There she is, Marianne

Katherine pov.

I stood there like a clown, unable to decide what I was supposed to do now. Now I am married, and the man that was standing in front of me was my husband. Both words sound so unfamiliar.

"Now you may kiss the bride." announced the priest or pope it was! I do not care! All I cared about was the kiss. The first kiss of my life! What if he did not find it well enough. Wait! Shouldn't it be a man's responsibility to manage the kiss! Why was I getting worried? He will handle it, right!?

He moved towards me and passed an assuring smile which relaxed me a bit, but when he moved closer the panic rose again.

He held my waist as he came closer and I instinctively closed my eyes. His soft lips touched my lips and then I felt him following a rhythm. I tried to follow him when I felt his tongue touch my teeth occasionally. Confused that I was, I let it be. But when he left my lips, I felt a frown forming on his lips which made me realize something was wrong.

But in the blink of my eyes, he turned normal again, as if all I felt was an issue. Or was it really was? I kept looking at him to find the answer of my question when i heard him saying,

"Shall we?" I nodded and he held my hands and moved towards the table where our family was sitting together.

My mother gave me a warm smile as she stood up and hugged me while my father shook his hands with William, my husband. It would take me a while to accept this new reality.

But when I looked at the proud faces of my family, father, mother, Elena and Leonardo, I felt a sense of accomplishment. They were the ones who have always done things for me. This was the first time I have made them feel proud.

"Come and greet your new family." said my mother, with a choked voice when she finally let me go from her arms. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I nodded and moved towards that intimidating man.

Not knowing what to do, I bowed in front of my new father.

"Congratulations for being the empress of the Forchestier empire." shouldn't he first wish me to be his daughter in law.

Not like my father, this man was only an error to his bones.

I wanted to look up to him, but his aura was too strong, making me scared.

"It's alright, come and sit here." as if sensing my uneasiness, Charles moved towards me and held my hand. He took me to the nearest seat and pulled the chair for me like a gentleman.

I could hear everyone talking about us, they were looking at us like we were a new kind of species suddenly found. When I was getting uneasy, Charles was looking least bothered by it. He sat gracefully beside me, receiving a proud nod from my father while I did not even want to look towards him.

"Today we are gathered here to celebrate the alliance of two nations. Now we did not need to worry about the Veristatia empire. For we have strong holding against them now." announced my father and everyone clapped and cheered. The clanking of glasses and cheers could be heard.

And here I thought that they all were here to celebrate my marriage. I smiled at that absurd thought. Of course, the empire was before the princess. This is what I was taught since I was young. "NOBLESSE OBLIGE"

My mother looked at my father and he cleared his voice.

"And of course, the marriage of my youngest daughter Katherine with the emperor of the Forchestier empire, Charles Van De Christatia." Once again the sound of loud cheers filled the room but my eyes were searching for Philip and his mother. I have not seen him in days. Though he did not spend much time with me, he still made sure to come and meet me once every day to see if I was working fine.

Now when we have to cover a long journey together, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Elena, have you seen Philip?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Kath, concentrate on the party. It is your wedding day!" she mumbled as she looked at me and I could only nod.

The stage where we were standing a while ago was filled with dancers and musicians. A group of mesmerising girls dancing on the stage. But my thoughts were still lost on Philip, just like my father did not ask him if he wanted to go!

"Is show not up to your liking, your majesty.'' His words surprised me as he called me so formally!? Was I already an empress! I thought he would call me Katherine or Kath, just like others do.

"I do Your majesty," I replied, matching his rhythm and he chuckled.

"I want you to meet my extended family. The man was busy talking to my father there. He is my cousin and my best friend, Cassius De Luca." I must say the way both were talking it felt like he was the son of the emperor. and they were not in the party but in a war zone, discussing war tactics. i could only smile and nod at the enthusiasm he was showing in introducing his cousin.

he was looking so proud that even i started thinking highly of them.

"he even have a son. and His wife must be here too."

He looked around and my eyes followed him, when he pointed at a lady who was lost in drinking. though she was beautiful, her face was brooding as if the whole world was against her! why was she not sitting with us if she was part of the family? i wanted to ask him but i could not douse his enthusiasm.

"Ahh, there she is, Marianne!"