You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 711

*******

The cities of the empire, although still recovering themselves, became lively and joyous by the news. From the palace, I could even listen to the busy people leaving aside the construction tasks to prepare a small festival to celebrate our wedding.

’This feels surreal...’ — I thought hypnotised by how it wasn’t just the capital that was busy, but the Royal palace entirely as well.

"Alright dear, so I prepared five dresses with Madame Fannie yet two did not survive the fight Sir Biel pulled while protecting my husband, nevertheless, I believe these three were the ones you liked most when I showed you the drafts. Pick one for we must also pick the jewels, hairstyle, veil, shoes, underwear, makeup, skin nourishment, fragrance, first night instructions, the walk to the altar, and... what was it? I cannot recall everything in the schedule."

"Her vows and etiquette for the ’I do’ maybe, your majesty?"

"Yes, the vows. The ’I do’ is the easiest part."

"..." — Dumbfounded by the many things to do, I stared blankly at the dresses.

"... you are not going to say no now, are you dear? I did not sleep so you cannot do this to your soon-to-be mother-in-law in law, Marianne."

"!? Oh no no, I was... haha it is only so much to do... these dresses... You said you were helping an old friend to decide on her daughter’s wedding when you showed them to me..."

"A lie that was. A white lie. I do not have such useless friends. They can decide or let their children decide on their own."

"Haha..." — I laughed a little zoned out while I touched the dress I had decided on. Losing with that the small gap of pause this day could allow.

"Alright, so that is the one. *clap clap* bring the jewellery! Mine and the first empress’s! Quickly! Oh! Those flowers where are you taking them?"

"Huh? To the sanctuary, your Majesty..."

"Hmm... they would look better as a decoration for her WALK to the sanctuary. Quickly arrange it. It all must be perfect."

"Yes!"

"Where were we? Oh right. The jewellery. This is my favourite crown, you could wear this one. There is also this tiara I was given by my birth kingdom with diamonds unique to the lands fufu~ and these are..."

The day was chaotic. It was expected. Yet living it hit different when my future mother-in-law was so meticulous in making everything perfect while also respecting my likes and dislikes... but also by my family who would arrive soon enough.

"Marianne! How in the world do I leave you for a moment and the next one you are getting married?! I have not agreed nor talked about this with you nor the groom’s parents!"

"Ah... Dad you arrived—"

"Are you trying to make me mad, Orland? We are in the middle of something here we do not have time for your silly games!"

"Silly!? My daughter is marrying—"

"SHE’S MARRYING MY SON! IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?!"

"..."

"Orland please... Ingrid hasn’t slept since Zeleskiaz irrupted in our chambers at midnight... I told you this wouldn’t be a good idea..."

"But it’s too sudden Frois!!"

"Sudden is your cowardice Orland! If you are going to interfere, leave! We do not have time for this! The moment you accepted them in courtship you knew this would happen!!"

"Can’t I at least talk to my daughter!?"

"... talk while we get things done. Do not delay us."

Yes... This day is the most chaotic... I do not know if it being chaotic because of other people is a good thing but as a witness to it, it was still fun to experience.

"... Sweetie, why? Why so suddenly? Why with that annoying bra—" — Pouting to be restrained from his drama, dad came to my side, holding my hand to thread more carefully with his words.

"AHEM."

"... Why with the crown prince?"

"Dad... it is not sudden. You do recall we were courting each other and marriage was to happen if successful."

"YES! BUT I DID NOT THINK IT WOULD SUCCEED!!"

"Really?"

"... I had hopes it wouldn’t..." — Ashamed, he lowered his head, admitting the truth at my inquisitive stare. Laughing with me after I shook my head in entertained disbelief. — "May I stay with you, my lovely feather? I do not want to miss... the last moments... of you only being my child..."

"Haha~ wasn’t I always going to be your child?"

"Yes... Yet today your own family will come to life, my pure Marianne... my house won’t be yours after we seal it into ink..."

"Yet I still will be your daughter... and always you will be my sweet father."

"... yes." — Nodding while restraining his tears. Dad’s countenance looked older for the first time. Nonetheless, his hands were as warm as they used to be while caressing my cheeks and his eyes were as filled with love as they have always been. — "My baby bird..."

"Hehe~"

"Hahaha... acting cute now... don’t forget to tell me if he treats you badly. I swear I will kill him on the spot."

"Huh?"

"That I agree, Marianne. A madman my son is known as, yet I will also kill him if he doesn’t respect his wife." — The Empress, nonchalantly added to the abrupt change in dad’s determination. Checking some lists that the servants had brought for her to check. — "Now... did you choose the tiara? Or will it be a crown? The veils will be brought based on that."

"Oh... I haven’t picked yet..."

"This one is pretty, sweetie. It will look nice with your strand’s shade."

"You are not allowed to pick, Orland." — The empress, annoyed at Dad’s suggestion glared at him. Letting us see how from behind her the Emperor made us gestures to stop any funny idea of starting a discussion with her.

"I am only suggesting!" — Dad retorted. Making the Emperor step up on his behalf.

"Uh... Can I also help with the picking? I think the cute child should use a crown though. Won’t she one day take my throne?"

"Huh?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"That would be your son." — Dad said, glaring at him while answering what I didn’t out of surprise.

"Our son would destroy the Empire if he wanted." — The emperors said in unison only so the Emperor could finish the thought. — "Since the cute child tamed him, it will actually be her who wears the crown even if it’s from the shadows."

"That is correct." — The empress agreed, actually delighted by it.

"Um... I believe Zel will do great as an Emperor..." — I decided to say. Fully supportive of my soon-to-be husband... only to be stared at with empty eyes, disappointed sighs and an uncomfortable pause.

"He will if he has you by his side." — The Emperor said, having everyone, even the servants nod in agreement to his statement. — "He’s impulsive and violent. But with you to show him right from wrong he’ll be fine."

"Alright! Enough of this chat! We cannot lose more time!!"

The empress clapped making everything move fast again.

What was scheduled was done in haste yet everything was done with care and detail so nothing would be missing. Dad and the Emperor were kicked out when the lingerie matter was brought up... mostly because of my dad’s explosive reaction and the Emperor’s devious actions and possibly uncalled suggestions.

Theressa and Paige helped as well later that day and quickly noon came with myself ready to board a white golden carriage that was waiting for me at the Main Palace’s entrance.

It was only I who was left to arrive at the sanctuary at the far back of the Palace that connected with the other side of the capital. Traditionally, as the bride, I needed to take the carriage so the people would wish me a nice wedding arriving there with everyone’s blessing.

The people’s cheers almost left me deaf. Overwhelming it was to see them so happy after a tragedy hit our Empire... nonetheless, only lovely words could be heard from inside the carriage and only smiles governed the multitude when I peeked to say hi without letting them see much of myself.

A bit more and we wouldn’t be able to go through since it was so crowded... yet they were cautious and organised while wishing me a good life with the crown prince.

Somehow... I was just moving without thinking much... following the current without realising what awaited me once I got out of the carriage... however...

"Beautiful... you have always been but you look more stunningly so today, my sweetie." — Dad said once coming to get me, offering his hand to help me get down from the carriage as he was to walk me to the altar and give me to the groom. — "... let’s go... everyone is waiting... he’s waiting."

I only managed to nod... the anticipation made me mute again... but only because I needed to make sure I could say "yes... I fuck*ing do" out there.