Wedding

Early in the morning, the news circulated in Country K that Country A's troops and bases had been established within its borders. Some people in Country K feared for their lives, while others were relieved to receive protection and even offered food, drink, and shelter to the troops. Putting aside these concerns, the people of Country K were celebrating their princess's wedding as a grand festival. Many from all corners of the country had come to the capital to bid farewell and give their blessings to Princess Victoria. The streets and markets were bustling with beautifully dressed people.

Princess Victoria Herman was gazing at her bridal reflection in the mirror, which her maids had painstakingly prepared for hours. She was adorned in a white gown with her long golden hair fashioned into a small, loose bun. The jewelry she wore was exquisite and heavy, and her maids had applied minimal makeup to achieve a natural look.

Marriage, often regarded as the most beautiful bond created by God, unites two people in love, making them two hearts and one soul. However, in her case, it was different. She knew that one day she would be married not for love but for political power. When she ascended to the throne of her kingdom, she was expected to choose the best among the nobles for her husband. Little did she know that she would be wed to the King of another country instead.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when her maid Lina said, "Princess, it's time for the wedding." Victoria looked at herself in the mirror, offering a cold smile that seemed to mock herself. Lina and Ara had been her best friends since childhood, and the three were incredibly close. Seeing Victoria's self-mocking expression saddened them, but they could do nothing to ease her burden. They could only follow her like shadows.

With the help of her maids, Victoria stood and made her way out of the room. After a few minutes, she arrived at the wedding ceremony location. She looked at her father seated on his throne and her mother beside him. She smiled at them, held her head high, and walked confidently toward her parents.

As she walked, she felt a cold gaze upon her. She turned to identify the source of the gaze and was astonished to see a man who appeared almost divine, as if he had descended from heaven. His brown eyes and flawless, fair skin left her awestruck. She quickly averted her gaze, stood before her father and mother, and bowed her head to them. Her father then announced, "Let the ceremony begin."

The man who had been gazing at her stood and walked to her side. It suddenly struck her that he was Alexander Knight, the King of Country A and her betrothed. Alexander continued to stare at her, and although she blushed, she shifted her gaze away from him.

They were joined by priests, and the priest addressed Alexander, asking, "Do you, Alexander Knight, King of Country A, take Victoria Herman, Princess of Country K, as your lawfully wedded wife?" Alexander replied, "Yes, I do."

The priest then turned to Victoria and inquired, "Do you, Victoria Herman, Princess of Country K, take Alexander Knight, King of Country A, as your lawfully wedded husband?" Victoria stammered, "Ye—yes, I do."

The priest announced, "Now, I declare King Alexander Knight and Princess Victoria Herman to be lawfully wedded husband and wife."

After the wedding ceremony, it was time for her to depart for her husband's residence. She approached her mother and father to bid them farewell.

While her father conversed with Alexander, her mother took her aside and offered advice, "Victoria, my daughter, you are no longer just a princess of a small kingdom. You are now the queen of a larger kingdom. You must understand that being a princess and being a queen are vastly different. From today onward, you must listen to your husband and obey his orders. Remember that women must tame their men before they can go to another woman, especially in a large kingdom like Country A. He may take other concubines or wives for political reasons, so you must be very careful and prioritize earning his love and giving him an heir. Do you understand?"

Victoria sensed her mother's fear for her because Country A was very different from Country K, filled with intricate palace politics and power struggles. She nodded and hugged her mother tightly.

As they embraced, her father approached and said, "I believe we should greet our people. They have come from afar to bid farewell to their princess." Victoria and her mother broke their hug and followed him. The four of them stood on the balcony, where they could see the people of Country K waving their hands. Victoria waved back and smiled, while Alexander, as usual, stood there with a stoic expression, observing his wife.

The people of Country K were overjoyed, and in celebration of their princess's wedding, they were treated to delicious food and some gold coins.

After bidding farewell to her people, Victoria entered the royal carriage, while Alexander mounted his black horse, beginning their journey to Country A.

Inside the carriage, Victoria pondered her mother's words. She was like a small deer from a peaceful forest entering a den of lions, where she would have to struggle every day to survive. She couldn't deny that her marriage was a political arrangement. Someday, Alexander might take other concubines or mistresses for political purposes.