CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 182: Side Story 2- Duchess Salvador

Princess Cassandra looked in the mirror. Her eyes were shining.

She knew that she was not a common bride. She wore a dress that resembled the color of the elements. Although her dress was white resembling the plain crystals, there was a pop of blue, red, yellow, brown, and black at places. Her necklace also contained all those shades.

Cassandra knew that the color represented the elements. Blue for water, red for fire, yellow for wind, brown for the earth, and black for darkness.

As Princess Cassandra saw herself she touched a hairpin that belonged to Amy. A smile formed on her face but soon she could see a painting hanging behind her, reflecting in the mirror.

Princess Cassandra turned around as her eyes focussed on the painting. It was brought back to her from the outer palace where Princess Valeria was kept. Cassandra did not understand the meaning of the painting, but one day when she was walking around she saw it.

It was then that she had realized that Emperor Cedric had started shifting things. The elements were the ones who looked at it and told her to take it with her. Although she did not understand it then the lament explained it.

—---

"This painting represents us. The four colors in the center are surrounded by darkness that stabilizes it. Can you see the white-pointed thing at the end? It is the crystals."

"The first Emperor was the one who painted it for Princess Maxima. She was confused about what she was seeing and she explained it to him. I never thought the first Emperor would still keep this."

—---

Princess Cassandra remembered the element’s words as she walked towards the painting. Her fingers move from the corners to the center. "This truly represents you."

"Princess, It’s time." One of the maids said, making Princess Cassandra look at her.

The fifth Princess nodded her head as she walked towards the door. Her eyes looked outside towards the garden. They were breaking a lot of traditions today. She was wearing something that had color while they were not getting married in the church but in the forest near nature.

Princess Cassandra walked out of the palace as she saw Emperor Cedric standing there. Princess Cassandra’s eyes widened as she saw Achard Bentham along with five small kittens as well.

Princess Cassandra bowed down as she looked up. She was yet to speak when Achard said "We will walk you down."

Princess Cassandra smiled. Their eyes were filled with happiness. Over the period they have grown closer to one another. Although they could not be as close as siblings they were on good terms. Like a family.

Princess Cassandra saw the extended hands of the two as she smiled. She placed her hands in there as she walked towards the forest. The elements walked behind the fifth Princess.

Although only a few people were invited they were already informed that the kittens would be colored as the popping color of her dress. Princess Cassandra’s road was filled with white rose petals.

"Look at the man, he looks desperate to marry you." Lord Bentham whispered into Princess Cassandra’s ears.

Princess Cassandra did not reply. Her gaze was focused on Aiden who smiled at her. His smile reflected his feelings.

Aiden Salvador was wearing his military uniform as he stood straight with Blazh standing on his side. As he saw Princess Cassandra, his gaze filled with water. His throat was filled with many emotions yet he could not mouth them. He extended his hand as Princess Cassandra’s soft fingers touched his palm.

Aiden’s hold on Princess Cassandra tightened. He had waited for this day for a long time and now that he was experiencing it, it was too overwhelming for him. Aiden’s eyes softened as his thumb ran over her palm.

Achard Bentham stood there at a side. They needed the Emperor’s permission that they had already gotten, now it was time to recite their vows.

Princess Cassandra wanted to go first because she was afraid that due to her crying, she might not be able to complete her words.

Princess Cassandra put a ring on Duke Salvador’s finger as she smiled. "I had a lot of rumors surrounding myself, some were good and some bad. But they were mostly bad. But I was happy. And soon I found a reason to be more happy and playful. I found the man who would mask his identity to be with me. Someone who would be jealous and childish at times and yet would always be there for me."

Princess Cassandra’s hold on Duke Salvador’s hand tightened. Her eyes were filled with water as she remembered what they had gone through. Although the surrounding was beautiful, she could not focus on anything except the Duke.

"I don’t know what the future will hold for us anymore. Maybe something exceptional will happen but I know that no matter what problems we face, we will overcome it together and that realization alone brings a smile to my face." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Princess Cassandra smiled as she looked straight into Duke Salvador’s gaze. "I know I have never said those words straight to you, but I want to say it now. Duke Salvador, no Aiden Salvador, I love you. With all my heart and soul, I only love you."

Princess Cassandra did not hear the gasps of the people around. All of her attention was only on the Duke.

"You are making me cry." Aiden Salvador whispered softly. His voice cracked a little but he composed himself. His breathing was normal as he held Princess Cassandra’s hand as if his life depended on her. He placed the ring on her finger. A white diamond that shined brightly.

"I never knew that someone would mean so much to me. Even when people ask me when it started I do not know how to reply to them. I myself do not know when I started feeling the emotions that predominated my soul. Loving you is like breathing to me, all too natural. Seeing you in front of my eyes is like a year-old habit which cannot be broken."

Aiden touched Princess Cassandra’s cheek as he took a step towards her. "I know I have said it hundreds if not thousands of times, That I love you, but the word ’love’ cannot define how strongly I feel."

Aiden’s thumb ran down Cassandra’s cheek, "You are my butterfly. Beautiful and mesmerizing. You make me forget everything else. Seeing you smile, gives me the confidence that I can achieve everything in life, I can do it all just to stay with you."

"Today you have made me the happiest man alive, Butterfly. Today will no longer remain the fifth Princess, the unfavored one. You will be Duchess Salvador, the most loved. And I will make sure that you will all the love."

Duke Salvador did not wait for anyone else to say anything. He smiled as he pulled the fifth Princess towards him. He held her chin as a smile formed on his face. I looked down at her as her cornflower blue eyes shone in his red gaze.

Duke Salvador’s lips curled up as he sealed her lips with his.

There were many noises in the surroundings as they were confused. No one had ever behaved like this, in front of people so openly. People were gossiping but when the Emperor who was there smiled softly. He only shook his head as he looked at Achard Bentham.

"Can they ever consider our feelings?" Emperor Cedric asked softly.

"Cassandra can consider but Aiden... He is a man in love, I don’t know how long this will last but I am confident that you would suffer a lot by their public display of love in the future."

Emperor Cedric shook his head. He did not know what to do anymore.

The elements looked around as they moved around the couple who were kissing.

Princess Cassandra was feeling breathless. Her eyes were burning as she suffocated. She tried pushing Aiden away as she whispered softly. "Not here."

Aiden took a deep breath as his hold on the fifth Princess softened. He rested his forehead on her forehead as he smiled. His gaze fixed on her. "Mine..." He whispered.

"Yes, finally yours." Princess Cassandra smiled as heard the loud claps surrounding her.

It was then that the fifth Princess realized that they were not alone. There were many people around them whose only focus was them. Princess Cassandra felt embellished. Her gaze turned down as her cheeks turned pink. She was so mesmerized by Aiden that she had totally forgotten that everyone was watching.

Duke Salvador laughed as he pushed Princess Cassandra’s face into his chest. His hands blocked her face from everyone else. He smiled as he looked at everyone who soon quieted down.

Cassandra felt even more embarrassed by this. His hands held Aiden’s clothes as she wondered if she was going to be a victim of such embarrassment in the future too or will she get used to everything slowly.

But for now, Cassandra smiled. She was no longer a Princess. She whispered her name softly. "Duchess Salvador."