Kitanna
Chapter 159: I DO, DO YOU?

Chapter 159: I DO, DO YOU?

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: MIKROKOSMOS ~ BTS] OR [HALO~ BEYONCE]

Larel dropped the pin she was holding and walked to stand in front of the young girl.

"My son did what? How did you let that happen? Hope he didn’t try to eat it," Larel asked worriedly.

Axilla shook her head, "I had finished picking up the bouquet from the gardener, then I left it on the bed after changing Labre’s shorts, I went to wash it. Before I could come back to pick it up, he was..."

She bit her lips, not wanting to be the one who ruined anything on the wedding day. The sound of the bells outside caught their attention, indicating that it was finally time for the wedding.

Kitanna, who had just finished bathing, stepped out of the bathroom. She saw Larel and Axilla whispering to each other in hushed tones.

"Anything the matter?" The princess asked, drying her hair with a towel.

Larel waved her hand, "Nothing. We should get you ready. Axilla needs to get something from the garden, right Axilla?" She squinted her eyes, trying to give the young girl a sign.

Axilla furrowed her brows, "Garden? Oh yes, yes, I have to go now." She rushed out of the room, running towards the garden. There was no time; she was going to make a new bouquet herself. Even though the one delivered by the gardener earlier was beautiful. It was handpicked by a professional, flowers of different colours, like purple signifying royalty, White purity, green long life and finally a touch of black rose. The colours were set very well to blend in naturally and fit the princess’s wedding gown. But it was gone now.

Axilla walked into the garden, trying to recreate the flower arrangement she had seen earlier but had no idea what she was doing.

"Need help?" Axilla turned to the direction of the voice.

"Young master..." she bowed.

Cortez joined the girl in the flower garden, walking towards where she stood. "Larel said you needed help in getting the flower bouquet ready."

Axilla nodded, "Yes, but honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing here."

"Strange hearing it from our bright flower." Cortez grinned, before his expression changed to a serious one. "We better hurry then. First, get the iris." He pointed out.

Axilla rushed to where the young master’s finger was showing her. Then she plucked carefully the purple iris.

"Next, the pink delphiniums. No, no, not that one; yes, that one." Cortez nodded when she touched the right one. Then they continued.

"That’s it right there, let’s see... the red camellia... no, no, let’s go with the blue star, finally the white camellia, plenty of it. That’s it; our bouquet is ready." Cortez smiled, arranging the flowers in a way that the white camellia blended perfectly with all the other colors.

As the first rays of dawn kissed the horizon, Kitanna stood in front of her mirror, admiring herself. Her all-white wedding gown had purple flowers blooming across the bodice. Her hair was carefully pinned using small purple pins, she wore a simple necklace and dotted earrings.

"You are the definition of ethereal beauty, Princess Kitanna." Larel finally said after admiring the princess.

"Thank you so much, Larel. I am most grateful for all you do." Kitanna smiled, facing the woman.

"Now for the last touch, your shoe is here." Larel pulled out the shoe from a small box, setting it properly for the princess to wear.

It was a peach silk shoe, blending in perfectly with the princess’s gown and light makeup.

"It is time; is the princess ready?" Lady Hash stepped inside the room, guided by a young maid.

"Yes, she is," Larel held Kitanna’s hand as she led her out of the room.

"I can’t see, but from what I’m feeling, you make the most beautiful bride." Lady Hash smiled.

"Thank you, Lady Hash," the princess blushed.

"The bouquet is here," Axilla rushed before they would step inside the main hall. She gave to the princess the perfectly picked flowers, each carrying different meanings.

The purple iris stood for royalty and respect,the pink delphiniums was for the vows to be spoken, the blue star was a flower that shows the princess’ resilience, strength and perseverance amidst the rough journey she had faced until this point, the white camilia for the purity and innocence which the princess never lost even in times of difficulty. Finally the green flowers added by Axilla symbolized prosperity and new life for everyone.

"They scent so good. Thank you, bright flower" Kitanna was so grateful, she couldn’t ask for more. Being surrounded by people who genuinely loved her was the best gift.

As she walked inside the hall where the celebration would take place, the crowd stood up, cheering and clapping for the princess. She had allowed commoners to witness her wedding and coronation. Her eyes trailed to look at Nix, his silver hair now in a ponytail, the perfect fitting of his black trouser, and shirt stood out in the crowd, with a purple flower attached to his breast pocket. His blue were eyes fixed on the princess.

Kitanna walked steadily, her hand held by Lord Hieron. As she got closer to where Nix stood, memories flashed in her eyes. The first day she had an encounter with Nix, when she had flogged him, and how she persuaded him to help her, not knowing they were destined for each other. Nix became her pillar when she was at the verge of crumbling, when she doubted him in the woods. Everything replayed in her mind, from those moments down to this very point where they were about to become one.

Getting to the altar, Hieron handed over the princess to his grandson, who stretched his hands for the princess to hold.

"Your beauty competes with the lilies that grow along the valley," Nix whispered as the princess now stood in front of him.

Kitanna blushed, feeling his blue eyes gauge her carefully. Like she was a precious gem that should be hidden.

Mubera commenced with wedding blessings, "These two have been destined to be together since time immemorial, though delayed. But it was the delay that brought them to where they are now. Let us hear their vows."

Kitanna moved closer to Nix, "Adrift in a sea of doubt, you were the lighthouse that called me home. I was a lost soul wandering aimlessly, unsure of what to do with my life, but then you came along, flaming my soul with your words and actions. You pulled me back together, and you never allowed me to walk alone. You didn’t just mend my broken pieces; you rekindled the fire within. I promise to love you for as long as I breathe, cherishing every moment of laughter, joy, and tears with you. I love you, Nix Zeno."

Nix smiled, using his thumb to rub on Kitanna’s face gently, while avoiding ruining her makeup. He said, "Before you, my life was a silent melody. You brought the orchestra, harmonizing my fears and amplifying my hopes. You are the anchor that held me steady through life’s roughest seas, the sun that coaxed hidden blossoms from my heart with your steady troubles that always put me on my toes. Kitanna Morgair, my queen, my everything, I take you as my wife and vow to walk in step with you, through this life and into the next. Do you?"

"I do, Nix. My king and my husband." Kitanna whispered, pulling closer as they both forgot about the people around them. They kissed like it was their last, enjoying a moment of tranquility, their love now bounded by marriage till death do them part.