Capítulo 333: The Royal Wedding IV
As the first chord of the wedding march began, Renat walked to the base of the steps of the altar with only a single Fate standing on the stage. Having married the Empress and Emperor himself, Justum found that he would be the only fitting being to marry the princess and scientist as well.
Of course no one argued with Justum because, well, he was a Fate. In robes of white and in human form, the self-elected officiant looked out at the crowd with a too-wide smile, making one child in the crowd whimper in fear. Only a glare from Hanna made the other Fate lessen his unintentionally fierce expression.
Renat was not paying attention to the awkwardness of Justum. He smiled to his family, who was sitting on the front row closest to him, and gave a little wave to his baby brother. Then shifting his gaze, his eyes were glued to the back of the ballroom where his bride would eventually come.
The first song ended now that the initial participants were in place. All rose to the rousing anthem of Valiant as the Empress appeared and walked gracefully down the aisle. She held a single pure white rose in her hand.
As Aurora glided past her subjects, each bowed and whispered "Glory to the Empress." She approached the groom, and Renat bowed low and pressed his forehead to her hand.
As he stood straight, Aurora kissed his cheek and handed him the single rose: a sign of her approval and blessing. Then she took her seat on the front row on the side of the bride. Turning to the hooded figure next to her, the ruler smiled happily, knowing that Alaron was certainly grinning too.
Next in the processional was a small golden cart containing the heir to the throne of Valiant. Prince Colvyr, pushed proudly by none other than Nanny, made his was down to the front. On the front of the carefully crafted buggy was a pillow with two rings tied to it with a delicate ribbon. Try as he might, the tiny prince was unable to reach far enough to dislodge the wedding bands. When he was nearly to the front, the young prince gave up his efforts and gurgled at the groom as he neared.
At the end of the aisle, Renat removed the rings, slipping them into a pouch at his side, and gave the young lad a small treat before Nanny wheeled him to his mother.
With yet another song from the hidden orchestra, Brinn and Alvar appeared and began their forward march. The elven princess had her arm hooked on her husband's elbow and both were beaming.
"This brings back memories," Alvar whispered with his wind magic.
"Yes it does," Brinn responded in the same manner.
"Of course nothing can compare to our spontaneous wedding, but this is pretty nice too. Perhaps we should renew our vows." Alvar suggested as he flexed his elbow.
"You don't want another wedding," Brinn scolded. "You want another honeymoon."
The he-elf's eyes twinkled. "Is that an option? Because…"
"Hush both of you. Even with your wind whispers, we can still hear you," Lanassa reprimanded them in a crisp tone which the humans could not hear. "Such chatter is ill advised and against protocol…"
"Not to mention disgusting," Ithel added as only a brother could.
The couple exchanged furtive glances, and fell silent. Only the mischief in their eyes told Renat that anything clandestine had taken place. The two elves parted to either side of Renat and waited at the bottom of the stairs with the groom.
Next down the line were Lady Allyson and Amaki. While both seemed very prim and professional in their role, a keen observer could see the extra blush on Allyson's cheeks and the extra spring the groomsman's steps.
The lady-in-waiting had always liked Renat more than she would ever have said, but their stations were far too different for her to allow herself to entertain any of those thoughts. However, looking at the older brother, who in her eyes was even more handsome and charming than the scientist, Allyson was quickly being swept off her feet.
With Renat's new standing, Amaki had risen by association. Allyson reveled in the possibilities. If the young man next to her had known the lady's thoughts, he would have encouraged them. Instead he was racking his brain for something witty to say for when he sat near her at the reception.
His most brilliant line so far? "Lady Allyson, other than being beautiful, what exactly does a lady-in-waiting do?" Amaki was glad he would have a little more time to think of something better.
The next two pairs of attendants were almost mirrors of one another. Renat's two sisters shyly hung on the arms of scholars completely unused to feminine attention. The general lack of both comfort and eye contact was amusing to the observers. As each pair parted and took their places at the base of the stage, they gave a bow or curtsy to the Empress and the groom.
Finally, those who stood waiting received the reward for their attendance, but none more than Renat. The bride appeared in her full glory on the arm of the Emperor.
Entering the transformed cathedral, Mairwen seemed otherworldly and ethereal. The crown on her head appeared to shine on its own. The Seeker, which hung around her neck, also glowed with an internal radiance. However neither of these compared to the woman's heavenly expression. Her joy was about to be realized.
