Chapter Six

Janelle’s POV

My heart is pounding so hard.

The officiant of our marriage is standing in a black tux with a happy expression. He had gushed over how much of a beautiful couple we were earlier so much that it had hurt my ears, and I had wanted to slap the stupid grin from his face.

As Bella and I reach the end of the aisle, she hugs me. “Just five years and the deal is over. I’m so sorry you have to go through this, my love”, she whispers and presents me to Truce King whose hand is held out. I take the hand and we both stand in front of the marriage officiant.

I look at Truce and he has his usual frozen expression on his face. He doesn’t look happy at all, despite the low cheers his three equally gorgeous and unusual friends are making as we’re about to start the exchange of vows. Despite the emotionless face, he doesn’t look even a tiny bit less handsome.

Even though I don’t want this marriage, I can’t deny the fact that the groom is ravishingly handsome and so fucking hot!

His beautiful green eyes stare into my turquoise once and I can’t help but feel a little out of breath. They are just like Theodore’s, only a bit darker. Those kinds of eyes remind you of a freshly blooming summer garden.

Why did he even propose this? What did he stand to gain? He is a man that loved his pride, so why would he come back after rejecting me without a backward glance ten years ago?

“You look beautiful,” he whispers blankly.

There’s no admiration in his eyes or voice so that means he either said it because of the camera or he’s just being polite. Just to explain the camera part, Truce King is quite a popular public personnel and his sudden marriage is something every newspaper and magazine want to carry on their front page.

“Thank you,” I force a smile on my face.

Truce had instructed me to act happy for show. Almost everyone here doesn’t know that this is a contract “marriage.”

The thought of spending a good five years of my life with this man is already exhausting as I think about it. 

I let out a sigh and looked at my bridesmaids, they're all my friends and they're so excited for me - if only they knew it was all a fake. Bella tried to be as sober as possible, but in the end, she couldn't contain her bubbling excitement during the wedding planning.

For once in days, I feel happy with my choice even if I know it's going to change my entire life. 

First I get a chance to make my loved ones happy and then I get a chance to find Theodore and my father's murderer, maybe I might be able to learn why Truce suddenly wants marriage too.

It would be a busy five years and it would go faster than I thought, won't it?

No.  

I scream in my head and decide to focus on the matter at hand, exchanging vows that I’d sooner turn to a goblin than keep.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiant starts. “We're gathered together to celebrate the union of Truce King and Janelle Ronan.”

He turns to us with a bright smile. “You may now say your vows.”

Truce takes my hand gently and starts to recite the vows without waiting for the officiant’s lead. 

“I Truce King, take Janelle Ronan to be my lawfully wedded wife. I vow to always be there, to listen to you and to always hold you close.

I'll love, honour, respect, and cherish you in sickness and in health, I'll love and cherish till death do us part.”

I feel tears gathering in my eyes. I shouldn't be standing here, I don't want to. 

It's all fake! It's not real at all. 

He slips a gold band on my finger.

“Ah, J.” He speaks so softly that no one can hear except me. “Don't turn coward now.”

My back stiffened at those words.

The officiant turned to me and began promoting me to say my vows.

Swallowing hard, I speak in a soft, shaky voice. 

“I, Janelle Ronan take you, Truce King, to be my husband . . . to have and to . . . hold . . . from this day forward . . . for better,

for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health . . . to . . .” I

stumbled along, knowing I would have to keep these vows for five years. These are vows I'm meant to be saying to the love of my life not some, man.

I can barely breathe past the pounding of my heart.

“. . . love . . . cherish . . . and . . .” I fall silent, casting Truce a wary look. He stands steady, a faint, amused smile touching his lips.

“And obey,” the officiant repeats.

I hesitate, then shake my head. “I can’t say that.”

I mean, I won't do it, so why lie?

A rustle of whispers spread through the congregation. 

The officiant stares at me. He utters a nervous cough. “You must say it, Janelle.”

“I won’t say it.”  

“Omit obey, Reverend.” Truce says, his voice cold as usual. “Leave me to deal with her”.

Another rustle of whispers spread through the congregation. 

What did he mean by that veiled threat? 

I finish the vows without raising further objections. The officiant gives an audible sigh of relief.

I roll my eyes, how I'm wrong here?

“Truce—” The officiant gives a nod—“you may kiss your bride.

Truce lifts my veil. I take an instinctive step back. 

Looping an arm around my waist, he yanks me fully against him. When I open my mouth to protest, he cups the back of my head and kisses me. 

I had expected the usual chaste kiss, or a peck, not this. It's all fake, isn't it?

I struggle weakly, then give up.

“Revenge,” Truce whispers when he pulls away.

I open my mouth to say something but close it back, smiling tightly.