Chapter 48 - It's Done

After long moments of dancing in a way that teased me, eventually pulling me closer to his body and making me realize how much he wants to leave the party, the now King Phillip takes my hand and gently bows.

- Your Majesty, may we take our leave from the party? - he gives me a sly, charming smile.

- Yes, young King. Rest for today. Will you be leaving early tomorrow? - The king asks cheerfully. - Goodnight, my daughter!

- Your father told me he prepared a room for us. Your Highness, do you know which room it is? - Phillip whispers in my ear while he sneakily drags me out of the hall, weaving between the guests.

We make our way up the stairs to my room, and when we reach the door, there's a big wreath of wildflowers. I turn the doorknob and am surprised by a completely different decor than the one I had left. On the table by the window, there’s a huge vase filled with flowers. The white sheets and a burgundy quilt adorn my bed. Even the curtains of my canopy are new, in burgundy and gold. There are flowers in every corner and countless rose petals scattered on the floor at the foot of the bed. The whole room seems to suggest what Phillip already desires to fulfill.

Behind me, Phillip hugs me and kisses my neck, making me melt. A strong urge to kiss him back and stay in that position for a long time washes over me. Phillip closes the door and locks it with the key. I notice a tray of fruits on the table by the window, along with a pitcher of water and a bottle of wine. When I turn to face Phillip, he stops kissing me and looks deeply into my eyes:

- What's wrong? - he asks in a voice almost like a whisper.

- I don’t know what to do. - I say with a bit of tension and fear.

He then takes a small step back and continues to speak.

- I won’t do anything you don’t want, but only when you want.- he now stops hugging me and heads towards the wine on the table.

- I honestly don’t know what to do. - I say as I approach Phillip and hug him from behind.

- My princess, you don’t need to know; I can teach you and guide you every step of the way. But I won’t do anything you don’t want, even if this whole room is screaming for me to take you and make you mine. - he says, turning to me and handing me a glass with a bit of wine.

- Phillip, believe me, I want to, but I’m scared, and yet I still want to. - I said, taking a sip, resting the glass down, and walking towards Phillip to kiss him.

He then picks me up and lays me on the bed while kissing me teasingly. He kisses my chin and moves down to my neck, reaching my cleavage. He takes off his blazer and shirt, and the sight of his bare chest is magnificent, with perfectly defined muscles. He looks like a Greek god in front of me. At that moment, I realize I’m embarrassed to undress, but he gently unties each ribbon of my dress, and I feel his hand touch the bare skin on my back.

As he loosens the bodice of the dress, he continues kissing from my neck to my shoulder. I sigh nervously, and Phillip softly pulls away, saying:

- Oh, how I’ve longed to see you like this, my beloved! - he says, admiringly, looking directly at my naked body.

He gently runs his hands over my body and gets up from the bed, removing the rest of my dress and tossing it to the floor. He unbuttons his pants, and my nervousness increases. My anxiety rises as I see him naked. He looks like a sculpture. Every muscle and every line of his perfect body. He lies back down gently over me and kisses me again. He then whispers in my ear:

- Are you sure you want this?

I can barely breathe; my heart is racing, and I just nod in agreement.

- I need to hear a 'yes,' my princess. - he says as his hands glide over my bare body.

- Y...yes. I want to. - I say, almost out of breath, trying to keep my heart racing.

- The beats of your heart are driving me wild. If you only knew how euphoric that makes a vampire. - he says, his eyes changing to a bright yellow.

Suddenly, I can feel, amidst the kisses, when he thrusts deep inside me and I let out a scream of both pain and pleasure. He gets startled but then smirks mischievously. And then whispers:

- The pain will fade... - I hear with a warm breath on my neck.

Then he begins to move in and out slowly, so the pain isn’t too intense. A pleasant sensation of pleasure floods my body, and he realizes the discomfort is gone, so he starts making more vigorous movements. I begin to lose control, sweating a lot as I try to catch my breath. The pleasurable feeling intensifies, and I can sense that I'm reaching my peak. I feel Phillip is also close to coming.

After it all, Phillip collapsed exhausted next to me, pulling my body close to his and stroking my hair. He then turns me to face him and says straight into my eyes:

- It's done. Now you're mine forever.

