A/N: Hey guys! I'm proud of this chapter, and I love it. I hope you guys like it too.
Please enjoy!
A few weeks had gone by, and celebrations were in full swing. The festival had started a week after his engagement to the dear Clarissa. Jace was surprised it happened so quickly, but he didn't question it. He knew near to nothing about these wedding arrangements, so he was going with the flow, trying to enjoy the festivities that were in his honor. He wished he could see Clary more, but he knew that isn't how this worked. Jace wandered the crowd of people, followed by his men of honor. He almost always had a posse around him, and the few times he saw Clary she was followed by group of women, women that he knew. He felt sorry for her because most of them were pretty vicious.
"Jace, lookie here. Isn't that your bride-to-be?" Raphael poked him in the side, making Jace not only flinch, but look for a flash of red hair. His eyes are drawn to her most of the time, looking for her bright unruly locks. Is it weird that he just wanted to stick his fist into her hair?
He found her, dancing around the maypole. He was memorized by her laughter that echoed through the field. She was skipping around her fellow ladies, winding the colored ribbon around the wooden pole. A flute played a beautiful melody, which he found that he was swaying to. He had never really seen her like that before, and it was kind of refreshing. He always thought of her as an adult, but seeing her now, he realized that she hasn't had too much time to grow up. He knew she was timid around him because she wasn't comfortable around each other yet, but he hoped that he would get there with her.
"Has Jace gone soft on us, boys?" Raphael hooted, clapping his hand on Jace's shoulder. Jace tried to hide his red cheeks, as they teased him.
"Shut your mouth." Jace spat at the men laughing around him. Him getting defensive only made their jabs even worse.
"She is very fair isn't she?" Simon chimed in, gazing over at her
"Yes, she is." Jace breathed, seeing the carefree smile along her face. He wanted more of that and wondered how to give it to her. He made it his goal in life. He wanted to make his wife smile as much as he could possibly could.
"Jace, we have a fitting soon. We should get to the tailor." Alec nudged him away from where they were standing. Jace sighed, reluctantly following his boys. He could watch her for dancing or hours, but he knew now wasn't the time.
OoOoO
Clary sighed softly, as her maids of honor shifted through all the merchants that had traveled to their town. Sadly, she had to visit all of them, and buy one thing from each place. It would be considered disrespectful if she didn't get something from each shop, so she powered through. The festivities had been going on for weeks, and she has only made it to about half. All the feasts and fittings made it near impossible to do anything at all, but all that mattered was that she was trying her hardest. She barely had a moment of peace.
"Clary, darling, look at this ribbon. It's so beautiful." Kaelie walked over to her holding a piece of elaborate green ribbon. "It matches your eyes." Clary didn't notice, but Kaelie was obviously putting on a show around her. Clary didn't really know the girls around her because during her marriage she didn't get out much. Most women didn't know their maids of honor anyways she reminded herself.
"Yes, very pretty." She drew the ribbon away from her, wrapping it around her fingers to see it against her complexion.
"You should wear it in your hair tonight at the feast." Isabelle smiled, gathering the brides locking into her hands to gather them on her head. "Give me a mirror." She inquired the merchant. Isabelle held the mirror in front of Clary, and she smiled at the up do that she began creating. Clary wasn't a fan of her other maids of honor, but Isabelle was always kind to her. She appreciated her companionship in these times because her first marriage ceremony was very hard on her. This one was a lot easier because she knew Jace didn't expect anything of her. He had told her that many times, which made her feel at ease. He wasn't going to push her.
"Thank you, Isabelle. I think that's a great idea." She beamed genuinely at her companion.
OoOoO
Clary couldn't hear the girls behind her. Little did she know all but one of her maids of honor had been already with her husband-to-be. They all pretended to be polite with one another, but they secretly hated her, jealous that she was the one finally tied down their man.
"I don't know if Clary will be able to keep up with her new husband. It is well known Sebastian hardly touched her. She was probably too frail and boring." Kaelie whispered, so Clary couldn't hear. She hated played nice to Clarissa.
"Probably." Steelie rolled her eyes, as she drew out a golden piece of ribbon. "I don't care if she has already been with a man, there is no way she is ready for him." She grinned slyly, glancing up a Kaelie and Aline. They all knew what he was like.
