Claimed By The Tyrant King

A month later...

It was the happiest day of Rosalind’s life as she walked down the aisle with her father, King Adrian, holding her hand and leading her forward.

The hall was already filled with familiar faces, all gathered to witness the occasion, and seeing them brought a smile to her lips.

Catarina, Beth, Hannah, Marek, Verity, Thalia, and many other well-wishers sat among the guests, their expressions warm and joyful as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Then her gaze drifted to the front where Rowan was already standing, waiting for her, and the moment their eyes met, her smile widened.

This was the day she had chosen for herself, the future she had chosen for herself, and her heart fluttered with excitement because she was about to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved.

Rowan’s breath caught the instant he saw her. The white gown suited her perfectly, making her look even more breathtaking than he remembered, and for a moment he could only stare.

To him, she looked like the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Her eyes seemed to shine as she looked back at him and he smiled without even realizing it. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Rosalind felt her stomach tighten at the sight of him as well. He had cut his hair shorter over the past month and a light stubble now framed his jaw, giving him a slightly rougher appearance, yet he looked every bit as regal and commanding standing there in his dark attire. With every step she took toward him, her heartbeat seemed to grow faster.

When they finally reached the altar, Adrian gently released her hand and stepped away to join the rest of the family, leaving Rosalind to take the remaining steps alone. Rowan immediately held out his hand and she took it with a smile before they turned to face the priest together.

The priest welcomed everyone gathered before offering a brief blessing over the union. "We gather here today to witness and celebrate the union of King Drystan and Princess Sophia. Marriage is not only the joining of two hearts, but the joining of two lives, two families and two futures. Today, before family, friends and the eyes of the heavens, they have chosen one another and have come to make that choice known to all."

As he spoke, Rosalind found herself glancing at Rowan more than once, only to discover him already looking at her. Each time their eyes met she looked away shyly, unable to stop the blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Is there anyone who objects to this union?" the priest eventually asked, turning toward the audience. "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

While Rowan remained calm because he knew nothing was going to happen, Rosalind felt her heart begin to race. Her thoughts wandered through a hundred possibilities before she felt Rowan squeeze her hand reassuringly. She turned to him and he gave a slight shake of his head, silently telling her not to worry. Rosalind nodded and after what felt like an eternity, no one spoke. Relief flooded through her immediately.

""Do you, King Drystan, take Princess Sophia to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, cherish her and stand beside her in times of joy and hardship, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Rowan answered without hesitation, his voice steady and certain.

"Do you, Princess Sophia, take King Drystan to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, cherish him and stand beside him in times of joy and hardship, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes," Rosalind replied, trying not to sound too eager. Then she smiled. "I do."

At once, cheers broke out among the guests.

"You may now exchange the wedding rings."

The rings rested upon a beautiful cushion adorned with diamonds that glittered beneath the light. Rosalind picked up Rowan’s ring first and gently slid it onto his finger before looking up at him. The smile he gave her was enough to melt her heart.

Rowan then reached for her ring. Taking her hand carefully in his, he steadied it within his own and held her gaze the entire time before sliding the ring onto her finger. The moment he finished, the hall erupted into applause once more.

"By the authority vested in me and witnessed by all gathered here today, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The priest barely finished speaking before Rowan leaned forward and kissed her. The gesture sent another rush of butterflies through Rosalind’s stomach because it was a reminder that they had both chosen this moment willingly. No one had forced them here. This was what they wanted.

When he finally pulled away, Rosalind looked up at him and found him smiling. She smiled back just as brightly.

Afterwards came the signing of the marriage contract. Rowan stood first while Rosalind remained at his side with her hand looped through his arm. He signed the document before passing it to her and she added her own signature next. The witnesses followed shortly after and with that, the marriage became legally recognized.

As the cheers echoed through the hall, Rosalind glanced towards her family and found tears shining in Catarina’s eyes while King Adrian stood proudly beside her. For a brief moment, emotion tightened in her chest because she realized how much had changed since she first left Merovia. Yet somehow, everything had led her here, standing beside Rowan with their hands joined together.

Once the ceremony concluded, the newlyweds were the first to leave the hall. Rowan led Rosalind down the aisle with her hand resting upon his arm while she held her bouquet in the other. Behind them, guests rose from their seats, showering them with flower petals and cheers as they made their way outside. Both of them smiled throughout, and with every step they took, it felt as though they were leaving one Chapter of their lives behind and stepping into another.

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