"I apologise Miss Griffin, she just barged in unwelcome," Harper said, slightly out of breath as an enthusiastic Octavia jumped on Clarke's bed. Clarke attempted to blink as her eyes were still slightly stuck together from sleep. She sat up in her bed, readjusting her white nightgown slightly and took in Octavia's face which was showing nothing but happiness.

"Not to worry, I doubt the King's army could could have prevented her," Clarke told Harper. Harper smiled back at her.

"I look forward to this afternoon," she said before walking out of the room.

"You're getting married today," Octavia said jumping up down on the bed, as soon as Harper left the room. It was quite the sight as her bottom of her pale blue dress flew into the air. Clarke smiled slightly, but both were aware it did not reach her eyes.

"He's a good man Clarke," Octavia said, suddenly sitting on her friends bed looking somber.

"I know, I just always believed I would marry for love," Clarke said, all Octavia could do was nod, she herself had not been in Clarke's position, loving Mr Whittle with all her heart before they were to be wed.

"He'll look after you Clarke- I promise," Octavia said and then added somewhat reluctantly as if she was imparting a grand secret, "he cares for you, more than you know."

"I doubt that," Clarke said chuckling darkly. Octavia shrugged, and decided not to push the matter any further.

Clarke was somewhat surprised that Mr Blake still wanted to marry her, after the debacle at the last ball. They had not spoken since that day, although she had received various telegrams through the post so finalise the wedding. It was a simple church wedding though, so little discussion was needed. He had informed her of his best man which would be Mr Miller, however, they were both aware that her Matron of honour would be Octavia. He had requested if anyone was walking her down the aisle, and she confirmed that despite offers from Mr Kane -her Father's dearest friend- she would be walking alone.

The conversation was somewhat frivolous and the dispute had not been discussed. She was sure Mr Blake was having doubts about the wedding, though he had not voiced them. She herself had been having numerous doubts, and even now was not completely sure of what she wanted. Nevertheless she was preparing to walk down the aisle later that day.

"Clarke, why are you and Mrs Whittle, gossiping when you should be preparing for today?" Mrs Griffin striding into the room and seeing the two friends deep in conversation.

"Come down stairs, you will get ready there. Where are Harper and Monroe?" She continued clapping her hands with a mixture of enthusiasm and urgency. Clarke nodded numbly, she could not feel the jubilation her mother felt- she did not feel sad or angry, she felt nothing, total indifference. Clarke had often dreamed of another time when woman would not be so reliant on men, and would not have to become betrothed for any reason but love, but Clarke was realist and knew that was impossible for her. She would therefore marry Bellamy Blake.

"Right- you can prepare while I am going to attend to some errands," Abigail said."Oh and Clarke do not be foolish, make sure hair is down rather than up, your ears are not your bet feature sweetheart."

"I'll see you later Mother," Clarke replied in return, unsure what else to say. She was silently joyful that her Mother had not seen it fit to make a comment about how should look 'pure in white' or such nonsense, after all everyone in the town was aware that Clarke was not as virginal as she may appear on her wedding day.

Clarke walked down the stairs, gripping Octavia's hand tightly as she did. When they arrived in the living room, Clarke could see her wedding dress laid out of a chair. It was an ivory colour, with a lace bodice and long sleeves, the dress hugged her curves and Clarke could honestly say that it made her feel beautiful. It was a pity that she wasn't going to marry someone that would feel the same.

"I am so glad that you are my Matron of Honour Octavia, there is no one else that I would prefer standing beside me," Clarke said as she turned towards her, tearing her eyes away from the dress.

"It was only fair I return the favour," she said smiling back, and pulling Clarke into a hug, it looked as if she was about continue, before conversation fell silent at the sound of the doorbell.

"I'll just go answer that Miss Griffin," Harper said, and Clarke nodded her eyes once again falling to the dress that Mr Blake would no doubt take off her later that evening.

"Err- Miss Griffin. It is Mr Blake," Harper said, before Clarke could respond Octavia had brushed past her on the way to her brother. Clarke looked down at herself, she was in her nightgown though perhaps not decent, he would see her in this attire for many days to come and it was better than being seen by the groom in her wedding dress.

Her heart dropped slightly as she heard Mr Blake's and Octavia's voices bickering at the door. Perhaps he was here to inform her that he could not go through with the wedding, she had not seen him in a week after all. She walked towards the door running her hands through her hair in attempt to compose herself.

"Mr Blake," she greeted as he stood at the door, his mouth was slightly open and it appeared he had stopped mid sentence upon her arrival. "To what do I owe the pleasure, could you not wait a few hours to see me?"

"I wanted to talk to you," he answered straight away, he was not yet in his wedding attire instead he stood in his everyday suit, Clarke wondered once again if he was going to cancel the wedding. "It is unlucky to see the bride on her wedding day," Octavia said, somewhat steely.

"Ahh but not if she is not in her dress, so I am sure we can make an exception," Bellamy said. Clarke nodded.

