CHAPTER 557: WEDDING BELLS ... OR NOT (3)

One of the estate’s private gardens had been transformed into a scene out of a dream. This was the very place Shelby’s wedding had taken place, but it looked nothing like that. They had taken the time to transform it entirely into something else.

Tiny glowing lanterns dangled from small branches like stars caught mid-fall. Though daytime, it was still catchy, and Gabriel could not get enough of it. He dashed from one to the other, squelching with glee.

His sisters followed him, each showing a different outlook of indifference.

"Sam! Look!"

He pointed at a broad pathway covered in petals that meandered between two blooming hedges, guiding the way to a gently elevated wooden platform, where the couple were to be. An arch of blooming orchids framed the platform itself, and periwinkles that seemed enchanted to shimmer in the daylight softly. It was an unusual combination, but it matched perfectly.

Guests were already seated on pale wood benches lined with velvet-textured cushions. Some were milling around, already taking sips of wine and snacks that had been placed at vantage points.

Soft conversation drifted all around, and that caught the attention of even Ingrid, who was usually reserved. She tilted her head slightly to listen in, without giving herself away, while marvelling at the people’s imaginations.

The guests were mainly nobles and merchants, family, except for Sally and Molly’s side, who were nowhere to be seen. There were dignitaries, all dressed festively, but kept looking at the entrance with quiet anticipation. In the distance, faint harp and flute music played, harmonizing with the bubbling of a champagne and wine fountain.

Despite the lively and relaxing atmosphere, the guests, however, were anything but serene.

"Are they always this late?" someone whispered with a half-laugh, glancing at the ornate clock nestled into the ivy-covered trellis. They were honoured to have received the invitation as this wedding had been the talk of the island in the past days.

Just like Ian’s marriage, Brad’s had also taken the whole island by surprise by its suddenness, but unlike before, the guest list had been broader in this case. The people who had been fortunate enough to receive the invite were ecstatic! That didn’t stop them from being themselves, though... immersed in gossip.

"I thought only celebrities showed up after the guests."

A woman fanned herself dramatically. "Well, when you’re that good-looking and that rich, I suppose you can be forgiven for poor punctuality."

"Oh, please," another chimed in, "it’s a wedding! Of course, the couple have to come after the guests!"

"But, at least, the groom should be here! The time for the wedding to start is long past!"

"Yes, the groom! I can’t believe that the second son is officially off the market now? Just like that? Without even a last-minute scandal like prior or-?"

The subject was totally switched when the groom was mentioned, and no one went back to the previous issue.

"What are you talking about?!"

They all exchanged glances, though they were solemn in agreement on the fact that the last eligible Thornston bachelor had been taken off the market before their plans could come to fruition.

She sighed, not bothering to go on, as she knew that all mothers there could feel that they missed out on a lot. "It’s almost unfair."

"Tell me about it," a younger woman murmured, eyeing the crowd with playful envy. "He was the last viable bachelor in the entire family.... THE LAST ONE! All of us were rooting to be the lucky in-laws ... but nope! Snatched! At least it wouldn’t have been so sad if it were one of us instead...."

They all nodded.

"Do you even know who the bride is?"

"Nope! Rumour has it she’s the daughter of some business partner ... one of those mysterious types who never shows up at parties but probably owns a lot of the vineyard rights and contractors."

"It’s Carmichaels! He is usually low-profiled but can hold his own against them."

"Pfft. I never even knew he had a daughter. Was she -"

"No, she wasn’t born out of wedlock, but like her father, she stays out of anything public."

A dramatic gasp from another. "Interesting? What kind of fairy dust did she use? I mean, I wonder how she did it if she is as you describe. Like, she locked it down before we even saw it coming.... Before we even knew that outgoing Brad wanted a wife!"

"After all that happened with that Aliya woman, this should be expected!" one interjected,

"Aliya?"

They exchanged confused glances,

"Who is Aliya?"

"Don’t you remember her? The woman who recently claimed ...." She stopped,

"What was I saying?"

She scratched her hair puzzlingly, trying to think hard about what she had been about to talk about.

"Something about a woman called Aliya..."

"Aliya? Who is that?"

"Why would you ask us that, when you were the one to bring her up?"

