17 - GOD ONLY KNOWS

Song for the chapter: GOD ONLY KNOWS, for KING and Country

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We thank GOD so much for how far HE has brought us all by HIS Mercies. So sorry for the long wait. This chapter was ready but proving difficult to publish.

The songs are humbly dedicated to you all, dear readers, and all who have known the weight of their pains—some of which we can tell no one about.

GOD knows them all.

GOD bless you for embarking on this wonderful journey with one such as I, not being as good a writer.

May HE kindly continue to give the Grace to continue, though we don't have the Strength of our own.

✨ And finally, an image for our very own, Giuseppe. ✨ Now, without much ado, let's humbly dive in.

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Quote for the chapter:

"...Deep in unfathomable mines

of never-failing skill;

He treasures up His bright designs,

and works His sov'reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

the clouds ye so much dread

are big with mercy and shall break

in blessings on your head..."

~ William Cowper

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"You did not have the foresight to know how big a threat she could be?!" The venomous voice thundered.

Giuseppe knew he had made a big mistake in underestimating the Power the girl called Violet possessed.

He had thought he could easily get rid of her and the radiance she seemed to have injected into the household.

I would soon be the one in control over here, he had told himself many times whenever he encountered her and had to mask his disgust.

"And now, she holds more power and sway over that household than ever before!!!" The arrows shot by the voice were piercing.

"I'm sorry, master," Giuseppe bowed his head in shame.

"Sorry? I have raised a failure of a child."

"Forgive me, master."

"Find ways to get rid of her. Make whatever sacrifices you need to get stronger," he commanded in an indisputable voice.

The voice of his master toned down a notch, yet still, it was grating.

"With the power of this new position, she can shine that so-called Light of hers even more and influence them..."

Giuseppe trembled a tad bit, but he resolved to stay strong for the task.

In a terrifying whisper, his master ended, "Get rid of her at all costs. And know this... I will not be defeated."

~~~

If ever Mother Earth had thought she had seen a most reluctant bride, she would be shaken to the core by one bride-to-be—although the documents had been signed and sealed irrevocable already.

The pain still felt too real, too fresh... too much to bear. However, Violet knew and she had to constantly remind herself, that her LORD knew what HE was doing. And that was the only confidence that kept her going. Even if nobody understood, HE did.

The sleepless nights, the unrest in her soul she had to battle each day through prayer and THE WORD, having no one to talk to about what had happened...

But, I know, dear one, her SAVIOUR continued to assure her in HIS ever-peaceful, loving voice.

"Are you sure you want no jewellery?" Queen Giulia asked again, seeming distraught by Violet's resistance. "I have a complete new set made of the finest gems one can imagine. And besides, you are to be the heiress of this kingdom."

"Mum, leave her be. She looks fine just as she is," Isabella chirped.

Queen Giulia shot her a look, and Isabella just shrugged her shoulders.

"Impossibile (Impossible)," Queen Giulia muttered under her breath.

She turned to her youngest daughter, "And you..." she pointed a finger at her. "Don't you think I have noticed how much you have changed in appearance these past few days?"

It was true. Isabella had found herself strangely distancing from all the fashion trends she used to follow. Somehow, her spirit no longer seemed to jibe with them.

And Violet—who had become an even closer friend than before—taught her about the modesty CHRIST desired of HIS Children.

"Admit it, Mum," Isabella leaned back casually on the sofa located by the window of Violet's new room. "I don't look like a scarecrow anymore."

She stretched out her hands and gestured at herself.

"Oh naturale (natural), is the best trend these days."

Queen Giulia just shook her head and chuckled softly at them.

"Apparently, I am not needed here," she sighed dramatically and placing a hand on her chest in a mock gesture of sorrow, she added, "I'll leave you to finish dressing her up then."

She turned to leave and later stopped in her tracks to turn to the ever-so-reluctant bride.

Looking at Violet, she realised that despite the apparent sorrow in her eyes, she glimpsed a girl grief had not managed to conquer.

"She is right," she said softly and gave a warm smile. "You look even more beautiful with no distractions of jewelry or makeup. And... I am glad to welcome you into my family."

And with that, she left the room.

"Are you truly ready?" Isabella leaned forward and turned to face her friend, her tone serious now. "I mean, I know you don't have a choice and all, but, we can plan an escape, or say you feel unwell... anything."

Violet turned to give her a small smile.

"That would be deceptive."

"I know," Isabella groaned and leaned back with disappointment etched over her features.

"I should know better. Lying is out of the book," she reached a hand to smoothen her own hair as she continued to ponder. "How about I hide you in a cart and drag you far away? Heaven knows even I would not want to marry someone like my brother."

Violet turned her head upward and gave a soft laugh.

Isabella's heart warmed at that sight. With a splendour of not only the physical appearance of her natural beauty but an inner one as well, Isabella was glad and grateful to know her.

And, though they had returned to being friends again—and, as it appeared, now sisters, though by law—it was her first time seeing her laugh ever since... the trip, she realised.

Violet turned to look at her visage in the mirror. She was glad she had stood her ground despite the temptation of "looking her best for her new status", as Queen Giulia had suggested.

The gown was simple yet elegant. But, the image that reflected back at her was not what she was used to seeing.

Rather than the free-spirited bubbly teenager, she saw a girl who had been forced by the turbulence of life against her will into being a woman—yet, she felt her HEAVENLY FATHER'S warm hands embracing her at that moment.

Much warmer than any feeling even her brother's presence had ever given. She was safe—so long as she remained in HIS Arms.

