"What is it?" Shura asked as he dragged her to a corner where no one would see them.
"I have just a simple request. I was hoping that since you live in the castle, you could somehow... employ me as your personal maid. My sister and I have nowhere else to stay, so..." Zhanna said.
Shura gave her a mocking laugh in response, as though he was saying, "You left your kingdom as a princess to work in another kingdom as a maid?"
"All right," he finally said after some time, seeing she was serious about it.
Kazmir tapped Vika. She was still shaken up by what she saw Zhanna do. The villagers around had told her that a girl once tried to get all 'close' to the prince. She was publicly humiliated and disgraced, and no man would marry her after that incident.
Vika imagined what would happen- what if they were sent back to their kingdom? Kazmir knew what she was thinking. He knew Shura wouldn't do anything to her. Once he saw them walking together, he smirked and said to himself, "King Igor is such a smart man. Our plan will surely work... Get ready, Shura, you're getting married!"
*******
Zhanna and Vika followed Kazmir and Shura to the palace. On the way, Kazmir informed Shura of a banquet King Igor was hosting to announce to the kingdom that Shura was his son.
Shura snorted. He remembered how badly he had once wanted King Igor to announce to the world that he was his son, but it never happened. What made him change his mind this time?
Shura wanted to act indifferent about it and refuse to attend, but he didn't want to disgrace the king- or worse, have the entire royal family against him.
Shura was told that the banquet had already started, so he rushed to his chambers, had his bath, changed clothes, and rushed out. Nothing was more disgraceful than being late for a banquet held in your honour.
"What about us?" Zhanna voiced out, but Shura had already zoomed off in a carriage.
"Don't worry," Kazmir said. He told them that they had to attend the banquet too, giving the excuse that they were now considered part of Shura's fighting group, and it was mandatory for all members to come. He gave them clothes to wear and waited while they changed.
Soon, they got into a carriage and left for the banquet. Kazmir couldn't stop grinning. Tricking someone into attending their own wedding? This might be the biggest stunt he had ever pulled off in his life.
"What are you smiling about?" Vika asked Kazmir. Kazmir shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.
*******
Shura's carriage mysteriously had a malfunction on the way, and the driver, after resolving the issue, took a longer path to the venue. This caused Shura's carriage and the one carrying Zhanna, Kazmir, and Vika to arrive at the same time.
Shura was in such a haste, and Kazmir had to calm him down. Kazmir told Vika she could go into the enclosed pavilion because he had something to say to Zhanna.
When Shura walked in, he was directed to the platform where the priest stood. Hold on, a priest?
Kazmir held his arm out for Zhanna in a prince-like manner, and Zhanna, after a lot of hesitation, took it.
"Just trust me, Zhanna," Kazmir said and led her inside the pavilion. Zhanna at first thought he was just being nice, leading her to her seat- until he continued to lead her on toward the platform where Shura and the priest were standing.
"Do this if you want to live in Volkorod and stay alive," Kazmir threatened Zhanna before leaving her on the podium.
"What is going on, Kazmir?" Shura asked. Kazmir was shaking nervously as he looked at an oblivious Shura. If this plan didn't work, he wasn't sure he'd live to see the next day. Meanwhile, King Igor prayed Shura wouldn't cause a scene that would cancel the ceremony. His eyes interlocked with Kazmir's, and it was clear that they both hoped for one thing: their plan had to work.
"Everyone, please welcome Prince Shura. I am certain you all recognize him as a distinguished warrior of Volkorod. Today, we are gathered not only to honour his prowess in battle but also to acknowledge him as a prince- the firstborn son of King Igor," the priest proclaimed.
Murmurs followed by applause filled the room.
"Prince Shura, if you would please stand here for your swearing-in," the priest said, pointing to a space before him.
Now I get it. They brought a priest to swear me in, Shura reasoned.
Zhanna was still confused. She was standing at a corner on the podium as she pondered Kazmir's threat. She could've just stayed at the castle. Sigh.
"You too, Princess Zhanna," the priest called out to Zhanna, who was lost in thought.
"Ah~ alright," Zhanna muttered and stood next to Shura, facing the priest. Shura had questions but didn't want to jump to conclusions before the reason was given.
"We begin," the priest said. "Do you, Prince Shura, take Princess Zhanna to be thy wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death ye do part, according to heaven's holy ordinance?"
Shura was shocked, and then everything clicked. "What is this?! I refuse!" Shura voiced out.
Zhanna, after hearing the vows meant for Shura, understood what was going on. The priest cleared his throat awkwardly and turned to face Zhanna.
"Princess Zhanna, if you would, repeat after me. I, Princess Zhanna, do take thee..."
The priest was rudely interrupted by Zhanna. "I do not!" Zhanna said firmly.
The audience seemed not to mind the drama and just watched on. That's because they weren't any ordinary audience. The congregation consisted of members of Shura's warrior group and their families, the Royal Tribunal, a few of Shura's relatives, the Royal Family (except Boris and his wife), and Vika—the only person from Zhanna's side.
King Igor walked to the stage and whispered to a fuming Shura, "Shura, my son, I beg of you, please marry this young damsel. It's for your future's good. I know I've not been a very good father to you, but please marry this girl for my sake. I won't bother you about the throne anymore. I'll announce you as my son to everyone. I'll join forces with you to find the last witch alive… I don't know much, but I do know that it's what your mother would have wanted," King Igor said, then walked back to his seat.
It wasn't King Igor's words that made Shura calm down and accept the marriage, but what Zhanna had said earlier on their journey- about him being lucky to have a father who pays attention to him.
He knew King Igor had helped him get into the training institute at a young age. He also knew it was King Igor who conducted his mother's burial and saw to his protection while he was still young. He then realized that indeed, without King Igor being there for him, he would've never become the warrior he is today.
"Priest, I do. I, Prince Shura, do take thee, Princess Zhanna, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part," Shura said.
Zhanna stood wide-eyed and shocked. The priest smiled while Kazmir clapped and whistled to express his happiness. In expectation, he turned to Zhanna hoping for a change of mind, but she kept an adamant attitude and still frowned. The priest ignored her and went on to proclaim them husband and wife.
Oh, the effrontery! Zhanna thought in anger. When the ring was presented to her to be worn, she threw it away, while Shura wore his own. As if on cue, the audience stood and celebrated the union.
"..." Zhanna remained speechless.
******
Shura was later announced as King Igor's adopted son to the kingdom. King Igor said it would be very shameful for him to be announced as a maid's son.
Zhanna protested silently all the way to the town square and back to the castle.
Boris was at the courtyard, planning his next move to enable him ascend the throne, when Ulyana came to inform him that Shura had arrived with his wife.
Boris laughed inwardly and followed Ulyana to go and welcome them. He wondered if it was a maid Shura had married. To be honest, he really didn't care about their marriage—he just wanted to get the joy derived from mocking them.
Boris was all full of smiles and ready to mock… well, that was until he saw whom Shura's wife was.
"Zhanna?"