"I did? Hmmmm.... I must have lost my train of thought then... because I don’t remember... "

They didn’t bother with this person again, but the woman scrunched her face so much, trying to remember who that was, but it was like the memory was never there!

"Well," one woman whispered slyly, eyes drifting toward the back entrance, "maybe they didn’t take all the eligible men... and women..."

"What do you mean?"

She inclined her head discreetly toward the trio of children who had just walked in .... poised, elegant, beautiful and handsome, though still exhibiting childish features. The guests followed her gaze in unison. Across the lawn, three finely dressed young siblings who were strolling in like royalty on summer break, unaware of the stir they caused.

The collective guest group turned slowly back toward their own children, who paled significantly in comparison.

"Oh no..." one mother muttered as if something dreadful had happened.

Carmichaels, who was seated not far from this woman, couldn’t help but chuckle at the conversation. He slipped away on time to meet Geneva and Alex, missing the guests’ last statement.

"... We’d better start working on the younger ones then," another said under her breath.

Meanwhile, the officiant discreetly checked his watch for the third time, looking nervously toward the garden house.

"Where are the bride and groom?" someone asked, a touch too loudly, causing Geneva to frown.

***

"Ian!"

"Mmmmm," he responded, while nibbling on her pale neck and sinking lower down her body.

"Ian, Stop! Mnnn!" Her skin tingled as it flamed up from the touch. She had always responded well to Ian, but lately, a single touch from him was enough to tip her over into a rollercoaster ride.

"Ok...."

But he made no move to stop.

A muffled voice came from the other side. "Miss? Master Ian?"

He sighed, his frustration apparent.

She giggled and gave him a gentle nudge. "Let’s go. Be the good big brother. You’re not going to have a brother to marry off again"

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I’ll go... after one more minute of pretending the world doesn’t exist."

She smiled, letting her fingers curl into his bare chest. "Deal."

But the knock came again.... louder this time. Everyone knew not to disturb Ian and Shelby, so for the person to continue knocking meant that their attention was needed.

"I swear," he muttered, untangling himself from the sheets.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed when she sat up behind him, brushing her hair from her face with that sleepy, stubborn fire in her eyes.

"I’m coming with you."

He turned, brow furrowed. "No, you’re not. You’re resting."

She narrowed her eyes, "And yet here I am, not resting. Do you mean that I can’t go to the wedding?"

"Elfin, you’re pregnant. And I am absolutely not letting you get out of this bed to deal with wedding chaos. Let me handle it. I’ve got this."

"I’m pregnant, not sick," she countered, swatting his hand away. "And I am very capable of walking down a hallway without collapsing dramatically. Besides, we are already late for the ceremony!"

He gave her a dry look, and she stared back at him, trying to look dignified, "No matter my state now, I am your wife and the matriarch. I need to set an example. Besides, you’ll always be there if anything happens, right?!"

She turned on her mischievous look, one that he could never say no to.

"This is your brother’s wedding, and I promised to take care of it so that nothing goes wrong."

He crossed his arms. "You also promised me you’d stop overexerting yourself."

She rolled her eyes, pushing back the covers with determination. "Are you going to help me up or stand there sulking?"

He exhaled, defeated but still grinning. "You’re going to do whatever you want anyway, aren’t you?"

"As always."

He offered his hands and helped her up with care. "Alright, but if you so much as yawn too hard, I’m hauling you right back here."

She leaned up, pulling him down so that she could kiss his cheek. "Deal, His Highness Ian!"

He grumbled, but his hand never left the small of her back as they made their way to the bathroom to freshen up. Ian had no care for whoever was at the door, for he already knew what the issue was. He mind-linked Currey to handle it while he supported his wife, and soon, they were out and on their way to the wedding grounds, reassured that whatever it was would have been taken care of.

As the guests were getting restless at the venue because the appointed time had long since passed, Geneva was smiling widely, with no care for whatever was going on.

"Should we get someone to check on them?" Alex asked,

"Why should we? Since they are cooped up and probably already honeymooning, let’s just skip the wedding then!"

Carmichaels burst out laughing as Alex shook his head, his face clearly saying, ’Why did I even bother to ask?’

*********

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