Sylva was perhaps the best maid that Lewis had ever known. She performed all of her duties without fail, and even some that were not even in her role. What impressed the Assassin King most, though, was her ability to seem completely calm and collected the entire time.
“I swear you aren’t human,” Lewis said as he started to get dressed.
“I am merely one hell of a maid, Lord Terrowin,” she said as she helped him with his tie. “Do behave today.” She smiled, and winked. “I can show you a passage from ‘My Unsheathed Sword’ if you want ideas for how the wedding night should end though.” There was a twinkle in her eye.
“N-no thanks,” he replied as he backed away. “Let’s just…get this over with.”
—
Lewis hated weddings. He wouldn’t even be having one if it weren’t for the fact that he promised Simone and his benefactor that it would happen. It wasn’t that he hated the act itself, but more so the fact that it was such a public affair. He was on high guard as he walked to his spot, waiting for Simone. If there was ever a chance to assassinate someone, this would be the ultimate time to do it.
“Only a fool would let their guard down for something so trivial,” Lewis muttered. The sex was fun. Playing the loving and adoring couple was obnoxious, but it had its amusing parts. This, though, was taking the farce a little too far. Sure, he enjoyed Simone’s company, hell…he was even a little protective of his little rabbit, but this was all still just to save face.
At least, that was what he was trying to tell himself. All thoughts of this faded when the music started, and the bride began to walk up the isle.
In the absence of her father, Llywellyn was the one to walk her up the aisle. There was a glare from someone in the pews’ Avery looked as though he had been roughoused. Apparently there had been an argument on who would walk the lovely bride down the aisle.
Simone looked beautiful despite the nervousness in her eyes as she approached the podium. Her stormy eyes looked into Lewis’ hazel, and he felt something stir.
Was this really a farce? Was this all just for her to keep her lands? Was this all for his benefactor?
Simone cleared her throat. ““This is all so short notice. Did you know I didn’t even know I was getting married so soon…” Her voice quivered, but she seemed to gain some of the confidence she had as Lady Azure. ”There’s no one I would rather have for my partner. Now, always, forever, until death, beyond death, until the end of time…” Her voice trailed off. She thought it had sounded much better in her head.
Lewis smiled back. “It was good…be proud.” He looked at the crowd, and mustered up a vow. He hadn’t planned for one, but now he felt he had to give at least something. “We’ve come so impossibly far from the day I met you. To me, you were merely another target, one more to knock off the list and move on.” That got a few looks from the crowd, and an eyebrow raise from Simone. It was not public knowledge that he once tried to assassinate her. He did hope that it wouldn’t put a damper on things. When I first met you as the Lady Azure, I had no idea what to expect from someone who was so…forward.” Again, there was more nervous laughter. “I…guess I’ll speak from the heart.” As much as he tried to pretend that it wasn’t true…he knew that everything he would say would be the truth.
“I love you with all of my heart and soul. I am excited for the life we will build and the children we will raise. For you, I would walk to the end of the world..for you, I would wait until the end of time. For you, I would wait even beyond death itself. For you, I would do anything…” He closed his eyes. “For you, and only you…”
There was a sniffle from the crowd as Avery blew his nose loudly. That got a few genuine chuckles.
“Then, do you, Lewis Terrowin, the White Raven, take this lovely woman to be your bride?”
“I do,” Lewis said with a smile.
“Very good. And do you, Simone Beatrice Monte Auclair, the Lady Azure, take this handsome man to be your husband?”
“I do-”
There was a strange sound, like a string snapping, and suddenly Simone lurched unnaturally. “W-wha?” She looked down to see something very strange. There was something sticking out of her dress. It was strange indeed…Sylva and Martha had worked so very hard on this dress. There shouldn’t have been anything wrong with it.
“L-Lewis…the dress…” Simone looked up at him with confused eyes. “Sylva and Martha will be mad…about the dress…”
That was the last thing she remembered before she collapsed.
