Chapter 157 - The Wedding
Chapter 157 – The Wedding
Today was especially a good day. The climate in Belcoot had always been low, but today it was bearable. Or maybe I just got used to the cold climate, that unless it was freezing cold, it would be normal for me.
"Mama, so pretty." I smiled and looked down at my side.
There, Toby was wearing a white formal suit with his hair brushed to one side. We were still in the bride's waiting room where I was dressed in a delicate bridal dress; adorned with beads and sequence down to its tail. I heard this dress was worked on by ten or more people day and night to finish it.
They arranged my hair in a waterfall braid beautified with little flowers to complement the color of my hair. The white veil was attached to the garland on top of my head, leaving it on the back since the ceremony hadn't started.
"You look so fine, Toby." I squatted down to see him up close. "So cute."
"Papa teased me, saying the seamstress nearly ran out of fabric for me." He pouted while I chuckled. "Even today, he said the buttons of my clothes are barely holding on."
At this point, I was already used to Hugo's unique way of showing his affection to Toby. My poor baby. His father was a bully.
"Don't listen to him. He's probably jealous because anything looks good on you."
"But Papa is good-looking. I almost didn't recognize him earlier!"
I smiled, a bit excited to see Hugo since I hadn't seen him since last night. A 'tradition' Ivo came up with, so we anticipate our meeting today.
"Toby." I held his huge hand that was twice as large as a human child's hands. "Thank you for coming to me. I was a bit nervous before you came. But now, I'm relieved that I have someone with me."
"Mama…" His doe eyes gleamed as his face brightened up.
I patted his head gently. But just as my lips parted, a knock from the door reached my ears. As it creaked open, I raised my head, only to see Ivo in formal wear.
'Wow… Ivo is always neat, but this is the first time I've seen him look very formal.'
"Luna, it's time," he announced with a grin. "Everyone is waiting. Alpha Hugo's patience is also running thin."
"It is a good day. He shouldn't ruin his mood." I chuckled as I stood up, holding Toby's hand because he was the one who would walk me down the aisle. "Lead the way."
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The wedding was held in the castle's main chapel. We agreed we preferred a simpler wedding ceremony because of many things. One was because we had to set off to the capital the next day. And second, we had little time to prepare.
Even so, with everyone's effort, the 'simple ceremony' in my head still turned out as grand in my eyes. With church bells ringing in a consistent rhythm, flower petals falling like rain, and the festive vibe from everyone backed by the wonderful weather, it was grand.
Holding a bouquet in my hand while holding Toby with the other, I gazed at the shut door through the white veil. The corners of my lips stretched into a subtle smile.
For reasons unknown, my heart thumped against my ribcage. I hid my nervousness with a smile as I looked at Toby.
"Are you happy, Toby?" I asked, and he nodded with a bright smile.
"Mama, are you happy?"
My eyelids drooped and kept my subtle smile. "I am."
CREAK…
I peeled my eyes away from Toby and set them ahead, watching the door open from the inside. The twins stretched their lips into a wide grin, excitement brimming in their eyes.
'Everything looks so perfect,' I thought, letting out a deep exhale as I marched in the side.
As I did, I looked to my left. There, I caught Nana wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, crying out of happiness. Bowie was also in there, along with the Tarsa Tribe, nodding encouragingly at me. I smiled back at them before shifting my eyes to the right aisle.
On the right were Hugo's vassals and aides and warriors of the grand duke of Belcoot. It was only us since his siblings couldn't make it. Despite that, it didn't make the atmosphere less heartwarming.
Then ahead was Hugo.
Toby didn't lie when he said Hugo looked especially good today. His white suit matched his skin tone and hair color. He was wearing this grin on his face, eyes full of affection. I could also tell the impatience in his eyes as if he wanted to run towards me.
'He was beautiful,' I thought.
Everything at this moment didn't matter, as my eyes were on that dashing man waiting for me at the altar. I hastened my pace, but not too much to be seen impatient.
Shortly after, I paused as Toby had to sit on the first pew on the right. I nodded at him before he let me go, running back to Tito.
As Tito carried him, I resumed in my strides until I was a step away from Hugo. He looked at me with anticipation. He couldn't stop himself from smiling like a fool.
"You're so lovely," he praised, biting his lip to smile himself from smiling. "Hand?"
He offered a hand for me to clasp, which I accepted without a second hesitation. "I think I fell in love at first sight," I humored, making him chuckle.
Hugo assisted me to the step-up, reminding me to watch my steps. We stood in front of the wedding facilitator from the temple. He looked at us with a kind smile, honored to facilitate the wedding of the Grand Duke.
"We are here today to witness the union of His Royal Highness, His Grace, Hugo Tempest, and his Luna, Rinnie Everfell…" The priest declared today's agenda in a kind tone while I listened.
He then went to proceed with the ceremony. Blessing this marriage, making us recite our vows, and explaining the sacredness of marriage. I kept smiling throughout, giggling every time Hugo lean to my side and whisper things in my ears.
"For the exchange of rings…" Hugo and I faced each other, smiling without reason.
"I take you to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward… to love and to cherish, till death do us part… I make this vow…" I listened to his warm baritone voice pledging his vow sincerely while putting the ring around my finger.
I smiled subtly, holding his hand as I recited the same words while placing the ring on his finger. "I take you to be my husband… to love and to cherish, till death do us part… I make this vow."
I heard claps from the witnesses of this union, making me glance at them with a smile. The priest spoke more before he declared us as husband and wife."
"… you may now kiss the bride."
Hugo grinned excitedly and yet he was careful to lift my veil. He froze upon seeing my face, mouth falling.
"So pretty…" he mumbled, blinking countless times before he cleared his throat. "I'm so lucky."
I chuckled as he looked as if this was the first time he would kiss me. But it was Hugo. The man would kiss me as if it was the first time and hold me in his embrace as if it was the last. So, I wasn't surprised anymore.
"Rinrin," he called in a low tone, tilting his head to the side as he bent over to seal our marriage. "I love you, my wife."
I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips. "I love you too, my husband." I smiled against his soft lips.
And we lived happily ever after… or so, what I wished.
When I opened my eyes, the festive vibe was gone. Silence replaced the claps and pleasant noises of the witnesses. I looked around the chapel, which was decorated with flowers and filled with the happy crowd moments ago.
It was now empty, filled with dust and cobwebs. Hugo was not in front of me anymore and only I stood on this altar alone.
"Just how long will you live like this, Lamb!?" an angry voice rang behind me.
"Until it becomes the reality," I whispered, blinking once again and everything returned to that pleasant day.
I smiled lovingly at Hugo and leaned my cheek against his palm as he cupped my cheek. "I love you, Hugh. Even death will not separate us," came out a whisper that drifted in the cheerful claps resonating in the air.
— END OF VOLUME 2 part 1 —