4. Can't turn back

Paula's p.o.v

Weddings were mostly a symbol of love and Union, but to me, it was a symbol of fulfillment, my people needed this kingdom's protection and guidance and that was all that mattered to me, even if it meant me hurting or marrying the worst man on earth.

"You look very beautiful princess," Lauren said as I looked at myself sadly.

I wore a long white wedding dress which had diamonds on the front and spots of gold, giving it a royal breathtaking fit, a beautiful white long veil was covering my face up to my waist and my ladies wore beautiful light blue bearless dresses that went up to their feet.

"Let us go," I said as all my ladies covered themselves with dark blue veils.

we walked out of the room quietly, each step I took my breathing was becoming laboured, I was scared and felt lonely.

I gasped when I made a turn going towards the door and found father, despite being upset with him for not saying goodbye to me, seeing him now made me very happy and nearly in tears.

I ran to him and embraced him for a second then pulled back and got his hand.

"I thought you wouldn't attend my wedding," I said loudly.

"Well you are my only daughter, so I made sure I do" he answered simply as I smiled.

"Thank you father" I whispered.

"You look beautiful," he said with a smile.

"Thank you father" I answered with a bow then walked with him on the red carpet to the church that was ahead, people stood on each side cheering happily.

"Why couldn't we take the carriage?" I asked softly.

"Because It's their tradition, the princess or queen is to walk to the church on their wedding day so that the people might gaze upon her beautiful gown, look, daughter, the church is very near" he answered.

I looked ahead then sighed in agreement, we walked silently for a few minutes until we reached the church.

"I hope you are ready" father whispered.

"Yes," I lied.

We slowly walked in and moved to the aisle, a huge, tall man was standing there with his back towards us, he was in a very expensive white suit and his hair was curled, his body structure was very good and I could tell that he was muscular.

I frowned confused when I saw the friendly man standing next to the tall man looking at us with a smile wearing a black suit, his robes were not of a groom but of royalty, if he was not the one I was marrying, then who was it.

My legs got colder when we reached the aisle and father cleared his throat, the tall man slowly turned and his cold light green eyes bore into mine, I held my breath in, in fear, he was the same man I had met earlier who seemed so cold and displeased.

No way was I going through with the marriage, in his eyes I could see more than coldness, I could see no emotions in them.

He extended his hand to me, I frowned then looked at father who nodded, I hesitated thinking about my people, they were all relying on me, I was bound to them no matter what.

I slowly removed my hand from father and held his, the man then turned with me and faced the priest.

Lauren and my ladies stood behind me quietly.

As the priest talked about love and prosperity my mind was foggy and my eyes filled with unshed tears, even when we exchanged the rings he refused to kiss or take my veil off, every love story I had heard about weddings was shattered by him.

 After that Father congratulated us then we immediately stepped out of the church, he said that he needed to return because his adviser's wanted to discuss something important with him.

I kissed him goodbye and proceeded to the throne room where we found a lot of people dancing and happily cheering, immediately the man who was now my king looked at his throne he let go of my hand and walked ahead to sit down.

I quickly followed and stood next to him, he sat down on his throne and I took the throne next to his which was on his right hand not wanting to disgrace myself or him.

The fear I felt and the noise I was hearing was making my headache, the friendly man walked to us with a young boy behind him who was lifting two beautiful golden crowns on a white pillow.

He stood in front of us then gave a low bow.

"Long live my king and queen," he said then got a beautiful crown that was engraved with all the most expensive stones and put it on the king's head, he bowed then got the smaller crown engraved with diamonds and put it on my head, then bowed and walked away with the young boy.

"Long live the king and queen!" The people cheered loudly then kept quiet when the king lifted his hand.

"Long live your Highness," one man in royal robes said, looking at the way he moved and spoke I knew he had high status.

"King Henry, as one of your advisor's I want to congratulate you, but also to tell you that we your people would love to see the face of our new queen," he said loudly as the people cheered and clapped.

king Henry, so that was his name, Henry, it really sounded good, and saying it in my head made me feel a little relaxed.

Henry stood up from his throne with an irritated expression on his face, I too quickly stood up knowing too well a queen is always meant to follow the lead of her husband and king.

He turned and faced me with a cold glare, I felt all my energy being drained and my headache increased, I was intimidated and scared of him.

He slowly lifted his hand and removed the veil from my face, the first time since we met, his face softened and a slight smile appeared, I wanted to smile back but was too afraid of being shamed in front of the people.

"The people want to see you," he said in a deep husky voice that gave me shivers.

I forced myself to turn away from his gaze and face the people, the cheering got louder as the music began playing.

I turned and faced Henry whose gaze was fixed on a slim blond lady, he wasted no time in moving and approaching her, when the lady saw him she didn't bow at all rather she took his hand in hers and walked with him to the dance floor. I looked at them displeased and in disbelief, it was the first time I felt so angry and very disrespected, I was suppose to be the first one the king was to dance with.

But he dared to embarrass me on our wedding day, I wasn't going to stay around and see such a shameful act go on, I moved and walked out of the throne room then went to my room with my ladies.

"What was that?, he was suppose to ask me first for a dance, such humiliation," I said angrily in my room then took off the veil and crown throwing them down. 

A knock came on the door, Lauren stood up and went to answer it while I threw myself on the bed and relaxed.

"My queen...

"No Lauren, let me rest" I answered cutting her off.

"Your highness the king requests your presence," she said quickly.

The bastard had nerves, just because he was the king.

"Tell him I'm tired and that I need rest" I answered as my ladies gasped in shock over my disrespect.

I saw no reason to tolerate his shame after all he had put me through the past few minutes.