She could not hear or feel anything besides her own heart pounding against her ribcage. It was only once the carriage came to a full stop did she snap out of her trance. The echoes of cheers and chatter quiets her contemplations and stuns her. Not in her wildest dreams did she think so many would gather in the capital. Despite being not well-liked, many are curious about a palace wedding it seems.

“Lady Celeste?”

Releasing a heavy breath, the outside noises dispel when she focuses on the singular voice coming from Anne.

“Are you ready, My Lady?" Anne steps out first in order to assist Celeste.

“As ready as I will ever be.”

The white veil thankfully hides any traces of a nervous or hesitant expression that may appear on her face. Gathering her gown, Celeste takes hold of her maid’s hand to descend from the carriage.

Lifting her head, she finds white flower petals scattered along the path that leads her towards the palace hall. As per the king’s order, her carriage would take a longer route through the capital, leaving enough time for her family to arrive before her. And as planned, there her father was, standing upright and with a readied arm.

He gently takes her hand once she reaches him and he leads her inside. After a couple of steps, the altar comes into view and so does Duke Ellis Stone. With a soft pat from her father’s hand, he hands her over to the duke. Unlike her, he had no veil to blur his expression.

“Please smile, Your Grace. This is everything I’ve dreamed of,” she whispers.

He does as she requests. Yet, why does it hold such sadness in it? What could be causing him to show such an expression? Did he envision someone else as he looked at her?

A clear voice disturbs her from her thoughts. “We are gathered here today to join…,”

Her attention quickly shifts to the trinkets and beautiful white flowers decorating the palace hall for the occasion. He had been correct. The king truly did take on the reins of preparing the wedding venue and seemingly sparing no expense. Her eyes move higher so that she can see the royal family in attendance and her nerves suddenly get the best of her.

She wishes she hadn’t let her eyes stray. 

“Do you, Duke Ellis Stone, take Lady Celeste Lane as your loving wife?”

“I do.” 

“Do you, Lady Celeste Lane, take Duke Ellis Stone as your loving husband?”

Previously distracted, she nearly stutters her answer. “I do.” 

A smile appears on the priest’s lips. “You may kiss the bride.”

She is startled by his words and now suffering from more than just nerves. Her veil is gently lifted away from her face and she takes subtle breaths to calm herself. Looking up to meet the duke’s eyes, she watches him lean forward. 

And she makes up her mind to keep the pace. 

What is one touch of the lips after all that she has done? Celeste meets him halfway for a brief kiss that leaves a tingling sensation traveling down her body. A brief kiss that leaves a mark to seal and remind her of a job well done and to the beginning of their union as husband and wife.

*** 

Her eyes glaze over.

Her mom said it best; how surreal.  

The festivities continue after the ceremony and Celeste finds herself trying her best to blend in. Just like the wedding, the banquet was also prepared by courtesy of King Benedict. He sure loves to celebrate completed tasks it seems.

During moments like these, she instinctively searches for her father, who naturally makes her feel better about feeling out of place. And she is surprised by what she sees. Her father is making an enormous effort to greet the guests in attendance… well, in his own way. Thankfully, her mother makes up for the both of them.

“Celeste! You look beautiful!”

Emma and Maude appear from the crowd to embrace her tightly. They greet her with cheerful smiles and ‘congratulations’.

“We had no idea, Celeste!”

She responds in all honesty, “Things happened rather quickly.” 

“I would say so,” Emma says with a chuckle. 

“We wish you two a lifetime of happiness,” Lady Maude adds.

That reminds her. “Lady Maude, is your brother here?”

“My brother?”

“He assisted with the arrest made in my brother’s poisoning and I wanted to give him my thanks.”

“He isn’t here tonight,” Lady Maude reveals. “But I will be sure to pass it on.”

“I would very much appreciate it.”

Emma intuitively searches out the young lord. “How is he now?”

“He has recovered well, thank you for asking.”

“We are glad to hear that.” 

Their conversation comes to a natural end at the sudden presence of the duke. They bow politely, much reserved in comparison to Celeste’s greeting that she received.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Grace.”

He nods in their direction.

“My friends,” Celeste introduces them. “Emma Grant and Maude Hall.”

“Hall?” he reacts to the last name before sending a quick smile. “It is very nice to meet the two of you.” 

“Like-wise, Your Grace.”

He turns to Celeste. “I want you to meet someone.”  

“We should take our leave.” 

Emma and Maude send wide grins before disappearing back into the crowd and while Celeste follows the duke's lead in another direction. 

He moves aside. “This is my mother.”

Celeste is horrified. “Greetings, Your Grace.”

