The Venus Empire was glowing with vibrancy, welcome banners hung from the border that it shared with the Moon Empire and Saturn Empire. Colorful streamers, ranging from the lowest of the empire towards the main area of which the Aphres palace stood. Children were dressed in their finest clothes, those of which were only saved for a special occasion- they were silk ridden and embroidered with the crest of the Aphres family.
The church’s bell rang high in the air, echoing far and wide towards heaven's own people. A joyous juncture today as it were the union of the Crown Prince and the second daughter of the Viocosmo family, Psyche. Many assumed it wouldn’t happen after four and a half years, yet today proved to have been the very act of it.
Well, it was three months ago that the date had been announced and the arrangements had been made public to the people of both Empires. Despite that, it was still an instance of where many were happy. Jubilant, really, that the Empire would be left in the hands of those who seemed to be worthy of that title of Emperor and Empress. The announcement made months ago had many scrambling to gather money or anything else of the sort to attend- but Eros had allowed everyone of the Venus empire to go to the wedding.
He didn’t wish for them to be sending haggling gifts or anything else of the sort to simply gain attention in an invitation.
Thus, being given this, the day of the wedding had come much earlier and quicker than any could expect. It is why the Empire was dressed to the nines and the people were closing shops earlier than the usual time just to ensure they attended.
Afterall, just how many times would the two get married?
*****
Hair the color of the richest ink was being brushed, from the scalp to the ends that were as soft as silk. Two sections near the ears were parted from the rest of the hair, the section of the right ear was split into three, even parts and crossed over each other. In the end, it formed a braid. Grabbing a blue ribbon, nimble fingers tied the blue ribbon and held the braid in place, some loose strands were here and there— the action was repeated for the left side.
Standing up from the chair of the vanity, a faint smile had appeared on full, light pink lips. The corners curving upwards and gracing the features of an excited fellow. Patting down the ruffled blouse, not a speck of dust or pigment on the white of the shirt.
The high waisted pants are fully buttoned up, completing the outfit for the groom. Of course, the cape he is wearing isn't going to be put aside, but it is far too much to put on at the moment while still getting ready. So, for now it hangs behind the partition within his bedchamber.
Walking over to the palladian window, sunlight streams through, dust being seen through the light that is being beamed out to the world. It is odd, peculiar in the sense of knowing. To anyone else, a marriage is something sacred, a sentiment that is the pinnacle of romance.
The utter whisper of words, soft and gentle to the ears of the recipient who has accepted your romantic nature, is a profound thing. It is the act of baring one's soul to another, opening the heart that is as fragile as a glass pane— that act alone is a secret only for one who is chosen for that.
If he were to truly choose someone, he would always choose Psyche Viocosmo for the ideal woman. If it is through his gaze, Eros believes Psyche is more important to his heart than her sister, Chrysanthe.
Not that he wishes to pin the two against each other, but to marry someone who is three years older has never been within the scope of his mind.
Still, as his eyes gaze out the palladian window, head tilted against the cool glass, his knuckles rap against the pane, a low sound in the heavy silence. The summers in the Venus Empire have always been short lived, a cold area, but even then, he wanted the wedding to happen in his homeland. And to give Psyche a breathtaking view.
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Once, twice, and thrice his knuckles rapt against the window before falling onto his left arm that is crossed across his chest. It feels strange, how his own heart seems to beat louder the more he sees nobles filter into the Aphres palace.
are they aware I'll stay away from them? hoping only I and psyche exist? he thinks, giving way to a miniscule smile. As he is alone with his thoughts, Eros wishes to believe that his betrothed is faring well in her bedchamber.
*****
There is a word Psyche is unable to remember, and for a moment such as this, it causes her to frown. Not that it is for her impending wedding, but for the fact her sister is not near.
To be married is to bring your family a special mark as this deserves the right to be given a chance of spark. Being surrounded by family alone is an essence that not many get to share or even have. Yet, her sister simply wishes to stay away from the ordeal entirely.
A small tug behind her makes Psyche turn her head, seeing her mother's face. Empress Loletus of the Saturn Empire. The older lady's feature held a grace and dignified look, a calm sentimentality at the mere idea her daughter was getting married.
Staring into the full length mirror, Psyche stared at her reflection, scrutinizing anything that those Basil green eyes could see. Nothing was wrong, and perhaps that is what made her fearful— it was far too easy going to be getting married without an argument between her parents or another.
From the sheer long, puffed sleeves, to the skirt of the dress, Psyche was beautiful. The white was a color one could see in the purest Gardenia that was growing in the Imperial garden below. Her veil had yet to be put on, but that was to come for when she were to be walked down the aisle soon.
Twenty years old, and not a moment had she been given the time to relax. Being bred to think like a proper princess, her teen years were spent away to be a proper wife. Even so, she didn't feel regretful, or not as much as she thought so.
It was rather unfortunate, since they hadn't spoken to each other at all. Though, it were merely through the passage of letters, she doesn't entirely know what he looks like besides the occasional ‘My hair has grown to be at the length of my shoulders. Perhaps I shall allow it to grow to be the length of my back’.
The schedule of the letters tended to be on the first week of every month. Starting from the first day to the seventh day of the month, and would be sent in a bunch. Eros hated the process of what the letters were sent since he thought the process of reading the letters was nonsensical. Writing a bunch, a batch of letters and sending it in one go; then being read in the span of seven days- one letter a day. Truly, Eros disliked the process, for he had not known Psyche of that current week and day, but an old version of her, not the current her.
Psyche loathed the letter process because it was tiring reading them and then writing an answer to each one and it being sent weeks later. It was a peculiar way of sending letters as she wished to see him face to face. To explore their homelands together, showing each other areas of which they each found comfort within. From where a field of flowers is located, or a secret garden. Psyche coveted to have a life of pure, lovely romance. Not one of which she is foreign to her spouse.
“Do I seem… unfamiliar to you?” Psyche pipes up, turning around on the podium stage and facing her mother.
“Of course! You seem like a mature lady. A mature, young lady getting married today, dear.” Empress Loletus responds, fixing the stray strands of Psych’s hair. “You are just having pre-wedding jitters. I had them when I was going to marry your father, they’ll pass. This is all natural- feeling afraid and excited at the same time, it’s all a part of the process of growing up.”
Psyche hopes so, truly. Because being this nervous was not something she wished to deal with. It was a drowning feeling, falling beneath those waves and sinking to the bottom of her emotions. She couldn’t figure out if this was a natural way of her life, or if Psyche was following a desire of her family and not her own.
It felt as if she were simply living. So, it only created doubts of how long her marriage to the Crown Prince would truly last?
Would he truly want to be with a woman he hardly knew? Or would he have an affair because they hardly knew each other?
Even then, Psyche was acutely aware Eros Aphres was not a man whom shared his bed with another, even if her mother said so.
Though, those doubts still linger, wrapping themselves around like vines on a tree. Holding her in place until a flame saved her from the greenery, and she was saved.
Thinking that, Psyche knew best that no such thing would happen.