Chapter Text
Today, Cecily's life changed.
A day most girls dreamed of, and waited their whole life for, today was Cecily's wedding day. Being the daughter of a noble, Cecily's life was anything but easy. Spending her days studying, and being trained to be a proper lady, Cecily hardly had free time. And after her wedding to the Prince, she would have even less. Or, at least, less time alone.
Her life had been decided for her since she had been born. One day she would marry the crowned prince of her country, Alexander. From the time she could walk she was taught to walk like royalty. Prim and proper.
Cecily found her life to be set in stone long before she even realized where it was headed, straight to Alexander. Now was the day her mother and tutors had trained her for.
Standing in her ivory-colored gown, her corset pulled as tight as possible. Her auburn hair was pinned up in a loose bun, decorated with pearls and flowers. Around her slender neck sat a sapphire droplet, a wedding gift from her betrothed, presented to her that morning. Sighing, if he had truly known her he would know she preferred emeralds to sapphires. That was if she had to wear jewelry at all.
Her wedding dress was deceivingly heavy. It had a low neckline, but long sheer sleeves that drooped low, gathering at her wrists, her corset top was designed with pearls and embroidered with flowers. Then her skirt fell delicately to the floor, her train fanned out behind her.
Looking in the highly polished mirror, Cecily truly looked like a princess. Perhaps her prince would be fooled.
Gathering her skirt she headed towards the door, her mother having already come to give her an old pearl bracelet, her something old. Her necklace was something blue, the dress was something new, and the diamond ring on her finger was something borrowed. The late queen's engagement ring sat on her ring finger, standing out as if it didn't belong.
Just as she was wondering what her best friend would think about her current state, the dress and jewels, the music started to play outside in the cathedral. It was time. Taking a deep breath, Cecily stepped out of the room and towards her fate.
Brandon waited in the first row looking at Alexander all dressed up for his wedding. Brandon knew the day was coming but was still in shock it was here. Sure, Alexander was the prince and heir to the throne and needed a wife to give him his own children but this meant things would change for the two close friends. Brandon had dark black hair but piercing blue eyes that seemed to win all the ladies hearts around. He stood a good six feet with a strong lean build from wearing heavy plate armor all the time. He was an heir as well but to his father's lordship, the right hand of the king. When they were both in their titles the only person Brandon would have to answer to was Alexander and his soon-to-be bride.
The two had grown up together and even went through their knight training together. Alexander was not the best but Brandon had taken to it naturally and it was rumored he would be the best knight they had seen in many years even out besting his father whom he was named after. Of everything though the two were like brothers and thought nothing could tear them apart. Dressed in a black tunic with a golden bear that was the sigil of his house he was anxious to get this part done. Wine and women would follow after this while the newly weds would consummate their marriage before joining in with the celebration. If Alex was to enjoy the warmth of a woman Brandon planned to as well.
Alexander was the picture of perfection as he stood in his at the end of the aisle waiting for his bride. His blonde hair was slicked back, his gray eyes stood out against his light tunic with a silver sword and wreath stitched in in the cotton fabric. The lad wore light blue with white pants, completing the look of an angel trapped on land.
The music by the live band started and all heads turned to watch the young woman many had never seen before walk down the aisle.
As Cecily took each step forward, she finally locked her eyes on the man that would be her husband. She had seen paintings of the man, but he looked far more handsome in person. But that's all she truly heard about the prince. He was handsome. The women at the market or her lessons hardly talked about anything else.
Brandon along with everyone else watched Cecily walk down the aisle. Whispers of how beautiful she was filled the area and Brandon smiled, at least the future queen that he would be seeing a lot of was something he could look at with no issue. Alexander's younger brother was the best man as was custom otherwise Brandon would have been up there with him. Not that he minded at all, he was used to the royal family coming before him at formal events. He would have his own day when he took over for his father and would no longer have to sit on the sidelines.
Offering her betrothed a gentle smile, the young maiden finally reached Alexander. Handing her maid of honor, Lilith, her flowers, Cecily stepped up beside the groom.
This was it, her mother was tearing up in the front pew, dabbing her eye with a handkerchief her father had given her. It was the picture-perfect wedding. As it should be for the crowned prince of the country.
Nervously she took Alexander's hand, giving him a gentle smile, as the officiate started to address the gathered loved ones, or, in Cecily's case, strangers.
Brandon sat back on the pew as the women around him teared up and a smirk came across his face. The two newlyweds exchanged vows and rings after a while and the church erupted in cries of excitement, Brandon's was one of the loudest. He was more excited about the party to follow, knowing all these women would be looking for their own prince tonight. He did honestly hope that Alex would be happy though with his new bride. After the two had walked down the aisle with rice being tossed at them the crowd slowly followed out to where the celebration would be held. Brandon's father found him and wrapped an arm around his son saying he was wondering when he would find himself a bride. Brandon just laughed and said that he would work on it soon, or wait and get a pretty young thing once he took over.
It was a while before the new couple came out to join the festivities but Brandon was right there next to Alex when they sat at the high table. "Congratulations to you both!" He called out when they joined him.
Alex laughed and hugged Brandon, "Yes sir. You're next. Cecily, this is Brandon, my right-hand man who will probably be around more than you think he should." Alex said with a chuckle.
"Pleasure to meet you, Princess Cecily," Brandon said, taking her hand and kissing it as was custom, "I do hope you have had a wonderful wedding so far."
Cecily curtsied to Brandon, in appearances he was the complete opposite to her husband, tall, dark and handsome. His dazzling blue eyes caught her attention immediately. Taking her hand back, Cecily placed it delicately at her husband's elbow, smiling up at him as she answered, "I'm the luckiest woman in the kingdom today."
This was true, many women were jealous of her on that day, many would seek comfort in the first man that whispered sweet words in her ear.
Cecily smiled at Brandon, a hand reaching up to push back a loose strand of auburn curls. "Please take care of me, I'm sure it will take some time to adjust to castle life. So I'll rely on your help as much as the Prince's." She said with a gentle smile as she spoke, her hand gripped Alexander's elbow slightly.
Surely her mother would come to see her soon with her father, to congratulate her for finally achieving their lives' work. "Shall we sit down and eat, your majesty?"
Cecily's body ached, all she wanted to do was sit and accept well wishes and greetings, though she knew her night was far from over. Unless Alex decided to whisk her away to his bedroom for copulation.
Brandon smiled at the new bride, "Anything you ask Milady I will try to fulfill to the best of my power,"
Alex laughed at the two, "Here I was worried you would get jealous of my new bride brother. Yes, food sounds good." Alex lead his new wife to the table where they would be sitting. Brandon sat next to Alex with Cecily on the other side. Below the raised platform sat other nobles from throughout the kingdom. The nights festivities were grand and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Gifts were brought up and laid at the feet of the couple as Brandon watched from afar no longer needing to be in the picture. Alex eventually led Cecily away to their shared bedroom so he could consummate his marriage to her. Brandon of course found a servant girl willing to share his bed for the night.