Celeste realizes that there were many things she has failed to think about. For one, she hadn’t thought about his family or mother at all. Her own parents met the duke, but she has yet to introduce herself to his. As she faces his mother for the first time, she couldn’t help but feel ashamed for being so preoccupied to not have introduced herself once before this very second.

His mother, who looks stern at first glance, reaches out to kindly take Celeste’s hand. “How are you?" she asks before adding, "I can see the worry on your face.”

And the lack of sleep, Celeste thinks to herself.

“We will have much time to get to know one another.”

“Oh! Yes, I would love that, Your Grace.” 

“Ellis notified me that the rushed wedding was due to his selfish request. It is not your fault.”

But, it is.

This is certainly all because of her. 

She glances quickly in the duke's direction, but the gentle tug on her hand returns her attention back on his mother.

“Now, go. It’s time for you to share a dance with him.”

On cue, the music restarts. 

Following Duke Ellis's lead once more, she places her hand into his before they head out onto the center floor. Settling into his arms, she gracefully moves along with him. 

"Did I surprise you?"

That is an understatment. “A little.” She chuckles. “I should have greeted your mother much sooner.”

“She understands,” he replies evenly. “The two of you will have many chances in the future to meet.”

Celeste observes his eyes noticeably searching for something. For a moment, she revisits his expression from the ceremony. At the very least, there is no sign of that same sorrow.

“You did not wear your pendant today,” he remarks softly.

“The maids said it did not match the wedding gown or the occasion.” Is that the reason why she feels so unlike herself?

“If it would have made you feel better, you should have worn it.”

Slightly taken aback by his consideration, she hesitates to answer rightaway. “Have you ever argued with a group of maids, Your Grace?”

“I haven’t.”

“Well, you never win.”

The song comes to an end and they pull apart, bowing towards one another. Strangely, Celeste finds herself at ease as she smiles at the man across from her. This is the first time in months since she has been able to let her guard down. 

"Another dance?" he asks.

"I would love that."

Just as she answers, their moment of privacy is shattered by the call for the duke's attention.  

“Duke Ellis!”

A glass of alcohol is placed directly into his hand.

“Bart.”

“Greetings, Duchess Stone." The knight bows in her direction. 

The new title takes her by surprise before she accepts his polite greeting. Soon others join and Celeste discerns she does not mind it all that much. With them getting drunk off the piles of alcohol gifted by the king, she could probably get away with being silent for the rest of the night.

“You need to drink your fill, Your Grace! There are many things to congratulate you for!”

“Right! First there was a conclusion of the investigation–,”

Investigation? Celeste looks up. Which investigation?

“–And now, your marriage to such a beautiful young lady. Speaking of which, Duchess Stone, would you care for a drink as well?”

Celeste looks to the man, absentmindedly taking the new glass of champagne into her hands.

“You must be thrilled, Duchess Stone. With the investigation ruled as an attempted robbery and the responsible ones found, you can finally put the awful matter behind you.”

The news is so abrupt that Celeste is at a loss for words.

“An attempted robbery?” She maintains her smile for appearance purposes as she looks to the duke for answers.

“Yes.”

She would like an answer longer than that. But before she could voice her wish for one, everyone's attention is suddenly directed elsewhere. The music comes to an unexpected halt as someone pushes their way inside towards the center. Instinctively, the duke moves to stand in front of Celeste.

“What is the matter?” King Benedict's voice rises above all the murmurs.

“Please pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty.” 

The knight, adorning the dukedom’s uniform, continues on his way. As he draws closer and is finally standing before them, Celeste notices the cool scent coming from him. Had he been traveling?

“Your Grace, I apologize for disturbing you during such a joyous event, but you are being called to duty.” 

The whispers grow louder.

Without a moment to waste, Duke Ellis sets down his champagne with full intent to run out of there. For a fleeting moment where he remembers something, he hesitates. He turns to meet Celeste’s eyes. 

“Is there anyone else you can send instead of the duke?” someone asks. “It is his wedding night.” 

Celeste catches the worry look upon her mother’s face and she offers a genuine smile to quell it.

“There is activity in the duke’s territory and near the border. The duke's presence is required.”

“I will not be long.”

Celeste turns back to find he had spoken those words to her.

"You may take as long as you need," she answers, unbothered by the fact that she will be left alone on her wedding night. "Be safe."

Celeste determines that this is a different matter aside from the investigation news. Right now, she knows she did not have a right to stand in his way. She also decides she can send him off with a smile. She can do this much easily for everything she has received in return.

As she promised, she’ll offer him indifference.