Chapter 169 - Start of the games to buy his way to her

Lulu awaited her older brother at the stairs with a crowd of young spectators. Everyone waited impatiently for the groom. Originally, this was once an old custom. Traditionally, the groom has to pick up his wife at her parents' house before the church wedding.

The actual purpose of the bride purchase was to ransom the bride from her family bond. On the way to the bride some relatives and neighbours used to block the house or even the road, so that the groom and his friends could not overcome the obstacles until they reached the bride, in order to buy their way with ransom. The traditional ceremony has been changed over the years, becoming simpler and more modern. Now it was more of a spectacle for the younger generation of wedding guests, in which men were happy to show off their skills and wealth.

Louise patted her brother on the shoulder. "Ready, Brother?" She hummed into the microphone. Alexandre had the feeling that more and more guests found their way to the staircase. He didn't really care. He would show them how much he loved his bride. The only positive thing about this game was that he couldn't fail. For the last few days, he had been studying all the facts about his Lily. He knew everything about her. From her shoe size to her favorite toy as a child. Plus, he had enough ransom money on him. And by now he knew Lily's maid of honor well. Nelli wouldn't make it easy for him. She'd drag every skeleton from the closet to make him bleed. "Unfortunately, we can't give you your bride easily.As her bridesmaid, I must test your will." Smirking, his sister waved six young ladies in white tunics to his side. each with a velvet box in her hand. "To prove your love for the bride, we must test all your senses."

One by one, the girls opened their caskets.Fine silk scarves were hidden inside. "You claim to know your wife well, then it is surely easy for you to recognize her favorite perfume."Lolou slyly spoke into the microphone, so that every guest in the passage could hear her. "I wish you good luck. Oh yes, every wrong answer has a price.I hope you've prepared enough ransom. or we won't let you see your bride today."

"Right!" Alexandre joined her and picked up the first piece of cloth to smell it. His face twisted at the smell.

It was a heavy, sweet smell of cinnamon, vanilla and clove. A smell that reminded him of winter, but not of his Lily. She smelled soft and delicate, like a refreshing walk through a sea of flowers. He shook his head and dropped the white cloth back into the box. He reached into the next box. Vanilla again and... he smelled rose and something else... something fizzy like lemon, no orange. The cloth sailed back into the casket. Only briefly did he hold his nose to the other cloths.

Without spending much time with the other scents, he chose the box to his right. Alexandra was 100% sure that this was Liy's scent. All too often in the morning he had buried his face in her hair to let this wonderful smell cloud his mind. It was almost a drug to him...

He would never miss the chance to breathe her in. This woman had made him addicted. He could hardly remember a life without waking up without that wonderful smell. Without her.

Louise rolled her eyes. "This was so obvious!" She retorted with a sober voice, while Alexandre proudly presented the box in her hands. "Dear guests this task was almost too easy. But with this smug smile on the groom's face, nothing else could have been expected. Unfortunately we have to let him go on so quickly. But don't worry Alexandre, your smile will soon fade." Louise's voice sounded bitter, as if she hoped to watch him fail. "We have prepared a lunge for our dear viewers. There, you can keep watching the games comfortably on a monitor. So please go there. Refreshing drinks and appetizers are waiting for you."

Loulou sent the masses to a prepared room, while only Claudio and Phillipe followed him. Chuckling, Alexandre climbed up the steps in the barrel vault to the first floor. Before he was stopped at the next staircase.

Or rather, where there should be a staircase. Alexandre's gaze met a wall of pink balloons. On a monitor next to the stairs appeared the grinning face of Nelli waving at him. "Congratulations, you passed your first test."

Alexandre raised his eyebrows. "Quite creative." And pointed to the pink balloon wall in front of him.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Nelli replied calmly.

"It's all a matter of opinion. What do I have to do?"

"Of course the brave knight must fight his way into the arms of your beloved. But be careful not to pop too many balloons. It will cost you a hefty penalty. Oh before I forget, in one of the balloons is a key that you need to enter the hall where your lady of hearts resides. Good luck."

With one click the screen was black again.