We walked down the aisle of the majestic chapel, one step at a time. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but strangely enough, I felt no fear inside me. Perhaps I had Eric’s warmth beside me to thank.
As a sea of faces watched us, we made our way to the altar. Eric’s face was stiff as he stood beside me, but he did not look at all nervous.
I hope I’m not making a strange face right now…
I stole a glance at Eric. When our eyes met, he smiled at me, and I relaxed a little.
It was finally almost time… The priest stood before us, and we began our vows.
“And now, the bride and groom shall give their vows… Dost thou, Eric Elshaid, take Leia Westoria as thy wife, to love as long as you both shall live?”
“Absolutely. I do.”
“Leia, do you take Eric Elshaid as thine husband, to love as long as you both shall live?”
“Yes, I do…” I answered with pride.
The priest continued, “Then let us exchange the rings.”
I turned to Eric and held out my left hand. He pulled a tiny box from his pocket, produced a ring from it, and slid it onto my ring finger. Then I took Eric’s hand and placed a tiny box atop his large hand. Inside was a ring of simple design with the crest of the Elshaid royal family upon it. I carefully pulled it out of the box and slid it onto his left ring finger.
“You may now seal your vows with a kiss, with these guests and with God as thy witness.”
We looked into each other’s eyes. I couldn’t hide the shyness I felt, but I still couldn’t look away.
Eric’s face is so close to mine…
I could see myself reflected in his eyes as a gravitational force pulled our lips together. This new sensation was soft and so warm. I could feel my heart soaring in the air.
In that moment, I wished time would stop forever.
I never dreamed such happiness was possible.
But the moment that felt eternal passed in no time at all.
Reluctantly, Eric pulled away. He looked incredibly bashful, and I’m sure I was no different. My love for Eric was overflowing, and I couldn’t contain it anymore.
“Congratulations! I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
The chapel erupted in applause. When I heard it, it finally felt real to me. My dream had come true.
We really are… Eric and I really are married. And so many people are here to celebrate…
I couldn’t count the struggles we faced to reach this moment, but I was so jubilant now that none of that even mattered anymore. I could proudly declare that I was happy.
That night, we had a wedding reception at the palace. Guests from all over the kingdom—and from lands beyond—packed the palace.
“Congratulations, Crown Princess Leia!”
“Prince Eric, Princess Leia, I wish you eternal happiness!”
Voices of congratulations echoed wherever we went. And each time, I held back tears of joy as I thanked them. Until I met Eric, I never dreamed such a blessed day would ever come to me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for all your devoted support.”
“Yes, thank you!”
We smiled and thanked all of them one by one.
“Prince Eric, the crown princess has such a lovely dress.”
“I know, isn’t she beautiful? I couldn’t be prouder of my bride.”
“Yes, she looks wonderful.”
“Thank you.”
I threaded my arm into Eric’s left arm as we slowly made our way to our seats.
And then, he apparated before our eyes. “Well, well, well, long time no see, Sainty, Crown Prince Eric.”
“Prince Liu…”
Liu presented me with a single red rose by way of greeting. As we stood there, stunned, he smiled playfully at me.
“Well, you kept your word—you behaved yourself all this time. I really appreciate that.”
“As a married man, your first words to me are sarcasm. Never change, Eric, never change. Well, I’m one to talk.”
Liu and Eric smiled at each other. And if I wasn’t mistaken, I sensed the kindling of friendship between them.
“I’m just a little envious of you, Eric. You got to marry a strong, feisty woman like Sainty here.”
“Um…was that a compliment?” I asked.
“Of course, it was. I love strong women, that I can’t deny.” He looked me in the eye and nodded. He had duped me more times than I could count, but I got the strange feeling that I could believe his words this time.
“And that’s why…I’m gonna make a wonderful woman like you my primary wife!”
“Th-thanks?”
I take it back. I really have no idea how to deal with this man.
Perhaps due to cultural differences, I just couldn’t take that compliment—assuming it even was a compliment. I just wasn’t comfortable being called a “primary” wife.
“Liu, I’d appreciate it if you stopped bothering my wife.”
“Huh? Did I say something weird?”
“Next time you come to Elshaid, I hope you read up on our culture first.” Eric radiated frustration. If we ever did see him again, I hoped it would be under more peaceful circumstances.
“Cool, cool, cool. Well, thanks for the awesome ceremony, you two. See ya later.”
Liu waved goodbye and left the reception hall. It seemed that he’d only come to the reception to pay his respects.
“Leia, Eric, congrats on your wedding, oh yes!”
“Prince Eric, Lady Leia—no, I suppose I should call you Princess now?”
Johann and Lingsha immediately took Liu’s place. They were our bodyguards at the reception as well as the wedding ceremony.
“I’m fine with either,” I giggled.
“Then, Princess Leia, I wish to offer you my most heartfelt congratulations on your special day.” Johann bowed deeply. It was an overly formal display, but I liked it. This was very true to form for Johann.
“You did a fantastic job today, Johann,” Eric said.
“Yes, thank you so much,” I said. “Thanks to your and Miss Lin’s protection, everything was safe and uneventful.”
Johann’s eyes brimmed with tears as he bowed even lower. “I am unworthy of such praise. I shall strive to serve you well as your bodyguard for the rest of my days!”
“I appreciate that,” Eric replied. “Hmm… You know, now that the wedding is over, you two should take some time off together. Take a moment to talk about your future.”
“Right, yes, we should—Your Highness! What are you talking about?! W-we have nothing to do with this conversation.”
“Aww, Johann, are ya blushing? You silly thing.”
“O-oh, Miss Lin, I’m n-not blushing!”
Lingsha frowned at Johann’s knee-jerk denial. His face turned red and he avoided her gaze.
Hee hee… They’re so cute.
Seeing this uncharacteristic side of the usually stoic and serious Johann was starting to make even me blush.