A few months later.

One of the grandest weddings of Wraith was celebrated. It was as grand as the wedding between the King and Queen, but less publicized to the commonwealth. Though, the elites and socialites were all attending this event, thus, made it to the headlines.

“Such a beautiful bride,” Adeline let out a soft sigh, placing her hands on Lydia’s bare shoulders. She was in awe at the dress.

Lydia’s wedding gown was as elegant and powerful as her, in the most refined manner possible. 

Swan feathers were sharply spread across her chest, revealing a low dip, but the cinched materials at the waist that flared into a long train gave her a chic flare. She looked like a greek goddess that decided to take a tour of the mortal realms, but forgot to leave behind her fancy attire.

“I can’t believe someone is actually going to marry my wild child,” Mrs. Claymore said, dabbing at the corner of her eyes. She couldn’t cry yet, her mascara was too expensive!

“Now, our daughter isn’t that bad,” Duke Claymore chuckled, his lips twisting into a humored smile. He caught his daughter’s glare in the reflection and laughed even louder.

“No dad, she’s much worse,” Linden muttered from the corner of the room, where he was leaning against the wall and observing the scene. His lips were curled in disdain, but he said nothing.

Linden was given the position of COO in the company, second-in-power to his older sister. Now he was just waiting for her to drop dead to take over her position. 

But with her powerful allies and support, death was an impossible dream. Even so, he tucked his hands into his pockets, jealous that his sister had found her happiness.

“Sounds like jealousy to me,” Lydia responded, dabbing her lips with the finishing touches of lipstick. 

Lydia observed herself in the mirror, gloating at her own beauty, watching the sapphire diamonds glisten in the light. It was given by her mother, for something “blue.”

Lydia couldn’t care less about what everyone said about her. She knew she was a beautiful bride.

“Since you have something borrowed from your mother,” Adeline said, referring to the heels worn by Duchess Claymore at her own wedding. “Something old from your father,” she added on, glancing at the old diamond cufflinks from Duke Claymore’s own wedding that was turned into a necklace.

“This is something new, to complete the marriage tradition of Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue,” Adeline slowly stated, placing a box onto the vanity.

“Gasp, what is it?” Lydia asked, her eyes lighting up, even though she was already glamorized in grateful pieces of jewelry.

“Can I open it, Addy?” Lydia questioned, even though she was already pulling at the white ribbon. 

Adeline laughed at her friend’s antics, but nodded, biting down on her bottom lip to suppress a large smile. She watched with joy as Lydia’s eyes sparkled at the item.

“A matching bracelet?” Lydia instantly asked, awestruck by the beautiful dainty bracelet. 

The white gold nearly blended in with her skin, making it the perfect bracelet to pair with others. There was a tag on the bracelet with a date etched on it.

“This is the date our friendship began,” Adeline said, leaning her chin upon Lydia’s shoulder, revealing the matching bracelet on her wrist. “I figured we’ve been friends for so long, but never had friendship jewelry.”

“God, I love it!” Lydia exclaimed, thrusting her wrist out. “Help me put it on, please.”

Adeline let out a sigh of relief, glad that Lydia liked it. She clipped the bracelet onto Lydia’s wrist, smiling at how undetected the bracelet was. 

People would have to look closely at either woman’s wrist to see the bracelet was there, but it did catch the light whenever they moved. The metal reflected, creating a blinding ray whenever they’d shift.

Adeline rested her hand besides Lydia, admiring how simplistic yet beautiful the matching bracelets were. Together, they formed a dynamic duo.

– – – – –

“I’ve always hated suits,” Elias said, standing at the aisle platform with Weston, Easton, and surprisingly, William. 

Elias stared at the side of Lydia, where Adeline led as the maid of honor, accompanied by nameless  socialites he didn’t care about.

Elias’s eyes met Adeline and he saw her fingers twitch, tightening on the flower bouquets being held by the bridesmaids. He narrowed his haze, knowing she was reaching her limits of standing.

Three years of therapy and Adeline could only walk a block or two. She couldn’t stand for too long without her legs shaking before it suddenly gave out. Elias saw noted was trying her hardest to not capture attention to herself.

Pure-Bloods healed much faster than humans, but her injury occurred before she was turned.

“Oh my, look at the Prince and Princess!”

“How cute.”

“Such a lovely pair of siblings they are.”