"I completely agree, and when he gets bored with her, he'll come running back to us." Aline bit her lip, looking over at the small redhead.
"Kaelie, come help us pick out a fan." Isabelle eyed the other ladies harshly, knowing about their affairs with him. They knew that if she spoke a word their lives would be ruined, so the girls forced a giggle, circling back around the bride to be.
OoOoO
Her ladies helped her finished getting dressed for the feast, and scurried out of the room to join their families. This has been her first moment alone in a week, and she was thankful for it. She gazed in the mirror at the dress that covered her small frame. The center of it was a light green fabric that was filled in with a curly design, while the rest of a dress was a deep evergreen. She couldn't help but notice how her hair stood out against the cloth. She touched her hair lightly; making sure the green ribbon was secure before heading to the waiting room. She sat carefully onto the couch, attempting to keep her dress from wrinkling. Her father, Valentine, stepped into the room minutes later, grinning happily at his daughter. She quickly stood up, fixing her skirts.
"You look just like your mother." He smiled at her, holding out his arm for him to take.
"Thank you, father." She curtsied, slowly walking out of the room to the great hall. They entered the main room, and it was full of chatter, music, and clanking glasses. The feast was in full swing, as everyone celebrated their marriage to be. It was weird to think all of these people were here to see her. She put on her smile, heading over to the wedding table. She carefully sat down next to her fiancé, feeling her heart pound a little faster in her chest.
"Hi there." He grinned at her, pouring wine into her goblet.
"Hey." A blush set across her cheeks, and she knew that it would be there the rest of the night. She hates that he does this to her, but she can't make it stop no matter what she does. She sipped her wine, trying to focus back on the masses. Of course, it didn't really work. She was hyper aware of the man sitting next to her. He wasn't paying much attention to her at the moment because he was talking to a few of his buddies, but she didn't mind.
"Now that the beautiful bride to be is here, let's eat." Her father announced, as the servants brought out food and more wine. They made her favorite today. Roasted swan. It was a rare delicacy that was only served during wedding celebrations or others major events. A servant set a plate in front of her, and she sighed quietly. They were starting to restrict what she was allowed to eat. They didn't want her to gain any weight before the wedding because she had to fit in her dress. There was still a decent amount of food, but it was slightly disappointing because everyone else could eat until their hearts were content, while she could only eat what she was given.
"Is that all you get to eat?" He questioned, furrowing his brow in confusion.
"They don't want me to not fit in my dress, but that's ok I'm not that hungry." She lied, cutting the piece of meat in front of her. He still looked at her curiously, and she wondered what he was thinking.
"That's ridiculous I've seen you eat a mountain of food every day for the past two weeks. I'll get more food." He stated, shooting up to his feet.
"Jace, it's not necessary." Her face had turned even redder at the idea of him noticing how much she ate. Was she that much of a pig? She didn't think she ate much.
"Don't be crazy. My first wife-to-be can't go hungry." He smirked to her, as he ran towards the kitchen. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing around to see if anyone heard what he said. She took a bite of her food, attempting to listen to her mother next to her. Jace returned about 15 minutes later with a huge platter full of fruits and meats.
"I don't think I can eat all that." She laughed, playing with a loose strange of hair. Her heart swelled in her chest at his gesture.
"Well I'll help you." He grinned, plopping a grape into his mouth.
"Thank you." She giggled quietly, taking a piece of fruit. She leaned back against her chair, finally letting herself relax. Jace is going to take care of her. That was something that she realized today. He was always going to make sure her needs were met. Sebastian never noticed what she ate, or how much, or even cared about what she did. He never would have gotten her more food. Jace was a good man.
OoOoO
"Here, I want you to meet with some people." Jace held his hand out to her, helping her to her feet. Her hand clasped onto his bicep, allowing him to lead her over to what he considered family.
"Is that the duke and duchess? What are they doing here? When did they even get here?" Clary exclaimed with wide eyes, as they got closer to them. He chuckled internally, knowing that they didn't even show up to her first wedding.
"I was their ward when my parents and they got here today." He explained, placing his hand over hers.
"I knew your parents had died, but you never said you were a ward." She whispered, not wanting any one to hear.
