Chapter 21: The engagement
>>Corvina
The Holy Temple of Elarion, dedicated to the ancient deity of light and wisdom. The temple itself was a magnificent marvel of architecture, crafted from luminous marble that seemed to shimmer with an inner glow, even in the dimmest of light. Towering spires adorned with delicate carvings of celestial beings reached toward the sky, while intricate mosaics depicting tales of divine intervention adorned the walls.
Deep within the temple, past winding corridors illuminated by softly glowing orbs of light, lay the Grand Chamber of Union. This sacred space was reserved for the most significant of ceremonies, where the bonds of love were consecrated under the watchful gaze of Elarion.
The sound of my heels clicking echoed as I walked into the Grand Chamber. Prince Lyal did not come to take me from my home. He sent the message to just meet him in the temple and while normally any noble female would make this into an issue. I did not have the luxury of it.
His actions showed how much of a hassle all of it was for him but father and Hubert simply told me to get ready and reach the temple myself. I made a fuss about it in my past life, telling my father that Prince Lyal clearly didn't want this marriage, that's why he's doing this.
To leave a lady alone and go to the temple himself is pretty humiliating to me but no one cared about that. Dad just slapped my mouth shut and told me to get ready and in the end I had no choice but to do it.
I didn't want useless violence this time, so I've been doing as I've been told.
I was greeted by towering doors crafted from solid oak, intricately carved with symbols of love, unity, and devotion which I found so hypocritical. As the doors swung open on silent hinges, I stepped into a vast chamber bathed in a soft, golden light that seemed to emanate from the very walls themselves.
At the center of the chamber stood an altar, fashioned from pure white marble and adorned with garlands of fragrant blossoms and shimmering crystals. And in the middle of it, Stood Lyal, wearing his ceremonial clothes, waiting for me.
His golden hair was just like his brothers yet he himself was nothing like them.
I, on the other hand, wore a dress crafted from the finest silk chiffon, the gown cascaded in gentle folds, trailing behind me. The bodice of the dress was adorned with intricate lace appliqués, delicately embroidered with shimmering threads of silver and gold. The gown flowed into a sweeping A-line silhouette, gracefully skimming the floor. Subtle touches of embellishment adorned the waistline, where a slender belt of crystals and pearls shimmered softly in the ambient light.