His Majesty's Devious Sin

The wedding soon arrived. The castle grounds bustled with excitement and fervid. Every servant worked hard and it took a week for everything to be properly settled. There wasn't a single moment where the hallways were quiet. There were always busy bodies trying their best to not run in their rush to prepare everything.

Adeline's heart couldn't stop racing. She was being dressed by a handful of familiar faces, which were the maids in rotation. It was the same routine, but she wanted to do the majority of things alone. For example, taking baths by herself.

"Your Grace, you look so beautiful…" Jenny breathed out, her eyes widening at the state of the Princess. Even though she had been a part of the process, she still couldn't believe her eyes.

Adeline could barely breathe properly. They had fastened a corset upon her, and she was simply too nervous. Nonetheless, she allowed them to guide her off the raised platform and towards the enormous mirror in her closest. 

"Oh my…" Adeline was surprised as well.

The entire time they dressed her, she was in a daze. But now that she had seen the hard work of all six maids, she was blown away. 

The gown was large and touched the ground, dazzling white and golden. Tiny pearls, diamonds, and crystals were sewn into the material, catching the light no matter what she did. 

She glowed ethereally, her thin shoulders emphasized by the royal red robes. Blindly white silver designs swirled upon the dress, like flowers magnificently blooming in spring.

Words could not describe the gown she wore. She felt like the Queen of Heaven in this white dress that had a long train of fabric behind it, accompanied by an even longer veil that would surely catch flight with each step she took. A crown of silver danced upon the edges of the sheer veil draped into her bun. 

It would take at least three people to pick up the trains of fabric to properly help her walk near the staircase, where she'd have to descend alone and head for the gardens.

"This way, Your Grace," Jane gently guided.

Adeline turned around, her eyes landing upon the doors. She knew it was time for the entire nation to see her.

This was a highly anticipated wedding and she heard many esteemed guests from all corners of the country were invited. There were Crown Princes and Princesses, wealthy men and women, prestigious gentlemen and ladies, the list went on. It was an exclusive event that only the elite of the elite was able to personally witness with their eyes. 

She heard the chefs cooked for a few days to ensure perfection. There were helicopters and priceless cars arriving, being valeted by the castle staff, and paparazzi waiting outside the castle gates where the guests arrived. Everyone hoped to catch a glimpse of the bride-to-be.

To say Adeline was nervous was an understatement. Her heart was loudly thumping in her chest, eager to fall out. Her stomach uncomfortably churned and she felt her breakfast coming back up.

"We may head out now," Adeline said. She barely kept her voice in control, despite her shoulders that wanted to tremble. 

The cream of the crop elites was going to be watching her. Everyone would gouge her, scrutinizing from head to toe, finding any flaws they could, and run with it. 

Adeline understood the importance of this event for herself. It wasn't just a wedding. It was her opportunity to show the world who was finally occupying the empty throne beside the King of Wraith. 

She would need to make a stunning impression beyond everyone's expectation—imperfections were out of the picture.

"Uncle Claymore?" Adeline blinked in surprise the second the maids opened the door, revealing his presence.

Adeline tried to contain her smile. She thought she would be walking down the aisle alone. But it seemed not. The Duke was dressed in a grey suit, tailored to his healthy body with obsidian cuffs. He wore a large, proud smile on his face, his eyes slightly moist.

"I'm glad I made it in time, though, His Majesty forbade my daughter from accompanying you whilst you dressed. After hearing about the troubles she gave to him, I'm not surprised."

For the first time since the stressful dressing, Adeline laughed. It seemed like something Elias would do. He must've thought Lydia's presence would've been too much. Though, she would've appreciated Lydia's support. 

"You're already so beautiful in this gown, I have no words to describe your elegance." Duke Claymore remained by the foot of the door. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small box.

Adeline stepped forward with the help of the maids holding her long train of dress. 

"What's this?" she asked.

"Something borrowed and something blue, all in one [1]." Duke Claymore revealed the bracelet in the box, made of sterling silver. 

The bracelet was elegantly carved like thorns with blossoming roses on it, except the flowers were blue sapphire.

"Your mother wore this on the day she officially married your father." Duke Claymore stepped forward and clasped the bracelet upon her thin wrists. 

Adeline's eyes instantly moistened. She remembered seeing her mother wear this almost every single day, without fail. It must've been a gift from her father and something she held dear. She nearly cried on the spot, but had to hold it back.

Her heart ached at the memories of her parents. They would've cried at the sight of her today.

"And this is something old, the final piece of your good luck charms, seeing as your wedding dress is something new." Duke Claymore pulled out another box from his other pocket, this time revealing two other flowers suspended in tiny teardrop crystals, matching her necklace.

Adeline's breath hitched. She had seen her parents wear it on their necks before. She was still wearing her current necklace that they had gifted her.

"Your mother wore this pink rose and your father wore the white one," Duke Claymore softly said. "The original chains were destroyed, but these charms have been saved. I've been meaning to give this to you when the time is right."

Adeline's hands trembled to accept the gifts.

"Princess, please allow me…" Jane softly said, for once, her stern voice dissipating. Her tone slightly trembled and Adeline didn't need to see it to know. The other maids were equally as emotional when it came to these heartfelt gifts.

Jane came forward and unclasped the necklace from the Princess' neck.

Adeline caught the necklace in her hand and with trembling hands, placed each individual charm onto the necklace. 

Now there were three roses, to symbolize her family. With ease, Adeline clasped the necklace back onto her neck. The teardrops were warm on her collarbone, her eyes watering even more, but she had to hold back her tears.

"There, you look absolutely perfect," Duke Claymore fondly said. He wore a gentle, affectionate expression on his face, hiding the pain in his eyes. Seeing her like this was enough to bring a grown man to his knees.

Duke Claymore knew his best friends would be in tears at the sight of her. Their baby girl, all grown up, and ready to face the world. He had to hold back his emotions, knowing the second he cried, so would Adeline. 

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