SMITTEN

Meanwhile, Lady Aisha has her own share of doubts even in the midst of her wedding.

She was still in the Clesia Hall with King Leandro beside her as her groom and the other noble lords and ladies and guests behind them.

"Is Gaea really worth it of this sacrifice?" Aisha muttered to herself.

Even though she was greatly motivated by the Great Theos and she really liked the king especially after she witnessed his loyalty, the thought of being married and having children still hasn't signed into her yet.

Just then, the Chief Priest said something that made Aisha glance up. "Children are a hertitage from God, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quivers with them. He shall not be put to shame when he talks with his enemies in the Gates."

He was reading a verse from their own bible.. 

The guests nodded their heads in agreement with the Chief Priest. 

At that time, the lamps were also being lit up by the magic of the Kimero servants who were also there to witness the event, making the location reflect the statement of the Chief Priest. 

However, as much as Aisha wanted to believe everything he said, she was still skeptical about it.

'Yeah, it was pleasant to the ears. Children are a blessing. It's also nice to know that a woman's womb can produce a reward like them.' She thought while gazing at the Chief Priest as he continued on with his sermon.

They would also be someone that the King would be proud of in front of his enemies, as she interpreted it.

But she couldn't help but be reminded of her own parents who didn't seem to see her as a blessing or as a reward.

'They were never proud of me, either. They didn't even bring me to their social gatherings. Only my successful step brothers and sisters.'

She drew in a deep breath as she was afraid she might bring the same loneliness to her soon to be children knowing that the King was a very busy man.

If it would be possible for her to bear a child, she would be hailed as the Chosen One and be the Queen. She might neglect them, too.

Aisha heaved out a sigh in frustration. 

Just as she was still thinking, the Chief Priest was already closing the program in prayer.

"Wait, that was quick! It didn't even last for thirty minutes!" Aisha blurted out, but almost in a whisper.

The women were never allowed to object or to utter even a word to the Chief Priest, as was instructed to her during the wedding preparation.

In less than five minutes, the servants has put a special white veil on her. It was embedded with pearls and onyx stones.

"Lady Aisha, you are now the royal wife of the King. King Leandro, Lady Aisha was now your royal wife," The Chief Priest declared with his hands raised. 

There was no exchange of vows or wedding rings and such. Not even a wedding kiss.

It was the tradition of a marriage ceremony to the King since it was not really out of love but of necessity. 

Everyone stood up and bowed down to the King. 

King Leandro stood up as well and with a wide smile on his strikingly handsome face, offered his hand to her. 

Aisha gave him an awkward smile but she gave her hand to him.

As she did so, the atmosphere was filled with a display of acrobatting slashes of different colors.

They were like fireworks in her own world. Even more extravagant.

"It's beautiful," Aisha blurted out before her jaw dropped open.

"It's not as beautiful as you," King Leandro whispered to her ears in a deep masculine voice before he uttered, "You are now mine, Aisha."

The crowd couldn't take their eyes off the spectacular fireworks. But Aisha was not with them anymore.

Her wide-eyed amazement was at the King who just possessively claimed her as his.

Her heart banged as loudly as the clapping hands of the public. 

She knew her cheeks were flushing ridiculously red at that moment.

She suddenly gulped a lump in her throat as she recalled what would happen next after every man and woman's wedding.

'The honeymoon!'

She recalled the night she was drunk with Prunum wine and they almost got there. 

Now there was no stopping it!

She didn't know if she would be thrilled or not since she wanted the act. But not the resulting baby. Yet. 

But she felt elated that she has gotten married to a good man. And the King of a supernatural realm!

She gazed at him adoringly, not just because of his position. But because she knew that he sincerely likes her, even though he was still in the process of opening up to her completely.

Fortunately, there were still parts of the program left so she could prepare physically, mentally and emotionally.

The guests went to the reception hall followed by both of them.

Then she and King Leandro were seated at the banquet table with the Tribal Council.

The minstrels continued to play their instruments while the guests had a feast.

"Congratulations, my lady," Lord Lycano whispered to her as soon as she sat down. 

Aisha glanced at him as soon as her bottoms touched the chair.

He appeared like his usual self now.

"Thank you, my lord," Aisha tilted her head down in respect to him.

But she still felt uneasy around him. The last moments that they have was very, very uncomfortable.

She secretly glanced at King Leandro. He was busy giving instructions to the servant beside him.

"I apologize for what happened -" He was about to continue on but Aisha lifted her finger and shushed him.

"I understand, don't worry. But I didn't tell the King for your sake and Lysa. Please be quiet about it," Aisha said in a hush. 

"Lysa?" Lord Lycano's forehead crinkled up in surprise as her name was mentioned.

Aisha bit her lips as she forgot that Lord Lycano wasn't aware of Lysa's relationship with Lyan.

She could still recall their intimate act in the forest.

Lysa saved her then, she must save her now.

"I thought you were together back when you were at the warehouse," she bluffed. 

Then she added, "Forgive me for being ahead of myself."

Lord Lycano nodded his head as he understood what she meant. "I see. It must probably be the reason why you felt indifferent towards me ever since. I couldn't blame you."

Aisha wanted to tell him that it was not the case. But Leandro was already facing them.

"You seemed to have a serious talk, my lady, Lord Lycano," he said with his authoritative tone.

His amethyst eyes were changing into deep wine.

Now that Aisha was getting familiar with King Leandro, she knew that it happened when his temperature was shooting up because of lust or wrath.

"He was just wishing me well, your Majesty," Aisha chuckled awkwardly as she sipped on a goblet of wine in front of her.

"Yes, we are, your Majesty. I was just telling her that you would not do anything that would hurt her or make her unhappy."

He said as he gave the King a knowing look

"Of course," the King tilted his chin with a corner of his lips curved up. "There is no one in Gaea who could do that for her except me."

His broad shoulders squared back, thrusting his chest forward.

Aisha gulped as she felt the rising heat between the two. She quickly stood up and said, "I will just get ready for the dance number. If you'll excuse me."

She bowed before the two and scurried away.

She still hasn't perfected the intermission and she hoped she didn't have to perform it. But that's the best escape plan for this.

She changed into her dancing outfit which was quite revealing than her wedding dress, to her surprise.

It was a tube top revealing her slender waist and creamy shoulders. The short lifted sleeves have a sash attached under it to her fingers.

The pants were baggy but they were seen through revealing her undergarments beneath.

She walked towards the hall in a bashful state. But to her irritation, there was Lady Marina beside the King flirting with him again.

Her copper eyes gleamed in fury against her. She lowered the waist of her pants down until her v cut was revealed.

Then she lifted her.head and walked towards the center of the banquet with a confident gait.

The minstrels changed the tune to the music that Aisha was practicing for days.

She was quite nervous. But she didn't want to be under Lady Marina anymore.

She closed her eyes and started swaying her hips to the beat of the music like she has rehearsed.

It was probably because of her anger with Lady Marina or her new confidence because of the Great Theos' revelation that she was starting to dance in a different step than what she prepared.

It was both seductive and conservative, making King Leandro's jaw drop in awe.