I Got Married To My Killer

CHAPTER 14

After the meeting, Grace went back to her chamber having mixed emotions. She knew this was important but everything feels rushed, it's almost like she wasn't given enough time to navigate through the whole process of being Prince Quicke. And now. She's getting married? 'I'm not myself!!, it's no way I am sharing this life with an evil witch. Juliet is evil, Queen Jonah is evil and with both of them combined they are witches!!'.She thought aloud.

The days went by so fast and before Grace would know it, it was already the 17th. It was her wedding day.

The sun rose over Alagascar, casting a golden glow upon the kingdom as preparations reached their peak. The air was thick with the scent of fresh roses and jasmine, woven into elaborate floral arrangements lining the grand hall. The streets hummed with excitement, nobles and commoners alike speaking in hushed tones of the wedding of the century.

Inside the royal palace, Grace stood before an enormous mirror, dressed in ceremonial robes of deep sapphire and gold. The weight of the garment pressed against her shoulders, but nothing compared to the weight of the moment itself.

The day she would stand before the kingdom.

The day she would take the hand of the woman who once took her life.

The day she would become bound to Juliet Morphine.

The thought sent a slow chill through her spine.

A knock at the door.

She exhaled. "Enter."

The door swung open, revealing Queen Judith. She stepped forward, taking in Grace's appearance with a mother's careful eye.

"You look regal," she said softly, adjusting the collar of Grace's attire. "Your father would be proud."

Grace swallowed, nodding slightly.

"Are you ready?" the Queen asked.

Was she?

"I am," Grace said, even though she wasn't sure if it was true.

Queen Judith studied her for a moment longer, as if searching for something beneath the surface. Then, she reached for Grace's hands, squeezing them gently. "Walk with your head high today. Whatever burdens you carry, let no one see them."

Grace nodded, forcing a small smile.

The Queen took a step back. "It's time."

The palace gates opened to reveal a kingdom in full celebration. The streets leading to the Grand Cathedral were lined with banners bearing the royal crest, while thousands of citizens gathered, eager for a glimpse of the prince and his bride.

Grace sat tall on a white stallion, her ceremonial cape flowing behind her. Surrounding her were palace guards, their gleaming armor catching the sunlight. Beside her, King Charlenugo rode with the presence of a man who commanded empires, his face unreadable.

The procession moved slowly through the streets.

The people cheered, but Grace barely heard them.

Her thoughts were fixed on what lay ahead.

Juliet.

Would she look nervous? Excited? Guilty?

Would she meet Grace's gaze, knowing the truth?

Would she realize that the man she was about to marry was not Prince Quicke… but Grace Johnson? Would she?

The thought nearly made her shudder, but she held herself together.

Not yet.

The Grand Cathedral of Alagascar was an architectural wonder, its towering spires kissed the sky, its stained glass windows casting multicolored light into the sacred hall. Inside, nobles and dignitaries from across the kingdom filled the pews, their finest garments shimmering under the candlelight.

Grace stepped into the cathedral, her shoes hitting against the marble floor. All eyes turned to her.

She walked forward, each step steady, controlled. The weight of the ceremony pressed on her, but she did not falter.

Then, the doors at the far end of the cathedral opened.

A hush fell over the room.

And there she was.

Juliet Morphine.

She stood at the entrance, draped in an ethereal gown of silver and ivory, embroidered with delicate gold threads that shimmered as she moved. A sheer veil framed her face, but it did little to hide the sharpness of her features, the cold beauty that had once haunted Grace's dying moments.

She walked forward, arm-in-arm with her father, Mr. Morphine.

With every step, Grace felt something inside her tighten.

She should have felt anger. Hatred.

But instead, she felt calm.

Because this was it.

Juliet stopped before her, her hands trembling slightly as she placed them in Grace's.

Their eyes met.

For a fleeting moment, Grace searched for something, remorse, hesitation, guilt.

But Juliet's face remained unreadable.

The ceremony began.

The High Priest, draped in ceremonial white and red, stood before them, his voice echoing through the cathedral.

"We gather today to unite Prince Quicke of Alagascar and Lady Juliet Morphine in sacred matrimony."

A murmur of approval swept through the audience.

"Do you, Prince Quicke, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To honor her, to cherish her, to stand beside her until the end of your days?"

The question hung in the air.

Grace turned to Juliet, holding her gaze.

She thought of everything, her past life, her death, the betrayal, the years she had lost.

She thought of the woman before her.

And slowly, she spoke.

"I do."

The words left a strange taste in her mouth.

The High Priest turned to Juliet.

"And do you, Lady Juliet, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To honor him, to cherish him, to stand beside him until the end of your days?"

Juliet's lips parted slightly.

For the briefest second, Grace saw something in her expression, something that flickered uncertainty.

Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"I do."

The rings were exchanged, gold bands slipped onto trembling fingers.

Then came the final words.

"By the power vested in me, before the kingdom and the gods, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The room was silent.

Then thunderous applause.

The people rose to their feet, their cheers filling the cathedral like a roaring tide.

Grace barely heard them.

Because the priest's next words sent ice through her veins.

"You may now kiss the bride."

A beat of silence stretched between them.

Juliet hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward.

Grace remained still as Juliet's lips brushed against hers.

It was brief, barely more than a ghost of a touch. But it was done.

The moment the kiss ended, Grace felt the weight settle into place.

It was over. Finally the long anticipated wedding was over.

The newlyweds exited the cathedral to the sound of cheering crowds.

Flower petals rained from the balconies above.

Juliet held onto Grace's arm as they stepped into the royal carriage, their hands intertwined for the world to see.

As the doors closed behind them, silence filled the space.

For the first time that day, they were alone.

Grace turned her head slightly, watching Juliet from the corner of her eye.

Juliet, now Princess of Alagascar, exhaled softly, finally allowing some of the tension to leave her shoulders.

She turned her head, meeting Grace's gaze.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Juliet did something unexpected.

She smiled.

A small, unreadable smile.

And Grace felt something shift.

For better or worse, they were bound now. And this could mean she was closer to her revenge.

Will Grace be able to navigate quickly or would there be a flicker of affection between them? We would know from the next chapter.

It just got better!!