Xue was moved into a guest room, she spent the last three days trying to come up with a plan to stop princess Momo and prince Bai"s wedding. Her first step was to break out of her guarded room but princess Momo had instructed the guards to watch her and the room 24 hours of the day. Xue tried to reason with the guards and the servents who came in but her words fell on deaf ears. Soon Xue realized that she had no chance of escape. She spent her remaining time reliving the precious memories of her time with Bai. At times she would break down and start to cry while other times she was at peace. She never got a chance to tell Bai that she loved him back. The moment Bai swore to do whatever the princess demanded he was dragged off to begin his purification ceremony for the wedding while she was taken to the guest room.
It was finally the day of the wedding and servents rushed in to start preparing Xue for the wedding. As a cruel joke, princess Momo arranged Xue to be her maid of honour. She had to stand beside the princess as she married Bai. There was nothing she could do. The servents scurried all over the place as they washed and got Xue ready.
By the time they were done Xue could barely recognize herself. She looked positively beautiful. Her makeup was done in a way to compliment her face and skin tone. A red and orange peony headband was prepared for her to wear. She wore an light orange qipoa with a black and gold foilage pattern. She looked so elegant that she couldn"t help but admire herself in the mirror. "At least I can look beautiful for Bai." Xue muttered under breath.
"It"s time." A guard called out from the hallway. The servents started to gather eveything before they left. A salamander girl looked at Xue with pitiful eyes. She walked up to Xue and grabbed her hands. "I admire you." She said as she looked into Xue"s eyes. Xue gave her a gentle smile in response to her kind words then suddenly she felt a cold object in her hands. "Do what you must." The salamander girl said then she quickly left with the others.
Xue looked at the object and was amazed. It was a beautiful flower brooch made of mother of pearl. It was cl.u.s.ters of small, white, jasmine flowers on three branches. It had tiny diamond leaves and fine crystal chains hanging downwards. It sparkled magnificantly under the sunlight but the brooch was attached to a small, thin blade. Xue could see her reflection in the metal. "Do what you must." Echoed in her head. "Are you coming out?" The guard yelled from the hallway.
"Just one more minute." Xue said as she turned to the mirror and slide the blade into her qipoa. The blade was concealed perfectly. No one could notice the blade and it just looked like a decorative brooch was added to her attire since she was the maid of honour. Xue admired her reflection just a few seconds longer. The brooch and the qipoa had gone together perfectly. It looked like white jasmine flowers with light rain.
It was ironic. It fit Xue so well. Her heart finally bloomed, spring arrived for her only to have it ruined by rain and turmoil. "I"m ready." Xue called out as she turned and walked towards the door.
....
The main hall was filled to the brim with all the members of the important clans, members of the council with their families, n.o.bles with their families and partners, a single representative from the smaller clans and some of Bai"s important colleges. Princess Momo was overjoyed while Bai looked like he was attending a funeral. Xue could only silently sigh as she stood behind princess Momo and Bai stood to the left of the bride.
The music started and qued the bride and groom to walk in. Xue grabbed the train from princess Momo"s red wedding dress. They started to walk and Xue waited a few seconds before she followed closely behind them. Xue tried her best to smile but her eyes watered too much. She blinked away her tears as she walked behind the couple.
The rest was a blur, Xue could not focus on the ceremony as she couldn"t take her eyes off of Bai. He looked so handsome in his wedding garb. While Bai stared back at Xue. It looked like they were the ones getting married and the real bride, princess Momo was just standing in their way. When the high priest asked if Bai would take the bride"s hand in matrimony, Bai never stopped looking at Xue as he said. "I do." Xue could barely hold it together.
"Now you may kiss the bride." The high priest announced but Bai held up his hand in protest. "In my culture it is sinful to display public affection so I can not kiss the bride." Everyone started to murmur and the princess spoke up. "Please everyone, we must respect my husband"s culture. We do not want a war to break out because we disrespect my husband"s culture. So husband that also means," Princess Momo said as she turned to Bai.
She lifted up her red veil and looked at his with affectionate eyes. "Thank you for respecting my culture. Now let"s feast." Bai said abruptly then walked off. Leaving the princess dumbstruck at the altar and Xue feeling relieved. Princess Momo laughed off her husband"s departure. "You must excuse my husband"s actions. He is anxiously awaiting for our wedding night. So let us start the feast right away. Please everyone, can you please move to the dinning hall." Princess Momo instructed as she blushed.
Everyone accepted the excuse and happily left to go to the dinning hall. Princess Momo turned to Xue. "Please help me change." She asked but it sounded more like a command. Xue quickly gathered the princess"s train and lifted it up when suddenly a crocodile maid rushed up. "Pardon me your highness but Xue is needed in the kitchen." The maid said as she lowered her head. Princess Momo looked annoyed but she let Xue go. Xue bowed her head and excused herself.
She ran down the aisle and rushed out the door. She then turned the corner and disappeared.