~~~

Having a joint wedding ceremony with the man Vincenzo had a hard time trusting truly irked him and made his hackles rise.

"And now, it's time for the brides to enter in," the master of ceremonies announced, a little too enthusiastically, it seemed to Vincenzo.

They had decided to have both weddings on the same day. And he thought he could feel an irritation—or perhaps rage—in Giuseppe as his own bride followed after his sister.

Why? He could not tell.

As he finally had a full glimpse of the damsel he was to wed, turmoil ignited within him. A conflict of feelings he did not know how to control.

A part of him longed to share the Light he still spotted in her. And another chastised and berated him. Was it guilt? For being too late that day?

He also noticed how different her natural glow stood out from his sister's otherwise overly done make-up and embellishments. She managed to look stunning despite her simplicity.

"It's your turn to say your vows," the officiator turned to him. It appeared his thoughts had caused him to miss the vows of his sister and her groom—and he was not disappointed to have missed that.

It was his turn, and Violet's. He realised it was the first time he said her name as they recited the modern vows which preceded the ancient vows of the formerly known Roman Empire, as their Royal customs demanded.

As he looked into her eyes, he saw the pain—which he had failed to salvage her from.

But beyond that, he saw a valorous woman—not a girl anymore—whose scars seemed to have faded into a certain strength and glowing beauty beyond her age.

Where does she draw such strength from?

"Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia (Where you are Gaius, I am Gaia.)," she muttered the ancient Latin vows with a strange confidence which belied the sorrow in her eyes.

Nevertheless, he could sense the unanswered questions from her expressions. For, after all, she had seen him standing in the doorway after the incident. And she knew that he knew what had happened.

Will you still go forward with this? Her gaze seemed to imply as she glanced up boldly into his eyes.

He reached out and held her delicate hands before the invited guests—all a part of the ancient traditions—but, he found himself doing it for other reasons than that.

And he thought he felt a surge, akin to a flame pass through him with that action—like what he had once possessed when he had the Light.

He only knew one way to answer and put her mind at ease, to make her know—and finally admit it to himself—that he did feel her pain, and did not condemn her despite what had happened.

In fact, he could feel the weight of the guilt lying so heavily on his chest, that he knew saying the words would not be enough.

But, he did say them... and he said them with such a fervour uncommon to his personality causing Violet's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Ubi tu Gaia, ego Gaius (Where you are Gaia, I am Gaius.)"

~~~

The final rites approached, wherein the groom would carry the bride over the threshold into the part of the Villa belonging to Vincenzo.

"Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia (Where you are Gaius, I am Gaia.)," Violet had to recite again.

And as Vincenzo lifted her in the presence of the family and guests, Violet heard the protests of dismay coming from the fiends on the other side of the Villa—the side which was now being occupied by Ginevra and Giuseppe.

An additional portion already having been constructed for them before the wedding.

Somehow, the Glow of her HEAVENLY FATHER had so overpowered Vincenzo's side of the Villa—her side now also, she learnt to acknowledge to herself—leaving no room for darkness.

The enemies knew they had lost their hold over that portion.

The Light that shined in Vincenzo's quarters had become way more intensive than it had even been when she dwelt in her former quarters.

Somehow, in HIS own way, GOD had used the crisis to shape her into a far stronger person— a warrior.

And the enemies knew it. The battle lines had been drawn.

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So, the image of Giuseppe? Got my younger bro, Dre-Dre DreLeonWrites

to be my model for Giuseppe. XD

Who's ready for a history lesson, please? Gaius was used in Ancient Rome to represent the groom, irrespective of his real name. And Gaia for the bride.

To put it plainly, the phrase implies, "Wherever you go, I will go," or, "What makes you happy makes me happy."

Yes please... and, any thoughts on this chapter, please? I love and so long to read your opinions. :)

Love,

Phela