Heart of Darkness

No. He wasn't only shaken. There was panic and terror in his black eyes. She became scared for him for some unknown reason and felt like she had to do something but didn't know what. 

Suddenly the crowd clapped and cheered bringing both of them back to the real world. Lord Rayven was truly startled as he had been completely lost and then his eyes as if something inside him died, swiftly went back to normal before he looked away and turned to the pastor. 

It was time for them to sign the marriage certificate. The whole reason why a pastor was called when they could skip that whole part was that a Lord, especially one in Lord Rayven's position needed to register his marriage for it to be legally binding. 

Angelica knew this was the real seal as she was signing her name on the certificate after Lord Rayven. When it was done she was already exhausted. She wanted to go back home. She couldn't handle what followed.. 

"Now you may celebrate your union." The pastor smiled and moved out of the way. 

Lord Rayven took her hand as if in hurry and without looking at her and led her up the stairs to Lord Quintus's home. They came to a large hall, well decorated with the same white flowers and ribbons. The middle of the hall was empty for those who wanted to dance and was circled by round tables covered with cream-white tablecloths and decorated with flowers and candles. Near the walls, there were large tables with food and drinks and big chandeliers hung from the rooftop. 

Everything seemed well coordinated. Angelica would have to thank Lord Quintus for all of this. 

The musicians at the back started playing their instruments and some of the guests had already begun to dance. 

"Congratulations to both of you." Lord Quintus came up to them as soon as they stopped walking. 

"Thank you, My Lord." Angelica smiled. 

There was a brief exchange of looks between him and Lord Rayven before he focused his attention on her. 

"You will have a special dance with your husband. Don't I deserve the first dance then?" He asked her reaching his hand out. 

She would think he was too bold but he had a playful look on his face which made it hard for her to take him too seriously. She looked over at Lord Rayven and he gave her a stiff nod. 

Angelica took Lord Quintus's hand and he led her to the dance floor before they began to move to the music. 

"Thank you for arranging everything so well, My Lord." She said. 

He smiled. His silver eyes gleaming with mysterious mischief. "It was my pleasure."

She couldn't help but glance over at Lord Rayven. He seemed tense where he stood while Lord Valos and another Lord whose name she didn't speak to him as if sharing secrets. Lord Rayven was quiet and only nodded. It was as if he was being given instructions and his hands trembled slightly before he hid them in his pockets. 

"Is Lord Rayven alright?" 

Lord Quintus followed her gaze. "He will be. He doesn't like large crowds. It is my fault for only thinking of making the wedding lavish." He smiled politely. 

"Oh no. I like it." She assured. He had put so much effort she didn't want him to feel bad. 

"I am glad." 

"You seem close to Lord Rayven." She was curious to know more. 

From the way, they all stood beside him now to give him support, they must be closer than she thought. 

"Yes. All seven of us are close." 

Seven? He was including the king she guessed. The similarity and the same feeling she got around them was undeniable. She wondered how they were truly related. 

"I am glad you are here for him." She said. "His Majesty is not here." 

All the high Noble Lords were here. Would it be a problem if His Majesty attended, she wondered. 

Angelica didn't know how she would react in his presence but one day she wanted to have the chance to thank him for taking her brother away. For still giving him a chance and letting him accomplish his goals. That was all that mattered to her. 

"I did invite His Majesty. He would make all speculations about his stand on this marriage disappear if he attended and it would be a good thing for you and Lord Rayven even if it wouldn't be the best thing for him. But His Majesty didn't want to cause you any discomfort and wishes both you and your husband well." 

Discomfort? Was that how she was going to feel? Maybe she was trying to find the right way to feel when perhaps there was none. And if he was close to Lord Rayven then she didn't want to be a reason for him not attending. She also knew that one day, she would meet him anyway. 

"It would be an honor if His Majesty graced us with his presence." She said. 

"Well, who knows? There is still time left. Perhaps he will." 

The music ended and Lord Quintus thanked her for the dance before taking her back to where Lord Rayven and the other two Lords stood. 

"Conguraturalations, My Lady." Said the Lord whose name she didn't know yet. 

They were all beautiful but he had a unique look. His hair was so light it looked almost white with only a golden shine and his eyes complimented his hair. They were like molten gold but dead. Like Lord Rayven's she thought. 

"Thank you, Lord…" She did it purposely to know his name. 

"Perhaps we should drop the formality. Angelica is now part of our family, anyway." Lord Quintus said. 

Family?

"I am Lazarus. This is Acheron and this is Vitale." He motioned at the golden-eyed Lord. He then looked around as if trying to find someone. "That is Mazzon and Blayze." He said pointing at the other Lords sitting at a table with her brother and talking to him about something. She could see from how her brother listened eagerly, that the topic of discussion was something of his interest. 

"Rayven is just Rayven in case he refused to tell you." He joked and managed to make her smile. "And… well, everyone knows the King's name." 

The King? Her gaze followed his and she felt how the atmosphere in the room changed. His Majesty had arrived. 

He stood at the entrance looking like his elegant and charming self with two guards by his side. They held boxes, looking like gifts in their hands. 

His arrival wasn't announced which shocked the ones who knew his face when they just found him standing there. Angelica felt her heart race as he turned to them ignoring the rest. His guards went to place the gifts where they should be as he walked across the distance steadily until he came to stand before them. His guards watched him from a distance. 

"Your Majesty," The men bowed and Angelica curtsied. 

Then she looked up and met his blue gaze. 

"Angelica." 

He didn't have that cold gaze as when he took her brother away. He had the look she was used to seeing. A smile in his sad eyes. She hadn't forgotten what he looked like. It was as if his face was imprinted in her mind. 

"I see you got yourself a stubborn husband." He said breaking the heavy tension. "Congratulations on your wedding." He looked at both of them now. 

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She replied. 

They were definitely closer than she thought if he came here knowing people would judge him. 

Somewhere behind the King, she spotted Hilde with her family. Their eyes met for a brief moment before she turned away and pretended not to see her. Her father was a courtier so it shouldn't be a surprise to see her here. Still, she was. 

"Your Majesty, you missed the crucial part," Lazarus said. 

"The vows are indeed important. I hope both of you keep the promises you made to each other." The King said. 

His answers were courteous but she still took it to heart. Dare she hope the same? 

"Angelica." Angelica was shocked by the sudden voice calling her. Hilde had decided to come forward with a pretentious smile on her face. When she came closer she looked over at the King and pretended to be surprised "Oh, Your Majesty." She curtsied acting like the perfect Lady. She then smiled at the other Lords with a nod before looking at her. 

Angelica had no energy left to deal with this. Hilde would now pretend to be her friend so she could get closer to the King or one of the other Lords. 

"Angelica…"

"Lady Rayven." Suddenly Lord Rayven cut off. "It is Lady Rayven." He corrected.