Chapter 155 - The Crown

It was like a fairytale book. But it's more glamorous and detailed with those green and silver lines, flowers, chandeliers. Everything was beautiful and every noble and every family friend. The Archbishop was already waiting with the groom as King Edgar and Prince Philip. The soft instrumental music started. It was orchestrated with cello, violin, and piano. Everyone stood quickly and watched the beautiful Princess with the Prince and the King one stepped behind her. It's the first time seeing both the Prince and the King in the same aisle to walk their adopted Princess. 

It will be a big commotion as they would release a glimpse of the video to the people. 

She walked a little slowly since she couldn't walk fast with a heavy dress and high heels. From afar, she could recognize Caleb with Duke Kenzo, Lord Hardin, and Duke Maverick beside him as his best men. Then, her three friends were also her bridesmaids, since she doesn't have any friends besides them. The time that she reached the altar, she curtsied as what was taught to her a while ago. Then, Caleb bowed. Then, he faced the two old men and bowed to them, and kissed each other's hands. 

"You better take care of her, or else, we'll show our hidden muscles." Prince Philip told Caleb as he laughed and nodded his head. 

They carefully gave her hand to Caleb. Then, he bowed in ninety degrees just to kiss her hand. He raised his head. 

"I love you." He said softly, almost a whisper. 

Kaisley smiled behind her veil. 

The ritual continued as the couple said their vows without anything prepared as a script. The couple talked with their hearts and at that time, they were kneeling in front of the Archbishop and the King. They crowned her right there with the unique crown that was made just for her and was designed by her father. That's why the King and the Prince kept it locked to the Aqua Castle for years until its time. Caleb, who is now a Prince, also got a crown. 

Then, the couple walked in the aisle as Caleb kept half a step away from her beloved while holding her hand. 

"You look gorgeous," Caleb told her and she smiled at him as the camera flashes to them and flowers were thrown to them as they walked. "You are different today though." 

"Okay, save those for later." She giggled and they went out of the church and there were a few people outside the church just to glimpse at them. But she cared no less about it as Caleb helped her up to the carriage with her big gown. 

Caleb waved at the two old men. 

Once he hopped in the carriage and the glass door closed, Caleb finally reached her hands and kissed them as they spoke casually and joked at each other. 

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Stacey just checked her phone about Caleb and Kaisley's romance. Few photos came up. It came from Stacey's compiled memories. They were a couple when they were young and that's how a journalist wrote their truthful romance. It might anger both of their family sides, but it seemed like the couple didn't care about it. She clutched Maverick's hand when they arrived at the royal castle for the party. 

"Love, are you alright?" He asked and held her hand. 

"Yes," She forced herself to smile at him. But she's been nervous ever since in the church. She doesn't like crowds somehow, mostly when she's surrounded by elite people. 

Earlier this morning, her beloved Maverick proposed to her in the beautiful garden of the castle. There were lots of big butterflies that were released on their way and that's when he opened a jar with a big butterfly in it and a ring on a small twig. It's the most magical and romantic proposal for her. Not just because of the beautiful ruby but also because he told her how much he was eager to give up everything for her. However, she promised him that she won't tell him to give up things that were meant for him. 

"We will stay a little more, darling. I know that it's hard for you." He kissed her temple. 

"I~I can take care of it." She smiled at him. 

At that party, everyone gathered as the Princess and the Prince entered the hall. They look stunning in their matched gown and suit. They entered after King Edgar and Prince Philip. Following from Prince Caleb and Princess Kaisley Jane was the Duke and Duchess of Westeria. They were next in that line. They entered and she held on to Maverick tightly. She also smiles to force herself. 

Everyone wanted to speak to Kaisley and Caleb and they enjoyed the party by sitting on their throne beside King Edgar and Prince Philip. The people who were invited didn't have gifts with them, but the King was sure that the castle would be rained with gifts. Every gift will undergo inspection and they won't accept it if the sender doesn't have any letter. 

"Well, the first dance will be for the bride and groom." The King announced as Caleb stood gracefully and bowed in front of the King and Prince and finally to the Princess, his bride. 

The dance floor was cleared out. The party started. 

They were dancing gracefully and none of them would have thought that the two were once normal people, commoners who don't know how to dance. But everyone was surprised that they danced beautifully and next was the Duke and Duchess of Westeria followed by the Duke of Marduque with his fiancee, the future Duchess. 

All the time, Stacey was mesmerized by Maverick. She didn't know how to dance but the way he carried her along the dance was beautiful, it felt like she suddenly knew how to dance as she followed him. Then, Maverick exited the dance floor with her and took her to the corner. He smiled beautifully as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips. 

"Are you tired?" He asked. 

"A little. But I was the Princess's bridesmaid. I can't leave early with the groomsmen." She giggled. 

"We can, my dear." He grinned at her and rubbed her back. "You look sexy in this beautiful dress." 

"Yes, emerald." She giggled. "And you gave me this beautiful ruby. Do I deserve it?" 

"You deserve every inch of it, my darling." He kissed her cheeks. "You deserve everything beautiful. Don't forget that we will get married next month." 

"Okay," She nodded. "I'm quite thirsty from all of the dancing."

"I'm sure you do." He went to the table and took a glass of goblet and sipped it. Then, he gave it to her as she drank it all. She exhaled and gently put down the goblet. "You look seriously thirsty." He took another glass and gave it to her. 

"Dancing was good but somehow, everything tires me." She grumbled. 

"Are you alright, my love?" He gently rubbed her back. 

"We'll stay a little bit more. But can we retire soon?" 

"Yes, maybe after dinner?" He asked and put down his glass. He hugged her from behind and kissed her top head. 

"Would people think of us as something~~immoral?" She asked and held his hand over her stomach. 

"Immoral?" He chuckled. "They might be envious that we are this close." 

"Alright," she giggled and felt his embrace. "I love you." She said out of nowhere and he kissed her temple and hugged her tightly. 

"I love you more." 

"I like hearing it from you. You should tell me more. Right?" She creased her brows. "Like every day and every night?" 

"Sure thing," He nodded at her. "Now, let's go and mingle a little." 

She shook her head as anxiety could be seen in her eyes. He dared not take her to the crowd. This is a serious matter that he should take care of. He won't force his Duchess to face the crowd. So, he took her away from it. But as they passed through the big window, they heard girls talking about Stacey. But they stopped when Maverick stopped just in front of them. But Stacey tagged his sleeve. He glared at the girls and made sure that they recognized them. Then, Stacey pulled him again. 

He scanned their faces through his contact lens. He gave them a last threatening stare and took his beloved away. 

Stacey looked upset but she kept it to herself. She heard from them that she was a whore and she's the reason why Lady Eloiza was not with them. She heard it right. But no one would want to know the truth since the truth that they want to hear was inside their head as their ears were close to the truth. 

"Are you not hungry?" Maverick asked. "I could ask the kitchen and cook for us." 

"No," She shook her head. "Isn't the food at the banquet?" 

"Well, I can cook for you, especially?" he grinned. 

The couple went back to their room as Stacey quickly removed her shoes and went to the bed. Maverick knelt in front of her and massaged her feet. They were silent for long, while Maverick was massaging her feet. 

"I'm sorry." He whispered. However, his phone started ringing. He checked it and froze when the Empress was the one calling him. 

Stacey pulled down her feet and watched him stood and went to the window. 

"I understand. I will go back to the party then." He hung up and faced his darling.. "I'm sorry to tell you that we must always be together and will have to go back to the party."