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The entire world would be watching this momentous event. Every eye would be on him, scrutinizing his every move. His allies would want to know what he would do when he became King. His enemies would be seeking his weakness.

“Are you ready, Your Highness?” He was not yet King, but most of the staff was already oriented to treat him as such. Would he ever get used to it?

At that moment, he felt sick. Not because he had any physical illness. But because he had cold feet. Did he wish to go through with this wedding, knowing that the woman waiting for him at the other end of the aisle was not the woman he dreamt of marrying?

Was she watching this on the news? Did she see the announcement? Was she going to show up and stop the wedding? And then she would announce to the entire people in the crowd that she still loved him.

She would tell him that everything was a mistake, a lie, or whatever reason she could come up with to say that she still wanted him. But would he forgive her if she did that? Would he accept her for all her weaknesses and flaws?

“Yes, I will. Just show up, and I will marry you instantly, right then and there, and forget about everything else.” He mumbled in front of the mirror. “I will renounce my crown and be with you. Just show up and tell me that you still love me.”

He knew it was wishful thinking. It was already too late for them.

He could already feel that she was not coming. Whatever they had was over? He had to learn to live with that and accept the wife that fate had given him.

.....

But it was not as easy as said and done. The heart knew what it wanted, and it wanted Eida. Despite everything, he still wished to be with her. But he could not turn his back on his responsibility.

He already gave his word to his family and her future wife’s family. He could not dishonor them by listening to his selfish whim. Besides, he had tried searching for her but did not find her.

Maybe she did not want to be found.

Maybe it was true.

She did not love him the way he loved her.

“Lance, it is time.” His father showed up at his doorstep, ready just like him. It was just an hour left, and he would be standing in front of the altar and saying his vow to the woman he was about to marry.

He turned to his father, knowing he had no other wisdom to impart to him. He had already heard it before. He would say that this was the best decision he had ever made.

It was not news to him that his father did not like Eida for him, but he knew it had not been personal. He only thought of what was best for him and the Kingdom, which he understood.

But still, he sensed a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach, telling him not to go through with this. He knew it was the nerves. Therefore, he ignored it, looking one last time in the mirror to check on his reflection.

“Come on! You are not the bride. We could not let them wait.” His father shouted, sounding a bit anxious.

His father must have sensed his second thoughts. But could he blame him for still wishing he was marrying another woman? But he had nothing against the woman he was about to marry. He believed she would have been his perfect Queen if he had not met Eida.

He liked her because she possessed many good qualities. Something that he would have looked for in a wife. He would have eventually loved her through their marriage and even given his heart to her.

If only he had not given it to Eida. But his heart was torn to pieces. Would she be able to mend it again and make it whole? He had no idea. Maybe. Only time could tell.

In the meantime, he was marrying her out of obligation, nothing more. But at least he was marrying someone worthy to stand beside him and rule with him.

“I am coming.” He shouted as he took one last long breath, squaring her shoulders, before turning around and walking toward his father. “I don’t think they would start the ceremony without me. So, stop fussing.”

He jokingly said to his father, wanting him to relax. He could see the tension in his body. Did he think he would suddenly run away from his marriage, seeing the security outside his door?

He almost did.

Then, they walked in the long hallway until they reached the large foyer where the organizers were already waiting. Without many words, they ushered him to his position as he waited for his bride.

Was he ready for this?

He believed it did not matter anymore. Liked it or not, he had to do it.

The music suddenly played, filling the room with its beautiful tones. Then, the doors opened, revealing the bridesmaids he did not know. They were her friends, not his.

Eventually, the time came for the big reveal, his bride in the most expensive gown known to man. Of course, nothing but the best for the future Queen.

“You are still lucky, man.” His best man said as he stood beside him, clapping him on the back.

Was he? He probably was. But what about his wife? Was she lucky that he would marry a guy who could not love her? He did not think so. But he had promised her that he would honor and respect her, if not love her. That was the best he could do under the circumstances.

“I hope so, Alex.” He told his best friend, who flew early, leaving his wife and newborn son, to be with him.

He understood why many of his friends could not come to join him. Most of them were going through something in their lives. But it saddened him not to see his childhood friend.

But still, he was happy for her, learning that her husband had flown her to Vegas for a surprise wedding. That was something he would have wanted to do. But then again, it was again another faraway dream.

He would have gone there to surprise them and join them on the most momentous event of their lives. After all, he had always considered Amelia like a sister to him. But he had to prepare for his wedding.

His father and the Council would never allow him to fly away before his big wedding day. But he would have if not because of this. He missed her since it had been a while since they had last seen each other.

“Hey, are you alright?” Alex tapped him on the shoulder.

He probably sensed that he was elsewhere. The music was blaring in his ears, and all eyes focused on the bride walking down the aisle. But all he saw and heard was the one playing in his head.

Like all the wedding ceremonies he had seen before. This event was not any different. But in his head, the bride was. He saw another face walking toward him, not the one smiling at him.

“Yeah! I just remembered something.” He was not lying, but he did not elaborate.

He had to focus on his bride before he lost his mind and said the wrong name in front of everyone and all the cameras covering this wedding. That would be one hell of a scandal if he accidentally made that kind of mistake.

“Your bride is almost here. So, I could only say good luck, cousin.” Alex said to him before standing straight in his position, giving him space to welcome his bride.

He still would like to consider himself one lucky man despite being forced into this marriage by his obligations. He could see how beautiful his bride was, physically. Besides that, she had always been a gentle soul, kind, and with a beautiful heart.

Any man who wished to marry her would feel lucky to have her as his wife. Maybe when his heart healed with time, he would learn to love her. As they said, nothing was impossible for people who tried their best and never gave up.

He guessed it was a task that was not impossible to achieve with a girl like her. But that was still something he could not guarantee, but he promised to try his best.

“Take care of our daughter. Love and cherish her just like we have done all this time.” His bride’s father told him as he handed his daughter to him.

Honestly, he did not care much about the man, knowing he only forced his daughter into this marriage because of his business and political motives. But he could not disclaim that it was the same for him and his family.

He guessed despite the years that passed, the culture and thinking of the men and women in their society had never changed. Marriage was not for love and never would be.

“I will take care of Camille and honor her.” But he could not promise to love and cherish her. Not yet, anyway.

Saying love and cherish would mean lying to everyone and dishonoring himself. He could only tell them the truth. But that was more than what others did in an arranged marriage like this. Many would live with lies and illusions rather than face the reality that their marriage was a sham.