The Wedding Prep

[Astoria’s POV]

It was ironic and slightly comical how my mother, who was used to dictating and making people work for her, was having to explain things to someone.

The realization made me happy rather than making me feel affronted. And what would I be affronted for? My mother never stood up for me, always blaming me, always nitpicking my every move. 

Over the years, I had stopped arguing with my mother. I used to simply absorb everything she said, feeling the bitterness later and lingering for days.

“I’m always mindful,” I said softly, finding my courage this time. Maybe because Viktor simply stood up for me even though he seemed to dislike me, or maybe I was relishing my mother’s loss of power.

I looked at him, and at the same time, Viktor’s gaze shifted to me. It wasn’t cold this time. It wasn’t warm either. It was measuring.

“Yes…yes, I know you are,” my mother murmured, the tone borderline sharp. “I was just…”

“It’s okay, Mom. I know you’re nervous about the wedding,” I replied, giving her a small smile.

The smile I received was sharp, conveying silent warnings.

~~~~

As days passed, the hustle and bustle of the estate increased. Where the main house used to be quiet, everyone was busy doing one thing or another. I, too, was swept in the tide of excitement. And for once, I was enjoying it. Vladimir asked me about my mother’s choices at times, and I went dress shopping with her.

Things, for once, were less awkward. It also helped me keep my mind off my past and my…future.

A difference that I had noticed was that my mother was radiant in a way I had never seen before.

It made me both wistful and happy. I never hated her after all. But seeing her not snapping at anyone, or me for that matter, was…a good change.

However, during fittings, sometimes I felt more like a shadow than a participant or an observer. But I liked keeping myself in the shadows. I hated attention.

Another change that I unwittingly noticed was related to the man who had not yet been friendly to me.

Viktor.

He began appearing at more of these preparations than I expected.

Like…

“Are those her favorite flowers?” He asked one day when I was overseeing the flower arrangements. He was peering over my shoulder, his breath fanning my bare shoulders as I had planned to wear an off-shoulder dress.

He was far too close for my liking because the proximity was doing things to my heart that shouldn’t be the case.

“Yes. She explicitly told me that these will be present.” I was happy that my voice didn’t shake from the jitters.

But then Vladimir walked in, waving a hand at me, and suddenly that moment was gone.

I had also become friends with a few girls who apparently lived in the estate. They were polite and always respectful.

Then there was Mera, who was stern but always caring. She was more like a mother to me than my biological mother.

“You should also look after yourself,” she once said when I was re-checking the guest list. “You have been busy these days and not taking care of yourself at all.”

It had made me teary-eyed. It had been years since someone cared about me.

~~~~

Guests began arriving two days before the ceremony.

For some reason, Vladimir stuck by my side as we greeted everyone. I didn’t understand why but I was the object of attention for a lot of them.

“Shouldn’t they be looking at mom?” I asked under my breath.

“Maybe they are wondering how she has a wonderful daughter,” Vladimir answered, always playful. Our camaraderie has become better in the past few weeks. He was friendly, unlike Viktor.

Vladimir was playful, and I sort of liked this because only he made me feel at ease.

The dinner that night was a formal affair.

I was in a purple knee-length A-line dress, while Vladimir wore a blue shirt and paired it with beige trousers, and Viktor wore a dark brown shirt and black trousers.

Only Matthew wore a tuxedo, and my mom a full-length evening dress. They looked gorgeous.

My mom had surprisingly blended in with the lot and even made some friends. I wondered how she could be so natural when her daughter was like a sore thumb.

I was seated beside Vladimir, and Viktor was sitting opposite me.

“Try this,” Vladimir said when he noticed my silence.

He pointed at one of the dishes that I hadn’t yet taken. I smiled and complied.

“Yeah, it’s good,” I said appreciatively.

“I rarely fail when it comes to food,” he said smugly.

I was about to reply when I felt eyes upon me. It was like this intuition, and when I turned my head, I found Viktor looking at us, his expression grave.

What was his problem now?

Instead of paying attention to him, I gazed back at Vladimir. “Well, at least I would be able to try different foods and not fear that it would be bad.”

Vladimir glanced at Viktor once before smiling at me.

Once the dinner was over, I thought it would help me get some relief. I couldn’t wait to just smoosh my face in the pillow and fall asleep.

However, as I excused myself and was about to go upstairs, an elderly woman held me back.

“You are Evelyn’s daughter?” She asked, her green eyes assessing me.

I nodded mutely, managing to give a small smile.

“But you are not—”

“Aunt Clara, there you are.” From nowhere, Vladimir emerged, and very expertly, he stirred her towards the opposite direction.

“But I was—” she protested.

“Dad is looking for you,” he said, interrupting and smiling in a way that seemed polite but left no room for argument.

“Good night, Tori,” he said as he gently tugged him towards the dining hall, and leaving me in confusion.

What did the woman want to tell me? And why did it look like that Vladimir was making an excuse?