Married To Darkness
Chapter 295: The Enviable Couple

Chapter 295: The Enviable Couple

The sight that greeted him froze him in his tracks.

Salviana stood near the tall arched window, bathed in golden morning light, her gown shimmering like an ethereal masterpiece.

The emerald-green satin of her dress gleamed with a depth that seemed to rival the forest itself, its intricate brown lace embroidery glinting with hints of gold as she moved.

The corset accentuated her slender waist, her posture regal yet soft.

Her auburn hair cascaded down her back in perfectly arranged waves, with a few delicate strands framing her face like a halo.

Her skin, flawless and radiant, seemed to glow under the natural light, and her smile—oh, her smile—was brighter than any jewel the kingdom could offer.

For a moment, Alaric simply stared, his breath catching in his throat.

The world outside that door ceased to exist, and all he could see was her.

The woman who had fought beside him, laughed with him, and now stood before him as the very embodiment of perfection.

"Salviana," he finally said, his voice low and reverent, almost as if saying her name too loudly would shatter the moment.

She turned to him, her eyes sparkling like amber in the sunlight, and when her gaze met his, her smile widened. "Do I look alright?" she asked, though the playful lilt in her voice suggested she already knew the answer.

"Alright?" Alaric repeated, stepping forward and closing the distance between them.

His lips curved into a slow, crooked smile, and his dark eyes drank her in with unabashed admiration. "You look like the goddess every bard wishes they could write about. Like the queen every kingdom wishes they had." He paused, his voice softening as his gaze lingered on her face. "You’re breathtaking, Salviana."

The maids—Emma, Sarah, and Thalia—stood to the side, their hands clasped in front of them as they watched the exchange.

They blushed deeply, exchanging glances and barely suppressing their delighted sighs.

"I want a love like that," Emma whispered to Sarah, who nodded, her own cheeks pink.

"Don’t we all," Thalia murmured, her eyes fixed on the way Alaric looked at Salviana—as though she were the only person in the world.

Salviana chuckled, her cheeks warming under her husband’s praise. "Well, you’re not so bad yourself," she teased, reaching out to adjust the silver sash that ran across his broad chest.

Her fingers lingered on the finely embroidered constellations, and she tilted her head, studying him with a smile. "You look... incredibly dashing, Alaric. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to upstage me."

Alaric smirked, catching her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "Never," he murmured against her knuckles. "Tonight is your night to shine. I’m just here to escort the most beautiful woman in the room and make every other man jealous."

Salviana laughed softly, the sound like music to his ears.

She stepped closer, resting her hand on his chest as she looked up at him. "You’re too charming for your own good, you know that?"

"Only for you," he replied, his voice low and warm.

He leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against her temple.

The gesture was tender, intimate, and it made the maids blush even deeper, their hands clasped tightly as they tried not to swoon.

"Break a leg out there," Alaric said, his tone turning playful as he straightened and offered her his arm.

"Only if you promise to catch me if I do," Salviana quipped, looping her arm through his.

"Always," he said, his voice steady and full of meaning.

As they turned to leave, the maids stepped aside, curtsying as the couple passed. Emma and Sarah exchanged another wistful glance, while Thalia let out a soft sigh.

"One day," Thalia whispered under her breath.

The air in the room lingered with the warmth of their love, a soft, invisible glow that seemed to follow them as they stepped into the corridor.

Alaric, his arm still securely around Salviana’s, glanced down at her and couldn’t resist smiling again.

"You know," he said, his voice light, "if anyone dares look at you for too long tonight, I might just have to challenge them to a duel."

Salviana laughed, leaning into him as they walked. "You’re impossible, Alaric."

"And you’re irresistible," he shot back with a grin.

Their footsteps echoed down the hall, their laughter mingling with the distant sounds of the palace coming alive for the grand celebration.

For a moment, amidst the grandeur and looming threats, there was only them—a prince and his princess, perfectly in sync, perfectly in love.

~~{─────────

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Lucius stood by the door like a sentinel, holding a sleek black umbrella that gleamed faintly under the soft glow of the corridor’s sconces.

His black attire—trimmed neatly and tailored to perfection—gave him an air of effortless authority.

The high collar of his coat framed his sharp jawline, and the slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips hinted at a man who was both confident and calculating.

He shifted his weight slightly, listening intently to the sounds within the chamber.

From inside, Jean’s rapid, uneven heartbeat echoed like a melody of panic to his heightened senses.

Her hurried whispers, the rustling of fabric, and the nervous tapping of her shoes against the floor were clear as day to him.

She was pacing, wringing her hands, and muttering things like, "I can’t do this," and "What if I embarrass myself?"

Lucius tilted his head, his crimson gaze softening just a fraction.

He could sense her hesitation, feel the way her anxiety was causing her to retreat into herself.

Part of him wanted to wait, to see if she would conquer this fear on her own.

But as the seconds stretched on and he heard her retreating from the door entirely, he decided otherwise.

With a deep, deliberate breath, Lucius raised his gloved hand and knocked firmly on the door.

The sound was sharp and commanding, causing the murmuring inside to stop abruptly.

"Jean," he called, his voice deep and smooth, carrying an undertone of reassurance. "It’s me. Open the door."

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