Chapter 9: I Do
Someone stared back at Misaki in the mirror but it couldn't be her. Her own reflection looked foreign to her now.
Her wedding dress was absolutely breathtaking though. The bodice had a sweetheart neckline with hand beading on the front and back. The pale blue beads looked like glass. The skirt was full and flowed to the floor with a sweeping train behind. The long train was trimmed soft lace. Misaki studied all the pleats and beading wondering how it could possibly be made.
Satsuki laced the satin ribbon up her back forming an elegant crisscross pattern. Misaki could see tears in Satsuki's eyes as she fluffed out the dramatic skirt.
"You're so grown up" Satsuki cried as she arranged Misaki's long hair. Because Misaki was getting married, it was a custom that she wore her hair up now. Satsuki twisted her hair into an elegant updo with braids and secured it with gold pins. The circlet Misaki now wore was different from her old ones. This one was studded with large diamonds throughout the center and then lined in more gemstones. The sapphire and diamond necklace was added along with matching earrings.
The doors swung open with Misaki's mother at the door way. Behind her was Sakura and Shizuko wearing matching pale blue dresses and short lace gloves. Suzana followed behind wearing a pastel pink dress trimmed in gold. Her hair was half up and decorated with rubies.
"I am at a loss for words" Minako said wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. "I can't describe how beautiful you look..."
"Thanks Mother..." Misaki said quietly. Her mother smile and gently smoothed the curls that framed Misaki's face.
"I have a gift for you daughter" Minako said. Sakura handed Minako a silver box. Minako showed Misaki and opened it. Inside was a set of silver combs with sapphires attached so it looked like blooming roses.
"Tis passed down for generations" Minako explained. "I wore the same set on my wedding day" Minako gently took a comb out of the nest of velvet and tucked it into Misaki's hair. "Now you will wear them for yours" she whispered, sliding the other one in.
"I've never worn so many jewels before" Misaki said studying herself in the mirror. All over her body was glittering with precious stones.
"Today is no ordinary day" Minako said. "Tis the biggest day of your life"
Misaki nodded.
Satsuki rushed back into the room. "Tis almost time!" she exclaimed.
"The veil!" Minako said looking around. Shizuko approached the Countess and kneeled. Minako carefully picked up the gauzy fabric. Misaki kneeled as her mother put it in place.
"Be strong, my daughter" Minako said as she let the the front of the veil drift over Misaki's face.
"Always am...always will be" Misaki promised. Sakura and Shizuko both carefully grabbed a handful of Misaki's train and helped her walk out the door. Suzana handed Misaki a bouquet of red roses.
"I love you" Suzana whispered.
"I love you too" Misaki said giving her younger sister's hand a squeeze.
They traveled over to the grand church. Candles lit every corner while the aroma of flowers scented the air. Misaki stood by the door and listened to the loud talking inside. Her heart started picking up speed again. Misaki closed her eyes and took in deep breathes.
The room got quieter until there was only a muffle of one voice. The church organ began to play.
"You can do this Misaki!" Sakura whispered.
"We love you!" Shizuko added.
Misaki nodded and licked her lips. The double doors swung open as she stepped inside. Misaki felt her throat tightening when she saw the crowds of people all looking at her.
The organ music continued playing as Misaki slowly walked down the aisle. The rich red carpet was dotted with flower petals.
"Shoulders back. Chin up." Misaki thought to herself as she took another step. She knew Sakura and Shizuko were walking right behind her...well where her train ended at least.
Misaki let out a breath of relief as she made it halfway. She kept reminding herself not to go fast but slow and fluid. One heeled foot after the other. Misaki felt her palms sweating and tightened her grip on her bouquet.
She located Suzana and her mother in the crowd. Her eyes found Uncle Ren, her cousins...as well as Hinata. All of them were smiling at her. Minako placed a hand on her chest reminding Misaki to take deep breaths.
Misaki eventually reached the altar and stepped up the short stairs. Sakura and Shizuko straightened out her long train and stood to the side. Shizuko took Misaki's bouquet. The music stopped and the priest who wore decorated robes nodded to Usui. Usui gently took Misaki's hands into his.
"Duke Usui, do you take Lady Ayuzawa as your wife?" the priest asked. His voice boomed through the church.
"I, Usui Takumi, take thee, Lady Ayuzawa, to be my lawful wedded wife" Usui said smoothly.
"Lady Ayuzawa, do you take Duke Usui as your husband?"
