She awoke in a burst of light.
A new-found freedom coursed through her veins and she had never felt such a lightness in her body. Sitting up, she noticed they had placed her in a homely room, complete with a small fireplace and rocking chair.
Suddenly the memories of everything which had occurred came flooding back to her. Her mission, her other self, the infinite love she held for Remy.
"Remy!" Marie exclaimed remembering that he was in a forced marriage.
She jumped out of bed, semi sore however invigorated with a mission.
Am Ah too late? She wondered anxiously.
"Worry not child, you still have time," A kind voice said, seemingly reading her mind.
Marie was startled as she turned to be greeted by a foreign face.
She appeared to be a warm woman with a chocolate complexion and tight ebony ringlets framing her face. She was a slightly portly woman with the kindest smile reaching up her hazelnut eyes.
"You're not too late," She repeated, "My name is Tante Mattie but, you child, can call me Tante" She said tenderly.
"Thank you, Tante, for helping me. Ah'm Marie and Ah owe you a great debt" She spoke earnestly
"Nonsense child, you owe me no such thing, you're famille!" She said slightly confusing Marie.
However, she had other matters on her mind.
"What time is the wedding?" She asked desperately, hoping she could make it.
"Remy left about an hour ago darlin, you can still make it but you'll have to blend in-"
Marie was surprised, she felt as if she had spent days stuck in her mind.
"-Mercy left some clothes out for you to take." She finished, not at all shocked that Marie was caught up with current events while she had been passed out.
Marie nodded her head, grateful for their hospitality.
"Oh and child," she said catching Marie's eye, "save my boy."
Marie nodded firmly as Tante departed. Throwing on the clothes she had been given, the theme was black-tie, it was a wedding after all.
Mercy had given her a floor-length crimson-red dress with a slight slit on the side leading up to her thigh. The bodice was deep cut, with lace overlaying the bodice. The back was corseted as well sinching her waist.
Ordinarily, Marie would have never worn such a gown, but today, she would. It was time to take matters into her own hands, which began with breaking barriers she never imagined she could.
Luckily the dress had long laced sleeves and, with the help of some fishnet stockings, she ensured no one would touch her skin.
She wore her hair down but curled certain strands while tucking in her white streaks to become less noticeable. If she was wedding crashing, she would do this right.
Applying makeup she chose a different style than usual. With a bold liner and ruby red lips to match she was sufficiently out of her depths, yet she carried on, throwing a black satin shawl for good measure before hailing a taxi.
The pre-ceremony would be in full procession by now, soon the real wedding would begin. Tante had ensured her before leaving that she would be on the guest list and allowed in.
Finally, It was showtime
As she arrived at the venue it was held in the grand St. Louis Cathedral.
They are Catholic after all. Rogue thought ironically most there were either thieves or assassins.
The Cathedral was impressive, to say the least. Tall spires made of pure white bricks lined the walls, fenced by massive iron black gates.
As she approached she internally calmed herself, channelling Logan before a mission.
You got this stripes, his psyche said. She had subconsciously summoned him for his words of affirmation.
"Thanks, Logan" She whispered approaching the gate.
She waited in a long line of attendees waiting to be allowed in, people streaming from many luxury cars dressed in exorbitant clothes.
"Name," A tall brawny man clad in black asked as she reached the front of the line.
"Anna Baptiste," Marie replied confidently.
He quickly scanned the list before allowing her entrance, "You're free to go, and tell Tante that Henri wants to see her."
Rogue nodded and continued in. She didn't necessarily like using her real first name Anna but she understood why. No one would recognize, it but she could still easily respond if called.
She strolled inside, keeping an elegant disposition as she walked through the crowds.
She was relieved that she seemingly didn't stand out to any of them and was lucky Julien hadn't arrived. He would surely recognize the woman he tried to assault just two days prior.
Marie shuddered slightly at the memory but stayed focused. She had a mission at hand.
However, said mission was immediately derailed when she was caught off guard.
"Bonjour madame, you are tres belle! May I ask who invited you?" she whirled around and was met with a charming man with ebony black hair. He looked like he could be distantly related to Remy.
"Hello I'm Anna, I'm with Tante " Rogue said, attempting to speak in less of a Southern accent to maintain anonymity.
"Well ma cherie, my name is Theoren Marceaux, but for you babe? You may call me Theo" He said with a grin, kissing her gloved hand.
"Well aren't you a charmer," she said giggling, "unfortunately, sugah I'm spoken for" She responded, much to his disappointment.
"Mon diue une femme like you? I don't see any man here with you." He said trying his luck again.
"Oh he's around here someone," she told him while giving him a small wave before she disappeared into the crowd.
If only he knew the groom was the one speaking for meh. She said internally. Now she really needed to find Remy.
However, she had a feeling she would soon be faced with him as the crowd began to file into the Cathedral for the ceremony.
This was about to be one interesting wedding.
He wished he could die.
Scratch that.