"Let us journey to the drawing room," she said and Bellamy nodded, following closely behind her. Clarke sighed in relief at the fact that her Mother had popped out to do some errands as she would be having incredibly flustered at the new turn of events.

Clarke walked into the room and shut the door behind her and gestured for Bellamy to sit, but he shook his head. Clarke stared at him pointedly waiting for him to speak. He ran his hand through his hair, looking slightly pained and then spoke in a rush.

"You do not have to marry me if you are not inclined to," he said slightly frantically. "I understand that you need the wealth. I can pay for the upkeep of your estate without marriage. I do not want to force you into anything Miss Griffin. I understand that women have little choice in today's world, and I would not want my sister to marry a man she loathed. So what I'm attempting convey is...you do not have to be my wife."

"Pardon?" Clarke chocked out, Mr Blake had just declared that he would pay for the upkeep of the estate because he did not want to force her into marriage. She couldn't help the shocked look on her face at his words, it was surprising considerate, but also incredibly out of the ordinary.

"I do not loathe you Mr Blake, not in the least."

"You do not?"

"Of course not, after those words of kindness, I am glad I am marrying you Mr Blake," Clarke said.

"Oh- Right, well, I wasn't expecting that- I was expecting you to accept the offer," Mr Blake stuttered.

"If you do not wish to go through with the wedding Mr Blake, I will understand especially given my somewhat scandalous past, " Clarke said, suddenly apprehensive that the offer had been presented so Mr Blake did not have to go through with the marriage.

"No, no," Mr Blake said, the words rushing out of his mouth quickly and frantically. "I want this."

"I thought you hated me," she almost whispered.

"I could never hate you Miss Griffin. I believe that we have failed to understand our mutual like for the one and other," he said.

"Well no better time to discover it, than our wedding day," Clarke joked weakly, and Mr Blake let out a smile.

"I guess I will be seeing you later Mr Blake."

"We are about to be married, I feel it is perfectly acceptable for you to call me Bellamy."

"Very well, Bellamy, I will show you to the door. A woman needs time to prepare for her wedding day after all," Clarke said smiling, Bellamy nodded, before walking quickly out of the house, most likely in an effort to avoid his sister.

Clarke walked back into the living room, and saw Octavia in deep gossip with the maids. She took in Clarke's smile, and looked questionably at her, obviously wondering if the wedding was going ahead. "I better get into my dress," Clarke said, leading Octavia to nearly jump on her in effort to hug her.

"I am so relieved, I thought that he would be silly enough to persuade you to call off the wedding," Octavia said beaming at Clarke.

"He really does care for you," Octavia said for the second time today. Clarke felt a relief course through as if a burden had been raised off her shoulders, she smiled at Octavia in return.

"Perhaps I was foolish to think otherwise," Clarke said, and Octavia laughed with joy.

"Oh, how I will enjoy having you as a sister," Octavia said. Within the hour the complicated dress was fitted, and the final touches were being placed to her hair and make up.

"You look beautiful Clarke and I do not doubt that my brother will believe the same," Octavia said, before encompassing Clarke in yet another hug.

Clarke walked down the aisle, taking a deep breath, as she saw her soon to be husband at the end of it. When she had woken up this morning, she had not been truly sure if she was going to make it to the aisle however, here she was- ready to spend the rest of her life with Bellamy Blake.

The church was one that Clarke had often frequented in her youth, and though she was somewhat agnostic in her belief towards a God, the old church was somewhat of a comfort to her. There were few decorations though there were some flowers at the end of the aisle. Clarke looked around seeing her friends and family, in the pews, she couldn't help but think of those who were not there. Namely her Father, who should have been walking her down the aisle, instead she walked alone.

Clarke smiled as she received toothy grins from Mr Green and Mr Jordan, and a thumbs up from Mr Wick. She turned her head to see Harper and Monroe give her with small smiles of their own, and Licoln gifted her with a nod. The whole town seemed to be at the event and Clarke felt a burst of happiness in the fact that so many people had showed.

Octavia walked in front of her in a lilac dress, with her cousin Charlotte acting as bridesmaid, throwing petals down in front of her. Mr Blake stood at the front of the church standing next to Mr Miller. His face was one of the seriousness that Clarke would expect, but she hoped he did not imagine the twinkle in his eye.

She reached the two and Mr Blake reached to clasp her hand, "fancy seeing you here," he whispered in her ear, and Clarke suddenly felt butterflies swarm in her stomach.

The following minutes went in haze for Clarke, the two were soon joined in marriage, and Mr Blake had placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Seconds later there were cheers from the crowd and the two were ushered out of the church, into the garden at the front of the church. Mr Blake had not let go of her hand, and she suddenly felt oddly comforted with his presence, she tightened her grip as people crowed around them to offer their congratulations.

Clarke glanced at Mr Blake- her husband- she was officially married. He grinned down at her, and just for a second Clarke allowed herself to believe perhaps it was one out of love, and not for their guests. She shook her head slightly, cursing herself for being so foolish, theirs was a marriage without love.

Thanks so much for reading, I really would appreciate any thoughts in way of reviews! Up next... the wedding night...