Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

While hundreds of guests were seated inside the main call of the main cathedral, the bridal party moved about through the sections of the church sectioned off for them. Any of the attendants serving the bride would use this area to fetch anything needed for the finalization of her dress or to fetch food and drink for the members needing sustenance.

The only individuals allowed to interact between the groups were a neutral third party. Since Briene was well connected to the church, this was much more difficult than normal, but they settled for using a bishop unrelated to her or her family.

Briene smiled as she twirled on a small platform surrounded mostly by mirrors so that she could see every side of her dress, an ornate, flowing white gown. The train trailed behind her a few extra feet, and attendants had to carry it behind her as she walked.

Within the white fabric of the dress, beautiful flowers and birds were stitched in along the train. As the decorative stitching moved up her back, it became an alternating pattern of a bird or a flower. Once the dress reached the small of her back, it opened up, leaving a majority of her back exposed to the open air before reconnecting again just above the midline of her shoulder blades.

This section of the dress was a nearly see-through lace that wrapped over the top of her shoulders and around her neck. The dress once again opened around her chest, exposing the top of her breasts before turning into an almost corset-like pattern and repeating the same design on the back again.

"You look simply stunning, my dear."

Briene turned to see her father gazing upon her with tears forming in his eyes. Though she was not his eldest child, it was still a sad occasion to hand away his daughter to another family. After today, before both man and the eyes of the gods above, Briene would no longer bear her family name but rather join Thomas's family.

Though their blood ties could not be changed or ignored, for all intents and purposes, she would cease to be a Lindtforth. Briene felt a small knot forming in her stomach out of nervousness, but she steeled her resolve and forced the feeling away. Since she was not the eldest, she did not hold a lot of power by staying within her own family.

Marrying Thomas, who would be the next head of the Petra family, brought her as close to power as she could achieve. Not only that, but it brought her as close as she could get to the church's primary interest, Lucius Kane.

Both she and her uncle had many conversations regarding that particular Marked One. He was listed as a target of interest at first, however, he was now considered a target of extreme concern.

After figuring out he was responsible for Alvora, the way he destroyed a King Rank barrier, and single-handedly ending the siege on the Royal academy, the church realized that he could not be left to his own devices.

Already, there had been signs of Marked Ones in various towns being considered respectable members of society. Because the events of the tournament were quickly publicized, Lucius's identity and involvement in the ending of the war spread like wildfire. By simply existing in the public eye, he had started to elevate the public opinion of Marked Ones.

This put people in direct opposition to the views of the church, which was that Marked Ones were people born with the cursed blood of demons. The church itself evolved from the beliefs of those who survived the slavery that mortal races faced against the demons. The Church of Celestia rose in power and became the forefront of their rebellion and led the charge in slaying their oppressors.

It was only right that they prevent such atrocities from occurring again. It was their duty to prevent anyone who used the power of demons from gaining power. A single man rose from a well-trodden path and threatened to overturn centuries and centuries of work…

"Briene…"

Urd's voice broke Briene free from her thoughts. He slowly entered the room and joined his brother and her father, admiring the way she looked. His eyes held a hint of amusement because it seemed the look on her face gave away her inner thoughts.

"I certainly appreciate the amount of time and dedication you give to our faith and to justice." Urd continued, "But please, for today, focus on your wedding. Despite the reasoning for you entering this union, the fact remains that you are to be wed, and one day to sire children. Let this day be one you remember fondly and not one tainted by someone who is not even present."

A knock at the door pulled everyone's attention as a small boy opened slightly and informed them that the services were beginning. Briene quickly took a deep breath and followed her entourage out of the door with her father linking arms with her.

The doors to the main cathedral had been closed prior to the bridal party's arrival outside them. Standing on either side of the massive, wooden doors were two knights dressed in ceremonial garb. They simultaneously stepped forward in a practiced manner and opened the doors, allowing Briene to witness the interior.

Every seat was filled with faces both familiar and not. The front two rows were filled with high-ranked members of the nobility, foreign dignitaries, and the royal family, which shocked Briene highly. She had not been notified of their arrival, but Thomas most likely had been; since he was the groom and head of their soon-to-be family, he was to presume those responsibilities.

While everyone else stood, the people in the front two rows remained sitting as they were deemed a higher-tier of guest that did not have to stand and witness the bride. Among them was a beautiful young woman with blond hair separated into two large curls on either side of her head. Next to her was an elf with a mark, clearly visible on his hand.

Worse than that, only a few spaces from them was Rena von Petra. Though she was invited by Briene, she had forgotten to realize that she would technically be considered a foreign dignitary. Next to Rena though, was the biggest surprise.

A woman of god-like beauty sat by her side. She had raven-black hair down to her waist and almost glowing green eyes. She wore an ornate purple dress with artificial flowers braided into her hair down the side of her face. The woman let off a tremendous amount of pressure that seemed unintentional.

It was as though it were simply the result of her being present with no conscious effort required on her part.

No guesswork was required in order to identify the woman as Princess Lefae von Arcadios. She seldom left her personal wing of the palace, so it was strange for her to attend a wedding like this. However, Briene maintained her façade and barely managed to contain the sweat threatening to build on her forehead and ruin her makeup.

At the altar stood the unknown bishop who would preside over the ceremony, as well as Thomas, who wore a fine black suit that contrasted his red hair and blue eyes. Thomas stepped down from the top of the small stage and bowed before Briene's father. He gently took her hand from her father's and stepped back up to the top of the stage at the same time as her, with their hands still joined together.

The bishop smiled and began the traditional ceremony. "All who are gathered here. We welcome you before the eyes of the gods and all that they created. Joining themselves together as one are Lord Thomas von Petra and Lady Briene von Lindtforth.

"Though they are young, they stand before you all, resolute in their journey that has brought them together. From this day forward, they ask that we watch them continue on the same path as one and seek a future that belongs only to them. We ask that the gods share in our vision and guide them along a path that is just, righteous, and holy. May they bless this couple with a life of happiness and joy.

And though their paths may diverge in death, may they once again be reunited behind the gates of Celestia."

For a few moments, the crowd and bishop maintained a reverent silence. After a minute of quiet, the bishop turned to Thomas. "Do you, Lord Thomas von Petra, swear before the gods and man, that you will serve as a loyal husband and partner to your wife?"

"I do."

The bishop nodded. "Do you, Lady Briene von Lindtforth, swear before the gods and man that you will serve as a loyal wife to your husband and forego the name you once had, becoming a true member of his house?"

"I swear."

"From this day forward, it is recognized by the laws of Man and the laws of Celestia, that these two are wed as Lord and Lady Petra!"

Thomas swiftly pulled her into his grasp as they sealed their pact with a kiss. Though this was to be a joyous occasion, Briene could not shake the strange, uncomfortable feeling coming from one of the front rows. Particularly, the same area where Rena Kane had been sitting.

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When Thomas pulled away, she glanced over in the direction of the strange feeling. However, Rena was not even paying attention to the situation and was simply smiling down at her stomach while rubbing it gently. Instead, her eyes met Lyrah's, whose silver irises seemed to glow with something akin to anticipation.Nôv(el)B\\jnn