Felix’s marriage date was getting closer and closer. Lots of phone calls were being made, maids were running around like crazy, even father was super busy. I got a suit fitted for the event, a schedule was being made, even my tutor was on vacation for a few weeks because of all the busy planning. My father’s assistant was going insane with the amount of phone calls she had to take for him. However, with the hard workers comes with the lazy ones too. I would walk around the mansion, listening, observing, no one really payed attention to me anyways. They still thought I was lower class than my brother or sister since my mother left me.

There was one specific conversation that piqued my interest. It was about father. Apparently he had a fourth wife. I had never heard of this before, as far as I knew, I was the youngest child in the Viroslav family. My father only ever told us that he had three wives. Three should be plenty for one man, actually one should be enough for one man. I still didn’t understand why he had so many women by his side. There was no need. He already had an eldest son, so there shouldn’t be any need for other children. The maids were always talking about it. Apparently he secretly gives this 'fourth wife' of his funds to raise their child or whatever. I was scared to dig in too deep because my father does have his secrets, and he never wants anyone to get involved.

Just as I was beginning to get into deeper thought on the topic, a few maids rushed over to me and told me that I needed to get another suit fitted for the wedding. They rushed me back to my room and began measuring immediately.

Blair was very busy, she had to help her mother and Priscilla with the decorations, food, and all sorts of ‘womanly’ planning. Atticus was very old-styled, so he made sure that everyone had their own share of work, everyone had their own job to complete and present to him. Felix was swarmed with other marriage details. He couldn’t even get a proper conversation in with his fiancé, Cordelia. Everyone was busy, and they all had to hustle because the marriage date was coming up soon. Atticus liked to look presentable to everyone he knew, so he invited friends, family, co-workers, everyone he knew. He had to make sure that the guest count was correct, that there was enough food, enough entertainment. He had to make this a grand marriage; to keep his good reputation.

Many days had passed, and finally, the preparations were complete. Everyone was exhausted even though the marriage was in a few hours. The marriage was going to be held at a church, a few minutes away from the mansion. The guests hadn’t arrived yet, but everyone that lived in the mansion had a job that Atticus assigned. All except Jasper. Atticus never had any expectations for Jasper. The only job he gave Jasper was to look presentable in front of the guests arriving later, especially Lizzy's family.

I didn’t find it that bad to be hated by my own father. I’m never told to do anything important, as long as I keep quiet and stay in my place, I don’t get in trouble. I have only one thing that I am worried about today. That would be meeting Lizzy. Her family was invited to this marriage as well. This is going to be our first meeting, I might meet her parents as well, and even though I don’t want to marry her, I don’t want her to have a bad impression of me. I do want to be good friends with her, and maybe get her take on the entire arranged marriage situation. I still don’t know how she feels about it.

The maids just finished dressing me up, and I do have to say that I don’t look terrible. The suit fits perfectly, and the tie looks great. I even have my own boutonnière to accompany my tuxedo. My hair looked perfect. I wasn’t as nervous to meet Lizzy anymore. Hopefully she wouldn’t find me revolting. That’s one of my biggest fears… To be rejected. I think it started with my mother. I know she probably had her own reasons for leaving me, but I just can’t shake the feeling that I could’ve done something better as a son. Maybe she would’ve liked me better if I had tried harder to stop her from going. There was always that dark thought eating away at me.

I shook off my feeling of fear, I always tried to hide it, to ignore it. I had to try to keep my emotions down. I never liked my father, but I do always try to keep my appearances high in front of him when I can. I don’t want him to dislike me anymore than he already does. All I had to do was not make a fool of myself, as long as nothing of that sort occurred, then Lizzy should have no reason to dislike me.

It was almost time for the wedding, and guests were arriving by the second. There were so many people to introduce, and so many people to meet. There was a lot of excitement in the crowd of people. There was food to eat and wine to drink. Only half an hour remained until the actual ceremony would occur.

Most brides would freak out if their wedding was this close, but not Cordelia. She was trained to deal with this sort of stress. She would handle any situation with the utmost calmness, and peaceful state of mind. She was also the least involved in the wedding. She wasn't allowed to lay a finger on the plans for the wedding, Atticus' orders. The only thing that she was actually involved with was the tasting of the food, and trying out the dressed for the wedding. She had no part in picking who to invite, and she didn’t have to deal with the marriage crisis that mother other brides do. It was apart of the Viroslav custom for the bride to just sit back and relax while the men took care of everything. It showed how much power the groom had.

Cordelia had only seen Felix a couple of times. She hadn’t even really got to know him until she was told to marry him. That’s the way it worked. He was going to marry her, and she was going to marry him. No complaints, no rejection. That’s how a lot of rich families worked to keep up their appearances. Most people were married into certain families to secure certain business deals, or money transactions. To most rich families, their kids were used like tools that they could control to their will. The children were not in a position to complain. They just had to do as they were told, and everything would be alright. No hurt and no regret. Cordelia likes Felix, both personality wise, and his looks. She actually considers herself lucky to be able to marry someone like Felix, he’s actually her type.

Turns out, I didn’t actually get to greet Lizzy when she arrived at the wedding. I wasn’t allowed to leave my room until everyone was being seated. I didn’t feel as nervous anymore, and watching through my window as people arrived, it made me feel better that there was such a crowd. I prefered loud places compared to quiet ones. When no one was around, it always made me feel anxious.

The wedding was beginning, and everything is almost set up. A lot of people behind the scenes are freaking out about the little things, but for the most part, everything is okay. The guests are starting to be seated, and the minister is getting ready. The classic piano theme starts playing, and Cordelia walked down the aisle, her father walking with her. She was wearing a wonderful white, basic mermaid shape wedding dress. Felix was waiting for her at the end of the aisle. Looking even more handsome than usual. All eyes were on the bride and groom.

I saw Cordelia walk through the doors. She was holding a beautiful pink bouquet with white garnishes. Everyone was watching as she walked down the aisle, but that’s when our eyes met. She looked just like the picture. I locked eyes with Lizzy, and as soon as we saw each other, that was all we focused on for the rest of the wedding. At first I looked away, but we both kept sneaking peeks at each other across the room. I tried to sit up straighter so that I wouldn’t embarrass myself.

After the ceremony ended, everyone headed to get their fill of food. I tried to keep my eyes on Lizzy, but she was lost in the crowd of people. I should be able to properly meet her later. Father did say that I had to keep my appearances up.