Free Web NovelChapter 58: Chapter 58: I’ve Washed, It’s Fragrant
Hearing the commotion outside, Sophie Shaw’s heart pounded violently.
Thank goodness Alaric Blackwood had arrived in time.
No matter why he was late, today’s wedding ceremony had to proceed smoothly.
"Put the veil on her," Bianca Kane ordered before turning and walking out.
Anne picked up the bride’s red veil and placed it over Sophie’s head.
Her vision obscured, Sophie sat primly on the edge of the bed, able to see nothing but her own hands clasped in her lap.
The sound of hurried footsteps, mixed with boisterous noise, grew closer.
Her back went rigid, and she felt a strange surge of nervousness.
Surrounded by a few of his playboy buddies, Alaric Blackwood arrived at Sophie’s room and saw her, dressed in red with the veil covering her head.
He strode over to her. "Sorry, I’m late."
Just as Sophie was about to speak, Anne cut in, "We’re on a tight schedule, so let’s hurry. Mr. Shaw has a back injury, so he can’t carry—"
Before she could finish, Alaric moved swiftly, sliding one arm around Sophie’s waist and the other under her knees, lifting her from the bed in a bridal carry.
Under the red veil, Sophie couldn’t see a thing. Her heart lurched, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around the man’s neck.
Time was short, so Alaric didn’t bother with explanations. He just turned and left, carrying Sophie.
The group of rich kids followed, catcalling and jeering, but Alaric had no time for any of them, his pace steady and fast.
Sophie was unusually quiet in his arms. However, her sense of smell was very keen, and with the two of them so close, she detected an indescribable scent on him—a mixture of fragrant and foul.
After the groom carried the bride to the decorated wedding car, the group of relatives and friends followed in the other cars of the procession.
The motorcade slowly set off.
In the back seat, Sophie adjusted the hem of her dress. In her line of sight, she could see one of Alaric’s hands resting by his side.
It was a large hand with pale skin, distinct knuckles, and prominent blue veins on the back, exuding a sense of power.
"You smell a little strange."
Alaric gave a humorless laugh. "I know. Just bear with it. I’ll take a shower in a room upstairs when we get to the hotel."
"Why were you late?"
Alaric was silent for a moment, then lied, "Some bad-influence friends threw a party last night. I drank too much."
"No wonder..."
Alaric knew he didn’t smell good. Evan Ford had sprayed him with too much cologne, and the mix of fragrance and stench was even more pungent and unpleasant.
He scooted over, creating as much distance as possible from Sophie, and cracked open a rear window to air out the smell.
The original plan was to circle half the city and arrive at the grand hotel at 11:30. Due to the groom’s tardiness, the detour was canceled, and they took the most direct route.
They arrived at the hotel neither early nor late—right at the scheduled time of 11:30.
Anne escorted Sophie, arm-in-arm, to the bridal lounge to wait for the auspicious time.
The guests were guided to the banquet hall and shown to their assigned seats. Quentin Blackwood and Mandy Halloway were bustling about, happily greeting the wedding guests.
Alaric went straight to a room upstairs in the hotel to wash up and shower.
He scrubbed himself thoroughly from head to toe until he smelled fresh. When he emerged from the bathroom, hair dried and wearing a bathrobe, Evan Ford and Jaden were already standing in the room.
Evan had brought him a disposable set of underwear, which he’d had someone buy from a nearby mall.
His expression was grim. His gaze swept coolly over Jaden’s face, but he said nothing, simply reaching out to take the bag from Evan.
"The location you sent was over a hundred kilometers away. What were you doing out there?" Evan asked, astonished.
"How long until the ceremony starts?" freeweɓnøvel.com
"Ten minutes."
"We’ll do the wedding today. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."
Alaric knew how to prioritize; now was not the time for discussion.
He was certain he hadn’t been drunk enough to pass out last night. More than likely, someone had slipped something into his drink.
’That sudden wave of dizziness that hit me when I was arguing with Jaden in the restroom... in hindsight, that was a huge red flag.’
"Still need this?" Evan pulled a bottle of men’s cologne from his suit pants.
It wasn’t the brand Alaric usually wore, and it didn’t smell good.
"Get rid of it."
Evan tossed the cologne bottle directly into the room’s trash can, shot Jaden a look, and the two of them backed out of the room.
Alaric got dressed and walked out of the room. Evan and Jaden were waiting for him in the hallway.
The three of them took the elevator downstairs and headed straight for the banquet hall.
...
When the auspicious time arrived, there was a knock on the door of the bridal lounge. A staff member had come to inform the bride it was time for her entrance.
Sophie’s red veil was lifted, and Anne was helping her touch up her makeup.
Hearing the staff member’s call, Anne packed up her cosmetics and patted Sophie’s shoulder. "Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you."
With that, she lowered the veil back over Sophie’s head and followed the staff member, guiding Sophie to a set of doors at the banquet hall. The moment the doors opened, a moving melody began to play. It was "Love Is Just One Word," a song by Richard Dean, known as the "Prince of Love Songs." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"Pushing aside the dark clouds in the sky, beautiful like blue velvet
I’ve crossed mountains and ranges for you, with no heart to see the sights
I miss you, I can’t help myself, every thought a new dreamscape
I hope you haven’t forgotten, I will always protect you
Through all the wind and rain, with all my heart and soul
...
Love is just one word, I’ll only say it once
You know I only show it through my actions
A promise for a lifetime, holding on with persistence
It’s never too late to give
Love is just one word, I’ll only say it once
I fear that those who hear it will be stirred by longing
As time flies by, I search for your shadow
To make you happy, I am willing to try..."
Amidst the moving song, led by Anne, Sophie walked step by step down the red carpet until she was in front of Alaric Blackwood.
Anne’s eyes were already red.
Even knowing that Sophie and Alaric were only in a contract marriage, she couldn’t help but be moved seeing her best friend get married.
She took Sophie’s slightly trembling hand, placed her friend’s hand in Alaric’s, and then, with a hint of reluctance, stepped away for the moment.
Alaric held Sophie’s hand tightly, his other hand resting lightly on her waist. Just as they had rehearsed, he led her through the bows—to heaven and earth, to their elders, and to each other.
The entire process went smoothly, with pairs of eyes from below the stage watching them quietly.
When it was time to unveil the bride, Jaden, the best man, walked onto the stage carrying a festive red tray. On it lay a ceremonial steelyard stick tied with a red silk ribbon.
Alaric picked up the steelyard and gently lifted the veil from Sophie’s head, revealing a bright, beautiful, and charming face flushed with a rosy blush.
Their eyes met. A bold curve formed on his lips as he completely removed the veil and placed it, along with the steelyard, back onto the tray.
Anne came back on stage, this time with Jaden, each holding a glass of wine.
Sophie took a glass and linked arms with Alaric, tilting her head back to drink the wine.
"The groom may now kiss the bride."
As soon as the emcee said this, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Jaden and a few of the playboy buddies started hooting and hollering, even throwing in a few whistles.
The atmosphere instantly became boisterous.
Sophie’s whole face turned bright red. She lowered her head slightly, but Alaric cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to look up again.
The man’s handsome face drew closer, and he whispered in a voice only she could hear, "I showered. It’s a nice smell now."
Sophie could smell the faint, pleasant scent on him, her heart pounding like a drum. "Yes, it is."
