Chapter 109: The Wedding Morning

That night, sleep refused to come. Sienna tossed beneath the blankets. Every time she closed her eyes, another possibility crept into her mind. Would Don Capri retaliate?

Would Aliya accept defeat? Would the council interfere? Would Viktor’s enemies attack during the ceremony? She turned onto her side.

Then onto her back. The digital clock on the bedside table seemed determined to mock her.

1:17 a.m. 2:04 a.m. 2:51 a.m. Still awake. She let out a frustrated sigh and sat up. Moonlight spilled through the large windows, bathing the room in silver. Everything looked peaceful.

Far too peaceful. She hugged her knees to her chest. Tomorrow she would stand beside Viktor in front of hundreds of powerful people. Tomorrow could either end the war...or ignite one even bigger.

Not knowing was the hardest part. For the first time in years, Sienna couldn’t predict what would happen next. And that uncertainty weighed heavily on her heart as she watched the first faint hint of dawn begin to chase away the darkness outside.

—

Sienna woke before the sun. Not because she had slept well. She hadn’t.

Every hour had been spent staring at the ceiling, replaying every possible disaster her mind could imagine. By the time the first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, she had already given up on trying to sleep.

She sat on the edge of the bed for a long moment. Today. Everything seemed to lead to today. She rubbed her face with both hands before walking toward the window. The Kessler estate was already awake.

Black luxury cars rolled through the front gates one after another.

More guards than usual stood along the driveway, dressed in dark suits with earpieces hidden beneath neatly combed hair. Some carried discreet assault rifles beneath long coats, while others walked the grounds with military precision.

Sienna frowned. "There are even more guards..." Yesterday there had already been enough security to protect a president.

Today, the mansion looked more like a military fortress.

She watched several men inspect every vehicle entering the estate. Mirrors were slid beneath expensive cars. Dogs sniffed luggage. Guests were searched before being allowed inside.

Whoever Viktor expected today... He wasn’t taking chances. A knock sounded on her bedroom door. Before she could answer, it opened. Three women walked in carrying large silver cases. Behind them came another two.

Then another. Sienna blinked. "What..." One of the women smiled brightly.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kessler." Another corrected her with a laugh.

"Almost Mrs. Kessler." Within seconds the quiet bedroom transformed into organized chaos.

Large mirrors were wheeled inside. Bright salon lights surrounded her vanity. Garment racks filled with white fabrics rolled into the room. Boxes of jewelry followed. Shoes.

Veils. Makeup. Hair products. Perfume. It looked less like a bedroom and more like the backstage area of an international fashion show.

"Please sit." Someone gently guided Sienna into a chair. Another stylist began brushing her hair before she’d even fully sat down. A makeup artist opened an expensive case containing dozens of brushes. Two assistants disappeared into the walk-in closet.

Sienna barely had time to process what was happening. "What are they doing?" She turned toward one of the women.

"Everything." The woman smiled. "The boss requested perfection." Sienna sighed. Of course he did. A familiar voice interrupted the growing commotion.

"Move."

"Let me through."

Aria pushed past two stylists carrying garment bags before stepping into the room with an oversized coffee in one hand and a paper bag full of pastries in the other.

"There she is!" Sienna couldn’t help smiling. "I thought they’d forgotten about me." Aria looked around dramatically.

"They almost did." She leaned close enough for only Sienna to hear.

"I had to fight three makeup artists just to get in here." Sienna laughed.

"You did not."

"I absolutely did." Aria handed her the coffee.

"You’ll need this." Sienna accepted it gratefully. "You have no idea." The stylists immediately protested.

"No coffee after lipstick." Aria rolled her eyes.

"Oh please."

"My best friend hasn’t even had breakfast." Ignoring them completely, she tore open the pastry bag.

"Eat."

"I’m serious."

"You’ll faint before the ceremony." Sienna smiled softly. Sometimes Aria felt like the only normal person in this mansion. While Sienna nibbled on a pastry, the room buzzed around her.

Hair extensions. Curling irons. Foundation. Jewelry. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing except the bride herself.

She watched them moving around her reflection in the mirror. Someone adjusted the lighting. Another measured the length of her veil. Someone else discussed flower arrangements over the phone.

It all felt... Excessive. She caught Aria’s eye in the mirror. "Doesn’t this feel... ridiculous?" Aria raised an eyebrow.

"What part?"

"All of it." Sienna gestured around the room. "The stylists."

"The security."

"The decorations."

"The flowers." She lowered her voice. "This marriage isn’t even real."

"It started because of a contract."

"It became a political move."

"So why is everyone acting like this is some fairy-tale wedding?" Aria’s smile faded.

She looked toward the stylists to make sure none of them were listening before pulling a chair beside Sienna.

"It may have started that way." She spoke quietly. "But I don’t think that’s what it is anymore." Sienna looked at her through the mirror.

"What do you mean?" Aria smiled knowingly. "My uncle has never bought flowers for anyone." Sienna opened her mouth to argue.

"He brought me flowers because he felt guilty."

"He brought chocolates because I stitched him up."

"That’s all." Aria simply laughed. "Keep telling yourself that." Sienna looked away. She refused to entertain that conversation.

Instead, her attention drifted back toward the window. Movement outside caught her eye. Several black SUVs pulled up near the front entrance.

The guards immediately straightened. Marcus stepped out first, speaking into an earpiece while scanning the surroundings.

Then... Viktor emerged from the mansion. Even from this distance, he commanded attention.

He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that fit him as though it had been made directly on his body. His black tie sat perfectly beneath a crisp white shirt. His hair had been neatly styled.

No trace of last night’s injury showed on his face. Only Sienna knew the bandages hidden beneath that expensive jacket. He spoke briefly with Marcus.

Another group of men surrounded him immediately. Someone opened the limousine door. Before getting inside, Viktor paused. Almost as if he sensed someone watching. His eyes lifted toward the second floor.