He wished he could die and go to wherever she was.
Unfortunately for Remy, he was stuck. Trapped in his white suit, hair slicked back and completely unprepared to be married to the evil snow queen herself.
"Merde" He uttered under his breath. For Remy, there was really nothing he could do but sit back and watch his life unravel before him.
"Who would've thought, un Diablo Blanc dressed up in a suit to match" A venomous voice said interrupting his brooding.
"Belladonna," he replied with equal amounts of venom, "mon épouse, Remy thought the groom wasn't sposed to see the bride in her gown. Wit da bad luck or sumthing? " He said sarcastically.
"I'm not your wife yet Remy, and frankly I don give a shit." Belladonna said standing in front of him, so close he was forced to arch his neck upwards.
He stood up, disgusted by this faux marriage.
"What do you want." He asked spitefully.
"Regarder Remy, this marriage is as real as your commitment towards one woman-"
If only she knew, He thought reminiscing his angel in white.
"-I just want you to know I want to marry you just about as much as I want to marry the devil 'imself"
"Is dere a point to this?" He asked annoyed at her interruption of his last few moments free.
"I just wanted to put that out there. You are so fucking self-centered thinking you have the worst of it. Mais, I want to be here less." She said.
"Fuck you," he said angrily, "I'll stay loyal to you Bella, Remy will follow da rules, but don think I'll like a single moment of it. I'll never love you." He spat out.
"Excellent. At least we're on the same page." She said equally angry about their reunion before departing in a flurry.
Remy sighed in contempt. All he could think about was his true love.
"Ma belle," He said with a forlong expression.
"Remy is this a bad time" He heard Henri say walking in.
Remy can't get a single fucking second to 'imself he thought spitefully.
"I was planning on asking Tante to come with me, however, she never received the message to come," Henri said lightheartedly, attempting to cheer him up.
Remy stayed silent and Henri's eyes dropped in shame.
"Mon petit frère, je dois admettre que je suis tellement désolé pour tout cela."
An apology was rare, even for Henri.
"Mal vivre." He said despondenty.
"Oui, you will, mais at what cost?"
"Mon amour."
Henri softened, "Remy, the sacrifice you made, it will never be forgotten ."
Remy could only simply nod, the sting of regret hitting him as he felt his brother's love pour in.
He hated this, hated that he had let her go when he finally found her.
"It is time," Henri said after a while and all Remy could do was nod.
The march to the altar for Remy was more akin to a funeral procession than a wedding.
Outwardly he held his head high and too many he looked proud to be there. Marrying for his guildInwardly however he was mourning a loss over his broken heart.
The priest began.
"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Remy Etienne LeBeau and Belladonna Boudreaux, in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred bond, established betwe-"
He imagined Marie, dressed in layers of white. Her dress cascading down the steps, beams of sun shining down on her through the stained glass windows.
She would've glowed in the sunlight and at the center of it all, she would be smiling at him, her beautiful green eyes sparkling with joy.
Her grin would go from ear to ear as she held her bouquet of daisies, marigolds and baby's breath. He would've adored to see her face. So happy so full of life.
"-grant them the strength to honour their vows, the wisdom to navigate challenges, and the joy to cherish each moment together. May their marriage be a reflection of your eternal love and-"
He wished he could see Marie now. Her face for one last time before it was too late. He knew it would be too cruel to see such a sight. He would've never allowed her to.
If he had a final wish though, he wouldn't hesitate to use it on her.
"Before we conclude, Remy LeBeau and Belladonna Boudreaux have chosen to exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other. The ring, an unbroken circle, represents the eternal nature of love, with no beginning and no end."
Remy was startled by the exchange of rings. He saw as the ringbearer came down the aisle with two made of the finest gold, resting on a satin pillow.
"Belladonna Boudreaux, as you place this ring on Remy's finger, please repeat after me; With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge you my love and faithfulness, for all the days of my life." The priest said.
"With this ring,I Belladonna Boudreaux wed, and pledge you my love and faithfulness, for all the days of my life." She repeated while placing the band on his finger. They were ice cold.
"And Remy LeBeau as you place this ring on Belladonna's finger, please repeat after me; With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge you my love and faithfulness, for all the days of my life." The priest said, turning towards him.
Remy nodded, his heartbeat increasing as sweat began to pour down his back.
"With this ring I Remy LeBeau-" he faltered for a second. Looking towards the crowd as Henri gave him a look he couldn't quite decipher. He tried again, "-I "
He couldn't, almost as if he had lost his voice.
Suddenly the crowd erupted. The doors to the cathedral swung open, as Julien Boudreaux stormed in.
"I OBJECT!" He shouted amongst the crowd interrupting their procession.
Remy sighed in relief.
"Dis fucking thief doesn't deserve to marry my sister. Just da other day he was caught with some bitch of a putain."
Remy growled at the monicker he had used to describe Rogue.
"Sit da fuck down" Jean-Luc yelled at him.
