“Are you ready?”
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The question Nova had been dreading all morning floated to her ears. She stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room as she ran her hands over her dress countless times.
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She looked like royalty in her beaded silk wedding dress that was tailored to perfection, all thanks to Maxwell, who hired one of the best wedding dress designers in the state.
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In his words, “I want you to look like a bride fit for my name.”
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Her hair, which was styled by Lynn— because she trusted only her— was put in a simple slick-back bun, and a veil was draped over her head, flowing down to her back.
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She inhaled deeply. ‘Was she ready?’ She questioned herself as well. Was she ready to spend the rest of her life with a man she had only met merely six weeks ago?
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She turned to the door where Lynn stood in anticipation of her answer. A smile crawled onto her face. Lynn was the only family she considered her own, and boy, was she glad to have her there.
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“He’s waiting for you. We all are.”
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Nova turned around in one quick motion and posed with her hands on her hips, a playful glint in her eyes. “How do I look?”
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“Like a princess worthy of her crown.”
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Nova’s heart melted instantly. Lynn always knew how to make her feel better.
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“Now come on, stop keeping your groom waiting.”
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“Okay,” Nova responded, grabbing her little bouquet of flowers from her bed as she walked to the door.
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**********
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Maxwell could not take his eyes off her as she walked toward him. She looked overly beautiful in her dress, and he felt like if he so much as looked anywhere else for a split second, he would miss a magical moment.
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He had no regrets in accepting her from her father. Right from when Nathan Rose had mentioned her, he knew he wanted her.
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He hired a private investigator to keep tabs on her and bring any information that concerned her to him.
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Even before she was assigned to him from her workplace, he knew who she was and everything about her, down to her favorite flavor of ice cream.
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“You look beautiful,” he said to her as she came to a stop in front of him, a subtle smile on his face.
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Color rose to her cheeks in response to his compliment. She couldn’t help but be affected by his words, and he noticed it, as he always noticed everything about her.
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Maxwell equally looked very dashing in his black tux. Although he didn’t want to overdo his appearance because it was a private event that involved him, Nova, and a few other people.
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Nova’s cheeks became redder just by looking at him. She really didn’t think it was possible for him to be any more good-looking, but he proved her wrong.
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“As do you,” she said. “Handsome, that is,” she quickly added, her eyes widening as she corrected herself.
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He let out a chuckle as he watched a nervous expression grow on her face. She could be adorable.
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The ceremony was held in the garden at the back of the mansion. It was a serene environment, and Nova had always imagined being wedded in an intimate surrounding just like the garden.
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Although she never thought that this situation she was in was going to be the circumstance in which she would be married.
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The officiating priest began to speak. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Maxwell and Nova…”
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Nova averted her eyes from Maxwell to look at the people who were there to witness their joining.
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Lynn, Maxwell’s best friend Jacob, Mrs Joy, Rodrick, Mr Brown the butler and Otis the gardener.
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It was a really small crowd, but Nova was grateful for their presence. It gave her a sense of hope. She didn’t totally feel like she was legally binding herself to a man who regarded himself as her ‘owner’.
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“Do you, Maxwell Queen, take Nova Rose to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
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Maxwell’s eyes locked in on hers. “I do.”
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“Do you, Nova Rose, take Maxwell Queen to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
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Nova inhaled deeply; this was a decision that would change her life forever, but it was also the only choice she had. “I do,” she replied as she exhaled.
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Jacob gave them the rings and they put them on each other’s fingers, a signifier that it was an official marriage.
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“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
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He took a step forward as he pulled her closer to himself, placing a quick and light kiss on her lips.
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She wanted the kiss to last longer; she wanted to hold onto him and kiss him longer than that, but she didn’t, opening her eyes to watch him take a step back.
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She was starting to romanticize her life with him. Ever since she started living in the mansion, he had been nothing short of kind and sweet to her.
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Not what she expected at first, but she was thankful for it. She was starting to see him in a different light.
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She hoped that they could at least be friends in the marriage, and with time, they would grow to love each other. After all, her heart had already started beating for him.
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She didn’t know when, she didn’t know how, or why exactly. All she knew was she woke up one morning, and upon hearing the sound of his voice, she felt butterflies in her stomach.
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They both turned to the cheering guests who were clapping and celebrating the union.
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Nova smiled. They all seemed genuinely happy for them, even though they all knew the situation that led to the marriage, except for Otis and Mr Brown.
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Maxwell put his hand on her lower back, circling it around her waist as he pulled her to himself again, and then whispered in her ear.
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“You’re officially mine now, Mrs Queen.”
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She shivered, and her knees buckled at those words. Damn her silly heart.
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and then Add to home screen.