01. Husband and Wife.

Violet sighed as she sat plainly before her mirror, watching as she was being transformed into a beautiful damsel. She was radiant, beauty radiated from her body. Her sweet fragrance filled the room as they applied more of the perfume and makeup on her.

“Peach, I love that fragrance.” Her mom said ecstatically as she made her way into the dressing room.

Violet’s eyes didn’t trail off the mirror and even when her mom came closer, she didn’t care to look at her mom that had walked inside her room, she was very much displeased. Her mom sighed because she knew why Violet’s face was like that.

“Connor wouldn’t have been the perfect man for you. His brother is far more handsome, richer and also, it is a family tradition. You have to marry Ramon, because –

“Save the details, mom. I know why.” Violet replied. The servants all looked shocked as it was her first time to speak, ever since yesterday that it was announced to her about her sudden marriage to Ramon Fridling.

Her eyes beheld sorrow and anger, yet they beheld happiness which the servants didn’t understand. For some reasons, their cold and silent mistress was happy to get the news that she was getting married. She didn’t smile but reading from her eyes, she wasn’t all that disappointed in the news. To them, she had known for a long time now that she had to marry Ramon Fridling.

Yet, her reactions told otherwise. She was moody and depressed.

“Dismissed!” Violet’s mother ordered and the maids that were in the room all walked out of the room.

Once they were all out, her mom drew nearer, holding her tight while she clenched her fists. “I will miss you, my child.” Her mom said with a voice that cracked and soon, she was in tears. Crying terribly, she held onto Violet so tight, but Violet didn’t hold her mom back.

Her mom still cried, hoping Violet could hold her back in the hug.

“Are you done?” Violet’s cruel and inhuman but sweet soft voice sounded, stopping her mom abruptly and the woman withdrew, taking a step back.

“V-Violet, I –

“Cut the story mother. I have a husband who is waiting for me to come.” She replied and turned away from her.

“It’s better this way, Mary. You were ruining her dress with your tears.” Her father’s voice even more harsh and void of emotions came through.

“It’s time for the little bride to go get her husband.” He smirked and walked out followed by Violet, after she had let out a huge sigh of sadness. Her mom followed immediately behind, resuming a smiling and beaming face all of a sudden. Sometimes, Violet kept wondering if at all her mother had ever been sincere in her entire life. At one moment, she is all moody and sad, and then in the next minute, she is all cheerful, like one who was never sad for an entire decade.

***

Everyone stood up in the church room as the bride, Violet, walked inside gracefully, holding up her heavy white gown with glittery golden stones all around it, that climbed up to her neck, adorned in a golden, glittery gown, with jewelries that covered her face like an Indian bride, and her light, beautiful and exquisite makeup.

Eyes roamed all round her body, some eyes wanting to devour her as they looked at her stunning beauty in her dress and makeup and jewelry. Wondering what she looked like, outside the veil and all the heavy accessories she put on.

“How I wish, I was the one marrying her.”

“I heard that she is still a virgin.”

“Wondering how sweet she can be, huh.”

So many nasty comments she heard from the nasty guests that attended the wedding, but she decided to give them deaf ears.

Some others envied her beauty, others stared at her in admiration, and others looked at her with disgust. Many people there had other intentions, as to why they attended the wedding.

“So this is the girl, he has been flaunting about, with. This is the lady, he chose to marry.” Were the words that came out in whispers from the mouths of those that wanted to see the lady, the dearest Ramon was to wed?

Despite the cold eyes, many beheld pity for her in their eyes. “The poor child is just going into a slaughter house. It is believed that he killed his wife.”

A young child looked around, staring into many faces that made whispers, her eyes were wide opened in worry and her face was covered in sweat from panic. She looked like she could hear everything they said. She turned back to Violet, who walked steadily to where Ramon was.

“Clara!” A young beautiful voice brought her back to her senses and she turned to the beautiful woman who looked at her with worry.

Clara was still worried as she looked at the older but young lady in the face.

“Everyone here seems not to be in one accord with this wedding, aunt Kimora. When I looked into all their eyes, I saw the various discomforts, anger, happiness, pity and many other feelings for and against this marriage.”

“Aunt Kimora, was this wedding supposed to hold anyway?” Clara asked Kimora who looked at her then tilted back her head to look at Violet, who was now getting closer to Ramon.

Her grey eyes beheld sorrow and a slight glint of happiness.

“Don’t worry, Clara. It was meant to happen.” She assured Clara and wrapped her arms round the little child.

For a five year old, Clara sure had the brains of a mature woman, which made Kimora wonder if at all it was worth it, letting her see the wedding at all.

Violet on her part drew closer to Ramon and stood by his side without looking at him. He didn’t also bother to look back at her.

The officiating minister cleared his throat and began his sermon.

“We are gathered here to witness the joining together of Ramon Anthony Fridling and Violet Heathenway.” He started, earning hisses and muffles from the crowd.

“Do you Ramon Fridling take Violet Heathenway as your wife, to love and ch –

“Yes I do.” Ramon interrupted earning chuckles from the crowd.

“And do you, Violet Heathenway, take Ramon Fridling as your husband, to love and cherish in moments of joy or sorrow. In times of joy and pains, in riches and in poverty –

“Who the heck is this man, talking about? Ramon Anthony! That dude can never be poor.”

“Yeah! He has the money that can last him an his family for a hundred years.” Two guys said after the priest made mention of the poverty part.

“…Till death do you part?”

“Yes I do.” Violet answered.

“I now declare you, husband and wife.” The priest announced earning chirps, claps, cries and many other reactions from the courtroom.

Violet and Ramon left to sign their marriage certificate with the officiating minister and a few witnesses. Finally, Violet had become a married woman.