13. Royal Wedding

"My apologies, princess. I didn't come to pick you up myself. I thought you were still on your way." Adro stepped closer to Joselyn with a warm and enthusiastic smile.

Joselyn shook her head gently, a smile still blooming on her lips. "I actually came here silently to surprise you, Your Highness."

"Oh... Haha..." Adro laughed, forming a deep dimple on his left cheek. "You never change; Princess Joselyn is always full of surprises. And I'm always taken aback by them."

The two of them lingered together along the palace corridors, ending up in an admirable indoor magical garden.

Turning to the side, Adro found Joselyn gazing ahead at the mattress of flowers in the garden. Glowing, colorful butterflies seemed to dance above it. When he was a kid, to Adro, Joselyn was a sweet, pretty little girl. But he didn't expect that the girl had now grown into an incredibly charming woman. He was lucky to have a perfect woman like Joselyn, who was admired by many men as his fiancée. However, everyone said he deserved her because he was the crown

prince.

"It feels like yesterday we were running among those flowers. Back then, my legs were so short that all the flowers seemed so tall - It was like I was in a sea of blooms. I never thought that I'd have to look at those flowers again, but they aren't even as tall as my knees." Joselyn covered her chuckle with the back of her hand.

Adro nodded. "Nine years is a long time, but beautiful memories always stay with us."

Joselyn turned to Adro. "Since I was a child, I dreamed of marrying and starting a family with you, Adro. I'm so happy because that day is about to come." Adro's eyes were enchanted by Joselyn's beauty. He smiled softly and nodded. "I feel the same happiness. Soon, we will become husband and wife, have children, and rule this kingdom, leading our ancestors' land together."

Adro held out his hand in front of Joselyn, and she placed her delicate, small hand in his. Then, Adro kissed the back of her hand, which smelled like jasmine, with all his heart.

"Destiny has marked us for a marital union. I'm grateful that you're the one destined for me. I'm the luckiest woman in the world," Joselyn's words made Adro chuckle. He gazed at her intently with a warm smile. "I'll make you the luckiest woman in the world forever."

Adro glanced out of the window of his room, which overlooked the largest garden in the palace. He could see the palace staff busy preparing for their wedding decorations. Everything was neatly and beautifully arranged. The wedding ceremony of Prince Adro and Princess Joselyn would be held in the palace garden, as per Joselyn's request. She wanted to exchange their vows amid the beautiful flowers of Groendez a Lend.

For the past two days, Adro hadn't seen Joselyn. It was a long-standing tradition in their land for couples about to be married not to see each other for two days. They would be reunited in front of the wedding altar, already adorned in their wedding attire.

"Your Highness," A man with bright hazel-blue eyes entered Adro's spacious room.

"Damian," Adro greeted him back. "Is there something?"

Damian shook his head, then smiled. He studied his brother from head to foot with sparkling eyes. Then he shook his head slowly. "My… My…"

Adro chuckled. "What is it?"

"You're really getting married, aren't you?" Damian said without taking his eyes off his brother. "I can't believe today is the day."

Adro responded with an even wider smile. Then he turned to the large mirror in the corner of the room, taking three steps closer to get a better look at his reflection.

It was the wedding attire that had been prepared since he was seven years old, seventeen years ago. Little did he know that it would fit him perfectly without any major adjustments.

The bone-white uniform had intricate gold embroidery and gemstone ornaments. Everything looked luxurious and beautiful, matching Joselyn's wedding gown, which had also been prepared seventeen years ago.

Adro and Joselyn's marriage had been planned since Joselyn's birth. Joselyn happened to be of noble birth. Her father was related to King Archer Elex Groendez, Adro's father.

Arranged marriages were common and a tradition in the West Land. Adro had never objected to this arrangement. For him, Joselyn was the woman he'd always cherished, having played together since childhood.

Finished admiring his reflection in his wedding attire, Adro returned to the window. He would have to wait for several hours until the wedding ceremony. Unlike the groom, the bride needed much more time to prepare, so, Adro would patiently wait.

The Groendez royal garden was vast, even bordering a sprawling forest to the north of the palace. As Adro gazed outside, he noticed something unusual. It was a twinkling, multicolored orb hovering above the trees in the garden's

edge.

"Damian, look at that," Adro pointed his chin out the window.

Damian, who had been reading a book on the sofa, set the book down and walked over to his brother. "What is it?"

"Do you see that light orb? What do you think it is?" Adro asked, still staring intently.

Damian raised both his eyebrows. "Hmm... What is that? I've never seen anything like that, but I'm sure it's not one of our sorcerers."

"This is strange. Something doesn't seem right." Adro muttered.

"Could it be a … witch?" Damian squinted his eyes.

"I was thinking the same," Adro said before turning and heading to the door.

"Hey, Adro! Where are you going?" Damian followed his brother.

"I'm going to check it out. If it's a witch, they could endanger everyone." Adro answered without slowing his steps.

"Have you lost your mind? Your wedding is just a few hours away. You could ask the guards to investigate," Damian grabbed Adro's shoulder.

Pausing his steps, Adro looked at his younger brother deeply. "This is my wedding. I'll punish anyone causing trouble here. I'll capture that witch myself."