Covet Bridal 소설 & 이야기

“You have a wife now. A child. The council doubts you. The smaller families are testing you.” She leaned in slightly. “You can’t fight like you used to.” Valentino’s voice lowered. “I don’t need to.” She studied him carefully. “Marry me.” The word hit like a blade. “Unite our territories. Consolidate power. I control the south again. You secure the north. The council falls in line.” He didn’t blink. “I’m already married.” She shrugged. “Annul it.” The air between them turned lethal. “She’s an emotional liability,” Alessandra continued smoothly. “I’m an asset.”

She screamed and stumbled back, trying to claw it off. Vincent desperately pulled at the silk with his burning hands, but it wouldn't catch fire, instead, the threads glowed even brighter and twisted into a crown upon her head. Her vision blurred to red as voices pressed into her head: “Bride. Bride. Bride.” The First Bride emerged from the dark, getting closer with her ruined face just inches away from Camela’s. “There. Perfect. Every bride wears a crown.” Vincent roared, his flames erupting high enough to shake the walls as he grasped the silk crown with both hands, searing his palms in an attempt to yank it off her head.

Tina joked, batting her long eyelashes. Rachel laughed and stared at her reflection in the big standing mirror. The gorgeous high-grade silk gown was sewn with platinum thread, giving the gown a delicate metallic allure. It also had an handcrafted embroidery strewn across the gown strapless white wedding gown that fitted her like a second skin. Her hair was parted in the centre and slicked back before being folded into a beautiful bun. The silver bridal crown was bewitching in half light, striking in its simplicity yet magnetic in its finer details. It featured antique silver details set and soft ivory pearls that rest perfectly on her head. Her lips looked red and sultry with the Givenchy R

My hair was also a simple bun at the back of my head, with a jewelled clip to hold my veil in place. The bridal gown was pure white and simple. The skirt was flowing with a slight train and the sleeves were lace. Although my father had objected to the ‘unconventional dress’ at first…but he had changed his mind at the last minute when my groom’s father, and by father’s good friend, Mr. Davis, had reminded him that this was the twenty first century and women dressing in lace sleeves was appropriate enough. And yet…Mr. Davis hadn’t thought that arranged marriages should’ve been left behind in the nineteenth century either.

The bridal fashion show was off to a perfect start, and the room was filled with admiration for the art on display. It was like that; many models walked the runway, showing off their stunning bridal dresses, until the show reached its end. The master of ceremony stepped up to the microphone, his voice excited and full of pride. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “we now present the final and most breathtaking piece of the evening, the crowning jewel of our ‘Love Eternal Bridal’ collection. Designed by the one and only Sylvania Scarlet, this dress is called ‘The Radiant Queen.’ Please give your full attention to this masterpiece.”

At the waistline of the gown is a gold ribbon that accentuates the color theme of our wedding. The dress, an item from Allure Bridals, was a new addition to their bridal collection, and was intended for a photo-shoot before the sales were made. Sophia, being the wonderful woman she is, kindly asked the owner to sell me the dress, and they could have their photo-shoot at the wedding, which they instantly agreed. Who wouldn't want to be invited to Liam Novak's wedding?

Ella POV I smoothed my hand down the side of my gown, deep burgundy, fitted at the waist, with a slit that stopped just above the knee. My jewelry was simple. Luciano sent a few choices, and I chose a thin gold necklace and matching earrings. I heard small feet padding down the hallway before I heard her voice. “Aunty Ella, you look so pretty!” Lovie appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide, her hands clasped together like she was watching something magical. Luca appeared behind her a second later, quieter but just as curious.

“Are you out of your god damn mind? What is wrong with you? He was pissed at me. “Why would you say that?“ He asked holding me. “Well because Tara is the woman you love. I'm just your contract bride…” I was still speaking when he crashed his lips on mine. He kissed my lips for some seconds tugging on it and slightly bitting me. “All this shouldn't matter to you Anna. It's you I'm married to right now and not Tara” he brushes his lip against my lower lip. “Even if it happens that Romeo is my son, I would still love the child we birth, nothing is going to change.“

Who had understood, in that one direction, exactly what I needed. "Alright," I said. "Give me ten minutes to get dressed." The fittings took three hours. I was measured carefully and then presented with options that covered the full spectrum of what bridal could mean. Architectural and structured. Soft and romantic. Elaborate and spare. Each one assessed in front of the long mirror Elena had positioned near the window for the best light, with the quiet professional commentary of a team that knew what they were doing and the complete absence of pressure that came from being genuinely given a choice.