The Cursed King

When Elise came to her work over the next couple of days, she realized that Loriel may have requested Marc to lessen their workload. Elise was grateful for it and she was able to work with Alex on the wedding preparations to the fullest.

It also granted the two women a chance to talk with one another and even chat about Alex's date.

This conversation about handsome gentlemen and also the wedding allowed Elise to refocus her mind on these events instead of what happened last time. She found herself wondering about Alexei but quickly pushed the thought aside.

Elise was getting married to a loving man who loved her so much despite her flaws and lack of memory. Loriel didn't care if she was Madeline York or wherever she came from. It only mattered that he loved her.

It was this fact that gave Elise the strength to focus on wedding preparations with Alex. Loriel only cared about having wine together at the end of their wedding ceremony.

This meant that for the rest of the wedding preparations, both Elise and Alex were the one who had full-reigns over it. With Alex concentrating on making things possible as soon as possible.

"So did you guys go on a date again?" Elise asked as she started picking out from a different assortment of fabrics. Elise checked out the silk fabric and smiled lightly, but then went on to check the cashmere, wool and other ones available.

Alex blushed as she went over the invitation list once more and checked the contents of the letter. "Yes, but I'm still not sure if I could invite him to the wedding itself."

"Why not?" Elise asked.

"What if he thinks that I'm dropping too many hints? We've only been on three dates together and then the next thing he'll know is that he's in a suit and tie and being my date to your wedding? Wouldn't that cause some alarm?"

"I see… but if he's interested in you, I don't think he would mind it at all," Elise pointed out.

"We'll see. I just don't want to scare him into thinking that I want to marry him right away," Alex said again. This time she was looking at all the wedding party favors that were meant to be given to each guest.

Elise smiled at Alex's words.

Loriel was the one who asked her hand in marriage after only three months. It was a sudden decision to most people, but it felt right to her. However, Elise couldn't say that was the same case for Alex. 

Elise reached out and squeezed Alex's hand. "Do what you think is best for your relationship, but don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, Alex. Some people may surprise you."

"I know," Alex managed a smile. "It's time to finally distribute these invitations, let's do this."

***

The day finally came for Loriel and Elise's wedding.

It was a small and simple gathering that didn't have many people. Loriel didn't have many people in his life except for Marc Sanderman. Actually, for the most part, it was Elise's friends and co-workers that were guests.

The wedding cake was even baked by Chef Lucy himself.

The wedding preparations done by Alex and Elise during their meeting was something that Loriel and Elise agreed on and actually finished in just a couple of days.

It was one of the fastest weddings prepared. Almost like the ones you'd find in Las Vegas where one only needed to drive through to get married where it was done in minutes.

Except this wasn't just a wedding that happened suddenly between two lovers.

This wedding was the culmination of everything that Loriel was waiting for the last fifteen centuries. The moment where he'd see Elise again and be reunited with her as husband and wife.

Even though he wanted to spoil her with a lavish wedding and spend everything to make it like a fairytale wedding that was grand, or even grander than when they first got married… he was just thrilled to marry her.

As long as Elise liked the simple wedding plans, Loriel was already content. Only what she liked mattered to him.

Their venue took place in a small but lovely chapel just outside of New York, and it was at this moment that Loriel stood at the altar with the minister.

Loriel's heart rammed in his chest as he awaited for her to go down the aisle.

Elise was beautiful already in whatever she wore, but during this time… she never looked so wonderful in Loriel's eyes as she went down to meet him in the altar.

Tears pricked his eyes.

Even though Daniel York was not around to see it, and neither did Elise's own real parents, it was a joyous occasion.

A warm and basking glow was present in their faces, as Elise accepted his hand and the two of them swore their wedding vows in front of everyone.

Everyone around them burst into applause as the two of them shared a kiss.

***

The reception was filled with a lot of cheerful people that all gathered to celebrate Elise and Loriel's wedding. Most importantly, they all had different questions in their heads as they went over the buffet table.

"Would Elise return to work after this?"

"Of course not, they'll be having a honeymoon."

"You have to remember that the man Elise married is friends with our boss, I'm sure they already have an arrangement!"

"I wonder where they'll go. Elise already went to Japan with him when they were still boyfriend and girlfriend. So, maybe somewhere else?"

The fact that Marc Sanderman was with Alex throughout this little ordeal was actually silly. They could hear what these employees of theirs were talking about from a good distance, but more importantly, Marc and Alex knew where the honeymoon would actually take place.

"You've already made the arrangements for their flight, right?" Marc asked.

"Yes, sir."

"It's a small wedding gift," He said. Albeit, technically all the money that he was spending was more of Loriel's actual wealth. Nobody else needed to know that.

The wedding for them was a blissful event that brought the newly-wedded couple so much joy. Elise was already glad, but then she was even more surprised when she discovered what Loriel prepared for their honeymoon.

Once again, they were traveling out of the country.

Unlike the last time in Japan, Loriel did not hesitate to use his own private jet to travel with her. 

It allowed them to go wherever they liked without needing to wait too long. Ease of travel without any hiccups. That was how everything was supposed to be now that they were together.

A part of Elise still couldn't believe that this was happening… back when she was still living her life as Madeline York, she would have been content to have left the house.

Now she was going places with someone she loved.

"I can't believe we're travelling to Europe now," Elise said and whispered to Loriel. "I know that I turned it down before… but it's really romantic that we're going there for Valentine's day." 

Loriel chuckled and held her hand in his, before he raised it to give a kiss. "I'm happy to do it with you, Elise. It's going to be our first Valentine's together and our honeymoon so, of course, it has to be special."

"I guess you're right." Elise looked at Loriel and smiled happily, this was their first time travelling together as husband and wife now. It made her more willing to accept situations like this one.

"Actually, where do you want to spend the exact day, Elise? Would you like to stay in Venice, London or Barcelona? Somewhere like Paris and have a space just for us two?"

"I'd love to stay in Italy with you, Loriel."

"Are you saying that because you know that I love Italian food?"

"Maybe?" Elise tilted her head.

Loriel chuckled and kissed her forehead. "You don't have to worry about that. If I really wanted to eat there, we could fly there quickly. I want to know what you want, Elise."

"I'm not so sure, Loriel. As long as I spend that day with you, that's all that matters to me."

It warmed Loriel's heart. 

"I feel the same way as well. Maybe once we travel around from various cities, we can decide where to stay for that day. Europe is such a small continent that it's easy enough to travel from one end to another," Loriel explained.

"Not to mention this?" Elise said and motioned to the plane.

"It's one of the things that I purchased before." Loriel laughed sheepishly. "I've always loved traveling so I thought of buying a jet. Even when I was in a financially tight position before… it was hard to let it go."

"You're really lucky to have pulled through that time." Elise smiled.

Loriel couldn't help but think otherwise.