Chapter 43
Valencia’s POV
Her perfume, an overwhelming mix of roses and vanilla, made my head spin as she squeezed me tightly.
Her eyes were red rimmed making me even more confused. I stiffened, trying to gently pull back, but before I could say anything, a loud ripping noise echoed through the quiet air.
Rip.
My heart plummeted.
I looked down in horror to see that the delicate netting on the front of my wedding dress had torn, the intricate lace trailing limply against my skirt. Celeste followed my gaze and gasped, stepping back quickly. But that was a mistake, her heel had already caught on to the train of my dress.
Another sound–more subtle but no less devastating–tore through the atmosphere as the hem ripped further.
Celeste froze, her eyes wide with panic, before bursting into tears. “Oh no! I didn’t mean to! I’m so sorry she cried, her voice high–pitched and frantic.
Thankfully we were at the back entrance of the Cathedral so there weren’t any people watching this chaos unfold
Istood there, frozen in shock, as I tried to process what was happening and what she had just asked me. Where was 1 O course I had run away and Dante caught me. Did she know that
Why was she asking me?
And why the hell was she crying when it was my wedding dress that was ruined?
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Marcelene muttered from behind me, her tone laced with contempt.
Even Caius, usually so composed, frowned deeply as he stepped closer, his eyes narrowing at Celeste.
That’s when I noticed something else that wasn’t right..
my own ruined dress. It was her dress.
It wasn’t just my own
Celeste was wearing white..
Not just any white dress, but one that looked very familiar and suspiciously bridal–layers of shimmering silk and lace, paired with a delicate veil draped over her shoulder..
My stomach turned as recognition struck me like a blow.
my last
It was the same dress Celeste had worn at my honor.
wedding. The same dress she’d worn standing beside me as my maid of
A memory flashed before me. Years ago I had witnessed my wedding guests whispering how the maid of honor looked more beautiful and bride–like, than the bride herself.
But I quickly shook that thought away. Now was not the time to drown in self pity.
Marcy reached for my hand and squeezed it tightly. “Deep breaths. Vi,” she murmured, but I could hear the sharp edge in
her voice.
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Chapter 43
Caius was the first to speak, his tone iey. “What do you think you’re wearing?”
Celeste flinched, her tearful gaze darting to him. “It’s just..”
Before she could stammer out a response, a new voice cut through the tension.
“It is customary in our family,” Lethia announced, stepping into view with a smirk, “for the maid of honor to wear white alongside the bride.”
Her words dripped with smug satisfaction, and my heart sank fupher.
For a moment, I felt the familiar fear creep in, the instinct to lower my gaze and stay silent. But this time, something inside me refused to cower.
I took a deep breath and spoke, my voice steady. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
All eyes turned to me.
“I’ve already asked Marcelene to be my maid of honor,” I said, meeting Lethia’s gaze head–on.
The shift inatmosphere was instant So fierce it surprised even me.
Lethia’s smirk vanished, replaced by a look of outrage. “With whose permission?”
Before I could answer, the atmosphere in the room once again shifted. A familiar scent of forests and smoke filled the air. and a deep, commanding voicegechoed behind me.
“My bride doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do anything?
Dante.
His presence washed over me like a balm, calming the brewing storm in my chest. He stepped forward, his movements deliberate and powerful.
Caius shifted, moving to stand beside Marcy, leaving Dante to take his place at my side. His icy blue eyes softened as they met mine, and his lips curved into a small, genuine smile..
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, his voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear.
Heat crept up my cheeks, and I nodded shyly. His hand brushed against mine, steady and reassuring.
Lethia, however, wasn’t done. “This is preposterous,” she snapped. The maid of honor can’t be some common vixen-
“Mind your words, Mrs. Kallistar, Caius interrupted sharply, his tone colder than I’d ever heard it. “You’re forgettin place”
I felt grateful that he had interfered. But also ashamed and infuriated that I wasn’t the one to speak out. I didn’t want to always rely on other people to fight my battles.
The tension in the air thickened, but before anyone could speak, Aiden entered the area, his expression curious. “What’s going on, Mother?”
He stopped short when his eyes landed on me, widening slightly as they swept over my appearance.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, making my decision and stepping forward before Lethia could make things worse. I met her gaze, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I’m sorry, Mother. Perhaps you forgot-“I tilted my head slightly, feigning innocence, “– I’m also just a common ‘vixen’s‘ daughter.”
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Chapter 13
The room fell silent.
Even Marcy seemed momentarily stunned as my words hung in the air.
Lethia’s face twisted with anger, lier lips parting to retort, but I cut her off before she could speak.
“I suggest you take your seats in the cathedral while I help my sister–in–law with her dress,” Caius said, keeping his tone firm. “Now that your daughter so carelessly tore it.”
Marcy squeezed my hand again and I could feel her approval.
Caius nodded, his expression unreadable, and Dante gave me a small, reassuring squeeze on my shoulder before stepping aside.
Marcy tugged me gently, guiding me towards the bridal suite. I glanced back once, meeting Dante’s steady gaze. He nodded. and I felt an odd sense of comfort settle over me
Inside the suite, Marcy settled me into a chair. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.
“Surprisingly, yes,” I admitted, a small smile forming on my lips
Her brows rose. “Huh. You’re full of surprises today.”
Caius followed us into the room, his expression tight with frustration. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered, pacing. That dress is ruined. I’ll have someone bring another
“Don’t,” Marcy interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. “It’s just a tear. A perfectly good dress doesn’t need to be wasted over something so minor.”
I nodded in agreement. “This is the dress I chose. I’m not changing it.”
Caius looked unconvinced, but Marcy held out her hand. “Bring me a needle and thread. White, if possible.”
Caius paused for only a moment before ‘nodding and stepping out. A couple minutes later he came back with the items, and Marcy turned to me with a confident smirk. “Don’t worry. Just trust me.”
“I do.” I said simply, earning a rare, genuine smile from her.
Ten minutes later, the tear was gone, her stitching so precise it was impossible to tell there had been any damage at all.
“Told you,” she said smugly, stepping back to admire her work.
Caius, who had been watching intently, looked genuinely impressed. “You’re amazing.” he said, his tone almost reverent. Marcy froze, her eyes widening slightly before she turned away, muttering, “Of course I am.”
I stifled a laugh, watching the strange tension between them as Caius lingered for a moment before finally excusing himself.
Once they both left. I took a deep breath, adjusting my veil in the mirror. The encounter with Lethia and Celeste replayed in my mind, but instead of anger, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
I had stood up for myself and for my friend.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called.
The door opened, but it wasn’t Drogo, my father, as I’d expected.
Aiden stood there, his expression solemn.
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Chapter 43
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“Where’s Father?” I asked, my heart sinking.
田
