Chapter 36: Runaway Bride

BARON Collins stood outside of the wedding hall at 10:00 sharp. He was staring at the closed door. The Baron actually was picturing himself making a great entrance into the hall and walking down the aisle proudly with his beautiful daughter, the future Duchess of Gregory. And soon, the Queen of Underworld. The blissful thoughts made him so pleased that he could not hide his gleaming smile, showing off his ugly, crooked teeth. The Baron was a happy and proud father on his 'precious' daughter's wedding day.

Once he opened his eyes and finally treading into reality, the Baron saw Little Lady Grace was standing a few steps beside him. This charming young lady had dressed adorably as the flower girl for the special day. His daughter's wedding day. Yeah. He said it twice. "Hello, little Grace!" The Baron brazenly greeted Little Lady Grace with an informal greeting.

Grace snickered. Based on rank, the Baron was supposed to greet her with a formal greeting, as Grace was a part of a great Ducal Family. And Grace was one of the few remained kin of the previous Lord Hades. It made Grace, literally, a part of the royalty in the Underworld. How bold of this foolish Baron to speak to Grace in this dishonorable manner! It was very unacceptable!

"Don't talk to me." Grace did not bother to look at the Baron. 'What an idiot!' Grace said aloud in her mind. She was more interested in gazing at the stock-still white door, which everyone would agree, much better looking and pleasant to look at rather than the ugly Baron.

"Hmm?" the Baron received an unexpected cold shoulder. "I believe we should be kind to each other from now on. Shouldn't we?" he leered with a very annoying grin. "After all, we are a FAMILY." The Baron added as he highlighted the 'family' word. Then he ended his remarks with a peal of cynical laughter.

Grace looked at him, laughing so annoyingly exultant.

"NO." Grace firmly said. "We are royalty. And the blood running through your vein is foul. Do not underestimate us, Baron. And never fantasizing about yourself standing in the same place as our family." Grace mocked. And she continued, "we are not as low as you foolish fellas."

Grace never approved of this marriage, anyway.

The Baron finally lost his reason to laugh, as this young and menacing lady openly derided his family. Insulting his blood and claimed it was filthy. But Baron Collins could not fight back. He would never dare to go against the Little Lady Grace's words. He was truly mortified to be mocked by a young girl and humiliated in front of the servants and knights. But deep down inside, the Baron admitted his blood was foul. That was a fact he could not hide.

The Baron's lips were sealed after that. And it made the situation only awkward. Suddenly, Baron Collins finally realized it was already late as he checked on his pocket watch. The wedding march already started, yet her daughter did not appear at the main door.

Feeling anxious as he was waiting, the Baron ordered a maid to check up on his daughter Vanessa at the bridal suite. His mind was already filled with so many terrible thoughts. And his worst fear became real when the maid returned with a piece of very terrible news!

"Your Lordship, LADY VANESSA IS MISSING!" The maid had a terrified look on her old face.

"What do you mean?!" Those words hit him hard, like thunder! The Baron demanded an explanation.

The poor maid tried to give her elucidation about the whole situation and what she saw. But she stuttered as she talked, and it only made the Baron mad because he could understand nothing except his daughter was disappeared!

In a rage, Baron Collins pushed the maid and instantly ran to the bridal suite! He left the little Grace in bemused. But he noticed the young girl smirked. Now, his feelings mixed like chaos. He ran as fast as he could with those fragile legs of an old man. The Baron wasn't running for his daughter, but he was running for his life that might be in great danger if his daughter was missing. Worst case, Vanessa vanished on this very important day!

'How could Vanessa disappear? Has she been kidnapped?' He asked that question in his head. There were two guards watching the stairs, which was the only way to go down. It was impossible for anyone to pass the stairs without being seen!

As the Baron continued to run, he could hear the wedding march kept repeating. The guests and the groom were waiting downstairs. And at last, he arrived at the bridal suite. With a prayer which he never ever did in his life, the Baron opened the door with the greatest wish this nightmare was not real and Vanessa would be inside.

But what he saw as he opened the door made him almost fell on his knees.

The Baron saw the wedding gown and veil that Vanessa wore half an hour ago; the last time he saw her, were lying on the floor covered in purple-colored carpet. The windows were wide opened!

And there was a note on the vanity table with very familiar handwriting. It was messy and unclear writing. Almost indecipherable. But it was definitely Vanessa's handwriting on that small piece of paper.

* Dear father. I wish to not marrying Lord Damien. I love him, truly. But I don't wish to become his puppet wife or your pawn. I can't marry someone who doesn't love me. Please forgive this foolish daughter of yours. Farewell. *

He crumbled the note and screamed, "THIS USELESS DAUGHTER!" The Baron was hopping mad. The truth hit him hard when he finally figured things out. Vanessa was not kidnapped, but she ran away from her wedding!

Suddenly, the head knight, Sir Ryan of Styx Cavalry under Damien's wings, arrived at the suite. He came to check on the bride. And he clearly saw what was happening. The bride escaped!

Terrified of what would happen afterward, the Baron hastily lunged to Sir Ryan and begged on his knees, "NO! NO! Please don't tell Lord Damien!" he said desperately. "I will search for her first! We will find her! Please!" He pleaded.

It was not about searching for the runaway bride, but the Baron obviously was begging for his life to be spared. Since his daughter fled from the wedding, he and his family, of course, would be killed at the hands of Lord Damien. For breaching the promise and contract between the two families.

But Sir Ryan looked at Baron Collins with an abundant disgust. He ignored the plead, pushed the Baron crudely, and dashed to the wedding hall. Sir Ryan opened the door rashly!

DANG!

The guests, who taught it was the long awaiting bride, all raised from their seats as the vicar announced, "Here comes the bride!". But it was scandalous to see that it was actually Sir Ryan, instead of the bride walking down the aisle!

Sir Ryan ran to his master, Lord Damien, who was standing at the altar. He totally ignored the noisy crowds and finally delivered the bad news.

"WHAT?!" Damien said at an intolerable volume. He received the news poorly. In fury, he unbuttoned his blazer and ruffled his well-made hair. Damien was seething with anger. Rage flowed through his vein like active lava after he received this horrible news.

After that, Damien left the wedding hall with Ryan followed behind him, leaving all of his family members, friends, and guests in the hall speechless. This embarrassment could torture him mentally. But one thing for sure, the Collins Family would become the center of the humiliation and would be ostracised by the public in the future.

'What's happening?'

'Where is the bride?'

'The bride ran away?!"

The guests were making rackets. And they could not stay in the hall anymore. One by one started to leave their seats and left the hall to see what was happening outside. They couldn't sure what was happening. But one thing for certain, the things that occurred today would be recorded in the history of shame.

Yuki looked bewildered by the current situation. When her eyes were focusing at the entrance as she watched the guests leaving, her eyes suddenly caught something in the midst of the crowd. Yuki saw the old guard, Albert, in a black robe was passing outside.

Curious, Yuki also left the wedding hall.