Chapter 5

THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed in a blink of an eye. Everything was prepared so fast. With the duke’s influence and riches, he only needed to give his orders and everything he desired would be presented to him on a silver platter.

On the day of the ceremony, Clara knocked and entered Magnolia’s room. “I apologize, my lady, His Grace asked that you move to the room beside his.”

“Why is that? I am perfectly comfortable here.” 

“Well, that is the Duchess’ Room, my lady.” 

‘Oh. I guess we still have to appear as a real married couple.’

The maid guided Magnolia to her new chambers. A much bigger and more extravagant room. “You can leave after you prepare the bath Clara. I will call for you when I am ready to get dressed.” 

“Yes, my lady.”

“Thank you.” Magnolia soaked in the rose petal bath. She washed her body and then her hair. 

‘Who would have thought that I would marry again, and a duke of all people? I wish you were here to see this, you crazy bitch.’ 

Magnolia gripped the edges of the tub until the wave of emotions passed. After a moment, she put on her undergarments and rang for Clara. It only took her a minute to arrive with a white dress in her hands. 

“My lady, this is the dress his grace has ordered for the ceremony.” Magnolia was surprised by its beauty. The seamstress must have worked for three days and nights straight.

“It is beautiful.” Clara smiled, satisfied with Magnolia’s reaction. She dressed her, did her hair, and put on her makeup. Then she adorned her neck with an exquisite sapphire necklace.

“This is a gift from His Grace,” the maid explained. “It belonged to the late duchess.” Magnolia touched it as she studied her reflection. It was so flashy, so luxurious. The more she stared at the mirror, the more her face turned crimson. She had never looked this pretty in her life.

“Thank you for your help, Clara.” 

“No need to thank me, my lady.” Clara bowed. “His Grace is waiting for you downstairs.”

“Ah, yes.” Magnolia took a deep shaky breath and put her hand on her chest. 

‘Calm down, heart.’

As she ascended the stairs, Daniel glimpsed a figure from the corner of his eye. When he turned, he was unable to look away. She was breathtaking. Her long brown hair was pulled back, her gray eyes sparkled, and her white dress made her look like a fairy.

“My lord.” Victor’s voice broke his reverie. “The carriage is ready.”

Daniel reached Magnolia as she took the last step. He grasped her hand and kissed it. The gesture sent a shiver through her body. “You look gorgeous, my lady.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Magnolia was too shy to look up.

He guided her to the carriage and helped her in. He sat across from her and could not help but steal glances every now and then. Magnolia felt his eyes on her every time he looked. It made her even more shy than she already was. 

When the duke was not looking at her, Magnolia also peeked at him. He was wearing his official clothes with the Van Konigl family colors—midnight blue, silver, and black. A large sapphire brooch adorned his mantle that carried the family crest. He looked stunning, especially with his hair combed back. His beautiful piercing eyes were more visible, more mesmerizing. Magnolia looked away and shook her head.

‘What am I thinking? This is not a real marriage, I cannot be attracted to the duke.’

The ride took about an hour. When they arrived, they made their way inside the temple, followed by Victor and Henry—they were to be the witnesses. The high priest was waiting for them, ready to start the ceremony. 

Magnolia’s heartbeat quickened. She never went through the ceremony with the baron since she was underage, so technically, this was her first wedding ceremony. 

The temple was extravagant. The white marble reflected everything like a clear shallow pond. There was gold everywhere and the chandeliers’ pendeloques looked like they were made from diamonds. Even the velvet seats seemed to be so fluffy that only the feathers of the white swans of the north could have been used. 

“Please, stand on each side of the fountain and hold each other’s left hand over the water,” the high priest asked.

They both removed their white gloves and Daniel took Magnolia’s hand in his. He noticed that she was shaking so he squeezed her hand a bit to comfort her. She looked up at him and he smiled gently, she returned his smile. 

The priest poured water on their hands. “May this pure water clear your past and purify your future path, together, as husband and wife. May the Gods bless this marriage and watch over you, till death do you part.” He held his hands over theirs.

“Please, turn your palms up.” Then, with a soft white light, he used magic to imprint the Van Konigl crest on both their wrists. As soon as the crests appeared on their skin, they quickly disappeared. Only a high priest could use magic to make them appear again, in case they were needed to prove the marriage. “Duke and Duchess Van Konigl, you are now husband and wife.”

The duke bowed and planted a kiss on the inside of his wife’s wrist—where the crest had just disappeared—as it was customary. Then he thanked the priest and both Daniel and Magnolia bowed to him. 

“Your Grace, I have already sent a messenger to notify the Royal Archives of your marriage,” the high priest informed the duke.

“Thank you, Your Holiness,” Daniel nodded at the old man. “I appreciate the promptitude of organizing the ceremony.”

“Of course, Your Grace. We are honored that you have chosen our temple for your wedding ceremony.”

‘And that I chose your temple for my hefty donations.’ Daniel thought to himself. “We will take our leave now.” He slipped his arm around Magnolia’s waist and headed towards the carriage. 

“May the Gods bless your path, Your Graces.”