The first ray of suns.h.i.+ne made its marked in the sky by bestowing a golden path from the sh.o.r.e to the horizon. It was still dawn but every important people in the Manggan Island gathered in one of the beautiful cliffs therein. The servants raised in the air the specially made lamps with unique design as Xhemin walked in the isle with the most colorful wedding gown that Darryl had seen. Her gown was carefully made overnight by the weavers as the officials feasted on the first night of the wedding feast.Early dawn, the drunk officials and every royal blooded gathered around the cliff to witness the rice ball making of the couple—the heart of the wedding feast. The Manggan tribesmen believed that in order to be unified as one, two couple should make a rice ball together as a sign that both of them will stick together no matter what. How compact the rice ball they made will be, that"s how strong their marriage will become.
Darryl stared at his soon to be wife. They barely had time to talked since yesterday when they met. The wedding festive took place right away and all they could do was abide to it. Deep inside, there was nothing in Darryl but the urged to lock Xhemin in his arms and kissed her like there was no end. He missed her badly but for now there was nothing he can do but feasted his eyes on her beautiful face and s.h.i.+mmering ink eyes that had drowned him deep in its mystery.
With black hair of wool and her head held high, Xhemin looked so perfect as she walked toward him, holding with her two hands the bowl of rice she had to offer to her husband. Alluringly, she would blink her eyes from time to time as if she cannot believe that the beast was standing at the far end and that any moment from now, he will become his husband.
Even in her dreams, Xhemin could not believe all of this was happening.
As a princess of Manggan Island, she had no choice but to be wed with the Hero of Somer Isles.
However, despite her lack of choice, she didn"t have the guts to ran away.
She had run far enough and yet at the end, Darryl had found his way to her again.
And there"s no other place in the world she would want to be right now but there at the cliff and walked down gracefully on the isle for the Lagdameo heir.
Darryl locked her eyes onto her and Xhemin until then didn"t knew how to react. She went with the flow willingly and thought of nothing but her love for him.
Xhemin reached the center isle and bowed with both her husband and the Chieftain, the latter will be initiating the ceremony. Darryl accepted the rice ball that Xhemin had offered and gave it to Baruk Tam who was standing beside him. After that, he dipped his hands into the bowl and cupped a handful of the rice and extended it to his wife.
He looked at his woman with so much adoration as she accepted his hand with the rice. As their hands brushed against each other, Xhemin"s tears were rounding. Darryl was so warm, and she was certain for sure, she wasn"t in a dream. The way the Lagdameo heir was carefully helping her with the rice ball and the way he constantly pressed his fingers into her skin melted all the coldness in her heart. Her beast had followed her all the way through the par line, despite the fact that she left and broke his heart.
Everyone was so quiet as the celebration of love and marriage took place. They all looked at the couple as they hand in hand made a rice ball together, both their hands were messy now as they rubbed and rolled the rice.
Both Princess Song and Maru were in tears as the moment specifically became so emotional. So were the handmaids that were close to Xhemin.
Soon, a compact big rice ball was formed, and they offered it to the Chieftain. The Chieftain took the rice ball and blessed it before he cracked it into half and gave it to both of them to eat. Few minutes after, when the couple stopped chewing, the crowd began to cheer.
"May the Highest G.o.d bless your marriage," The Chieftain spoke "Everyone, I gave you the Hero of Somer Isles and his wife."
The cheering become louder and everyone throw the couple colorful flowers as they congratulated them.
"Brother, congratulations you are now a married man!" Enoch came first to embrace his brother. He also turned to his adopted sister and kissed her on the head.
"Thank you, Enoch," Darryl put his hand on Enoch"s shoulder and pressed it with so much grat.i.tude for him. If not for Enoch"s help and Baruk Tam"s, he wouldn"t be here today.
Few more important guests came to welcome them and so the couple stood there to accommodate all of them. Xhemin smiled the whole time and thanked them but soon enough, she noticed that even though Darryl"s was smiling—his hazel eyes were a bit hesitant as if there was something wrong.
"Please smile gracefully," Xhemin said in a low voice as other guests were heading their way. "You don"t want to offend anyone,"
"I"m smiling," Darryl replied that made Xhemin wanted to roll an eye on him.
"Congratulation healer and Hero of Somer isles," The next guest greeted, and both the couple bowed in response.
"Thank you," The couple said in unison, but Xhemin still noticed the indifference in Darryl"s voice. So, when the recent guest went away, Xhemin turned to her husband and confronted him.
"What"s wrong?" Xhemin crossed her dark browns at him.
"Nothing," Darryl defended himself from his threatening wife.
"Darryl…" Xhemin said in voice that was rather saying, I"m-going-to-kill-you-if-you-are-not-going-to-tell-me.
"They didn"t announce the most important of the wedding," Darryl said as his hazel eyes turned devilishly.
"What are you talking about?" Xhemin asked annoyed and confused.
"They didn"t ask me to kiss the bride," Darryl"s smile turned wild. "d.a.m.n, I was honestly looking forward to it!"