Part 50

Sylvia's POV:

It was the day of the Adunatio and despite it being a celebration surrounded with love and happiness, all I could feel was irritation.

"Ugh, this bracelet won't stay on," I whine as I throw it on the floor.

"My apologies ma'am, allow me," Tori steps forward.

"This isn't working. I just can't go out like this, not with the King thing and the following parade and-"

"Calm down, my lady. Breathe," Lillian says as she clips on the headpiece onto my half bun hairdo.

"I'm just too busy with everything else going on, I can't waste time getting ready like this."

"It's true that your workload has increased significantly recently but this should be a happy time for you, everything else can wait, please turn."

I turn around, letting the gown float around me. It was a very simple design. Almost like what you would see in Ancient Greece in my past life.

"You're right, I'm sorry for my behaviour. It was no way to act."

"Don't be, I'd be nervous too if I were you, my lady," Ira says as she finishes fluffing out my dress. "All done, you're ready to go now. It's amazing that the temple has a room like this."

"Well many noble ladies stay overnight for prayers, of course they'd have a room ready."

"Right. This will go good. I look good, don't I?" I look back for approval and were met with vigorous nods. Turning back, I suck in a breath before making my way to the door. Outside were many couples with their servants bustling about them, trying to fix any misplaced pearl or strand of hair.

"It's lucky that the young lady is a daughter of a duke or else we wouldn't have gotten the private room," Sandra whispers.

"Thank you, I shall only require Lillian from here. You may rest now," I say before walking through the crowd. The temple was overrun with soon to be adults waiting and prepping for the ceremony. It was so crowded that Lillian and I broke off to the gardens for some quiet.

While walking, I saw the lily Gazebo, and sitting on the edge of a low rail was Rillaine and Lucas.

Rillaine looked just like the Goddess Diphyllis herself. Lucas was leaning on a pillar next to her, clad in similar robes (In the picture above please try to imagine Lucas in Greek style robes).

"Rin!" I call out. She turns her head before smiling.

"Sylvia! Oh my, you look gorgeous!"

"Not as much as you, how is it that you look so amazing?! And that jewellery is stunning!"

"It's a gift from Lucas! Honestly, I arrived with a single bangle. I feel so beautiful in this."

"It's only there to enhance your beauty, it cannot give what you already had," Lucas chimes. "You clean up nice, Sylviana."

"Right back at you, Lucas. I'm surprised you decided to partake in a Hefelian function like this."

"I find it interesting that you have a whole ritual dedicated to your partner. There's no reason why I shouldn't partake."

"Speaking of partner, where's Ace?" Rin asks.

"I'm not quite sure. He usually turns up at the last moment. Always something princely that he has to handle."

"The officials here must be quite incompetent for him to have to work all the time," Lucas comments.

"Are the officials in Drogoria more efficient? Tell me your secret on how to train better workers," I pry.

"Nothing much. Just motivation," he replies.

"Is that it?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Motivation is a key feature in a well-working atmosphere," Rin points out as she hops off before stumbling on her dress. "Oh no, I've got a dirt stain now! I'll be right back, just need to wash this off quickly," she says before sprinting off.

"So...what kind of motivation are we talking about?"

"Nothing big, just an incentive to finish all their work or else they won't live to see tomorrow," he checks his nails.

"Of course..." I sigh.

"You should try it, it's especially effective when you make an example out of someone."

"No, I can't. I have too much empathy," I shake my head before patting him on his shoulder, "Let's go find Rin. The ceremony will be starting soon."

We walk back, making small talk about future plans and flowers. Lucas has become easier to talk to ever since he started spending time with Rin. I was running him through the procedure of the event when I ran into an extremely annoying face.

"Cairo, what are you doing here?" I ask before looking down at his appearance.

"Isn't it obvious, I'm here to partake in the Adunatio." I burst into laughter.

"I don't think you know this, but you need a lady to partake. I doubt there'd be anyone willing to stand by your side. Oh my, is she blind?"

"Your small words won't spoil my mood. I seem to have found my true love and am intent on marrying her."

"Wasn't your true love Monique just last week?"

"Ah yes, well, in my heartbreak, I met another lady who healed me and we fell desperately in love. You may know her, you met once."

"I doubt it, how do I know you're not up to something fishy," I glare. He walks towards me and places a hand under my chin.

"My my, Grey, it sounds like you're becoming a bit obsessed with me. I'm flattered. You know, I'm not tied down yet so we can chat for five minutes."

"Ha, as if, now left go of me," I scoff.

"Why? Isn't this what you wanted? Don't be shy now-"

"Can you shut up?" Both our heads turned to Lucas who now had a scowl on his face.

"Your highness, my apologies, I did not notice you there."