Chapter 47 - A Wedding and a Coronation

Looking at myself in the mirror, the image thrills me. This is it! I'm ready. An off-white dress, with a modest neckline, a voluminous skirt, completely adorned with ruffles and rhinestones, worthy of a princess like me, accompanied by a long, embroidered veil. Light makeup on my face, and my hair is delicately tied in a bun full of loose curls that frame my face. Delicate shoes to complete the entire outfit.

My maid leaves the room, informing me that she will call the King. I take three deep breaths. The nervousness of the wedding is already stressful in itself, but knowing where I'm going and who I'm marrying makes me even more tense. Everything I've done and every path I've taken to get here makes me think about how much I truly love Phillip and want to be there.

My mind wanders to the moment I saw him for the first time, on the run to the cabin. My first visit to the crypt. The beautiful sight of Phillip sleeping in the coffin. Then I remember when he killed an entire pack of wolves to keep me alive in the forest at night. I wander back to the moment I visited Phillip's palace, I remember his illness and how I was crazy enough to travel to Paris in search of a cure for him.

My thoughts are interrupted by the knock on my door.

- Who's there? - I say, being dragged out of my memories.

- Your father. - I hear the King's voice, who answers as he opens the doors and walks towards me.

When he saw me, I saw tears forming in the corner of his eyes. He walks towards me and pulls me into a tight hug.

- Daddy, you're going to crumple me. - I say, drying the tears running down his face with my handkerchief.

- My daughter, you look so much like your mother now. - He lets me go from the hug - Let's go, the ceremony is about to begin. The prince said he doesn't want to go straight to his kingdom right after, because he thinks you won't be able to handle a trip right after the ball. He asked me if you would mind staying with him here on your first night as a married couple.

- W...what do you mean? - I said, unable to think straight.

- You will spend your wedding night here. I was going to ask if my daughter would prefer to spend the night in her room or if I prepare one of the other rooms for you? - he asked me softly, gently pulling me out of the room.

- Can we stay in my room? - I said it more as a question than as a choice.

- I will have the servants prepare the room for you. - The King says as we walk through the door towards the stairs.

We continue walking to the doors of the Chapel, crossing the garden. The King calls my maid and asks her to prepare my room for the couple. I take a deep breath, feeling nervousness overcome me. And the King is talking to comfort me. The chapel's door is right in front of us, and my heart skips a beat. A servant hands me a large bouquet of wildflowers with a bunch of lavender in the middle. I give a slight smile, nodding my head in thanks.

I walk delicately on a carpet of petals towards the altar, next to the King. I look ahead and observe the chaplain of the kingdom.

I notice Phillip on his left.

The prince looks back at me and gives me a wide smile, which eases my nervousness a little. I smile back. I am happy, but I also start to daydream again about the moments we had together.

I remember our first kiss and all the times he protected and saved me. The fixed smile on his face makes me feel calmer. A pleasant song plays in the background as I walk. "Oh, how long this chapel is!" - I daydream as I almost reach the altar.

- Your Majesty, the King, will you allow me to continue with your princess? - Phillip approaches us and bows before my father as he asks.

The king nods and hands my hand to Phillip's.

The chaplain begins the ceremony, which, following tradition, takes hours. We say our vows, but time seems to fly by with Phillip looking at me with those eyes. Following tradition, the King goes up to the altar. The scepter and crown are brought to his hands. The chaplain says a blessing, then the King takes the scepter, hands it to Phillip, and then places the crown on his head.

- Long live King Phillip III! - my father says in a voice that echoes throughout the chapel.

After the ceremony, we walk arm in arm to the ballroom.

As we pass through the large doors of the ballroom, all adorned with beautiful wildflowers, we enter a room full of sounds, with musicians playing on a stage. There is a huge dining table, all the seats duly marked, Phillip sitting on my left, and the King in the center of the table on my right.

After the banquet, Phillip and I danced a waltz. As per protocol, the King also danced a waltz with me. The party flowed with lots of conversation, some quite boring, but others more enjoyable. Phillip invited me to dance again, and when I accepted, he took advantage of the dance to whisper in my ear:

- I think we've enjoyed the party enough and complied with all royal protocols. - he whispered as we danced, and he pulled me closer to him.

Chapter 46 - Another talk

Standing in front of the huge rosewood doors carved with lion figures, I took a deep breath, because I could already imagine what the king would say to me. Remembering the night before, I could see that Phillip had followed me. He had been in the castle the whole time, and I had gone to the cabin. How could I have been so stupid and believed he would leave me before our wedding? How could I have thought he would want some time or some distance? He was the one who wanted it the most. I gathered my courage and pushed the doors open hard. To my surprise, the Duke was sitting facing the king.