"Yeah, my parents died around the time I was born, and Robert was my godfather." He quickly looked over at the duke and duchess. "Robert, Maryse, it's wonderful to see you. This is my beautiful wife-to-be, Clary." The duke bowed lowly, and he tried to go lower. Robert smirked at his ward, going even lower. Jace growled at his adoptive father, adjusting himself closer to the ground. Robert was just trying to prove that he had a more powerful position then him. It was a little game that he often played with Jace, and he wasn't having it today. "Robert, enough games. These are my wedding feast." He tried to bit back the harshness in his voice, as he stood back up.
"All in good fun, Jace." Robert chuckled quietly, clasping his hand onto his shoulder.
"It's lovely to meet you, Clary." Maryse smiled at the petite girl that stood next to him.
"Lovely to meet you as well." Clary curtsied again, looking up at the older women.
"Let's leave these men to their talk of horses." She smirked at the boys, slipping her arm into Clary's. "See you boy later." Maryse grinned, drawing his fiancée away from him.
OoOoO
Clary yawned heavily, rubbing her eyes lightly. She inhaled a sleepy breath, glancing around for her father. He was stumbling around with the duke, cracking jokes and drinking ale. She sighed, as she looked around for another relative to escort her back to her room. Sadly, she couldn't find someone. She fought off another yawn, attempting to cover her mouth. She wasn't allowed to walk back to her room by herself.
"You tired?" Jace asked teasingly, sitting back down next to her.
"No, I'm yawning because I'm full of energy." She giggled softly, touching her hair lightly. She could feel it falling down, and it was driving her crazy. She just wanted to turn in for the night.
"Do you need someone to walk you back to your room?" He offered, holding his hand out for her.
"Yes, but isn't it improper for you to escort me to my room. People might think we are up to something." She bit her lip, knowing what people would say.
"So what if we were? We are getting married, and your virtue isn't in question anymore." He shrugged, urging her to take his hand. She hesitantly took it, climbing carefully to her feet. He led us out of the grand hall, and they were alone. They hadn't really spent time alone together since her portrait was done. They weren't uncomfortable, but it was different from when they were around their friends and family. His hand rest gently in hers, tugging her lightly down the hall. She had been staying in his house because that's where all the feast and festivals are being held. It was more convenient for her to move in here then continue to stay at home. They slowed to a stop as they approached her door, and she rocked on the balls of her feet. "You looked beautiful tonight." He breathed, touching the ribbon in her hair. "But I like your hair better down." He drew the ribbon out of her hair, making it fall around her shoulder. She sucked in a breathed at his actions, as her heart pounded heavily.
"I never really thought about it much." She blushed, tugging on one of her now free curls. He grinned faintly, circling his thumb over the back of her hand. He continued standing in front of her. "Is there something you need?" She glanced away from him, being to feel herself overheat.
"Could I kiss you?" He stepped closer to her, invading her space. She didn't know if she was ok with him being this close to her.
"I- alright." She stammered, looking up at him under her lashes. She knew this was going to happen eventually, and she was so curious what it would be like. She was so curious what he was going to feel like. His free hand found its way into her hair; as he leaned down to connect their lips lightly. She gasped quietly, holding onto his waist. Jace drew away slightly, hovering his mouth over hers. Jace was waiting for her to react. She exhaled a breath, as she gained the confidence to push herself up to brush their mouths together again. Her heart was racing, as their mouths moved against each other's. She gasped when his tongue entered her mouth. She whimpered quietly, arching her body against his. The feeling of his mouth against hers made her mind melt. She didn't know what to do.
"Good night." He broke away from her, running his thumb along her cheek.
"Good night." She gaped for breath, struggling to place her hand on the door knob. "Sleep well." She murmured, biting her lip, as she carefully pushed the door open.
"You too." He smiled, waiting for her to enter her room. She closed the door slowly, leaning back against the wooden door. Her lips curled upwards, as she touched them lightly. She giggled to herself, noting that Jace's kiss was the best one she ever received.
A/N: So My best friend is obsessed with the renaissance. Everything I wrote was accurate. Apparently, aristocrats used to bow really low because they knew that other people had to bow lower than them. They wanted to see how far they could bow. They would also have festivals for weeks before the wedding.
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