People had swarmed in. Family, friends and subjects. The tables were set, the catering perfect. There was white dappling everything in the hall, including fresh lilies from the garden. The wedding was a vision. Celeste was certain nothing would go wrong.

The dress finally did arrive, and not a minute too late. She smiled and slipped on the dress. She put on her shoes, and then twirled around for the maids, who oohed and ahhed.

Meanwhile, Nick felt something in the pit of his stomach. He was unfamiliar with the feeling, but it stayed at the bottom, like a heavy, burdensome rock. He looked out the window and looked at the view of the villages just before the horizon. When he married, all that would be his. Was he ready for that? And then, his heart sunk again. He sighed, and sat down on a wooden chair.

Just before it was time for the bride to walk to the altar, King Peters entered the room. He took his first glimpse at her, but that cold frown didn�t melt.

�Are you ready?� he asked gruffly, dismissing the maids accordingly. �I hope you know that you are making a fatal mistake.�

Celeste apologized to them silently as the maids left. She looked up at her father. Not even his disposition could ruin the day. Nothing could. She nodded and the King led her out the door.

The music blared from the organs, and the many faces in the crowd admired the magnificent bride. Celeste let her eyes roam the crowds, and saw many familiar faces. Alexander with his lady, and King Dorough near the front. Brian stood at the front, his smile from ear to ear. She smiled back at him.

And then there was Nickolas. Dazzling in his gleaming armor. He had a straight, sober look on his face. Celeste found that odd, but waved it off. He probably was overwhelmed. She finally reached the altar, and Nick took her hands. The priest began to speak, but Celeste paid no attention.

She watched Nickolas� face. The more and more the priest droned on, the more his face dropped. Celeste witnessed it curiously, and wanted so much to ask what was on his mind. His eyes paled a color when the priest boomed ��til death do you part.�

Celeste looked up at the priest and smiled. She took a deep breath, locked eyes with Nickolas and said, �I do.�

�And do you, Prince Nickolas of the Carter family, take Lady Celeste as your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, �til death do you part?�

Nickolas sucked in a breath. He let go of Celeste�s hands. �I�m sorry,� he whispered, before running down the aisle.

Celeste didn�t move from her spot. She numbly nodded to no one, and watched his disappear from the room. Gasps rang through the large church, and then venomous words and whispers. Celeste excused herself, and walked down the aisle silently amongst the chaos. She walked back into her waiting room. Celeste looked out the window just in time to see Nickolas mount his horse and ride away from the church. He rode away from her. She sat down in a cold, dark corner of the room and began to cry.