- Your Majesty called me? - I said when they both turned to look directly at me.

- Yes, Your Highness may sit down! - Dad said, pointing to the chair next to Lucas. - Duke, we will continue our conversation later. -  The king said to Lucas, who stood up and went out of the office.

- Where did you go last night? Why did one of my guards bring me this report yesterday? - If it weren't for your suitor, the future king, perhaps if someone else had seen you in that state... you're still weak and hurt yourself, but you're stubborn, you don't obey me. I thought you wanted to get married today! - he finished by banging his fist on the huge, solid wooden table between us.

- I'm sorry, Dad. - I said, thinking about the excuse I would give. - After everything that happened, I thought about putting lavender branches in my bouquet to bring luck to the marriage. There was no lavender blooming in our garden, and I remember that I saw some near the castle, in the forest. I ended up hurting myself. I also didn't imagine that I was still so weak... - I spoke quickly and almost without breathing, imagining what was going on in the king's mind and how he would or wouldn't believe my lie

- Do you want me to cancel the wedding? - The king spoke in a harsh voice and was interrupted by a knock on the door

- Your Majesty called me? - Phillip came in imposingly and, without looking at me, sat down next to me

- Prince Phillip, the decision is yours, because there are only a few hours left until the ceremony, and I don't know if I believe that a few lavender branches would be the reason for my daughter's nocturnal escape, but in a few hours, this stubborn girl will be your responsibility. - the king said, pointing in his direction

- Lavender? Is that why I found you yesterday unconscious and being helped by one of the guards? - he looked into my eyes delicately, and I swallowed nervously

- Y... Yes, lavender..., I read it helps in beginnings. - I said softly

- Your Majesty, I think it is a good cause. The princess must have been anxious today. Let's continue. I'm going to my chambers to dress up; we have little time. - My fiancé quickly got up and left

- You heard your fiancé. Get up and go get ready. I'll ask your maid to put the lavender branches in your bouquet. Now go! - the king ordered, pointing to the door.

I got up and walked quickly to the door. I went up the stairs just as quickly. I reached my room and closed the door. I went into my bathroom and lay down in the bathtub for a long, aromatic bath. At the end of the bath, I quickly called my maid to help me, because I needed to get ready and the dress was grand.

Chapter 45 - The night before

Finally, I went downstairs to the dining hall. The king met me halfway and took me by the arm so that I would enter by his side to the hall. My father was acting strangely protective that night, and I didn't understand why. When I arrived at the hall, I noticed that the guests were seated in a different order. The prince was at the table's opposite end from my father, but Luke was at his right. 

It was strange to be sitting so far away from the prince, but I felt that there was something wrong. The king was going to make an announcement. He told me about his intentions as we walked through the palace corridors until we reached the hall. Phillip looked with some disdain at Luke, who, despite being in front of me, always sat to the king's left, not receiving my attention. Just before we began the meal, the king stood up and began: 

– Tomorrow, my daughter, the sole heir to my throne, will marry. I will have a son, Prince Phillip, who will also be crowned King of his kingdom tomorrow. The wedding was the last detail that was needed for him to be entitled to his title. We will have both ceremonies together. Today, after the meal, the gentlemen are invited by the king to a separate celebration. – After finishing speaking, the king sat down and began to eat.

I felt tense. Celebration only among the gentlemen? I could barely eat, although the king did not seem to notice my tension; he noticed the almost untouched plate.

– Are you feeling unwell, my daughter? – said the king, looking directly at my plate.

– No, Your Majesty. Forgive me, I was lost in my thoughts. – I replied, going back to eating.

– Oh, good! – said the king, looking into my eyes – I will not accept any more postponements, nor will I accept my daughter fainting in the middle of tomorrow's celebrations. As soon as you empty your plate, your maid will take you to your room to rest.

– But, father, what celebration is this that you are planning for today? – I asked, dropping the cutlery, and the sound of it falling onto the plate echoed throughout the hall, bringing a sudden silence and making everyone's eyes turn to me.

The king made a slight movement with his hand so that everyone could go back to eating. He looked straight into my eyes and replied:

– Never do that again! I have planned a night of games and drinks for the male party guests. Yes, only for the men! I shouldn't share this with my daughter, but I'm afraid you won't finish your plate if I don't explain what I intend to do. By the way, you will leave after the party with King Phillip for his kingdom tomorrow night.

