Claimed By The Tyrant King

The wedding feast followed shortly after. The great hall was alive with laughter, conversation, and music as food and drinks were served to everyone present. Guests filled the dance floor while musicians played from one corner of the room and families gathered together to celebrate. Wedding gifts were presented one after another as the festivities continued.

"I brought this for you," Beth said as she approached, presenting her gift after greeting Catarina, who was standing beside her daughter.

"Thank you so much, mother," she said with a bright smile. "It makes me really happy that you came today."

Beth smiled back at her warmly. "Of course I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s wedding," she said, and once the gift was set aside, she glanced toward Catarina who returned the look with a small smile of her own.

"Your face is definitely glowing. Everyone can tell how happy you are," Hannah said.

"It is her happy day, of course," Catarina added.

"I still think you people should stop tiring out the bride with too many questions and conversations. We all know what’s going to happen after this," Thalia said bluntly.

Rosalind immediately blushed. "What are you talking about?" she asked at once.

"Thalia," the others called in warning, including Verity.

"What?" Thalia asked without the slightest shame. "I’m just telling the truth."

Well she wasn’t exactly wrong, Rosalind thought to herself and her cheeks warmed immediately. Just looking at Rowan from across the hall was enough to make her heart race these days and remembering the moments they had shared during the past month only made her blush harder.

"We can drop the formalities now," Rowan was saying. "I’m your brother-in-law."

"Yeah, that’s right," Marek agreed with a laugh. Although he had always known it might come to this one day, it still felt strange now that it actually had. "Brother-in-law."

"And you can call me father," King Adrian added.

"Yes, Father," Rowan said easily, and the older man gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.

Adrian smiled and nodded. "Take care of her."

"I will," Rowan answered immediately.

Marek folded his arms. "And if you don’t, I’ll come all the way from Merovia."

Rowan smiled faintly. "I would expect nothing less."

"Good," Marek said. "Because she’s stubborn, sensitive and dramatic at times, but she’s our Sophia."

Rowan glanced towards Rosalind across the hall and smiled. "And she’s my wife now." He thought to himself.

While the men carried on with their conversation, the ladies continued theirs as well. Catarina gently squeezed her daughter’s hand. "Just remember something, Sophia. Marriage isn’t about never disagreeing. It’s about choosing each other even on the days when it’s difficult."

Rosalind nodded.

"You’ve both made mistakes before," Catarina continued softly, "but now you know each other’s hearts. Don’t stop talking to one another, no matter what happens."

"I won’t," Rosalind promised, listening to her mother as she continued.

Until eventually the dance floor was cleared for the newlyweds. Cheers immediately followed as Rosalind made her way toward Rowan and placed her hand in his. He drew her close, one arm settling around her waist, and when the music began, he naturally took the lead while she followed.

At first neither of them spoke. They simply looked at each other, and every time one of them seemed ready to say something, the other looked as though they had something to say as well, causing them both to smile instead. Eventually Rowan broke the silence.

"I can’t believe this right now," he said.

"Me neither," Rosalind replied with a smile.

There had been a time when this had felt impossible, especially during those months when they had been apart, yet now they were standing together as husband and wife. The thought that they would never have to be separated again filled both of them with a quiet happiness.

"You look very beautiful today," Rowan continued.

Rosalind listened carefully as he spoke.

"I mean, you always do. Every day. But today feels different..." He smiled softly. "In a good way."

Rosalind’s smile widened. "Thank you. And you look great too," she replied, her hazel eyes tracing the lines of his face.

"I also noticed that you smiled a lot today compared to any normal day," she added just as he twirled her before pulling her back into his arms.

"Can you blame me?" Rowan asked, his voice low and gentle.

"It suits you," Rosalind said softly.

"Then I’ll smile every day just for you," Rowan promised.

Her eyes immediately turned misty because the man standing before her now was so different from the one she had once known. More importantly, every promise he made, he kept.

"Don’t start crying now. I said I’d never be the cause of your tears," he said.

Rosalind nearly rolled her eyes. "They are tears of joy, dear husband," she replied teasingly.

Rowan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Can we leave now?" and although he tried to sound composed, the look in his eyes gave him away completely.

"Huh? Why?" Rosalind asked, clearly suspicious.

"I just have things to show you, wife," he said, and the smirk on his face immediately told her he was planning something.

Rosalind blushed. "Then I can’t wait."

"It’s good that we’re on the same page," he replied.

By then the song was coming to an end and their first dance as husband and wife was completed. Soon other couples stepped onto the floor and the celebrations continued around them.

Eventually it was time for the newlyweds to retire for the night, and Rosalind was grateful Rowan was beside her because otherwise she might have burst into flames beneath all the knowing looks being sent their way.

Without warning, Rowan swept her into his arms. Rosalind wrapped her arms around his neck while trying—and failing—not to smile as he carried her away. Flower petals had been scattered across the path leading to their chambers, and they crunched softly beneath his boots as he walked.

When they finally entered the room, it had already been prepared for them. Flowers decorated the bed and the floor while candles glowed softly around the chamber, bathing everything in warm golden light. Rowan gently lowered Rosalind onto the edge of the bed before crouching down in front of her and helping her remove her shoes.

Rosalind let out a slow breath because she already knew what was coming next, and even though they had been together before, the anticipation still made her heart race as though she were experiencing it all for the very first time.