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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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People hurried around Gwendolyn, adjusting something on her gown, fixing her makeup, or finding some other minuscule problem with the way it looked. Gwendolyn only stood still and looked into her bronze, her reflection staring back at her. She could only see what her mother would call 'sad eyes,' which were filled with a resigned sorrow. The duty of an Emperor's daughter was to be married away to some off King or Lord and create peace. Perhaps it wouldn't be as terrifying if she was still in Rome, with her family and people not an empire away. This was her job, though. No one else could do it, so it was her responsibility to see this through and be the best she could, even as her bones were itching to go explore and shed this heavy dress. The dress was certainly beautiful, and perhaps in a different life she would be happy wearing it. For now, though, it was a prison.
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Neutral
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Aldwin looked very handsome according to the people who helped him get ready for the wedding. Unfortunately, his hair was still untamable but he still didn't care. He was to uncomfortable to do much else other than stare at his reflection in the mirror. In a few moments, he'd be whisked away to wait for a bride who did not want him and a marriage Aldwin did not wish for. Not that Gwendolyn was a bad woman, but Aldwin did not wish to marry this woman. Then Aldwin was there, waiting for his soon to be wife to come down the aisle. His blue eyes glimmering sadly, as he was not afraid to show that he was not content with this marriage. It wasn't like they could do anything to him.
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Neutral
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Gwendolyn had no person to walk her up the isle, and she had refused the courtiers offers. Instead, she went alone. She stood for Rome, her home and old life. She was walking into a new life alone, and for her, this was the crossing. She would not be led. Gwendolyn walked down the aisle with her chin held high and proud. She would not be meak and pathetic, clinging to a strange man in a stranger country. She was a daughter of the Roman Empire. She was strong. And strong people could cry. They were held back for now, but once Gwendolyn was in the safety of silence, they would fall free.
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Neutral
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Aldwin waited for Gwendolyn with dim eyes that mostly stared at the ground. Many other men would look up at their beautiful bride that would soon be coming down the aisle but Aldiwn didn't wish to. He didn't want to acknowledge his fate until he really had to.
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Neutral
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Gwendolyn took her place at the front, and as required, took her now-husband and current-stranger's hands. Her grip was quiet, soft, and almost like there wasn't even anything there. The reason it could be felt, though, was the warm and human feeling. She was a human - not an object to be given away. She would stand - as a human could do. She was not happy. She was not going to be happy for a long while. But, she was able to move along.
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Neutral
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Aldwin understood what Gwendolyn was feeling, as his aunt often spoke to him about the same thing. He hadn't ever felt the same way but right now he was feeling pretty horrible. He didn't want this any more than Gwendolyn did. She was human and not his to take, not someone he wanted to take because he did not love her. Yet here he was, holding her hand because he did not wish to upset the High King.
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Neutral
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And she did not wish to upset the Emperor. Gwendolyn smiled at Aldwin - an honest and true smile - she knew it wasn't his fault. He was handed this lot, just as she was handed hers. They would just have to make do. "This will find its way out. We just have to ride this rough wave."
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