264 Wedding.
Shi Lang and Amelia had selected a low-key venue for their wedding, the guest list was also very constricted and the first fleet had volunteered to look after the security arrangements. The former General Council was invited, and the principal of Federation Star Academy was also invited to the ceremony.
Shi John and Luna were greeting the guests at the door with General Charlotte. The smile on their faces was worth a million dollars. Shi Lang’s friends were already inside, and they were passing on the gifts to his uncle and aunt.
Meanwhile, the groom and bride were in their separate rooms. Lucas was now a married man, so the position of the best man was given to Jenkins. The latter was sorting out the collar of the groom, who said, “Jenkins, I find you to be a total mom material.”
Jenkins finished his task and said, “I find you to be ungrateful, but do you hear me complaining?”
Shi Lang chuckled and asked, “How do I look?”
Jenkins sighed and said, “Like Amelia’s tamed pet.”
Shi Lang was surprised by this toxicity but thinking about it he did not mind. He adjusted his cuffs one last time before Shi John came over to call him. It was time. Jenkins followed him half a step behind, Shi Lang was dressed in his ceremonial military uniform. On happy occasions, the military uniform turned into a white mink collar coat and white pants with black shoes and a white hat.
Shi Lang’s chest was inlaid with medals and the epaulets were adorning his shoulders. A golden sash was tied around his waist, making him look dignified and domineering. He stood in front of the altar, waiting for Amelia to come over. The person who was going to swear them both in was none other than, Fleet Admiral Stevenson.
The old man was one of the most respected people to them both and had known them for a long time as well. Suddenly, the background echoed with gentle music and all the eyes were trained on the alleyway.
Amelia walked in with her arm hooked with her mother. She had lost her father when she was very young and her mother was no less than a father to her, also the modern culture did not have the distinction between a father and a mother. Charlotte led her daughter, who was wearing a white champagne gown, with her face covered with a veil, as she carried a bouquet of white lilies toward the altar.
Shi Lang said under his breath, “Fuck, I feel more scared than facing a phaser canon.”
However, in the silent atmosphere, his voice echoed and all the guests burst into laughter. Amelia raised her head to glare at him through the veil, only to find him smiling at him and mouthing the words, Sorry.
The short walk came to an end and Charlotte said, “I, Charlotte Knight, give away my daughter, Amelia Knight to Shi Lang.”
Shi Lang replied, “I accept, Amelia as the most prized person in my life, and promise to always respect her, and defend her honor.”
Then the lady placed the hand of her daughter in Shi Lang’s hand and took a step back. At this moment, Charlotte seemed to have aged a few years. Luna stepped out from the side and placed her arms around the lady as she said, “Don’t worry, I will disown him if he bullied my daughter.”
Charlotte chuckled and wiping the drop of tear at the corner of her eye, sat down with her in-laws.
Stevenson sighed and said, “To think this pair of young people will have me do such troublesome things at this age. I wonder if I should have whipped them back in school so that they would select someone else for this.”
The old man rarely cracked jokes but today he was happy to see the two most talented students in his school get married to each other. He said, “Now, we are about to begin the wedding procession, if anyone has any objections, please come out now, or forever hold your silence.”
After waiting for a minute symbolically, when none of the people stepped forward, the old man continued, “Do you, Shi Lang, take Amelia Knight to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to take care of her in pleasure and pain, and support her through the ups and downs of life? Do you promise to maintain her dignity and be forever loyal to her?”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I do.”
(The oath has changed since the religions had changed and it was more practical this way. Do not get offended by this, you guys. I have written more condescending shit in earlier chapters)
The old man nodded when Jenkins asked, “So if you flirt now, will Amelia cut off your ball sack?”
The people laughed and Hayley said, “I do not know about Amelia cutting him, but if you squeaked one more time, then I will make you cut yours.”
The laughter became stronger and Jenkins stood up in attention. Hayley was the bridesmaid with a few other girls that Amelia had invited from the scout division in Ao. Stevenson coughed and the people fell silent again, while Jenkins was warned with a stern glare. Shi Lang was looking at Amelia with some sweat on his forehead. He could sense the girl asking him in her mind, “Could you not find anyone better than Jenkins for the day?”
He swore, he will kick his ass later. Stevenson asked, “Do you, Amelia Knight, take Shi Lang to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to take care of him in pleasure and pain, and support him through the ups and downs of life? Do you promise to maintain his dignity and be forever loyal to him?”
Amelia looked at Shi Lang, tilted her hand, and then said, “Fine, I do.”
Her words sounded as if she was taking pity on the boy. The people wanted to laugh at this antic of hers, but Stevenson said, “By the power vested in me by these two, I now declare them, husband and wife. The groom may kiss the bride.”
Shi Lang smiled and gently lifted the veil that covered Amelia’s face. The guests all stood up from their seats. Shi Lang leaned in and planted a silky kiss on the lips of the bride. Amelia blushed when she looked into his eyes, in front of so many people, this was an obvious reaction.
Then the two people came to seek the blessings of the elders, and the ceremony continued. Followed by this, the couple danced to the tune of the first song Shi Lang had sung for the girl. Mila had saved that song and today she found the excuse to play it again.
The atmosphere was filled with joy and peace and everyone was having fun. In the end, Amelia flung the bouquet in her hand behind her back, and Hayley caught it. It was said that the one who catches the bouquet will get married next. Jenkins said, “I pray for the poor soul who marries you.”
Then started a round of banter between the two. While Shi Lang and Amelia were sent off in their car, saying, ‘Just Married.’ on the back. The two people were going to a place called the seashore resort. They will spend the next week there mingling with each other and enjoying their newly wedded life.
The news of their wedding had spread throughout the federation and the wishes were pouring in like a tide. Some reporters wanted to sneak a few photographs but the secret division operatives were maintaining strict security from the dark. This was the gift that Archie Arkham had given Shi Lang.
…
Two days later, Shi Lang was swinging in a hammock looking depressed, on the night of his wedding, Amelia told him that she was having a visit from lady flo, and it will last for three more days. His soul almost left his body again at that moment. Since then, he would not stay alone with Amelia and lay down in the hammock to meditate.
The lady found it funny but then she could not do anything in this regard. She understood that he was a man and found it hard to control himself around him. Shi Lang was not actually meditating, but he was using this time to come up with a better training plan for the final twenty that manage to pass the trials and contests.
Amelia asked him from the side, “Why did you choose this place as a getaway?”
Shi Lang smiled and replied without opening his eyes, “This place is calm yet not content. The boundless deep sea, the uncountable stars spread across the sky, they all signify my love for you, thus I choose this place.”
Amelia was surprised and pleased when he said those words. She laid down beside him, wearing a skirt and a top, and said, “You know, aunt flo left yesterday.”
Shi Lang opened his eyes and then spring of love bloomed under the moon.