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xvi. Unexpected Save

as the girl furrowed her eyebrows and ran back down to the aisle then outside where people cluelessly watched her, asking themselves why.

Tewkesbury sighed in relief as he stared at the priest who stared back at him as well. He cleared his throat and bravely faced his guests with his puffy red nose and glossy eyes.

The boy spotted Y/N who had never looked so confused before. He pushed a smile and turned to everyone again.

"That went well, didn't it?" He asked, chuckling nervously. The boy looked at the ground before lifting his head up again.

"I am not afraid to say that I am not, and I never will marry someone I do not love. I have learned that sometimes, we have to treat ourselves and take a break. Sometimes, we have to do things for ourselves and taking away my own happiness isn't the way to solve our land's crisis. Basilwether will participate and support the voting of the women's equal right reform. It's for the world. We need a change. A good change. We're not only doing this for ourselves, but for all of the people out there that deserves to be treated with kindness and utmost respect. Don't you want that? To be happy?" He asked.

No one spoke. They all just looked at him, contemplating their thoughts. Y/N noticed this and stood up. This action caught everyone by surprise as they whispered amongst themselves.

"Are you all deaf?" The girl asked. "Are you all blind? Can you not see the world's current circumstances?"

Tewkesbury didn't stop her. Neither did Enola and Guineviere or any of the lords. Though, Sir Whimbrel was silently listening along with Lord Cosko. The King was absent. They knew their plan is slowly getting destroyed, but they needed to hear more of this in order to have something in their defence.

"Countless young women are being forced to marry in order to strengthen the wealth of their families. They're being treated like baits for hungry greedy sharks underwater — "

"Girl, you clearly don't know anything about marriage and benefit of it. You don't get to have a say without knowledge of your subject." Sir Whimbrel interrupted.

"With all due respect, sir. I do. Have you heard or seen the increasing numbers of young girls taking their own lives on account of the pressure pressed by their own flesh and blood?" He didn't answer. The girl turned back to the crowd. "It's true, isn't it? There are some people here who grieved their loved ones who committed such actions. Question yourselves, did you ever ask if they were happy? I know at some point they tried to tell someone how they felt. We are humans after all, and we depend on each other. Our thoughts can't be left unheard forever. At least one or two, maybe three people would know — maybe a paper would recognise the cries of agony." she continued.

"See what selfishness and greed does to the mind?" She continued as she looked at her companions and smiled.

"This reform doesn't only equalize women's rights, but save lives as well. Think about your children, your family, and you dearest companions. Do you wish to lose them? Do you desire for their happiness to be taken away from them?"

They shook their heads.

"Then do something about it."

Tewkesbury proudly smiled. "I know you want what's best for me and for our land, Uncle, but you have been following the wrong light. I am refusing to marry Lady Lisette for power. I know what I want, I know it is right. I wish to fight. I will fight." He spoke, slowly walking down towards Y/N, taking her hand.

"With her." He finished, looking more determined than ever.

"Of course not just her, but us too. How dare you leave us behind, Lord Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether?"Enola said and stood up.

Guineviere laughed and stood her ground as well. "I refuse to be a chopped liver. I am a part of this, too."

The Lords snickered, smiled and ended up standing up next to them.

"We want a good change and we will take a step forward to accomplish it."

"Whatever it takes."

With that, everyone in the building cheered for them, excluding the scheming lords. Tewkesbury's mother couldn't help, but shed a tear as she realized how much her son has grown for the span of months and a year that she has not been there for him by traveling to the States.

This is a moment that everyone knew will be written in history books to be read by the future generations, benefitting the rights they're fighting for.

⋆·˚ ༘ * 🕯️

No one could let go of the feast that was supposed to happen after the wedding, so they stayed and made this a celebration for the vote encouragement of the Lords and Ladies.

They all sat together in a table laughing as if it's their last. Everyone shared stories one by one until someone joined the table unexpectedly.

Y/N wasn't pleased, but that changed when somehow, a revelation was made.

"Lord Barron." They all greeted. He grumbled and nodded in response. The old man sat next to Lord Leucrion.

"Fantastic wedding, Lord Tewkesbury. I'm not surprised. Unexpected things seem to happen whenever you're all together. Though, this won't happen without me."

"Seem to take your pride with you," Theron commented.

"Increasingly at that," Allistair added.

"Who wouldn't after such a noble course of action?" Barron retorted.

"Enough with your heroic pride and glory, Barron. What did you do?"

"You'd be shaking under your skin."

Everyone shifted in their seat as they heard this. Y/N was the most bewildered one, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, you know, Lord Tewkesbury won't be here right now stealing glances with Y/N, talking to each other in their minds, and swapping spits later without my doing." He replied and took a sip of Lord Leicrion's wine.

"What?" They all asked.

"I threatened Lisette. If she says 'I do', I'll spread the dirty scandal her parents have committed."

"And what is that?"

"She's not the real heir of Deliarine."

Everyone stopped. They all blinked as they looked at Lord Barron in disbelief. "I'm not expecting you to believe me, but believe this." He said and passed them a certificate.

They looked at it and passed it around the table until they finally knew. "How did you get it?" Lord Leucrion asked.

"Had one of my men sneak in their estate to find something to use against her." He said.

"And why did you do this? What do you want in return?" Y/N asked.

"How insulting." Lord Barron replied. "I didn't do it for something in return. I did it for payback. She's recruited my son to kill one of you and locked me up in my own estate's cellar for months. Wait — fine, of course. Maybe I do want something in return." He said.

They all groaned.

"It's not money. Quit whining, you ungrateful rats." He said. "I want you to spare my son. He's plotting something against all of you. It's — "

"We know." Y/N said. "Yet we thank you."

"So much." Tewkesbury interjected and looked at his partner.

Who knew Lord Barron is one of their allies despite his venomous attitude?