Kitanna
Chapter 267: UNDER THE MOON’S VEIL

Chapter 267: UNDER THE MOON’S VEIL

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: DESIRE ~ LEEBADA]

"The bride is almost ready; get her veil," Larel clapped her hands, hurrying up the servants at the merchant’s inn.

The door was pushed open, and someone stepped inside holding the veil. "I’ve got the pearls placed perfectly on the veil," the person, who was none other than Kayla, stood at the door with a bright smile on her face.

She thought her friendship with Axilla was over and the trust broken would cause a permanent drift between them. But a few weeks later, Axilla had written for Kayla to be her bridesmaid. The young girl was so excited and wanted to make up for where she had messed up in the past.

"Great, let’s go see the bride," Larel pushed aside the curtain, and in front of them was Axilla sitting beautifully in her off-white gown, which was simple yet very beautiful.

"You make a very beautiful bride," Larel gasped, admiring the girl’s ethereal beauty.

Axilla got to her feet, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn’t believe that a day like this would finally arrive when she would be called someone’s wife, an opportunity to make a name for her children.

Axilla turned to Lady Hash, "Mama, I wish you could see this. The gown fits so well," the girl said, touching her mother’s face.

Lady Hash shook her head, "You don’t need to worry. I know just how beautiful you look; I can see everything," the older woman replied, leaning closer to hug her daughter.

"No, no, no crying. We don’t want to ruin the bride’s makeup," Larel picked up a brush to apply more powder on Axilla’s face.

Axilla sniffled back her tears, tears of joy, happiness, and gratitude. She was thankful for everything; it had been a rough road, but she came out unscathed, surrounded by the people she loved and cared about.

"I’m not crying... it’s the wind," Axilla muttered, raising her eyes up.

Kitanna pushed open the door, walking inside she held a bouquet. "Did I just hear the bride say crying?" She walked closer to Axilla.

"Queen Kitanna," Axilla said with a low voice that carried so much emotion. It felt like it was just yesterday she lived in Wahels, knowing nothing about the world outside until Kitanna arrived there.

Was it fate that made them meet? Or was it luck? She couldn’t tell, but then she arrived at the palace, met a lot of persons, some alive and some dead. Along the line, she was accused of murder, that was the turning point for her, and now she was about to get married to the man she loved so much.

And all these started with her meeting Kitanna. Axilla smiled gratefully, "Thank you so much, Queen Kitanna."

Kitanna nodded, "Thank you, bright flower, for coloring our mundane lives," she said in reply, handing the girl the wedding bouquet she specially made for her.

Lady Hash added, "I want a lot of grandchildren. You can do that for me, right?"

"Of course... Cortez can handle that," Axilla replied, then she hid her shy face.

Kitanna clapped her hands, "Look at that, our bright flower has shed all atom of shyness." The women laughed happily.

"Quick, the carriage is about to leave," Kayla announced.

Larel shrugged her shoulders, "I wonder why Cortez decided to have the wedding at night and with just you two." The woman said worriedly, then she went further to ask, "Do you by chance know where he’s taking you?"

Axilla smiled, "A place where the night is the most beautiful," the bride replied with a blush, knowing just where Cortez wanted them to go.

Outside the merchant’s inn, Cortez stood beside the carriage as he waited for his bride.

"You refused to have your wedding at the palace; I would have done more than just decorating the carriage," Venantius remarked.

Cortez sighed, "I just want something simple. I’m okay with celebrating it like this," he informed.

Nix touched Cortez’s shoulder, "Congratulations on your wedding."

Cortez bowed, "Thank you for coming and giving us your blessing. Lord Hieron, thank you too," the young merchant bowed.

Finally, when the bride stepped out, she was led to the carriage where Kayla held her long veil.

Axilla tried to keep her heart steady, but with every step came a thud from her heart. She kept her eyes focused on Cortez, who didn’t blink but looked at her.

"You look just as beautiful as the day I first saw you," Cortez said when the girl got closer, he stretched out his hand for her to hold, and Axilla took it.

She blushed at Cortez’s compliment, then she said in reply, "And you look so handsome," she replied.

"Are you ready?" Cortez asked, pushing open the carriage door.

Axilla turned to look at everyone who had come to congratulate them. The king was standing beside his queen, while Kayla stood close to Chantal, Lady Hash stood in between Lord Hieron and Venantius.

"I’m ready," she said in reply.

Cortez helped her climb into the carriage, then he got inside, sitting beside her.

"Look, the moon is hiding shyly behind the cloud," Lady Hash said, to the surprise of everyone.

Larel lookedup to the sky and it was true and then at the woman,she said. "How did you-"

Lady Hash smiled, "Told you I can see everything," she muttered.

"Venantius gave us something to apply to her eyes, and strangely it has been working," Heiron informed, looking at Venantius, who puffed his chest out proudly. Then he continued, "Her sight is not yet very clear; it’ll take some time, but before they return from their honeymoon, I’m sure Lady Hash’s sight would be completely healed." Lord Hieron completed.

Kitanna smiled happily, while they waved at the new couple who departed in the night with their carriage.

Inside the moving carriage, Cortez didn’t let go of Axilla’s hand.

"Are you nervous?" He asked.

Axilla nodded her head, "Yes, what about you?"

Cortez raised her hand to drop a small peck, "That’s why I wanted it to be just us, a little time for ourselves in a place we are familiar with."

The carriage stopped finally at their destination, and the couple entered the forest where the fresh spring was flowing down peacefully.

"I love it here," Axilla muttered. She had been skeptical about having a wedding because she was not a party person. Now, with the party held for her sake, she would have been so overwhelmed and awkward. She was glad Cortez changed the wedding pattern.

Cortez nodded, "I knew you would," he replied.

Axilla turned to look at him, "I’m sorry I love something so simple; I know it’s not normal since every woman likes a grand wedding."

Cortez shook his head, "What is normal is subjective. Since the wedding preparations began, I noticed just how anxious you were. You always felt left out in big gatherings, and I didn’t want that for you on your wedding; I wanted it to be your best day ever."

Axilla was moved by those words; she wrapped her arms around his shoulder, tipping her toe, she planted a small kiss on Cortez’s lips.

"Thank you for always considering my feelings first. I’m so glad I’m being loved by you," she whispered, feeling waves of emotions swirl in her heart.

Cortez smiled, holding her waist. "I’m lucky to have you in my life, Axilla. Thank you for choosing me," he said, pressing his lips on her forehead.

"Let the night wedding begin," Cortez clapped his hands, and Axilla’s eyes lit up in anticipation.