Chapter 177: Third Time’s the Charm
"Where’s the nearest church indeed?" Rafael asked, not once sparing Oliver a glance. His eyes were entirely fixated on Soleia, trying his best to sear her facial features into his memory so that he could see her even in the moments he blinked.
"No, scratch that," he said with a shake of his head. "Where’s the nearest boutique and florist? Are they still open for business? My bride cannot be without a gown and a bouquet."
"Ralph!" Soleia all but giggled when he tucked his face into the crook of her neck, nuzzling her until she squealed at how ticklish it felt. "There’s no need for a bouquet. There are flowers everywhere."
"Then a dress," Ralph said. "We need to get you something appropriate to wear. You are to be the most beautiful bride the world has ever known, that even the people in Xahan will hear of your grace."
His extravagant statements had Soleia blushing vibrantly, matching the color of the skies as the sun edged closer to the horizon.
"If you two don’t mind, you can also hold the wedding here," Duke Kinsley suggested. He gestured a distance away, and when Soleia and Ralph turned to look in the direction he was pointing at, they noticed the stage that was beautifully set up. "There’s even a stage right there."
"And the townsfolk can be witnesses to our marriage," Ralph said, eagerly clasping Soleia’s hands. His face full of smiles suddenly fell, however, when he noticed a tear at the corner of her eyes. "Soleia," he said. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing," Soleia said, shaking her head as she let out a shaky laugh. "It’s just..." she trailed off.
Just that she had gone through two other weddings, and now, her third. And two of those three times were rushed and hasty, while the other wasn’t even hers to begin with. All those times, Soleia had rotten luck with weddings and marriages that she hadn’t thought that having such a rushed wedding could amount to anything good.