Married To A Stranger

Chapter Two

Married To A Stranger

Olivia’s POV

Today is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, but it turns out to be the saddest day of my life. I had always imagined and looked forward to the day I would get married, the day I would be married to the man of my dreams, but now, I am getting married to a stranger, to a man I have never seen before.

I sniffled, trying my best to hold back my tears so I wouldn’t ruin my makeup. I would have to sit for minutes so they could fix it again, and I just want the day to end so fast.

“You look so beautiful,” the stylist commended, “I will go and get your mom and your sister.”

I wanted to stop her, but she already left. The last set of people I wanted to see were Sara and Mitchie. I knew they would do nothing but taunt me when they come in. I wanted to avoid that, but there was nothing I could do; the stylist was too fast.

While waiting for my tormentors to come in, I dragged my feet to the mirror, staring at my reflection, and a faint smile found its way to my lips. I looked beautiful, just like the stylist had said. The ball wedding dress fit perfectly on my body, and it looked like it was made just for me. I wished this day could be any better, I wished I was getting married to the man I loved, to the man I know, it would have been such a perfect day.

“You look like a human!” That was what Sara said when she came in, “Can you see how I changed you from the piece of trash you were, and into a human?” She laughed.

I just stood there, watching her and Mitchie gazing at me and exploring me like they had never seen a bride before. I didn’t want to retort or respond to whatever they were saying because I knew that no matter what I said, I wouldn’t be able to do anything; they were the ones to decide my fate. Sara had also warned me, so I had to make sure that everything goes well, just as she had planned.

She moved closer to me and held my hand, a big smile on her face. “Remember, we are a royal family, and Sara and I are the only family you have, okay?”

“What!” I exclaimed, confused about what she was talking about, “You are my only family? What about dad? And Bert? What are you talking about?”

She gave me a stern look, her grip tightened on my hand, and I could feel her nails digging into my wrist, “This is no time for argument, young lady. Just listen to what I say, and do as I have said,” she grunted, “Sara and I are the only family you have. There is a man out there who will stand in place of your dad, is that clear?”

“Then what about dad? What about Bert? What have you done, Sara! What lies have you told these people again!” I yelled, trying my best to hold back my tears, but I was running out of breath. “What have you done!” I screamed.

It wasn’t enough that she was getting me married to a stranger and that she lied to them that we were a royal family. Now, she was making someone take the place of my dad. She had told so many lies that I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to comprehend it and carry on with the drama she had put up.

“Have you forgotten that we are a royal family? How can a crippled man be the king? Are you even listening to yourself?” Sara chuckled, “Just do as you have been told, this alliance must go on, else, your dad’s life is at stake!”

“How can you two be my only family? Do you know what you have done and…”

“Keep quiet!” She yelled, her hand raised to slap me, but she stopped herself, “I would have beaten you up if it weren’t for what is happening today,” she shook her head and leaned closer to me, “Do you think I want to be the mom of someone like you?” She clicked her tongue, “Never! But I have no choice, so just do as I have said!”

Mitchie also moved closer, “Also, he must not get to know about your past. He believes you are a fresh fruit, so keep it that way!”

“The man who is posing as your father is outside, make sure you keep up with the drama.” Sara said and smiled, “You have a lot to gain if this goes well.” She added and turned to Mitchie, “Come on.”

“Wait, mom!” Mitchie said and rushed to me, she closed the gap between us and grabbed the stone that was on my dress, she pulled it off and smiled, “This would be worth some amount.”

“What do you mean, Mitchie?” Sara asked.

“This is not an ordinary stone, mom. This is a diamond!”

“Wow!” Sara moved closer to me, a wide grin on her face, “Make sure you send this dress back to me after the wedding, is that clear?” She looked into my eyes, her long face and stern look sending shivers down my spine.

“Yes!”

“Good girl.” She smiled, “The ceremony starts soon, let’s go, Mitchie!” She added, and they both walked out.

As they walked out, I turned to the mirror again, my eyes welled up with tears, I just couldn’t believe it. Sara had told so many lies just to make this alliance work. She made me a fake princess, and someone else my father. I had watched so many historical movies and I had seen for myself how people who lied to the royals were treated. I knew I would meet the same fate if I got caught. The only way I could remain alive was to keep up with Sara’s lies, even if I didn’t want to.

The door came open, and the stylist walked back in, “It is time for the bride to walk in, please come with me,” she smiled at me and held my hand, guiding me out of the dressing room and unto the gazebo where the wedding was being held.

As they walked out, I turned to the mirror again, my eyes welled up with tears. I just couldn’t believe it. Sara had told so many lies just to make this alliance work. She made me a fake princess, she made someone else my father. I had watched so many historical movies and had seen for myself how people who lied to the royals were treated. I knew I would meet the same fate if I got caught. The only way I could remain alive was to keep up with Sara’s lies, even if I didn’t want to.

The door swung open, and the stylist walked back in. "It is time for the bride to walk in, please come with me," she smiled at me and held my hand, guiding me out of the dressing room and onto the gazebo where the wedding was being held.

The wedding gazebo was in the middle of the palace, and it was simply enchanting, I must confess. It stood tall and was adorned with beautiful and delicate floral carvings and elegant white pillars. Fresh flowers in a different and beautiful combination of colors adorned and beautified every corner, infusing the air with a delightful and satisfying scent.

