The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 280: Love and Happiness

Chapter 280: Love and Happiness

At Stewart Manor, Kingdom of Ebodia

The day came and went, and before Krisha even knew it, the day of her own wedding had finally come. She knew it would happen eventually, but she didn’t think that it would happen this quickly.

Well, she wanted it to happen, but still. She didn’t even think that she would get married to a vampire of all people.

"It’s really happening," Krisha whispered to herself as she looked at herself in the mirror. "I’m going to get married..."

As the servants around her went and tended to her every need as the bride, Krisha couldn’t help but stare at herself in the mirror as she wore her wedding gown. It was her mother’s and it fit her perfectly. Even she could admit that she looked stunning in a wedding dress, and she could only imagine what Taro would say the moment he saw her.

[Where are you?] Taro suddenly contacted her through their bond. [Everybody’s already waiting for your arrival. I can’t wait to see you too...]

Krisha felt her brow twitch even as her heart hammered with excitement. She wasn’t at all mad that she was being called up, but the fact that Taro could get to her through their bond somehow felt like they were cheating the spirit of the traditional wedding.

[I’ll be right there,] Krisha quickly replied as she spun on her heels to check on herself. [Also, how many times do I have to tell you not to contact me through the bond today? Just because we can technically talk to each other while not seeing each other doesn’t mean we should do it.]

It was in Ebodian tradition after all that a bride and groom shouldn’t see each other until they were both in front of the altar. While it was recently being forgone by most people simply because they’d rather see their spouse before they got married during their big day, Krisha honestly thought that it was a rather exciting and important tradition. Sure, they were technically still doing things right by preparing in their own separate rooms, but the spirit of the tradition should at least be preserved.

[Sorry, I just wanted to make sure that you’ll be coming,] Taro apologized. [I... I cannot wait to see you by my side, Krisha.]

She felt her cheeks flush red as she shook her head. [And you’ll be seeing me and more later, Taro,] she cheekily replied. [For now, let’s just focus on making sure that our wedding happens without any incident.]

Cutting off their connection, Krisha let out a wistful sigh as she looked out the window. Below her, their simple garden wedding had already taken shape. While she couldn’t make out most of the guests currently in attendance, she could only assume that the most important guests had already arrived based on how much bigger the commotion below was growing.

"Best get down there then..."

With a smile, Krisha turned around and made her way to the door. Opening it, she was greeted by the man who was going to walk her down the aisle all the way to Taro’s waiting arms.

"Father," she smiled warmly at him. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Daughter," the duke smiled back. "I didn’t think I’d see you in a wedding dress this soon, but I suppose there’s a time for everything."

"Hey, was that insult?" Krisha jokingly asked.

"If it was, then I wouldn’t be here with you, wouldn’t I?" her father smirked back. "Now come. Let’s get you down there."

Her father then offered to take her hand, which Krisha eagerly took as they made their way down to the garden. The moment they arrived, everybody in attendance seemingly froze as they all turned to look at her.

Krisha held her breath as she stood at the end of the aisle with her father by her side. Around them, their guests all gave her looks of encouragement. From her mother and her brothers to her friends and fellow shadow maidens who managed to clear their schedules to see her off, all the way to her Queen Mineah and King Nikolai who sat at the royal table along with Queen Dana, they were all there to see her in the best day of her life.

Her friends were also present, Dani with Chancellor Abel, Zaila, and Niran who was accompanied by her husband, Prince Raul. It was unfortunate that Laura was absent but her dear friend’s family was present.

And of course, at the other end of the aisle in front of the altar, Taro stood before her, waiting for her to reach him.

"Are you ready?" her father asked, squeezing her hand as if to encourage her.

"I’m ready," she beamed. "Let’s get this over with."

On cue, the wedding march began playing, and she slowly began her walk towards the altar where she would be wed. With each step, she felt her heart soar as she felt the atmosphere around her shift to one of excited happiness. She could hear her brothers crying from their table, and she could even hear a few sniffles from her father as they walked.

By the time they reached Taro, Krisha was close to crying herself.

"You take good care of her, alright?" her father told Taro as he gave her away to her new husband.

"I will," Taro nodded in determination. "By my life, I’ll make sure of it."

Holding onto Taro’s hand, Krisha couldn’t help but smile as she let him lead them to the altar. There, King Stephan had stepped up to officiate the wedding. It was a simple one, but the current attendance and their own stature necessitated that he do it himself.

"We now stand before the Almighty to see the wedding of Taro and Krisha," King Stephan announced, holding the audience’s attention as he began. "Before anything else, is there anyone who objects to such a union?"

Krisha almost laughed at such a ridiculous question. Even if there were any, she would make sure that they’d regret ruining her wedding.

"Very well," King Stephan chuckled as if he too expected nothing to happen. "If there is nothing else, let’s proceed with the vows."

As one, they both turned to face each other. With their rings already in place, she could feel her heart pounding as she said her vows.

"I, Krisha, do vow to always be your wedded wife," she sincerely stated. "I will always love and support you. In sickness and in health, till death do us part."

She felt tears pricking at the edges of her vision as she stared at Taro. The love and affection she had for him was overflowing, and it only exploded further as he began his vows.

"I, Taro, do vow to always be your wedded husband," he firmly declared. "I will always love, care, and protect you. In sickness and in health, till death do us part."

Krisha felt like she was about to explode. She knew what happened next. There was nothing that would ever take this moment away from her.

"Very well," King Stephan smiled. "From henceforth, you two are now husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Krisha closed her eyes, and the whole world around her seemingly disappeared as she felt Taro’s lips touch hers. The crowd exploded around her, but she couldn’t hear them with how hard her heart was beating in her ears.

Love and happiness... This was it. Nothing could ever compare...