“You’re going to look ridiculous if you run into something during the ceremony,” Jane pointed out. “And it’s not like you can see anything, her nipples and vulva are completely covered.”
“As I said, that’s not the point,” Jei said. “And if I run into something, everyone in the Empire will understand why and we will all leave with our honor in check. There’s only so much you can ask of an Imperial man.”
“Fine,” said Ellie amused. “Is it time?”
“Yes,” replied Jane. “And don’t let Jei influence you. You look incredible. Fit to be the wife of Reima Two’s One. Are you ready?”
“Without a doubt. I’m ready for my new life to begin.”
Jei, Jane and Ellie took a Reima Two transport from their hotel to the Grand Hall. They had both Valentin’s and Jei’s guards surrounding them. Jei didn’t trust anyone not to use this opportunity to harm him or anyone form his House.
Once they landed in front of the Grand Hall, they proceeded to walk through a large crowd. The gossip drones surrounding them. Ellie was flanked by Jane and Jei. Although Jei was not looking in her direction at all. She smiled and her mother smiled back. Ellie felt this might be the most perfect day of her life so far.
Men and women dressed in their finest Reima Two clothing stepped in front of the entry way and asked, “Who comes into the Grand Hall today and for what purpose?”
Ellie knew this was part of the Reima Two ceremony and replied, “It is I, Elloisa, Ward of House Rega, from Alliance Planet Two. I wish to marry Valentin, Commander of the Nage Horde and One. My mother, the goddess of humanity and the Admiral of the Alliance Fleet are my witnesses.”
The men and women nodded and opened the doors, “We welcome you all in peace, proceed.”
Ellie had not expected there to be so many people in attendance. Valentin had told her that only officials and their wives would be there. However, there were at least 300 people inside the building. She could see Valentin waiting for her with his own parents who she had yet to meet. She could see immediately that he took after his mother, not only because of his grey skin, but their symmetrical faces were almost the same. Ellie tried to block out all the people looking at her and the gossip drones from all over the galaxy buzzing around as they made their way toward the front. She looked up at Jei and tried to focus on the humor of him being so scandalized by her dress. It worked, by the time they reached the front, she was calm. Which was good because she would be the first to speak.
“Valentin, I come here to offer you a position as my husband. Do you accept?” her voice was clear and strong.
“I accept, Elloisa.”
“Then you must prove your worthiness to marry Ellie,” Jei said as was part of the Reima Two custom.
“Elloisa,” Valentin corrected him quietly and then said, “All here, watch me. I will prove myself to be worthy of this position offered to me.” Then Valentin looked at Elloisa and nodded slightly that she should allow his parents to escort her to the back of the hall and against the far wall.
Valentin had told Ellie that there was nothing barbaric about a Reima Two marriage ceremony, so she wasn’t concerned and freely allowed his parents to lead her to the wall. However, she did become slightly concerned when they tied her wrists and ankles to it. And a blue light outline appeared around her body.
“It will all be over soon, try to stay as still as possible,” his father said trying to be comforting before he backed away.
His mother said, “Don’t worry, Valentin has great aim.”
Ellie began to slightly freak out trying to figure out what was going on. Then she saw Valentin pick up a dagger from a man holding a shiny golden tray of daggers.
Her eyes must have been huge because then Valentin mouthed the words, ‘Trust me,’ to her.
She mouthed the words back, ‘You barbarian.’
Valentin smiled and then addressed everyone, “Now I will show my worthiness. I will be a good husband and never let any harm come to my wife. I will throw seven daggers rather than the usual five as seven is the sacred number in the Empire.”
Ellie thought, I would have been fine with just five, Valentin. Then she reminded herself of his performance at the Yoli race and that he had excelled at the dagger throwing. He won’t hit me, she said over and over again in her head trying to calm herself and remembering his father’s advice not to move.
Valentin took his position at the appointed place and held up the ceremonial dagger. He concentrated on Ellie. Then he closed his eyes and threw.
The dagger hit the wall behind Ellie with a thump. She was trying to not shake from fear now. Six more daggers, she thought as she looked at how close the dagger had come to hitting her face. She looked at Valentin and made eye contact.
He gave her an approving nod. All the daggers must land in the blue light for him to be considered a worthy husband. Valentin took a deep breath to calm himself, then he took the next dagger from the golden tray and threw it towards Ellie.
She closed her eyes preparing for the worst. She opened them after she felt the vibration of the thump on the wall on the other side of her face from the first dagger thrown. This dagger was even closer, Oh, she thought, I wonder if they are supposed to be getting closer or is he just nervous? Don’t kill me, Valentin. She wondered how many Reima Two brides had died inadvertently at their own marriage ceremonies, but then remembered that they, unlike the Empire, did use medical technology to bring people back, but she didn’t want to die and be brought back today, that would really be too much.
Valentin threw another dagger and it hit the wall behind her between her arm and wrist. Way too close for her comfort. She could feel herself sweating in the jeweled dress thinking, This is probably why I’m not wearing anything fabric, I would sweat right through it. Or she thought with horror, Bleed through it.
Valentin picked up the next dagger, they were getting heavier and heavier, each one representing how the years will become more difficult in their partnership as time passes and as more responsibilities present themselves. He, of course, was in no danger of hitting Elloisa, as he was an expert marksman. But he wanted this pageantry as the whole galaxy was watching and this was the first time Reima Two had ever been on the galaxy’s center stage.
Thump.
Ellie looked above her, and a dagger was so close she could almost feel it with the top of her head. She had become so frightened she had lost count of how many he had thrown. She looked around herself to count them, One, two, three, and four, she thought, Three more.
Valentin picked up the fifth dagger. It was heavy and didn’t feel exactly right. He balanced it in his hand for a moment and was satisfied. He deemed that it was only his nerves making him question himself. Then he took aim and threw.
Ellie watched in horror as the dagger came so close to her right hand it almost took off her pinky finger. The blade had nicked her, and she could see some blood, in the dagger’s shiny reflection. She gave Valentin an angry look and mouthed the words, ‘DO NOT KILL ME.’
He mouthed the words back, ‘I won’t.’ Valentin took the next dagger. It was heavier than the last. He balanced it on his hand. He hesitated. He wondered if it was his own nerves again or if it was the unnatural the weight of the marriage ceremonial dagger or if the dagger had been tampered with. After a moment, he turned to Jei and asked loudly, “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to prove my worthiness by throwing your blades, as blessed by the Empire, for my final two sacred Imperial throws?”