"You can't boss me around you thief," he responded oozing with anger.
At this insult half the procession stood up in an outcry, insults began to be thrown on either side as Julien cackled, grinning like a maniac.
"You are all so stupid. This reunion will never work, it was doomed from the start. Let's face it, non? Remy and Bella don even wanna marry each other. We are fated enemies, forevermore" He said spouting his own personal sermon.
Remy rolled his eyes as Belladonna was completely shocked.
"Show some fucking respect and sit down" Marius Boudreaux finally said, causing Julien to turn towards his own father. A look of betrayal and anger lined his eyes.
His anger emanating off of him, "Never." He said before pulling out a knife and charging towards Remy.
Rogue almost watched it in slow motion.
Julien unsheathed a silver dagger, the edge glinting as he lept towards Remy.
She was lucky that Tante Mattie was such a pivotal figure in the guild granting the privilege to sit closer to the altar, albeit to the side so Remy wouldn't recognize her.
Simultaneously with Juelien, she threw off her shawl and lunged towards Remy.
Strangely it looked as if he was ready to accept his fate before he turned to see her.
He was horrified.
Rogue ran as fast as she could, ripping the crimson gown as she charged towards him, intercepting the two.
The knife plunged.
A brief flash of red-hot pain seared through her body.
She looked down at her abdomen to see a wet red stain beginning to spread.
"MARIE!" Remy shouted in anguish grabbing her.
Henri tackled Julien as Remy cradled Rogue in his arms, slowly cushioning her fall.
"Mon amour why," He said with tears streaming down his face, "why would you do this." He asked distraught.
Marie chuckled a little, coughing up some blood in the process.
"Ah heard you," She said garnering a confused look from Remy, "Ah heard what you said at Tantes."
Remy looked at her, pleading she would stay.
"Sugah why else would Ah be here? It's because Ah love you." She said while gasping for air.
"Please Marie," Remy said begging while holding her wound down with his hands, attempting to stop the bleeding.
"Anna-" She coughed again, holding her stomach, "Mah full name is Anna Marie"
"Anna Marie, please stay-" She cut him off while he looked at her with desperation.
"Remy Ah need to tell you something important." Marie said silencing him, "Since the moment Ah learned about you-" She winced in pain, "Ah've been having these visions. These dreams of you. Experiments you were forced under."
He looked at her alarmed.
"Ah've seen your life, and ah've seen your real parents. Sugar you were born to live the life your mother never could. She loved you. Sh- she said that one day love would set you free. Ah hope you can be free now Remy, please be happy. For me" She smiled at him wiping a tear from his cheek.
Her own eyes flickered before her lids slowly closed. Her body went limp.
At that moment, amidst Belladonna's shock, Juliens struggles against many guild members and the priest himself, Remy LeBeau let out a bloodcurdling roar.
All of his emotions; anger, sadness, fear, desperation and love were bundled together in his agonizing cry. To the heavens and the earth Remy LeBeau cursed the Gods for her death.
He heaved as the Cathedral began to shake, a magenta hue beginning to eminent from every being and object in the room as his fury shook the foundations itself.
"REMY!" Tante shrieked causing him to snap back to reality and reabsorb the charge.
He was despondent to the world around him as he stood up, carrying Marie in his arms as he walked down the aisle.
The chapel fell silent.
The universe's cruelty held no bounds. He had been wishing death upon himself at the start of the day, and now?
Now he was holding the one he loved in his arms, her body limp, smile never to see the light of day.
His hands were stained red as he carried Marie's lifeless body outside, carefully cradling her head.
He had carried her bridal style.
Down the aisle.
He could almost laugh at the irony.
-Je dois admettre que je suis tellement désolé pour tout cela: I must admit I am so sorry for all of this.
-Mal vivre: I'll live
French Vocab Translation:
-Ma chérie:My Darling
-Mon amis: My friend
-Mon bijou: My gem
-Ma dieu:My goodness
-La dame: Lady
-Petite:Small or little
-Cracheur de feu: Spitfire
-Maison:House
-Mon coeur:My sweetheart
-Mon trésor: My treasure
-Famille:Family
-Madame:Mrs.
-Moi:Me
-Oui: Yes
-Bonne: Good
-Nuit:Night
-D'accord:Ok
-Merde:Shit
-Très:Very
-Femme: Woman
-Homme: Man
-Un/Une: A
-Belle/Beau: Beautiful
-Frère: Brother
-Mon dieu: My god
-Désolé/Désolée: Sorry
-Pardon: Excuse me
-Ecoutez: Listen
-Fils de pute: Son of a bitch
-Beaucoup: Very much
-Mais:But
-Amour: Love
-Tante:Aunt
-Au revoir: Goodbye
-Pere: Father
-Mere: Mother
-Moi: Me
-Babe:Baby
-Ton Vie: Your Life
-épouse: Spouse/wife
-Regarder:Look
-Ma Amour:My love
-Poutain:whore
-Famille:Family