Elias briefly glanced at his children, before his gaze shifted back to Adeline. He was growing worried, but realized her agony was being distracted with astonishment. Then, he saw her eyes light up with joy.

“Your Grace, they’re so adorable,” one of the bridesmaids whispered to the Queen.

Adeline turned her head and flashed the woman a smile. 

“Thank you,” Adeline said.

Adeline recognized her from somewhere, but couldn’t be bothered to be acquainted with her. She returned her stare to Adelia and Elios.

Together, Adelia and Elios walked down the aisle with small baskets of flower petals. They threw them up in the air, the petals twirling and falling softly. Adelia wore a stoic expression, the splitting image of her father, whereas Elios was all grins, eager to be the center of the show.

“Oh my!”

“Look at the Chairwoman.”

“What a dress… she looks like a Swan Queen, instead of a Princess.”

Murmurs and gasps were heard, as the piano built up rhythm. It started off with a slow melody, like the waves reeling back, before the beat became more ethereal and regal, as the waves crashed forward.

Lydia had set foot on the aisle, her beautiful dress a showstopper. There was a long train of fabric and she took her sweet time showing off. People gushed and exclaimed at the beautiful bride but she was staring ahead. 

Weston. Her heart skipped at the sight of him. 

“This is the first time I saw you cry,” Lydia said, noticing his eyes were moistened and his lips curled upwards into a large smile.

Weston chuckled at her words, grabbing her head and softly squeezing it as the wedding officiator began to speak. He couldn’t even concentrate on the officiator’s words, for his attention was blown away by his gorgeous bride.

“And the last time,” Weston reassured her, causing Lydia to grin. 

“We’ll see,” Lydia gloated, just as the officiator spoke.

“Ladies and gentlemen, prince and princesses, today we’re gathered to celebrate the marriage of an honorary couple, Mr. Weston Fitzcharles and Miss Lydia Claymore,” the wedding officiator loudly announced.

“If the groom will, please take the bride’s hand and state your vows,” the officiator concluded.

“Forever may be too much to request from you, but I want no less than to spend an eternity with you,” Weston began. “You are my fire, my passion, and my light at the end of the tunnel. You are what keeps me warm in my coldest days and happiest in my worst.”

Elias stepped forward with the box of rings. Weston took the one meant for Lydia.

The officiator cleared his throat. “Do you, Lydia Claymore, take Weston Fitzcharles as your husband, to be adored even during calamities, and cared for during your happiest moments?”

Lydia stared Weston down, her heart skipping when he winked. “I do.”

With that said, Weston slipped on her ring.

Lydia looked at the remaining white gold band in the box. She breathed in deeply and began her speech.

“No request is too much if it comes from you. If you wager eternity, I wager a reincarnation reunion shall death ever do us apart. In my most heated moments, you are the ice providing me with comfort and the warmth in my chest during my most joyous moments,” Lydia said. 

“And do you, Weston Fitzcharles, take Lydia Claymore as your wife, to be loved even during hardships, and cherished during times of happiness?”

Weston glanced at Lydia, his smile growing wide. “I do.”

Lydia took the ring and slid it onto Weston’s finger, the band flickering in the daytime. 

“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Weston stepped forward, grabbed his wife by the waist and kissed her deeply. The crowd clapped as Easton wolf-whistled and Elias rolled his eyes. He even bent her backwards, deepening the kiss, his grip strong when he pulled her back to her feet.

Lydia let out a laugh of disbelief, her bright blush showing through her foundation. This man was truly shameless! A kiss like that, in front of the in-laws too? 

Lydia looked at her parents, her father glowering at Weston, whereas her mother shook her head in amusement.

“I’ve been meaning to do that ever since you walked in,” Weston said against her lips, pecking them one final time before pulling apart. The dinner, accompanied by a dance, was going to begin. 

“I couldn’t tell,” Lydia teased. “You were too much of a blubbering, crying mess for me to focus on anything but that.”

Weston laughed, his thumb fixing the smeared lipstick on the corner of her mouth. “We’ll see who’d be a crying mess after tonight.”

Lydia blinked at him. “It’s going to be our wedding night, surely you wouldn’t—”

“Oh but I would,” Weston daunted. “And I’ve already prepared my penthouse bedroom for you.”

“Prepared?” Lydia echoed, earning a sinful smirk from him. Her stomach fluttered as she began to think about the possibilities. How does one prepare their bedroom? And for what?