18. Draknir

As the wedding ceremony concludes, I am livid with anger and betrayal at the intrusion of these outsiders. How dare they disrupt such a sacred and intimate ritual?

With righteous fury, I shout, "You should be captured and punished for this audacity. This is my wedding day!"

"Morta," a tall, pale-skinned elf sneers. "This guy really thinks he can capture and punish us."

Mora, a menacing figure who appears to be the leader of the group, blusters and boasts, his voice dripping with threats. "Do you not know who sent us here? It was your own esteemed father! And yet you have the nerve to imprison his envoy?"

His words only fuel my rage, as I vow to make them pay for their insolence and disrespect towards our traditions. A sneer curls my lip as I scoff at his words. "He is no family of mine," I spit out, the bitterness dripping from my voice. "And nothing excuses interrupting a wedding. I am well within my rights to have them arrested."

With a snap of my fingers, my loyal men spring into action to drag the intruders away. As I watch them disappear from the venue, a dark satisfaction settles in my chest. Captain Hayes follows close behind them, looking concerned.

Before I can even take a moment to breathe and process the recent events, Captain Hayes returns with Morta and the rest.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"We can't hold them." He reluctantly informs me that, despite our best efforts, the powerful nobles have demanded that we release the prisoners. "We received a letter from a powerful Duke, Draknir. We have to set them free."

I feel a sense of defeat wash over me as I realize that their influence is too great for us to resist.

Shortly after release, Morta, with his seemingly ever-present smugness, begins to question the abruptness of this marriage between myself and Kathleen. His sharp eyes pick up on suspicious details that only add fuel to his accusations. "Even cursory investigation shows that you had no lover prior to this," he sneers. "This must be some sort of ploy or manipulation." He seems to take great joy in contradicting me. As if this is all just a big game.

A game he doesn't often lose, if his freedom from jail is any indication.

"Some of us know the meaning of the word discreet." My anger rises at his insinuations but I hold my tongue, knowing that any response would only further incriminate me in his eyes. I glare at him stonily. "My reasons for such discretion are none of your concern. The ceremony is complete and cannot be annulled."

They have no choice but to concede through gritted teeth. But this conflict is far from resolved. Just as I am to taste victory, Morta makes one final outrageous claim. "Under ancient custom, we are entitled to verify the validity of any dubious union! We must bear witness to this marriage"s full consummation before any opposition ceases."

I stare at him in disbelief.

Witness the consummation?

Is he mad?

"That is outrageous and obscene. I refuse such a vulgar demand," I snarl back.

The stern expression on Captain Hayes" face stops me in my tracks. His usually jovial demeanor is replaced with one of grave concern. "I fear we have no choice but to acquiesce, as distasteful as it may be. If we do not, they will never cease their relentless pursuit of the legitimacy of your marriage." My heart churns at the thought.

How could I subject my beloved Kathleen to such humiliation?

The mere idea sickens me.

But the alternative could mean putting ourselves directly in the crosshairs of influential nobles, risking everything we have fought for. My fingers curl into tight fists, the knuckles whitening from the pressure.

I am torn between two evils - debasement or danger?

Every option feels like a betrayal to someone I care about.

My mind races, searching for another way, any other choice that doesn"t involve causing harm to Kathleen. My thoughts are muddled and I struggle to come up with an alternative plan. The weight of responsibility weighs heavily on my shoulders as I try to find a solution.

With a heavy heart, I inform Kathleen there"s nothing I can do. "It is an unthinkably vile request. I wish I could shield you from this, but refusal may endanger us both," I explain regretfully.

Kathleen"s eyes widen with shock and dismay, her delicate brows furrowing in disbelief. "But...lay together in front of others? How could anyone agree to something so vulgar?" I grimace, feeling the weight of her distress heavy on my conscience. "The witnesses would be few – only Morta and one or two others. But even that is unacceptable. I swear to you, my dear, I will find another way. You should never have to endure such humiliation." My heart aches at the thought of Kathleen being forced into such an intimate and public display, her dignity and privacy stripped away in front of strangers. The very idea makes me shudder with disgust, determined to protect her from any potential harm or embarrassment.

Kathleen quivers, her petite frame seeming even smaller as she cowers in fear. My heart aches at the thought of causing her distress. With no good choices left, I must devise a plan to spare her from the humiliation of being debased in front of others.

"If I must," she says, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I will do what"s necessary to secure our love."

I know deep inside what she really means is she will do anything to keep her Grandmother safe.

"Kathleen, I am so sorry," I say remorsefully. It is the first time I have apologized to anyone, but I feel nothing but guilt for putting her in this position when I know she is unready.

A tumultuous river of tears cascades down Kathleen"s cheeks, carving salty trails against her ashen skin. Each drop seems to hold a lifetime of pain and heartache. As the harsh reality sinks in, she whispers feebly through trembling lips, her voice laced with despair and resignation, "What other choice do I have?" Her words hang like a heavy weight in the air.

"There is no other choice..." I say, as it suddenly dawns on me. My heart aches at the sight of her helplessness and distress. This gentle, innocent woman deserves none of the trauma I have brought upon her. The weight of guilt settles heavily on my shoulders as I watch her crumble before me, her fragile state like a delicate flower wilting under the harsh sun.

Seeing her anguish, I realize the truth – I care for Kathleen deeply. More than just fondness or desire, I believe I have genuinely fallen in love with her, though it seemed impossible.

Perhaps these blossoming feelings should frighten me, but I welcome them. Kathleen has awoken tenderness and protectiveness I never thought possible. I know now I would do anything to save her from harm.

Kathleen"s tear-stained face, filled with fear and desperation, remains etched in my mind. I cannot bear to see her suffer such disgrace.

With a deep breath, I steel myself for what comes next. My eyes meet Morta"s cold, calculating stare. His demand is repulsive and beneath us all.

"I will not allow this crude spectacle to take place," I declare firmly. "I refuse your demand." The tension in the room is palpable as we both stand our ground, locked in a silent battle of wills.

Morta sneers. "Then you prove this union is a fraud!"

The captain looks dismayed by my reckless provocation, but I stand firm. "I challenge you to a duel then. We will let the gods decide. And I very much assure you I in fact will be smiled upon. When I win, you will cease these baseless claims against my marriage."

A palpable tension descends upon the scene. Morta"s mouth twists into a cruel, calculating smile, sending shivers down the spines of those around him. "So be it," he hisses, voice dripping with disdain. "Prepare to be cut down for your insolence!"

The captain frantically pulls me aside, his eyes filled with worry and urgency.

"Have you lost your wits?" he whispers urgently. "You endanger everything with this reckless ploy!"

The weight of his words hits me like a freight train, causing my heart to race and my palms to sweat. But I stand firm in my decision, knowing that it is the only way to bring justice and peace to our troubled kingdom.

My hand tightens around his shoulder, the fabric of his cloak bunching in my grasp. "There is no other honorable path." My voice betrays my determination to protect Kathleen"s dignity and secure our future.

He studies me intently, gray eyes scanning my face for any sign of hesitation or doubt. Finding none, he nods grimly, understanding the gravity of the situation. With his support, I know my course is set - there is no turning back now. I will defeat this threat or die trying. Kathleen"s honor is worth any risk.

I take a deep breath and grip my sword tightly, the weight of it a comfort in my hand.

It is time to fight for our fate, to defend what is rightfully ours.