Serena and her father took the first steps down the aisle. At the same time, the choir of the cathedral started singing the lyrics of the song. Briefly, Serena thanked Shaina Twain at the back of her head.
"From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
From this moment, I have been blessed
I live only, for your happiness
And for your love, I give my last breath
From this moment on
I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you I can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment, as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing, I wouldn't give
From this moment on
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment, as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing, I wouldn't give
From this moment, I will love you
As long as I live from this moment on"
As the song was being sung, some of the guests could not help but appreciate. Everyone, well, save for those from the other factions and some particular people, were very happy for the couple. It was the fairytale ending, the match of the millennium. Everyone knew who Serena was, the most beautiful and accomplished lady of the empire, she was about to reach the pinnacle of every girl's dream. To be the crown princess, future queen, of her own kingdom.
Then, there's Geoffrey, the crown prince. A very exemplary youth. Handsome, kind-hearted, has plenty of achievements of his own. The list could also go on and on.
Looking at the bride, even behind her veil, her smile was magnificent. Clearly, the very image of a bride in love. She would not have made the song, which no one was doubting she wrote, sung on her wedding day, while she walks down the aisle if she did not love the groom.
The guests were all smiles as Serena continued to walk with her father. All eyes were on her. When they reached the balcony where the King and Queen were standing, Simoun bowed, while Serena curtsied. Then, after the 4- minute procession, they reached the high altar where Geoffrey and Frederick were waiting.
This time, looking at the groom as he received his bride, anyone can tell how besotted he was. Those who knew him personally, especially those from his own faction, have never seen him wear such an expression before. He was full of emotions, his eyes were shiny, if he were to blink, without a doubt, one could bet that a tear would fall.
Really, this must be the stuff of which fairytales were made of. They were a match made in heaven. How else could one describe it?
--
The emotions inside the couple were as what the guests saw. Despite everything that happened to get where they were, at that moment, they were passionately in love with each other. The feelings they have, they were all real.
Finally, the two were standing before the altar, in front of them was the Archbishop of Windsor who will solemnize their vows.
The 'guide me, o thou great redeemer' was sung by the congregation.
While that was happening, Geoffrey took the chance to lean a little closer to Serena, only to say the words, "the song was beautiful, you, much more so. I love you, always."
Serena blushed happily and can only lament not being able to respond with him standing straight again as the song finished. She thought he was so handsome himself in his resplendent full dress princely attire in red.
Anyhow, with that, the archbishop began his service.
The words of the archbishop were taken in by the couple. From time to time, they would chance a glance at each other. Their eyes would sometimes meet, and they would smile as if agreeing to the words being said.
Not long after, it was time for their vows. The archbishop asked them the questions, to which they both answered I will.
Then, the archbishop received Serena's right hand from her father and handed it to Geoffrey.
"I, Geoffrey Arthur Philip William, take thee, Serena Lilianne Maxwell, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance' and thereto I plight thee my troth." Geoffrey said without the need to even read the words.
Serena took what he said and knew that despite it being just lines from the holy bible, he meant each and every word.
"I, Serena Lilianne Maxwell, take thee, Geoffrey Arthur Philip William, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death us do part, according to god's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."
If before Serena would never say the words obey, now, she was fully saying those words from the bottom of her heart. Geoffrey was her hero, her prince, her knight in the shining armor, what would she not do for him?
Then, came the exchange of rings which were made from Welsch gold. After, the archbishop joined their right hands together and announced, "Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder… I pronounce they be man and wife together… amen."
The ceremony moved on. When they reached the blessing, the congregation started singing the kingdom's anthem, while they moved to the Shrine inside the Cathedral to sign the marriage registers.
It was a private moment for the couple and the signing witnesses, and it was there that Geoffrey turned back Serena's veil. Seeing her fully for the first time that day, she was more beautiful than he has ever seen her. He smiled that little smile filled with gentleness and adoration while she smiled back at him. Then, he kissed her. A simple chaste kiss even when all he wanted to do was ravish her. Well, he can do that later.
When the kiss and signing was done, they again went back to the altar.
The orchestra started playing and the trumpets resounded. Now, everyone knew they were indeed married seeing the veil upturned.
Geoffrey and Serena, now crown prince and crown princess of Windsor, went down the altar. Passing the balcony where the king and queen of Windsor, Geoffrey's parents, were, they each gave a curtsy and a bow respectively.
And so, with that, they begin the long walk to exit the cathedral. All the guests were standing, marveling at the beauty and happiness of the newly wedded couple. Really, this must be the very definition of royal married bliss.
Halfway down the aisle, Geoffrey could no longer stop himself from his booming happiness. Thinking that Serena might be having a hard time walking, or whatever excuse he could think of, very uncharacteristic of a crown prince in front of all delegations and royal guests, he picked her up in a bridal carry.
Serena could only laugh in surprise. When before she would hit him with the public display, now she reveled in it.
Thus, like that, they exited the cathedral.
The guests inside who were witness thought that it was so very romantic, though some, of course thought otherwise.
When the light of day shined on the couple exiting the cathedral, the crowd outside who waited for this moment, like they were waiting for it all their lives, cheered, roared, and whistled like crazy. It was the most memorable scene of any wedding they have witnessed.
Geoffrey and Serena were both laughing like everything was right in the world. The guards on duty were alert and opened the door of the white roofless carriage they would take to their reception.
Geoffrey deposited Serena inside, before he sat beside her.
Seeing the crowd happy for them, they waved and smiled.
They even laughed at one banner where written was 'and they lived happily ever after.'
--
Thankfully, Charlton was no masochist and did not leave Norfolk for this day.
--
TBC