Chapter 2 Royal Wedding and First Night

Six Years Later

Poppy looked out the window. It was spring but there was only a few flowers in bloom and the grass is in between brown and green. But the garden was beautiful as if protected by magic. It was finally the day. The day she and Branch, the youngest prince of the Southern Lands, were to marry and for her to say goodbye to her life at the Troll Tree Kingdom forever. The last six years were nothing but preparations from memorizing wedding vows to formal dancing. It left her little time to do what she wanted and was hard for her to go back to her usual upbeat self. She and her family arrived at the castle in the Southern Lands yesterday and already Poppy was dreading her new life there. The forest was creepy, dark and no signs of friendly wildlife. Even the birds sound menacing. She was told never to wonder into the woods alone or at night. Which was fine because she never cared to go outside after sunset anyway. From the window of the guest suite Poppy was staying in next to where her family was, she could see one of her new brother-in-laws talking to the guards near the garden gate as the early bird guests starting to arrive.

"I doubt there's going to be much partying here after this." Poppy thought.

Back at the Troll Tree, there were partying everyday and was very colourful. But judging by the way this kingdom looked and it's dark atmosphere it didn't seem inviting. Poppy wouldn't be surprised if the guests were ordered by the king to attend. Closing the drapes and turning away from the window, Poppy walked over to her luggage, opened it and pulled out a wedding dress she was to wear for the occasion. It was white with lace on the edges and roses on the waist. It was the same dress her mother wore when she married her father. Poppy never remember her mother since she died when she was a baby but she was told she was happy when she wore it. Viva was happy when she wore it at her wedding and now it's her turn.

But she wasn't happy.

Standing in front of a full length mirror, Poppy slip the dress on and struggled with the zipper in the back for a minute before staring at her reflection. The dress fit her perfectly as if it made for her instead of a hand me down. She tried smiling because weddings are suppose to be happy but failed. She tried again and another failed attempt. She tried again but it still wasn't genuine. Her heart wasn't in to it.

"I'll never get this." Poppy said quietly.

There was a knock on the door and her sister and father walked in.

"Poppy, you look beautiful." Viva said as she placed a flower tiara on her sisters head. "There's the final touch."

"Remember why you're doing this, Poppy." King Peppy said sternly.

"For the alliance." Poppy said unenthusiastically

King Peppy nodded and took Poppy's hand.

"Let's go, it's time."

Poppy winced as her father led her to the garden where the wedding was being held while Viva left to join in her husband.

"Here comes the bride." Poppy thought while biting her tongue.

Meanwhile, Branch was in his room trying on the suit he was told he had to wear for the wedding. It was a pair of black pants with a gold line on the sides, dark green shirt and blue suit with gold bars on the shoulders. It reminded him of the soldiers' uniforms for some reason and John Dory told him that their father wore it on his wedding day.

"Another tradition that won't die. The story was bad enough." Branch thought. His eyes widen when John Dory handed him a decorative sword.

"Tradition?" Branch asked.

"That's right."

Branch rolled his eyes and strapped the sword to his side. It's a wedding why would he need a weapon? Stupid traditions.

"Remember, it's important this wedding goes without a hitch." John Dory said.

"For the alliance, bro." Clay said. He and Spruce arrived at the castle two days ago.

"And also." Spruce said as he pulled Branch close so he can whisper in his ear. "Be gentle with her tonight in bed if you catch my meaning."

Branch frowned as he understood what his older brother was talking about. He didn't want to hear about that at the moment. This'll be a fun day for him not.

"Ok, boys." Their grandmother said as she entered the room. "Go out to the garden, the wedding starts in five minutes."

John Dory, Clay and Spruce left. Branch silently thanked his grandmother for saving him from any more unwanted advice. His nerves were frazzled enough. He's never seen his future wife yet and he was having trouble calming down long enough to try and be happy about this wedding.

He was honestly not happy about this and it showed.

"Now, my peach fuzz." Grandma Rosiepuff said as she pinched Branch's cheeks. "Try and smile we don't want the guests to think this is forced."

"It is forced." Branch said dryly.

"Branch!"

Branch winced. Grandma Rosiepuff only said his name in a stern like manner when he crossed the line.

"Alright."

"Thank you and you almost forgot something."

Grandma Rosiepuff placed a gold leaf like crown on Branch's' head.

"And drink this down, it'll last 24 hours."

She handed over a vial fill of golden colour liquid. Branch knew what it was and took it. It was an extra strength restoration potion Grandma Rosiepuff had Cybil made for today. He looked at the ring on his right index finger. It was silver with a black obsidian in the centre surrounded by onyx gems. Obsidian absorbs negative forces and onyx protects from harm Cybil explained as she gave him the ring six years ago. The day he discovered he and his family were really cursed and the rings helps hide their cursed forms from the world. Branch and Rosiepuff felt the ring wasn't enough to conceal the truth from Poppy because he needs time to tell his new bride about the curse.

A wedding day is not the time for that.

Branch uncorked the vial and drank the whole thing down. He sighed as the warm contents entered his system.

"Now come on." Grandma Rosiepuff said as she took the empty vial. "Let's go."

Branch nodded and followed his grandmother to the gardens.

Branch stood on the steps near the entrance to the gazebo where the ceremony will take place. The priest was standing inside the gazebo and the guests were all seated and waiting. Branches' brothers and grandmother sat in the front row on the right side while Poppy's family was on the left. Branch took a glance at his in-laws without looking like he was staring. They look like nice people and hope to get to know them a little more at the reception. Then The Wedding March started to play and the gate to the garden opened. King Peppy entered holding Princess Poppy's hand as he led her down the flower covered path. Branch's eyes widen. Princess Poppy was a pink troll with dark pink hair tied back in a high ponytail, pink eyes and a dark pink nose. She was dressed in a white gown with roses on the waist and other then a gold tiara on her head and earrings she didn't wear too much jewelry. Branch swallowed and hoped his brothers didn't see he was blushing. His bride was beautiful.

