He added. "I instead insist we work on getting to know each other better. Do you agree with me?" Naian asked her.

Emelinia slowly nodded her head.

"I'll fulfill my duties to you as your husband. You don't have to worry about that." Naian said to her.

He suddenly yawned and crawled to the other side of the bed. "Would you mind if I slept now. I'm feeling tired." he asked her.

"I do not mind." Emelinia found her voice and Naian got into the covers and slept.

Emelinia got off the bed and went to the closet. Her clothes were already folded and arranged. Akirexer had packed them there that morning. She picked out a new cotton red night dress and went into the bathroom. When she walked out she found Naian snoring softly. He looked calm and peaceful in his sleep. She failed to stop herself from admiring how handsome he looked with his eyes closed and hair in his face.

Naian snored and fidgeted a little in the covers. This prompted Emelinia to rush to the other side of the bed. She quietly slipped into the bed. Naian had his back turned and she turned hers too. Emelinia smiled to herself and closed her eyes to sleep.

****

Days had gone by and the time for Sharaina to go to the academy had finally arrived. She woke up early in the morning and took a slow bath. Sharaina dried her hair as she walked out of the bathroom in only her towel. Her eyes fell on the package she had ignored for days. She picked it off the floor and put it on her bed.

In it were four sets of uniforms. Sharaina picked up the note that was in the box and she read that each uniform was to be worn during specific times. The red one was the one she was going to be wearing the most, the white one was to be worn during the end of the year, the green one was to be worn during practical combat and the brown one during field work. During the weekend, she could wear anything she wanted. Sharaina put the note and the letter Sharumez gave her from King Raglan on the bed.

Sharaina proceeded to put on the red one because that was what the instructions demanded. It was similar to Light's uniform. Only difference was that it had no gloves and the coat was mostly white with red pockets. Sharaina packed the uniforms in one suitcase and zipped it. She picked up the other one, took one last look at her bedroom and went downstairs where everyone was waiting for her.

Sharumez felt proud to see her in her uniform. Akirexer fought her tears back so hard. Sharumez had warned her not to cry in front of Sharaina right before she left because it would affect her negatively. Sharaina carried her bags down and Naian took them from her.

"I still can't believe that this day has come." Sharumez said to her. "I am very proud of you Sharaina." He said and Sharaina hugged him with tears in her eyes.

"I'll miss you the most papa." She said.

Seeing this, Akirexer dropped her own tears and she hastily wiped them. She went over to Sharaina and hugged her too.

"Please make sure to stay out of trouble okay? Take good care of yourself and make sure you eat properly." Akirexer told her as she had her hands wrapped around her.

"I will do everything you ask mama." Sharaina replied with teary eyes and a faint grin.

Alainara ran up to her and hugged Sharaina too. "Why do you have to leave Sharaina? I will miss you very much."

Sharaina knelt down and wiped Alainara's tears. "I will miss you a lot too, Alainara. I will come to see you the moment I get the chance." She assured her.

Alainara held out a pink bunny doll to Sharaina who looked back at her puzzled. "You're giving me Miss Bunny Boo?" she asked her stunned.

Alainara quickly nodded her head. "She helps me sleep at night when I am away from home. Now she will help you sleep at night." her innocent voice melted hearts across the room.

Sharaina kissed Alainara's cheek. "Thank you." she said and hugged her. Sharaina turned to Naian and the two of them hugged. "Please write to us as often as you can Sharaina." he told her.

"I will and make sure you respond to all my letters or I will come here and punch you." Sharaina chuckled with tears in her eyes.

Naian rubbed the top of her head. "When have I ever disappointed you?" he chuckled.

Sharaina turned to Emelinia and the two of them hugged each other. "Emelinia I haven't known you for a long time but I feel so attached to you. Please take care of my family." Sharaina asked of her.

"I will do my best." Emelinia said with tears in her eyes.

Naian took Sharaina's bags outside and everyone escorted her out. A huge brown dragon was flying above them in a circle. Liss and Mayla were looking at it when Sharaina and everyone walked out. They both ran to her and hugged her tight crying.

"Sharaina you idiot, you have made me cry and it is ruining my make-up." Liss scolded Sharaina as she wiped her tears.

"You look very ugly with your make-up running down like that." Sharaina answered back and they both chuckled.

"We are going to miss you a lot Sharaina. Things will definitely not be the same without you here." Mayla sniffed. "We always pictured going to the academy together. It sucks that it will never happen like that."

"I will miss you two a lot." Sharaina said. She looked to Emelinia. "Please keep Emelinia company." She asked them.

"We definitely will." Liss answered.

"Don't take her out drinking though. I don't think she is into that plus I don't think Naian would like that very much." Sharaina mischievously whispered and Mayla giggled.

"I don't know about Liss but you have my word." Mayla answered.

Sharaina wiped her tears, picked up her bags. She turned to look at her family. "Well I guess this is good bye." She said to them with a smile on her face.

Sharumez and the family waved good bye as Sharaina jumped high up into the air towards the dragon. She landed on the back of the dragon and found others in the same uniform as hers with one soldier. Once she sat down, the dragon blew fire and opened a portal. Everyone below sadly watched the dragon disappear into the portal. The moment it was out of sight, Akirexer broke down and cried openly. Sharumez held her and she cried into his chest.