Her parents didn’t bother coming to her wedding. She isn’t surprised, yet the disappointment still burns.

Verrat’s mother loosened her curls so they look presentable.

“Don’t worry sweetie, I’m sure your parents will come eventually.”

“I wouldn’t count on that Ms. Carter.”

“Ah, just hold out hope, dear girl. However, if they don’t, just know I’m here for you.”

“Do you want to record yourself now or later? When I was getting married I recorded the entire process and my video trended for weeks!”

The flowers enveloped them like a cocoon. Ms. Carter must have spent a fortune on them.

Ms. Carter continues speaking while attaching circular irons around her hair and face.

She considered it. On one hand, this would benefit her acting career, yet on the other it may attract too much attention when she’s barely started her career.

The Empire hasn’t forgotten what her grandparents did, so it would be wise to gather up enough allies in the entertainment industry before going all out.

However, her parents did say that if her heritage was discovered, being an entertainer was a safe option since they’re considered vapid fools who couldn’t hold down a regular job.

“Ah, I wish for this to be a simple affair, Ms. Carter.”

Though, why should she be so worried since her mother was hardly mentioned by the Main House?

It must have been the paranoia causing her such distress, so she shook them off and focused on her sweet Verrat.

A few hours later, Anmutig was preparing to stroll down the aisle when her brother suddenly appeared.

“Eisen! What are you doing here?”

She threw herself into his arms while the latter chuckled.

“Someone has to walk you down the aisle.”

“Ah, but you disapprove of Verrat?”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Regardless of his incompetence, I couldn’t leave my sister on her big day.”

She ignored the insult towards her future husband and let her brother lead her down the aisle.

Phones floated in the air, being held up by the anti gravity gloves their owners wore while seated on the lawn chairs.

The floor changed hues as Anmutig’s heels clicked along its surface while up ahead, begonia flowers hovered over the groom.

“You look beautiful.”

“You’re unbelievably handsome.”

The ceremony went off without a hitch and as they went to the venue across the street, a flood of reporters came swarming towards them.

“Mr. Carter, how did you know Anmutig was the one?”

“Ms. S- pardon me I meant Mrs. Carter, how many children will you have?”

“Why did you keep your relationship under wraps?”

“Did you have an affair while on set?”

“Did you cheat on your ex girlfriend with Anmutig?”

She stayed composed during the questioning yet wanted to rip their scalps off. Verrat enthusiastically answered every question while keeping a firm grip around her waist.

Eisen eventually managed to grab her and rushed her towards the venue while some of the journalists chased after them.

She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. A bride being rescued by her soldier brother from the evil paparazzi would make for quite a tale.

Once they were safely inside the venue, Eisen let a scowl appear.

“Stupid actors always live for attention, those degenerates. Oh sorry not you of course!”

He flusters and she can’t help but snicker.

“Yes dear brother, my degeneracy will infect you like a virus. Go on without me.”

“Idiot, your stupidity has already done me in.”

They shared a few more laughs before his phone rang. He lifted his empty hand and the phone dislodged itself from his pocket. A hologram appears which shows the face of their mother.

Swiftly, he rips his iron earring off and answers the call. As a result her voice has a static like quality.

Anmutig discretely looks around the room for any warning lights. All the lights from the cameras are still green, so they suspect nothing.

“You’re com-

Their mother hangs up and they stay silent.

Your mission is compromised, is what she had said.

“Ah, this stupid phone keeps messing up. I hate to leave on your wedding day, but I must go to the shop.”

“Of course, brother, thanks for coming.”

They hug, and if it looks like their last then so be it, the cameras will suspect nothing.

“Stay.”

He whispers before he leaves.

Right. She goes to another room and cracks a smile to her reflection in the dressing room. Cameras don’t exist in these places, though she looks around for any just in case.

Her reflection depicts a dark skinned woman with wine colored eyes. An iron-like corset runs up her waist like a skeletal structure. Underneath is a traditional red dress while her veil is made from Begonias. Her mother in law had even been kind enough to dye the tips of her hair red in honor of the Empire.

She almost laughed at the various contradictions. She stopped serving the Empire and her family years ago, though the former still makes her skin crawl.

She straightens up and dons another symbolic dress. This must be unhealthy, participating in various traditions while seething on the inside.

“We serve the Empire, not the emperor.”

Her mother drilled that into her head since she was a child. Before she could write or speak, those words had been ingrained in her bones. The influence cannot be erased.

However, she clears her head and walks into the venue with a smile.