The priest recited the sacred vows, his deep voice echoing across the grand hall. We exchanged rings, a symbol of eternity, while flower petals rained gently from above. As I placed my hand in Rayan's, the hall erupted into joyous applause. Trumpets played, and the royal banners unfurled, sealing our union before the world.
Then the wedding party began.
We entered a grand hall glittering with chandeliers, tables lined with exquisite food and the finest drinks. The air buzzed with music, laughter, and the chatter of powerful people.
I stood with Rayan and my new in-laws, surrounded by royals and wealthy merchants. Every merchant bowed respectfully, and every royal offered their congratulations on our marriage. My smile never left my face, though inside I felt overwhelmed by the constant attention.
And then came the guests I had been waiting for—Mira and her mother. The sight of them filled me with warmth. I stepped forward, my face lighting up.
"Oh! Mrs. Margarette, Mr. Harrington, please meet them," I said, "They are the people who raised me."
Mrs. Margarette's lips curled into the faintest polite smile. "Oh, I see," she said, her tone bland and distant.
But Mr. Harrington stepped forward with grace, taking Mira's mother's hand. "We are glad that you came, Miss. We hope you enjoy the evening."
Mira's mother's cheeks flushed with emotion. "Yes, we are enjoying. Thank you so much for accepting Zera into your family. We are truly happy for the couple."
The moment was filled with formalities, but behind the words I could sense Mira's mother's genuine joy.
As I turned to acknowledge the next group of guests, my gaze fell on Alex, standing close beside Rayan, vigilant as ever for security reasons. His face, however, wasn't calm and composed like usual. It was blank—no, more than that, it was frozen in shock.
Before I could question him, I caught Rayan leaning toward him and whispering something only I was close enough to hear:
"Yes… she's the same girl you saw in Zera's house."
In an instant, an entire love story of Mira unfolded before my eyes.
I couldn't help but wonder—is this what Mira felt when she saw me and Rayan together?
Just then, a voice called out from the other side of the hall. It was a royal.
"Mr. Harrington, how are you?"
Mr. Harrington glanced at me before saying gently, "Zera, can you accompany them for a moment? We'll be back shortly."
It was the perfect moment—when everyone else drifted away, I quickly pulled Mira to the side.
"So, how's it going?" I asked with a grin.
She gave a small laugh. "Well… it's fine, but there are so many prominent people here. It's obvious—we're getting a little awkward and nervous."
I smirked knowingly. "Well, I think someone likes you."
Her eyes widened. "Who?" She leaned closer, her face lighting up with curiosity.
I teased her with another hint. "Someone you once said was even more handsome than Rayan—which, by the way, is completely wrong."
Her jaw dropped. "That guard guy? No way! I thought you meant some rich old man. He's way too handsome for me."
I chuckled. "Well, who knows? But I definitely saw his face—completely stunned after looking at you."
Mira's cheeks turned crimson as she tried to hide her smile, clearly lost in all sorts of dreamy scenarios inside her head.
Soon, though, the three of us were surrounded by royals and merchants, each eager to shower us with compliments. Their words were sugar-coated with flattery, their intentions transparent—but we couldn't deny it, we enjoyed the attention.
My eyes wandered across the hall and landed on Alice, standing quietly at a distance. I called her over.
"Alice, could you please accompany them and introduce them to some of the other guests?"
For an instant her expression flickered with surprise, but she quickly bowed her head. "Yes, ma'am. And you look gorgeous—both of you, Miss Mira as well."
They left together, and from afar I caught glimpses of them laughing, smiling, and enjoying themselves. The sight filled me with quiet happiness.
But the moment didn't last long—soon my in-laws and Rayan returned, and I was swept back into the endless whirl of the celebration.
Standing beside Rayan, he leaned close and whispered softly, "So… when did you alter the dress?"
I blinked. "Well, I don't know how, but it suddenly became loose. Mira fixed it for me at the very last moment."
Rayan's lips curved into a smile. "Wow. She really did a great job—the dress looks even more beautiful than before."
I giggled and said playfully, "Yes, it does!" adding a little shoulder wiggle—only to feel embarrassed a second later.
After greeting guests and finishing dinner, the hall lights dimmed. It was time for the dance. My heart sank; the steps were far too complicated for me to learn in such a short time.
The music began, and Rayan extended his hand toward me.
"Oh no, please," I whispered quickly, "I don't know any of this."
But before I could protest further, he pulled me gently closer. "Just hold on to me. I'll handle the rest."
My hand slipped into his, while the other rested lightly on his shoulder. And then, almost without realizing, we found ourselves moving with the crowd on the dance floor. Our steps weren't perfect, but they were ours. And that was enough.