The princess came to the stage and smiled shyly at her groom. Part of her wished she had opted for the veil to hide her blush. On the other hand, she was very glad nothing was obstructing her view of the majesty of the room or her groom.
Devrim, who was supposed to release his daughter and hand her to Renat, hesitated. He stared hard at the scientist and probed him with his piercing gaze. Reluctantly, he placed his daughter's hand in Renat's waiting palm, but not before raising his eyebrows with a message that told him just how brief his life would be if he ever broke his vow.
With his free hand, the groom placed the white rose he had received from Aurora into the center of his wife's bouquet. The purple freesia and white tiger lily flowers accepted the last delicate bloom to complete the masterpiece.
Then the entire wedding party linked hands and mounted the platform, after which the bridesmaids and groomsmen stepped aside. Mairwen gave Brinn her bouquet, which was the cue for Justum to start. At last, the strange smile of the Fate was able to relax and he was able to begin the proceedings.
"We are gathered to witness the union of Princess Mairwen, daughter of Empress Aurora and Emperor Devrim, to Renat, son of Abod and Emese. Should anyone object to this marriage, let them speak now." Justum thought this was an odd custom, but had included it just the same.
Thankfully even the Emperor knew better than to say anything, and the ceremony went on uninterrupted. Justum read the marriage rites, making sure not to add own additions. After the last time, he knew to stick to the script.
"Do you take this man to be your husband?" He asked solemnly.
Flushed, the bride nodded, "I do." The princess bobbed up and down in place. She was full of nervous energy. She slipped the ring from Renat's pouch on his finger.
"Do you take this woman to be your wife?" Justum continued with his hands folded respectfully in front of him.
Renat was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he almost missed his cue. "I do!" he answered quickly and enthusiastically, earning a ripple of laughter from the jubilant crowd. The groom hand to mentally count fingers to make sure he had the right one before the intricate wedding band was slipped onto the woman's hand.
Next the couple walked to the small marriage table which was off to the left of the stage. Each fed the other a piece of oiled bread to symbolize their new life. Taking a lit candle from the three-armed candelabra, the bride and groom together lit the third wick in the center before blowing out their own lights: their lives were now one. Finally Brinn and Alvar took a cord from the table and tied Mairwen's and Renat's wrists together.
"What has been joined, let no one separate," Justum announced. "You may kiss the bride."
It was hard to say who was more eager for that moment, for the two collided in a passionate kiss that made even the hearts made of stone melt. While it was never proven, it is believed that even the curmudgeon Reyan may have shed a tear of happiness for the pair.
With the cord still tied, the two moved backwards down the aisle. Cheers and adulations bombarded the pair. With a little wind magic from the Matron of Honor and the Best Elf, the hanging vines of flowers overhead swayed rhythmically to the recessional music, releasing their purple and white petals into the air.
The shower of delicate blossoms rained down as the couple exited the ballroom and made their way to the stables outside. While the guests changed venues to head to the reception dinner, the princess and new prince would make their debut as a married couple around the city of Valiant in an open carriage. After this they would be received by their waiting guests for dinner.
Renat handed Mairwen into the buggy and hurried after her. He kissed the woman again, still testing out the taste of his new bride. "I love you, my wife," he said, happy to try out the word.
"I love you too, my husband." Mairwen gave a shy smile then stared off into the distance as the wheels of the coach began to move. She released a contented sigh as she brought her attention back to her spouse. "I am just so happy, Renat. I just know that we will have so many wonderful adventures together!"
The scientist was taken aback. "Haven't we had enough adventure for one lifetime?" he asked.
The woman chuckled softly. "Don't you know who you married? I am quite sure the adventures are just beginning."
His gaze softening, Renat gave a lopsided grin. "As long as I am with you, my love, you can count me in. Together, we can face anything."
The gate to the palace opened, and the crowd outside roared a deafening cheer. Their fervor was overwhelming. Renat visibly stiffened, unsure of how to react. Mairwen gripped her husband's hand. "Together…?" she looked deep into his eyes.
Renat relaxed. "We can face anything," he repeated.
And that is just what they did. Together.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
NobleQueenBee
NobleQueenBee That is not the end for our lovely couple. It is only the beginnig I am sure. I will be taking a short break from this story, but I may have another Volume in the works. Would you be interested if I did? Thanks, as always, for reading.
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