Chapter 109: "I believe Diana will be a very lucky woman."

Mirabelle stood up straightening her dress. "Well. I think we've made our guests wait long enough. Shall we begin?"

"Of course." Geneviève stood too gesturing at the double doors standing at the end of the hall. "Our other guests will be arriving soon."

Soon enough the hall was filling up with the servents throwing open the doors and nobles filing in in groups of two and three, their silk dresses brushing against the shiny floor, their soft conversations merging together into one constant hum.

"Lady Mirabelle." A woman dressed in dark violet colors approached her first, bowing her head. "It's been such a short notice for this gathering. We are honored to be invited here."

"Nonsense, Countess. You'll always be the first name on our list." Mirabelle shook her hands affectionately. "Aren't we lucky with the news?"

"Wonderful news indeed." The Countess gave a quick glance at Diana and gave a respectful smile continuing further into the crowd.

"Lord Bellamy." Mirabelle greeted her next guest in the same manner. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Wouldn't have missed it." Bellamy bowed his head slightly. "News gets around quickly in this town. Everyone's talking about the match."

"Have they?" Mirabelle's smile broadened. "I certainly hope it's all good news."

"All good news," he told her, already turning to go to the waiting crowd.

Diana remained perfectly still, observing the faces as they went by, not one of which seemed to regard her as they regarded Mirabelle, no one taking the time to ask her anything or even give her opinion any consideration.

"Diana, dear, smile a little." Mirabelle bent in close, speaking in her ear. "They're watching you."

Diana made herself smile, her gaze going to the door where Hakimi was still standing, unmoving since he had spoken his quiet line of warning.

*Do something.* She felt that thought push at her, hard, in her chest. *Please.*

He only watched.

"Lady Ferrant." Geneviève's voice called out happily a short distance away, addressing a lady accompanied by two of her daughters who were looking at Nicole with interest from across the room.

"What a splendid match." Lady Ferrant fanned herself slightly. "Your son has turned out to be quite the young man, Geneviève."

"He certainly has." Geneviève beamed with obvious satisfaction. "I believe Diana will be a very lucky woman."

"Everyone, if you would please move towards the middle." Mirabelle's voice carried over the noise, gathering the crowd together, the nobles forming up into an unorganized semi-circle around the area where Nicole was waiting for the wedding to begin.

The priest made his way to the front of the room from someplace near the rear, an elderly gentleman dressed in green robes, with a small book open in his hand. He cleared his throat once, and the room fell silent.

"Lady Diana, if you would." His gesture was delicate and pointed toward the empty space beside Nicole.

Mirabelle's hand reached for Diana's shoulder from behind her, firm and guiding her one step toward the center of the room without a need for words.

Diana took the step she had no choice but to take, moving her bootless feet silently across the marble floor as every pair of eyes in the hall followed her movement.

The priest flipped the cover of the book all the way open and turned to the marked page, looking at everyone assembled in the hushed hall. "We are gathered here today," he said, "to witness the joining of two houses"the priest continued, "two futures, bound together under the eyes of the old gods and the new."

Diana felt her breath become constricted with each word. She turned her gaze back toward the entrance of the hall. Hakimi was watching her, his eyes unwavering.

"Let it be known that this union is blessed by House Osbel." The priest turned a page. "Duke Osbel, do you bestow your blessing freely?"

"Yes." Osbel's voice came quiet and flat.

"And House Delacroix. Lady Geneviève, Lord Alistair. Do you give your blessing freely?"

"We do," Geneviève declared loud and clear.

"We do," Alistair repeated after her by a hair's breadth.

"May the bond be strong as stone," the priest recited, "and steady as the tide that never fails to return." He closed the book halfway and looked at Diana and Nicole. "Lord Nicole. Do you accept this union, before this gathering and before the old gods, as your own free will?"

"I do," Nicole said without wavering.

Then it was Diana's turn. "Lady Diana. Do you accept this union, before this gathering and before the old gods, as your own free will?"

It took all the willpower for Diana not to choke on her own words. She could feel the entire hall staring at her intently.

"Diana." Mirabelle's voice sounded low from behind her ear.

"I—" Diana glanced toward the door again one more time.

Hakimi hadn't come inside yet.

"I do," she whispered, her voice deadening.

A ripple of applause met her words and a few scattered claps could be heard. Someone muttered to their companion and got a laugh in response.

"And now let the promise be sealed." The priest took a step back, pointing toward Nicole.

Nicole took a box out of his coat, a velvet box from which a gold chain emerged, holding a pale blue stone at the center. "Shall I?"

Diana didn't say a word, but that was enough for him.

With both hands, he removed the chain and moved closer to her; so close that she smelled the faint scent of his cologne, and lifted both of his hands to the back of her neck.

"By this," the priest spoke again loudly in the room, "the promise is sealed in front of everyone who bears witness."

Diana's heart rose sharply in her throat. She looked towards the door one last time.

Hakimi had not moved.

Nicole's hands undid the clasp, putting the chain on her gently, his hands touching her neck for a bit longer than necessary.

Something was flying in the air, swiftly and quickly, caught by the chandelier light, and hit something.

The card flew to her forearm and dropped to the floor, turning once and stopping flat with the face upwards.

Diana flinched sharply, moving away involuntarily, her gaze lowering towards the sound. Confusion spread like waves through the crowd, heads turning in curiosity and whispers becoming sharper.

"What is going on?" Nicole's hands stopped half way through, her forehead knitting in puzzlement as the necklace was hanging loosely from his grasp.

Diana did not respond. She bent over and retrieved the card with her fingers, turning it slowly over.

"A jack of hearts."

"Am I late?"

Everyone turned to the door at the same time.

Felix was standing by the door, grinning widely and giving a glance towards Hakimi before sweeping his eyes over the other shocked people in the room. Rodrick was following behind him a step behind, looking pale.