Chapter 113: One more photo

Aria clapped once. "I knew it!" She jumped to her feet. "I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone."

"We are not." Before Sienna could finish, Aria was already halfway out the door. She winked at Viktor. "Don’t take too long." The door clicked shut behind her. Silence settled over the room.

Viktor walked closer until he stood beside Sienna. She folded her arms across her chest as best she could in the restrictive dress. "Alright."

"I’m listening."

"What exactly is my role?" Viktor pulled another chair closer and sat opposite her. "I wanted to go over the plan one last time."

"I’m glad." She nodded. "Because I’d really like to know what it is." He smiled. "Your role..."

"...is to say yes." Sienna stared at him. "...Excuse me?"

"When the priest asks."

"Say yes." She blinked. Then laughed. A real laugh. "That’s your master plan?" She shook her head. "No."

"Ask me something difficult."

"Tell me to hack a satellite."

"Steal classified files."

"Break into a bank."

"But don’t tell me saying I do is somehow the center of this brilliant strategy."

"It is." His answer came without hesitation. Sienna’s smile slowly disappeared. Viktor leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "Everything outside..." He gestured vaguely toward the chapel.

"...depends on one thing."

"You." She frowned. "I don’t understand."

"You could refuse."

"You could embarrass me in front of everyone."

"You could walk away." He held her gaze. "And if that happens..."

"The entire plan fails." The room became very quiet. "So..." He continued softly. "When the priest asks whether you’ll marry me..."

"I need you to say yes."

"That’s all." She looked at him carefully. It sounded absurd. Yet, he was completely serious. "We’ve come this far, Sienna." His voice had lost its usual teasing edge.

"I know you don’t love me."

"Maybe you don’t even trust me."

"And that’s alright." His eyes softened.

"We have a lifetime to figure those things out."

"You don’t have to love me today." His words caught her off guard. There was no pressure. No demand. No arrogance. Just quiet certainty. Sienna looked away first. She wasn’t ready to answer that. Instead, she asked the question that mattered.

"And if I refuse?" Viktor’s expression hardened ever so slightly. The warmth disappeared. "If you refuse..." He paused.

"There will be blood." She slowly lifted her eyes. "The guests..."

"They may not all make it out safely."

"I can’t guarantee their protection." The room fell silent again. Sienna searched his face, trying to decide whether he was bluffing. She couldn’t tell. "You still won’t tell me the whole plan."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because in a few minutes..." He stood. "...you’ll see it with your own eyes." That answer frustrated her even more. She let out a long sigh. "You really are impossible."

"So I’ve been told." Another silence settled between them. Finally... Sienna pushed herself carefully to her feet. The dress weighed enough to make even standing an effort. She smoothed the front of the gown before looking at him. "Fine."

"If all I have to do is say yes..."

"...then let’s get this over with." She stepped toward the door. Not noticing... The smile that quietly spread across Viktor’s face. It wasn’t the smile of a man whose plan had succeeded.

It was the smile of a man who had just heard the woman he loved agree to marry him even if she still believed it was only part of another one of his schemes. He offered her his arm. Sienna hesitated for only a second before placing her hand on it.

Together they walked out of the room. Neither of them spoke. Outside, the chapel doors were already opening. The guests rose to their feet. The music began.

The chapel fell into a profound silence. Every pair of eyes was fixed on the couple standing before the altar. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting patches of gold and sapphire across the white marble floor.

Sienna barely noticed. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, hidden beneath the bouquet of white roses. She could feel Viktor’s presence beside her.

Calm. Unshaken. As though today was the most ordinary day of his life. The priest smiled warmly before looking at Sienna.

"My child." His gentle voice echoed through the chapel. "Do you take Viktor Kessler to be your lawful husband? To stand beside him in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, for as long as you both shall live?"

The words lingered in the air. Sienna hesitated. Her heart beat loudly inside her chest. This wasn’t part of the deal. Not really. This felt... Real. She stole a glance at Viktor.

He wasn’t looking at the priest. He was looking at her. Waiting. Not forcing. Just waiting. She remembered what he’d said only minutes ago.

"Everything depends on you." A long breath escaped her lips. "...I do." A faint smile appeared in Viktor’s eyes. The priest turned toward him.

"And do you, Viktor Kessler, take Sienna Vale to be your lawful wife? To love her, honor her and remain faithful for as long as you both shall live?"

Without the slightest hesitation, "I do." The answer came so naturally that Sienna found herself looking at him again. There wasn’t even a moment’s pause. The priest beamed. "Then by the authority vested in me..."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." A few guests began clapping. Others smiled. "You may kiss the bride." Viktor slowly turned toward her. "So..." he murmured softly enough that only she could hear.

"This is the part where you stop trying to run away." Before she could answer. He leaned down. His lips brushed hers in a gentle kiss. Soft. Brief. Nothing demanding. Nothing possessive. Just enough to seal the vows.

When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers for a heartbeat. "This..." he whispered with the smallest smile,

"...was the plan all along." Sienna blinked. "What?"

"To marry you." He straightened before anyone noticed.

"Now smile."

"The cameras are watching." Almost on cue. Camera shutters exploded throughout the chapel. Flash after flash illuminated the newlyweds. Journalists crowded closer. Photographers called for their attention.

"This way!"

"Mr. and Mrs. Kessler!"

"One more photo!"