After the wedding ceremony at the cathedral, the royal couple, Geoffrey and Serena, rode their white landau to the palace where the celebratory luncheon was to be held.
What happened after was another series of scheduled events where not a moment of privacy was given to the couple. At 1:45, they were escorted to the palace's throne room followed by their respective immediate family and the wedding party to pose for official wedding portraits. While this was happening, the wedding guests were being ushered to the palace ballroom.
At 2:30, the wedding luncheon began. In comparison to the 2000 attendees in the cathedral, only 600 wedding guests were actually allowed inside the palace. These included the immediate and extended family of both sides, close friends, royals, and higher nobility.
Geoffrey and Serena, as the main protagonists of the day, entered the reception last, the MC announcing them for the first time as his royal highness, crown prince, Geoffrey Arthur Philip William, and her royal highness, crown princess Serena Lilianne William.
The two were greeted by boisterous cheers almost uncharacteristic of the guests considering their lineage. Anyhow, handshakes, kisses on the cheeks, and every form of congratulatory remark was given as the two made their rounds in the ballroom.
Perhaps the only person who showed some irksome attitude to Serena was Kylo. When their eyes met, it was clear as day that Kylo was being very much sarcastic. He greeted Geoffrey first and shook his hand, he had a very wide grin on his face and of course, Serena knew exactly what he's thinking of Geoffrey. A duped prince who thought he got the most prized bride.
Then when it was her turn, his smile was undeniably sardonic as he congratulated her in a sing song tune. Serena looked him in the eye, her smile wide, as if wanting to rub to his face her brimming happiness like the evil villainess she was.
What? It was her day, and whatever Kylo thought, well, he can shove it in his ass. He doesn't know half of the story and she doesn't have the need to explain nor defend herself to him.
In the end, Kylo walked away more annoyed with nowhere to project his disgust.
Now, although the couple were the main stars, they did not have to stay long for the luncheon. After cutting the cake and dancing the first dance, Serena, together with her bridesmaids left the ballroom. The girls were to help her change to her going-away outfit, a pink ensemble which looked more comfortable, but still elegant enough to be befitting of a princess.
Escorted by one of the wedding organizers, they were led to a powder room. When they were left alone inside, the girls were finally able to show their tears, truly happy for her. Of course, some funny banters were also exchanged.
Like how Gizel just had to mention who she saw at the cathedral before Serena made her appearance. That she never thought she would be seeing some of their batchmates again so soon, she was not even given the time to miss some of them. Particularly, two faced bitch Emily, holier than thou Douglas, and weirdo Isabel. Thankfully, she was spared seeing the face of Emily during the reception as she was only allowed/ required to attend at the cathedral because her father was a baron.
Then, there's Milly teasing her of making her royal babies soon during their honeymoon which she was sure would be the loveliest children ever. She also mentioned that her wedding gift would surely help. That caused the girls to laugh.
While Via, ever solemn could only wish that she remains as happy in the future as she was that moment. Preferably even more.
When it was 3:45, it was time for Serena to exit the room. They group hugged one more time before Serena was escorted to where Geoffrey was waiting.
Geoffrey who has also changed out of his wedding attire, was dressed in a gray smart suit. Looking handsome but more casual. He smiled at her as he reached out his hand to ask for hers.
Serena placed her hand in his.
They were led to the carriage they rode back to the palace which would take them to Windsor station where they would take the train to Wiltshire where they would spend their honeymoon for 8 days.
The carriage which now had a banner just married attached to it, compliments of Serena's friends, made its way to Windsor station. Strangely, the route was even more crowded than earlier. People were eagerly waiting, as if it was the last and only time that they would be able to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. To describe how crowded it was, one would see that tree branches were collapsing under the weight of the people clinging to them.
Serena was too busy marveling at what was happening. She was famous she knew, but it was nothing as exaggerated as this, or so she thought. Geoffrey on the other hand, well, he was busier looking at his now wife.
Serena saw a man literally falling from the tree to the road, it was a pity, but she couldn't help but giggle. She turned to Geoffrey to ask if he saw.
Geoffrey, of course, did not. He was not even aware of the crowd cheering for them. All the time, his eyes were on Serena. This time, seeing her eyes full of mirth and happiness, he could no longer stop himself. He pinched her chin and then leaned forward to kiss her.
If the crowd was cheering just for a glimpse and getting a wave from their future king and queen, this time, it was pandemonium. The kiss would be the talk of the whole kingdom for the coming days. Normal people share kisses, they knew that, but when Geoffrey and Serena showed it to the public, it became magical.
Perhaps because there have never been royals that displayed that kind of affection in public before, or maybe it's because the image was so iconic. A prince and a princess in their splendid white carriage with a sign of just married behind it, sharing a lover's kiss under the golden afternoon light. Beautiful and captivating in every single way.
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TBC
End of Volume 3 for real! sorry! this was supposed to be in volume 4 the summary and start their honeymoon but it became 1 chapter! I think this is better end for volume 3 too. Thank you for your patience and support! I want to write everything in one go yesterday so I was rushing the wedding, but then I find so many lacking things. I am more satisfied with this and I hope you are too! Please leave some comments of say hi sometimes to let me know I'm not alone here. ^^