Spouse of the strange

Note Before Reading: This story is written in the Victorian era style. Unless otherwise Indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincindental.🙇🙇

Year 1978, Belfast.

Walking down the aisle, a thing Aeryn hasn't expected to happen anytime soon and definitely not with a man she barely knows, Barely knows is even on the high side. Because his name and status was the only thing she was told about him a d that too didn't stuck in her head as she was too deep in the excruciating pain engulfing her heart....

"You look beautiful as always.. my daughter" Her Father whispered against her hand, Aeryn forced a little smile on her face, that was the first time she was receiving a compliment from her father. Aeryn along side her father stood in front of the massive double door

Behind those doors were guests and the wedding hall. At the thought of how she would need to walk down the aisle with so many pairs of eyes looking at her, her heart gave a small shiver

Are you ready?? Her Father questioned . Aeryn nodded to his question. Clutching on the bouquet tightly in her left hand, Aeryn phooked her free hands on her father's outstretched hands as he lead her to the alter.

They walked their way down the maroon carpet. On both sides of the carpet were garberal daisies stand with mirrored base wedding column with an arrangement of peonies and gardenias.

The sweet music on the background started to change Aeryn stepped out on the arm of her father and there was an almost audible 'whoa' of awe from the guests. Her reddish -brown hair was pulled back away from her face and was set in a bun where her long veil sat on.

Aeryn looked dazzling in white. Her dress was magnificent. Her strapless, heart shaped boddice was embroided with many small diamonds which caught the sunlight, producing sparkles as she walked downHer boddice enhanced her slim waist and rest of the dress ballooned from there in the shape of A, slim in the waist and widening towards the ground.

She stared down trying not to stumble at the amount of stares she was receiving from the guest. As she got closer to the alter,. She knew her life was never gonna be the same and a streak of tear fell from her eyes.

Hand in hand with her father, they reached the base of the alter, Her father let go of her hand to go meet the other guests. This is the point where she would meet her groom on the alter.

Aeryn breath!! breath!! , She berated herself. She raised her slightly lowered head to stare at the man she's hopefully going to spend the rest of her life with. Her eyes caught a pair of fascinatingly greyish upturned eyes staring at her. A little inaudible gasp escape her mouth

Was this her groom. At a second thought he looked oddly familiar, like she had met him before. Noo! That's not possible. She hardly goes out, as she's stuck at home all the time with her hand maiden or intructor.

He was breathtakingly handsome in an odd way. And has this blazing aura he was exuding, she had felt that before. Realizing she was staring too much, she lowered her head to the floor,Ike it was some kind of interesting play.

It was time to take the vows to be one "Forever". They both answered to their 'I do's'. And it was time to kiss the bride, A moment she had always imagined her first kiss to be magical and now she was going to kiss a total stranger. Not a stranger but her husband, it was strange in every way.

She saw the Lord lower to her height, her heart raced at the thought of what he was about doing.

I wouldn't want our first kiss to be so ordinary, Ms Upton or more like Mrs Velant, The Lord whispered against her ears and pecked her cheeks. His voice was so fluent and it was so foreign. Her skin jolted at the close contact of his mouth on her ears.

Aeryn stared at him, a smirk was plastered on his face. The crowd clapped loudly and gushed in happiness.

She was surprised at his consideration for her. Aeryn had heard rumors from her hands maiden of how the Lord of gravesend was shallow and mysterious and this doesn't just suit the description she had gotten. Or was this just a facade he was putting on in front of the guests, and he will later end up using her. Was she safe?. Or was she just overthinking things again.

After the wedding ceremony, the guests all adjourned to the beautiful reception area.

Everything was spick, gleaming from the polishing and cleaning that had been done over and over. When the newlyweds arrived the reception venue, the guests all stood and gave them a thunderous round of applause. They both stood for a few seconds before gracefully walking to the carefully adorned sits made for the

"Today I gather us to celebrate my daughter's wedding to the Lord of gravesend، Aeryn's father spoke once everyone was seated. He raised his wine cup, Merry and enjoy yourselves".

People applauded his speech while musicians and dancers walked in to entertain the guests. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. But Aeryn of course was gloomy and couldn't even wrap her heads on the thought of now being married.

"Don't you like the music? The gravesend bLord finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. Aeryn peeked through her long lashes, and gazed at his greyish eyes, which held hers.

"I do, my Lord", Aeryn replied sending him a staged smile.

Soon it was time for the newlyweds to have their first dance as husband and wife. Some guests were gathered on the terrace, looking on, as they sipped on their wines. The dance floor was cleared for the Lord and his wife to start of the first official dance of the night. Aeryn still a bit nervous and gloomy since she was told she was getting married felt aberrant as they swayed together as the Lord led her in the dance. Aeryn knew perfectly well how to dance as she had attended many elegant balls in the past but that didn't stop her from feeling distraught. She caught the Lord's gaze on her and she stared back at those fascinating grey eyes as they danced along to the tempo of the song. His large hand that were holding her hand and her waist sent electrifying shivers to her body. The dance came to a halt at the end of the sotand people applauded. Lord velant was very skilled in dancing, Aeryn had to admit.

After other merriment, now it was time for Aeryn to go her new home. Her stomach tightened with an intensity that she felt like throwing up.

Aeryn's mother came up to her while her father spoke to her husband. Husband? the word sounded absurd in her head. Mrs Upton took Aeryn's hand in hers. "Everything is going to be fine," she said, "just remember what I told you".

Yes, Aeryn remembered very clearly their mother and daughter talk. To be a good queen and wife, to listen and obey my husband and to not make him angry.

"Yes, I will," she said, enveloping her in a tight hug. Her mother was the only one against her father's decision of married, but her say in the matter was little to none.

The carriage was waiting outside. The Lord, or should she say, her husband led the way. She looked behind one more time looking at the scenery of where she grew up.

"I will miss you home," she whispered a streak of tear falling from her eyes.