"Your first mistake. Not bowing is the second. Let go of her before you make a third."

He unhanded me and backed away, bowing to Lucas.

"Apologies, I meant no disrespect. I had actually been meaning to speak with you for a while."

"I am in no mood to speak, especially not with someone like you," he looks down and up as he starts walking away. I pace after him.

"Thank you, I would have been in trouble if I froze his hand off," I said.

"I commend you, Sylviana. Your have a stomach of steel."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"He reeked so much it took me a minute before I could talk. I thought I was going to gag. Ah, there you are, Rin." Huh? he didn't smell bad to me at all.

"Wait, Lu- Ah! Don't scare me like that!" I shout as I turn around to the man who put his hand on my shoulder.

"Apologies for scaring you, you look beautiful," Ace says as his hand trails down my arm to mine as he pulls it up and kisses it. He looked mesmerising, his clothes were draped around him, hanging on one shoulder as his golden-leaf hair band matched with the one on his upper arm.

"Working late again?"

"If it weren't urgent, I wouldn't. I wish I would have seen you earlier."

"You're making me blush. But never mind that. Ace, did you know  Cairo is-" The trumpets started blaring as everyone now rushed inside. Ace led me forward and I couldn't finish my sentence.

I was ushered to the hall where there were a horde of couples waiting, and before I could speak up again, the Head Priest cleared his throat to start the proceedings. It was a long procedure that was done with silence save for the Priest's voice.

As I was circling around Ace as per one of the ceremonies, before finally taking his hands in mine and him kneeling down.

"I ask of you, my fair lady, bless me with union, reward me with your presence, fill me with your love," the men recited. The Adunatio was basically a recital of the story of Paramis the God and his mortal lover.

"Even if we are worlds apart?" I recite.

"Even if I have to travel the distance of the Sun to the Moon."

"Then let us be wed,"

"And let us live as one." Once we were done, we walked together to the line, to be blessed. Ace and I were one of the first as we were closer, Rin and Lucas were before us and Lianey and her fiance were after.

As the end neared, I saw Cairo holding the hand of another lady. However, I couldn't see her face due to Cairo blocking.

"Who do you think it is?" I whisper to Violet.

"It must be someone from the aristocratic faction, though I can't imagine why any respectable lady would tarnish their image as the rebound girl since he declared his love earlier."

As I waited for their turn, they finally made it to the alter and bowed. To my side, I saw Lianey visibly pale. I watched, confused as she stumbled a bit, her fiance catching her. I didn't know the reason for her shock until I saw the face.

"Cairo Malachy, Mikaeyla Garrison, Paramis knelt before his Mother to bless him with union to his love, do you do the same?" My jaw dropped.

"I do," Cairo responds.

"I do," Mikaeyla repeats.

"It can't be possible..." Violet breathes.

"But I thought the Garrisons moved to the countryside due to extreme debt," Rin whispers.

We watched as they both stood up, Cairo with his arm around Mikaeyla, leading her away. This was the time to dance with your partner. I see Lianey pace towards Mikaeyla, grabbing her hand. Though she was far away, I could tell by the distress on her face that Lianey was still hurting from the betrayal.

"Should we step in?" I ask Ace.

"I don't think so, not unless things get too out of hand." So we just watched. Mikaeyla had a look of fear on her face before Cairo separated them and moved her elsewhere. I proceed to walk to Lianey. She looked like she saw a ghost.

"Lianey, are you alright?"

"She wouldn't even talk to me. She just stared at me as if I were a stranger."

"Have you... kept in touch since then?"

"Mikaeyla was like my sister. She was my twin. How could she ignore me like that?"

"She must have felt guilt for how she treated you," Violet suggests. "How about we go to the powder room and sort ourselves out. Sylvia will go and speak to Mikaeyla." I nod in agreement.

"I'll go too," Rin says as she takes my arm. We nod to Violet as she leads Lianey away before walking ourselves the same way they went.

"I know I've been busy with Lucas and everything, but how did things come to this?" Athy asks.

"I could ask the same question. This situation is too bizzare. I've searched for Mikaeyla even with Ace's help but it was like she dropped off the face of the earth."

"Interesting, she replies before suddenly rushing toward the balcony. I speed up to catch her.

"What's going on?"

"Look! They're leaving!" She points. I look down and see Mikaeyla and Cairo boarding a carriage. I bite my lip in frustration.

"Damn it!" My spouts of anger were soon interrupted by Mason running toward me.

"Sylvia, it's a mess!"

"What is?"

"My father has told me that Cairo is being considered as part of the succession line!"

"What?!"

Hey guys, it's meeeeee. I'm on school break so I decided to publish. Hope you enjoyy~~~