Misaki swallowed hard and tried to find her voice. "I, Ayuzawa Misaki, take thee, Duke Usui, to be...my lawful wedded...Husband" she managed to say a little above a whisper. Usui nodded to her and gave her hands a squeeze. Misaki tried to smile but she doubted he could even see her facial expressions.
"Duke Usui, do you promise to have and hold Lady Ayuzawa from this day forward whether in better or worse, richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish her?"
"Until death do us part" Usui swore. Misaki thought he sounded genuine. Perhaps Usui will be there by her side for the rest of her life.
"Lady Ayuzawa!" the priest said, making Misaki jerk back to reality. "Will have have and hold Duke Usui from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish and to obey?"
"I do" Misaki said, sounding more confident than she really felt.
"According to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth" Usui announced.
Misaki repeated the vow.
The priest handed Usui a ring. Usui examined it for a moment and turned back to Misaki. He took her left hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow..." Usui slipped the wedding band on her ring finger. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
The Priest nodded, clearly pleased with Usui's performance. "In the name of our divine God, I present thee, man and wife. May the Lord, God, our father bless onto thee with many sons. You may now kiss the bride."
Misaki gulped. She forgot about this part. She slowly sank down into a curtsey and Usui lifted her veil. She straightened up, glancing nervously at Usui. Usui smiled and cupped either side of Misaki's face with his hands. He gently pressed his lips to Misaki's.
Everyone cheered and more flower petals were thrown. Shizuko and Sakura helped pick up Misaki's train as the married couple walked down the aisle together. Misaki blushed at all the attention and looked down at her feet. Usui intertwined his hand with hers.
Everyone traveled in carriages or by horse to the Duke's mansion. Usui led Misaki up to the front of the dining hall where there was a table with two seats.
"My lady" he said pulling out a chair for her. Misaki gingerly walked over. Sakura and Shizuko had taken off the train of Misaki's dress which gave Misaki an easier time walking. She allowed herself to be pushed in. Usui took the seat beside her. Guests filed in and sat all around them. Everyone was congratulating them.
Misaki kept a smile on her face the entire time though the people usually spoke with Usui which she didn't mind one bit. Musicians played merry music while servants dished out platters of food. Misaki mostly pushed around her food on the silver platter. The potatoes, meat and salad had a hard time going down her throat.
"I'd like to make a toast" someone yelled. "May you have many sons!"
"Here here!" everyone yelled.
Usui stood up with goblet in hand. Usui gestured for Misaki to stand also. "We thank you for such a toast" he said loudly. Everyone lifted their goblets and drank.
Misaki fell into the pattern of the feast. Every time someone toasted, they would all stand and drink and then Misaki would resume sitting down and staring at her plate, hoping no one would speak to her.
"What's wrong?" Usui asked, touching her hand. Misaki looked up.
"Nothing" she replied a bit too quickly.
"Do you not like the food?" Usui asked.
Misaki shook her head. "The food's delicious" she reassured him. "Just a little overwhelmed" she told him, playing her "weak female" card.
Usui believed her and went back to talking with those standing around him though he never let go of her hand.
"A toast!" someone yelled...again. Misaki went to stand up but almost tripped. Usui immediately grabbed her elbow and steadied her.
"Careful," he said, smiling.
Misaki blushed and looked away.
The noble proposed a toast and everyone drank. Misaki sipped at her wine. The taste got worse and worse after all the glasses. Usui took the goblet out of her hand and set it on the table.
"I think you've had enough" he said eyeing her current state.
"Its all these wretched toasts..." she muttered under her breath. Usui laughed.
"You can pretend to drink" Usui told her. "And no one said you had to drink the entire glass for every toast" he reminded her.
"You drink the glass every time"
"Yeah well...you and I are a little different" he said winking at her. He leaned back and whispered something into a servant's ear. The servant nodded. Usui gestured for Misaki to stand and then walked in front of all the guests.
"The bride and groom are departing for the night!" the servant announced. This sent everyone cheering and yelling again.
Usui smiled at Misaki and swept her off her feet. Misaki gasped.
"What are you doing?" she demanded. The guests only cheered louder.
Usui just smirked at her and carried her out of the hall.
"Why are they all cheering?" Misaki asked.
"Because we get to have fun while they get to stay there and be drunk"
Misaki blushed. "Can you put me down now?" she asked.
"You don't like being carried?"
"Its embarrassing..." Misaki muttered.
"I have to carry you over the threshold" Usui said kicking open a door. "So you don't bring the evil spirits upon us" he teased.
Misaki glared at him. "So how come you won't bring down evil spirits?" she demanded.
"Tell you later..." he said setting her down. "Your maids are waiting for you" he said showing her to the door.