When they entered the church at 2:30, there were not a lot of people present for the wedding just yet. However, those that were there could not help but turn their heads towards them. The two were very eye catching. The people there wondered who they were as they did not recognize them. Since the two were dressed extravagantly, perhaps, the reason was because they do not move in the same circles.
Seeing the two, Felix approached them.
"Ah! You're here early. Please, may I introduce you both to the groom." Felix said as he motioned the two of them to the man who he was talking to earlier.
"Good afternoon, Sir Felix. Please do." Charlton replied, while Geoffrey simply nodded.
"Viscount Robert Addington, it is my honor to introduce the Crown Prince, Geoffrey William and Lord Charlton Daniel. Like I told you last time, they are here to play some of the music later."
Robert shook hands with the two, "Thank you very much for this favor your highness, Lord Daniel. It is our honor to have you here."
"It's my pleasure to be here. Also, congratulations on your wedding." Charlton replied with a friendly smile.
"Yes, and best wishes." Geoffrey added, being polite.
The rest of the on-lookers were listening to the conversation and wanted the chance to be introduced to the two noble personages. However, Felix hovered over the two as he introduced them to the parents of the bride and groom.
At quarter to 3, Emily arrived. She was wearing a conservative beige dress embroidered with golden threads. Her hair was in a loose braid. A lot of people turned to look at her as she was a beauty. Felix saw her and excused himself from the conversation to welcome her.
"Ah, Ms. Emily, please follow me. Let me introduce you to the parents of the couple."
Emily thanked him and followed. She was introduced but aside from thanking her, the conversation did not veer on other topics.
After the brief interlude, Charlton who everyone discovered to be more friendly, continued to be assaulted by the onslaught of questions from the mother of the bride. He answered everything patiently while at the corner of his eyes, he observed Geoffrey and Emily.
He noticed that the two were wearing matching outfits and were smiling at each other. Well, seems like it was not only him who had that idea.
Charlton checked the time on his watch. He wondered why Serena was still not present. It was already 2:58 and she was usually one to arrive early. Talk about the devil, for when he faced up towards the entrance, there she was.
Nothing could have prepared him for the vision of Serena when she entered the church. His breath was literally taken away. He could hear the bells ringing in his ears and he was afraid that his heart would just jump out of his chest. He thought that perhaps, this was what it would feel like when she walks down the aisle towards him on their wedding day.
She was wearing a light blue dress made of silk chiffon. It had a sweetheart neckline and fitted short cap sleeves made of translucent material embellished with Swarovski crystals. It has a fitted bodice with geometric flaps and a flared skirt. Her hair was in a braided updo revealing the eye-catching necklace she was wearing. As she walked, her diamond necklace and the crystals on her sleeves reflected the rays of the sun giving her an otherworldly glow, creating the illusion that she was a goddess who descended to the mortal realm.
The effect Serena had was not only experienced by Charlton, but everyone in the church. There was a moment of silence as everyone wondered who the girl who just arrived was. Felix cleared his throat signaling everyone to resume their conversation and pretend to look elsewhere.
"Serena! Welcome! Come, let me introduce you to everyone." Felix said as he approached her.
"Good afternoon Sir Felix, I hope I am just on time." She said as Felix escorted her towards where Charlton and the rest were.
Serena saw Charlton staring at her earlier, his eyes wide and mouth slightly agape as he took her in. She was satisfied with his reaction as that was her intention. On the other hand, she also observed him. He was extraordinarily handsome, his clothes suiting him perfectly. She also noted that their clothes matched. As they reached the group, Serena stood near Charlton's side.
"Everyone, may I introduce to you, Lady Serena Maxwell. She was the musical genius I was telling you all about." Felix said.
"Oh!!! Felix told us about you and kept praising you endlessly! I'm so excited to hear your song." The mother of the bride, Felicity, Felix's sister said.
"thank you, madam. I can only hope not to disappoint." Serena replied humbly with a smile, her twin vortex showing, making her lovelier.
"Oh you!!! No matter, I'm sure that it would be lovely. Don't feel pressured." Felicity said while she blushed. She felt a little guilty as she recalled being angry at her brother for suggesting a new song composed by his student be played as the song for her daughter's walk down the aisle. She even reminded him that it was a once in a lifetime event and warned him that if the song ruins her daughter's moment, she will literally kill him.
"No, I understand that this is a once in a lifetime event for your daughter, so I hope that it will be memorable for her" Serena said, and then added "…in a good way, of course."
This made everyone chuckle comfortably.
--
Geoffrey in all honesty could not tear his eyes away from Serena. When she entered the church, he felt his heart make a thump. Even when he saw what she was wearing, he did not reprimand her in his head for it took a minute for his brain to start functioning.
Although he hated to admit, but his fiancée was a vision. She walked towards them with confident strides, and it was only then that he recalled that he hated this attention-seeking behavior of hers. It seems that she always must bask under the spotlight and steal everyone's thunder.
When she started speaking, he was surprised that despite her obviously knowing her position in society, she did not speak arrogantly, but rather, with humility. It was not the first time he noticed it about her, but he just did not believe it.
She was garnering everyone's attention, but she did not shy away. Instead, like a fish in the water, she was in her element. She was a contradiction, she was not too humble, but she was also not arrogant. She was able to have this effect on the people she was talking with, charming them, and making them like her incessantly.
However, there was a part of him that firmly believes that she was just doing all these for show. That deep inside, she was still the arrogant attention-seeking hypocrite he thought she was.
Also, she kept a certain distance from him. She did not ignore him per se, but then again, she did not give him any special attention either. He knew that he should appreciate what she was doing, yet he could not understand why it irked him to no end.
--
Serena breathed in relief after talking with both the parents of the bride and groom. It was only for 15 minutes, but they were able to ask about a lot of things, like how old is she, when did she start learning music and the likes. Thankfully, they were not very privy to her and Geoffrey's engagement, or if they were, they did not mention it.
After that, she turned to face Charlton. However, since everyone's eyes were on them, Serena only smiled at him. Their eyes doing all the talking between them.
"Alright, you four please follow me, the wedding is about to start." Felix said as he motioned them towards the left corner where a band was. He talked to the band and then informed them of the sequence for their performance.
After receiving their nods of understanding, Felix left them to join his relatives.
Then, the marching down the aisle began.
--
TBC