"I wonder what she's really like." Branch thought.

Poppy was surprised when she saw her future husband standing on the gazebo steps. He was a troll with cerulean coloured skin, blue eyes, azure blue hair, lavender nose and was dressed in black pants, green shirt and blue suit. Hanging from his side was a sword she hope was for show. She didn't care about weapons and was tired of the war. Trying to look happy on this 'special' day, Poppy follow her father as he led her towards the gazebo. Once they arrived, Branch held out his hand. Poppy took it while reluctantly letting go of her fathers'. Branch led Poppy up the steps to the centre of the gazebo. Once there the ceremony started. The priest said a few lines before Branch said his vows and Poppy said hers. Once Poppy finished, she noticed Branch's eyes glistened as he placed a beautiful diamond ring on her finger. Was he as conflicted as she was? She thought as she placed the gold wedding band on his finger. After the priest said the last lines and Poppy and Branch said their I dos they kissed. Poppy fought hard not to look shocked as she felt something cold entered her mouth when Branch's lips touched hers. What was that? She focused on the kiss in hopes to distract her from what happened and it worked.

After the ceremony ended, everyone gathered in the ballroom for the reception. Branch and Poppy danced first as husband and wife.

"You dance gracefully." Branch said.

"So do you." Poppy said. "I'd like to get to know you more."

"Same here."

As the music neared it's end, Poppy's eyes widen as Branch held her closer to him. She figured he didn't want to part with her yet so she returned the embrace.

Meanwhile, Poppy's family sat with Branch's relatives and watched the married couple waltz on the dance floor.

"They look so great together." Grandma Rosiepuff said.

"Yeah, and it looks like Branch is hitting off nicely." Spruce said.

Both families eyes widen when Branch held Poppy closer to him.

"Maybe more so."

"Just like our wedding." Spruces' wife Brandy said as she nuzzled her husbands' cheek. He chuckled and nuzzled back.

"Maybe it'll work out." Viva said. "It did with Jive and I."

"Yes it did." The red troll with orange hair named Jive said as he hugged Viva.

"And here I was worried." King Peppy said.

Once Branch and Poppy finished dancing, another song played and those who want to dance got up with their partners. The party went on until sunset and everyone quickly left to get home safely. Once all the party guests were gone, the royal families said their good nights and went to their respected rooms. Branch had to pull Poppy away from her family because she had trouble parting with them even though she has to say goodbye to them tomorrow morning. Branch couldn't blame her. If he was forced to move away from the kingdom he called home he'd have trouble parting from his family too. Poppy's eyes glistened as she followed Branch upstairs. They walked down a hall on the second floor to a pair of doors at the end. Branch opened the door and he walked in. Poppy slowly followed. It was a bedroom with stone grey coloured walls, a king size bed in the centre with a mirror on one side and a desk with scrapbooking supplies in the other.

"Someone must've told him I like scrapbooking." Poppy thought.

Her eyes widen when she felt the zipper of her dress being pulled down. She turned to see Branch unzipping the wedding gown and carefully push it off her shoulders. Poppy swallowed. She knows what comes next for she was told about it before leaving the Troll Tree.

"Don't worry." Branch said before he held Poppy close and kissed her neck and shoulder. "I'll be gentle."

"Ok." Poppy said as she surrendered to his touch.

After the dress slipped off Poppy's body, Branch turned her around and kissed her. His hands undoing her underwear and he gently pushed her onto the bed. After he undressed, Branch trailed kisses down Poppy's neck to her chest. He placed a few kisses on the area where her heart is before he turned his attention to her breasts. Poppy laid on the silk sheets trying hard not to fight back as Branch cupped her breasts and began massaging them. He was true to his word about being gentle so why is a part of her wanting to stop him. They're married and this is natural. Was she that scared? Her back arched as Branch pinched her nipples and took one breast to his mouth and wrapped his tongue around the hardened nipple while his free hand massaged the other breast. Her body was betraying her mind. It wanted this. Poppy felt herself slipping away as Branch switched breasts to make sure they both get equal treatment. Her mind was in a daze. She snapped out of it when she felt Branch separate her legs and positioned himself.

"I'll go slow, Poppy." Branch said. "It'll hurt for a little while."

Poppy nodded. She expected this and tried hard to prepare for it as Branch slowly inserted himself into her. It was hard for both of them. Branch felt some resistance while Poppy was feeling pain. It got worse when she felt something break inside of her when they joined and she screamed and cried. Branch held Poppy close to him as he reassured her it's going to be ok and the pain will pass. Poppy cried for a few minutes as she held onto Branch for life. A few minutes later, Poppy felt herself adjust to Branch's size and relaxed with tears staining her cheeks. Branch kissed her deeply before saying move with me and laid her back on the bed again. Branch slowly moved in and out while Poppy tried to move her hips along with him. After a while, Poppy felt sweat rolling off her body as they neared the climax and they both moaned in pleasure. Exhausted Poppy felt Branch pull himself out of her and hold her close as he pulled the covers over them. He kissed her again before nuzzling her cheek.

"Good night, Poppy." Branch said as he fell asleep.

"Good night, Branch." Poppy said as she returned the embrace and she too succumbed to slumber.

Outside the clouds parted revealing the moon that was going to full in a few days. The moonlight filter through the window and bathed the sleeping married couple in its' rays.

This was just the beginning.