The Duke's Passion

Chapter 635  What did she expect?

Three days had passed since Florence's arrival at the palace. She didn't see even the shadow of her husband. What a good way to start their marriage. But that helped her settle down in this foreign land.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" she glanced up at the maid she brought with her from her homeland. Both ladies were tan, very unlike the fair complexion of the citizen in the empire. A sigh slipped past her lips, gazing at the mirror in front of her. Her dark midnight blue hair with large curls fell gracefully to her shoulder. Eyes that showed the depths of the ocean gleamed with sadness. With delicate facial features on her small face, Florence was definitely a beauty. "I am. Just keep my hair down since they said I will have to marry my husband under the empire's law." She tucked her hair behind her ear, sporting a weak smile at her personal maid, Lavina. "Don't worry, Your Majesty! I will surely make you the most beautiful lady in the empire that even His Majesty will not take his eyes off of you!" Lavina, the young maid, enthusiastically gripped the brush as she attempted to liven up the mood. Florence chuckled. "Sure, Vina. Just make it quick!"

"Your Majesty... how can I make it quick? This will take time for sure." Lavina pouted as she brushed Florence's soft hair. "Vina, don't pout. I'm jesting. I will trust the process so you don't have to sulk."

Florence sighed, seeing her maid slash her friend sulk. She didn't have the heart to see Lavina in low spirit, so Florence didn't complain about the long preparation. Still, Florence didn't raise her expectations. Who would be excited to marry a stranger twice? Although their first wedding was just an envoy from the empire fetching her. Hours had gone by for the preparation. The emperor sent her a simple bridal dress as if it wasn't a royal wedding. The maids that were tasked to help the empress also helped Lavina, but it still took them quite a long time just to prepare the bride. When Florence was ready, she was escorted to the emperor's palace since the wedding would be held there. Although she didn't raise her expectation, Florence didn't expect that the royal wedding would be this simple. Standing in front of the small chapel situated in the main palace, Florence looked down. The bridal dress Heliot chose for her was even grander than what the emperor gave her. She didn't complain; it was just a dress. But there wasn't even a single petal that could be seen around. There wasn't even any guest. Even if it was an arranged marriage, there should be even a little effort from the groom. But there was none. It was as though they weren't any wedding that was going on at all. Florence flinched when the door before her opened from the inside. A shallow breath slipped past her lips, mentally shaking her head.

'I just want this to end,' she thought, marching towards the almost empty chapel. She glanced around discreetly. There were a few people. One of them was Dominique, still in his knight suit. She could even count the guests in her fingers who were here to witness this royal wedding. Florence didn't want to look ahead, afraid she'd see her husband. Although she already knew her husband was old, a young maiden like her was still afraid of the thought. After this wedding, they would have to fulfill their marital duties. That already put a lot of pressure on her. Thus, she walked towards the altar with her eyes down. When she stopped, a pair of black shoes were in front of her before a hand appeared. Her brows furrowed, studying his palm. 'Huh?' the hand she was staring at didn't look old and wrinkly, although it looked rough.

"I want to finish this ceremony in ten minutes." Florence slowly raised her head, eyes dilating as soon as she heard a deep and stiff voice of a man. "Your Majesty, how can I finish the ceremony in ten minutes? Twenty minutes is already the fast --"

"Not my problem." Rufus's eyes grew icy, shutting the priest in an instant. "Hand."

He turned to his bride, bearing the same distant expression. He had been holding his hand out, but she was just looking up while staring at him. Even with the veil covering her face, he could feel her gaze. "Ah... yes." Flustered, Florence pressed her lips as she clasped his large hand. They were rough, just as she thought. But that was because Rufus used to be a knight and had gone through many wars — big or small.

As per the emperor's order, the wedding ceremony ended in ten minutes. Florence didn't mind the quick wedding ceremony, glancing at her charming husband from time to time. "You are now husband and wife..." the priest breathed out as if to catch his breath, wiping the sweats on his forehead with the back of his hand. "... you may now kiss the bride." The newly married couple faced each other; Rufus retained his distant expression as if it was paralyzed. Meanwhile, facing him up close, she blushed. She could feel her heart thump against her chest, hearing each beat in her ear. 'Even though he looks aloof, it suits him.' She thought, thinking that it wouldn't be so bad to have him as her husband. She expected the worse, so having a handsome husband was quite reassuring. Her expression changed into curiosity when Rufus let out a shallow breath.

'What a bother... that is what his expression says,' she guessed in her mind, as that was written in Rufus's face. Slowly, he lifted her veil until her stunning face came into sight. But alas, he didn't show the slightest reaction. Instead, Rufus simply stared at her eyes, which were akin to two blue spinels.

'I thought she'd look like Heliot,' he commented inwardly, a bit relieved that he wasn't marrying a girl's version of that man. Without a word, be bent over. His brows rose when she suddenly shut her eyes.

'Ah... she's scared...?' he wondered, planting a kiss on her forehead to seal their marriage. As he drew back, Florence carefully opened her eyes, staring at him in shock. Why did he kiss her on the forehead instead of her lips? Did she do something wrong? But she couldn't ask because Rufus had already faced the priest while fixing his cufflinks. "It's over, correct?" he inquired, and the priest nodded. "Dominique, Kristina, follow me. We still have to..."

Florence watched at him in distraught, seeing that he was already walking away to attend to his duties as the emperor. But just as he took several steps away, he stopped and looked back at her. "Ah, right." He rocked his head after Kristina muttered something to him. "My empress, I will join you for dinner. I just need to attend to an important matter."

"Ah..."

Satisfied with her lack of reaction, Rufus rocked his head lightly before he resumed his steps, leaving his wife behind. Meanwhile, Florence just stared at his back blankly, standing there like a fool. 'Ah... what did you expect, Florence? He didn't even bother ordering his people to decorate this to make it look like there's a wedding.' She hung her head low, biting her inner lower lip, with a bitter smile appearing on her face. Although this was a political marriage, Rufus' actions and indifference still left a bitter taste in her mouth. That was the first, followed by a more upsetting encounter that would eventually drive this marriage to ruin.