Retribution

So it took hours to get us ready.

When our make-up was in place and my hair was pinned up in an elaborate undo that would later hold the veil and the diamond headpiece, my aunts Zuwan and Zhiwei came in carrying my wedding dress as well as the bridesmaid dresses for Qinli and Qina.

There was only 1 hour left until the wedding ceremony. So I stared at my reflection. The dress was beautiful and the chapel train fanned out behind me, the platinum embroidery glittering wherever the sunlight hit it, and the empire waist was accentuated by a white satin ribbon.

"I love the sweetheart neckline. It gives you a breath-taking sexy cleavage," Aunt Zuwna gushed. She was Man Lin sis mother.

"I bet young master Fu will surely appreciate it," Aunt Zhiwei said.

Something on my face must have made my mother realize I was close to having a nervous breakdown, so she ushered my aunts out.

"Let the 3 girls have a moment."

Qina stepped into view beside me. Her long hair contrasted beautifully with the mint dress. She opened the box with the necklace. Diamonds and pearls surrounded by intricate white gold threads.

"Tsk. Tsk. The groom really doesn't spare any costs, does he? That necklace and your head crown probably cost more than most people pay for their house."

The conversation and laughter of the gathered guests carried up from the gardens through the open window into the room. Every now and then a clunk could be heard.

"What's that noise?" I asked, trying to distract myself.

Qina walked over to the window and peered out.

"The men are taking off their guns and putting them into plastic boxes."

"How many?"

She turned up an eyebrow.

"How many guns does each man put away?"

"One." She frowned, then it dawned on her, and I nodded grimly.

"Only a fool would leave the house with less than two guns."

"Then why the show?"

"It's symbolic," I said.

Like this great wedding.

"But if they all want peace, why not attend unarmed? It's a wedding, after all."

"There have been red weddings before. I saw pictures from a wedding where you couldn't tell the colour of the bride's dress anymore. It was soaked in blood."

Qinli shuddered.

"That won't happen today, right?"

Anything was possible.

"No, W and B clans need each other too much. They can't risk spilling blood among each other as long as the Mogo and the Armstrong pose a threat."

Qina snorted.

"Oh great, that's comforting."

"It is," I said firmly.

"At least we know nobody will come to harm today." My stomach twisted into a knot. Except for me, maybe.

Probably. Qina wrapped her arms around me from behind and rested her chin on my bare shoulder.

"We could still run. We could get you out of your dress and sneak out. They're all busy. Nobody would notice."

Qinli nodded her head vigorously and got up from where she'd perched on the bed.

Fu Shao would notice. I forced a brave smile.

"No. Now too late already."

"Not yet, big sister," Qina hissed.

"Please. Don't give up."

"There would be blood on my hands if I broke the agreement. They would kill each other in retribution."