As I walked towards the gazebo, my heart fluttered with fear and uncertainty. I was unsure of what the next minute held, talk more of the future. The center of the gazebo was slightly open, giving me the chance to see the sky above, a reminder of the journey that lay ahead of me and the drama I had to continue with.

The ribbons danced as the wind blew, and the crystal chandeliers sparkled above, adding a touch of elegance to the gazebo. It was a very beautiful setting, right in the middle of the palace. I looked around, my eyes catching the guards on each side and the maids holding baskets filled with rose flowers. Perhaps, this could be the marking of a new and better life for me.

With a loud sigh, I stepped onto the red rug, which led to the altar. I held up my dress and picked up my leg, one after the other, slowly and steadily, just like I had been trained the day before. Looking ahead, I could see the man Sara had planted to pretend to be my dad. I turned to the side to see Sara, she had a big smile on her face and gestured for me to focus and smile.

I sighed once again and forced a smile on my face. I had a smile on my face, but my heart was ripping, my chest was hurting with sadness, but I had no way to show it.

I finally got to this unknown man, and he took my hand, guiding me to the end of the gazebo where my husband was waiting for me.

I couldn’t raise my head, I was scared, I didn’t know who this man I would be getting married to could be. Would he treat me right? Would it be the same thing as Sara and Mitchie? I was just scared.

We got to the altar, and I raised my head slowly to meet his astonishing eyes and the contagious smile on his face. I felt a sudden sense of calmness swirling around me.

He stretched out his hand and took mine as I stepped onto the altar. I was confused, was I the only one sad about this union? Was he happy about it?

He turned to the priest and nodded at him, still with a smile on his face. I remained confused, was he really happy, or was he just faking the smile like I was?

The priest cleared his throat and began, “Dear beloved, we are all gathered here today to join this man and woman together in the holy matrimony. Prince Sebastian Sinclair and Princess Olivia Brooks have come before us today to profess their love for each other and to make a lifelong commitment and vow to one another."

My heart sank, what would happen if they all found out that I was no princess, but just a common person? What would they do to me? I wondered what Sara was thinking when she told such a lie.

I looked up at him, my husband-to-be in a few minutes, and saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes. I knew the smile earlier was faked.

The priest then continued, "Prince Sebastian, do you take Princess Olivia Brooks to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

He looked up at me, the sadness still etched on his face. “I do," he murmured, but I could sense the insincerity in it.

My heart sank further. I knew this would be no different from keeping up with Sara and Mitchie.

The priest then turned to me, "Princess Olivia, do you take Prince Sebastian Sinclair to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

I took a deep breath, looked at Sebastian, and then at Sara, who nodded at me. I had a chance to say no, I had a chance to stop this wedding, but there was something at stake. Sara would hurt my dad.

I sniffled and spoke softly, "I do."

The priest then handed us the rings and gave us a small note each. He spoke his vows first, "I, Prince Sebastian Sinclair, take you, Princess Olivia Brooks, as my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to love you, cherish you, and be faithful to you for the rest of my life. I vow to support you, stand by you, and be your partner in all things.”

I could sense the insincerity in all he said, he meant none of it. I sighed and spoke, "I, Olivia... Princess Olivia Brooks, take you, Prince Sebastian Sinclair, as my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to love you, cherish you, and be faithful to you for the rest of my life. I vow to support you, stand by you, and be your partner in all things."

It had only been a few minutes, and I almost forgot that I was a princess. A fake princess.

The priest turned to him and asked him to place the ring on my finger and repeat after him, "With this ring, I wed thee."

He took the ring and placed it on my finger. "With this ring, I wed thee," he repeated.

I also did the same thing and repeated the same words.

The priest then turned to the audience and announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

I sighed, closed my eyes, leaning in and hoping to feel a little connection with the man I was getting married to, just maybe things would go well after this. But all I felt was his breath on my bare face. I was confused and opened my eyes slowly to see that my supposed husband had covered the audience's view with his head, pretending to be kissing me. My heart sank once again, and I knew right at that moment that this marriage was nothing but a charade.

As the ceremony came to an end, he held my hand, and we both walked down the aisle, greeting and thanking the guests on each side. Sara gestured to me once again, and I forced a smile, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of fear and pain in my heart. I was scared of what the future held for me and this man. Would he ever be kind to me? Would he respect my wishes? Would he ever love me?

I shook my head, it would never happen, how could a man who pretended to kiss me on our wedding day ever love me?

I knew this would be a tough one, just like it was tough living with Sara and Mitchie.

We finally got to the car, and I couldn’t wait for when this would be over.

“Dad!” I heard a loud shout and turned to see three kids running towards us. I could tell that they were triplets because they looked so much alike, but who were they calling dad?

He let go of my hand and bent down to take them into his arms, “My princesses,” he smiled and took his time to kiss their foreheads.

For the first time since I saw him a few hours ago, I could see the genuine smile on his face, the happiness was so obvious, and his face glowed as he stared at these kids. Who could these kids be? I wondered.

He got up, still with a smile on his face, and turned to me, giving me one of the biggest shocks of my life, “Meet my kids, Olivia. Mia, Ella, and Ava.” My mouth was widely open, he has kids? Not just one, but three?

He turned to his kids, “Mia, Ella, and Ava, this is your new mom, Princess Olivia.”

I staggered and fell, unable to understand what was going on. I was getting married to a man with three kids! I was going to be his second wife! It was so hard for me to comprehend.

What else could Sara have hidden from me?