– But I still need to prepare something. How will I do that? I haven't even said goodbye... – Before I could finish my speech, Luke interrupted me

– You know you need to finish eating and that the king is worried about your departure tomorrow because the last time you were there, you couldn't handle the trip? – he asked, pointing to my plate, still full.

– You're right. – I replied, going back to eating. I stopped asking questions and also stopped looking around, looking only at my plate and emptying it.

As soon as I finished, Anna positioned herself behind me. I asked the king and the other nobles for permission and realized that Phillip had already left the table. Where was he? I took a deep breath. I needed to sleep, but where was my fiancé? My head wouldn't stop questioning.

I asked Anna to leave me alone when I got to the room. I heard my maid's footsteps disappear in the hallway, and I left the room silently. I reached the last step of the stairs without being heard. I watched from outside the hall, and all the ladies had already gone to their bedrooms, but the prince was not there. I went out to the garden. The night was beautiful, but I was looking for Phillip.

I passed through the gates. Had he gone to the cabin? I thought as I walked quickly through the forest. I felt my weakness return when I got to the cabin. I sat down on the bed before going down to the crypt. I went downstairs and realized that the crypt was lit by torches as always, and from a corner I hadn't noticed a familiar silhouette appear.

– Your Highness shouldn't be here. – I heard Luke's voice say.

– What are you doing here? – I said, unable to keep the tension out of my voice. – No mortal can see this cabin. And the crypt is hidden!

– But you see, don't you? – he replied with an ironic tone.

– Yes, Phillip built it like this so that I could see him, find him. – I said, holding back my anger.

– In other words, all this time, he manipulated you so that you would love him. – I saw a dagger shine in his hand.

– What do you want here, Duke? – I heard Phillip's voice behind me on the steps.

– I wanted to explain to the princess how creatures like you act. Working your entire web to seduce your prey! – I saw anger in Luke's eyes, who began walking towards me.

– If you hurt him, you will only push me further away from you, Luke! – I said threateningly, but he came closer and grabbed my arm

– I will keep explaining to you, my princess, how these creatures have all their actions calculated; they are cold beings, they do not fall in love and do not love. – He pulled me close to his body, holding my wrist and making a slight cut on my hand.

I could see Phillip's eyes change color when he saw the cut. It hurt a lot. I don't know if it was because of my anger or because of the weakness or maybe the pain, but I kicked the Duke. 

He fell to the ground, and I ran up the stairs and out of the cabin. All the tension Luke had put me through only made my condition worse. I was weak, but I needed to get back to the castle.

I ran through the forest and finally saw the guards and the gate. I got very close to the gates and called for help. The moment one of the guards reached me, I fainted. Everything went dark so quickly and became so silent. I wonder if Phillip had left there. I wonder if he was okay. I dreamed about the wedding the whole night.

The next morning, I woke up with the sun streaming through the windows and Anna bringing me coffee on a tray:

– Your Highness shouldn't venture into the forest on the eve of the wedding. – She said, leaving the tray on the table near the window. – The King said he'll be waiting for you after breakfast in his study.

Anna's words seemed like knives, another scolding, or maybe bad news right after breakfast. I looked at the place where Luke had cut my hand, and there was a bandage. I didn't remember how I got to my room, much less who changed my clothes. But as soon as Anna walked out the door, Phillip came out from behind the curtain in the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

– It was me. I came to find you falling in the arms of one of the guards, and picked you up and carried you to your room. Then I took off your shoes and part of your dress, but I didn't do anything inappropriate, don't worry. I put a bandage on your hand, I think it will leave a scar... – He said, holding my hand

– What are you doing here? Are you crazy? If the king finds you here... – I whispered.

– We are a few hours away from our wedding and my coronation. And your father will ask what you were doing outside the gates, and I am worried that he will question whether you would be able to get married today, because I think that was Luke's wish, to postpone it once again.

– I don't want to! – I said, standing up quickly and almost falling

– The king will not want to know your opinion and will call me. I need you not to tell him what really happened. I need you to make up a silly excuse. When I am called, I want you to remain silent and allow me to answer the king. This could postpone our wedding, so I need you to do as I say, okay? – he said, standing up and walking to the door. Before leaving, he turned and said – I love you!

I was left alone with my thoughts and those three words wandering in my mind. Anna came in when I was already finishing my breakfast. After helping me get dressed, we went to the king's study.