The day has finally arrived. The wedding music echoed throughout the Zizvailles Palace. From the outer courtyard to the main hall, invited guests flocked to the designated gathering area. Male guests wear black or red suits, while female guests wear lovely bright dresses with a lovely hat as a headdress. They form groups and talk to one another. The subject was related to the current event, which was about the unknown Fifth Princess. Everyone had an opinion and an idea of how the Fifth Princess would look. Everyone excitedly discussed the available dishes while eating and drinking them.
The atmosphere outside is different from the atmosphere inside the palace's special hall. The atmosphere is solemn and serious. Only members of the royal family and important guests are invited, and the wedding anthem will be performed by a small group choir.
The groom has arrived at the altar. Edgar Baldwin was dressed in a high-level military uniform. Apart from being mandatory, it also serves as a reminder that he is invested in national defence. His physical appearance was undeniably masculine. Many times over, he reinforced his charm.
Yvette cried uncontrollably as she stared at the man at the altar from the royal family's special row of seats. All over her face was the desire to rush up to the altar and exchange marriage vows with the man. But, of course, it was all in her head. Her bravery does not match her strong will. Furthermore, someone had been watching her the entire time.
Yvette cast a glance at a particular chair. Eugene was sitting in the same row as her, only a few seats away. Eugene could be seen staring at Yvette from her vantage point. Yvette immediately lowered her head, refusing to look around.
Outside music was barely audible, and the wedding hall had become solemn.
The door to the special hall then completely opened from a small gap…
Cheryl, dressed in a white gown, appeared in front of everyone's eyes. Her wedding gown was made of lace with white rose embroidery at the bottom of the skirt and had long sleeves. The bride's appearance is enhanced by accessories such as earrings and a sparkling diamond necklace. A tiara in the shape of flowers and leaves is coiled in a heart and studded with diamonds on her head, and it is connected to a transparent white bridal veil that covers Cheryl's face and hair. Her appearance was enhanced by the bouquet of white myrtle flowers she was holding.
The four bridesmaids assisted her in lifting the skirt of her wedding gown, which was spread out behind her. While the other two girls walked two steps ahead of Cheryl to scatter flower petals along the red carpet through which the bride and groom would walk.
Cheryl raised her head, her gaze fixed on the carpet that stretched all the way up to the altar, where Edgar stood. Cheryl exhaled, attempting to calm her racing heart. She walked slowly after a while. Her pure white high heels made a distinct clicking sound. She gradually got closer to Edgar.
The young woman soon arrived at the altar. Edgar greeted her by reaching out his hand to Cheryl.
Cheryl raised her head slightly. Edgar's smile felt particularly warm to her at the time. Like the smile of a true lover who has been in a long-term relationship before finally marrying.
Cheryl was standing right next to Edgar without even realising it. The priest approached them, pulled out a book, and read the wedding vows to them.
Edgar repeated the wedding vows, saying each word clearly, while staring intently at Cheryl's face.
"I am Edgar Baldwin, and I accept Claudia Rowe as my wife, with the intention of possessing and caring for one another from now on and forever. In times of adversity and joy, abundance and need, health and sickness, to love and cherish one another until death do us part, according to God's holy law, and this is my genuine oath of allegiance."
Cheryl also repeated the promise at the time.
"I am Claudia Rowe, and I accept Edgar Baldwin as my husband, with whom I will have and care for the rest of my life. In times of adversity and joy, abundance and need, health and sickness, to love and cherish one another until death do us part, according to God's holy law, and this is my genuine oath of allegiance."
Cheryl's voice shook slightly. It's unclear whether it was caused by sadness or happiness. When Edgar took off the bridal veil that had been covering Cheryl's face, a single tear fell and landed on Edgar's hand.
"It's fine. Don't shed any tears." Edgar gently caressed Cheryl's cheek and spoke softly as well. He approached Cheryl and planted a light kiss on her cheek.
Along with the kiss, the entire audience who witnessed it applauded, and whether willingly or unwillingly, each had to bless the newlyweds.
They paid their respects to the King and Queen first, then to the other important guests. The bride and groom were then congratulated by the princesses and princes. Eugene is among them.
He turned to face the couple at the altar. He was initially concerned that he would be unable to see the girl he adored side by side saying the sacred vows of marriage to someone else. But it didn't work. Instead, he experienced a sense of relief.
Unlike Eugene, Yvette was unable to speak. She simply cupped her hands and gave a small blessing before backing away.
Edgar reached out a hand to Cheryl. The wedding ceremony is now complete. They had to come out and greet the guests who had been invited. Cheryl was aware of this. She took Edgar's outstretched hand in hers and walked alongside the venerable Marquess.
The choir sang the wedding anthem as the newlyweds walked towards the hall doors.
The guests were buzzing with chatter as they approached the palace's main door, stunned for a moment by the sight of the bride. They didn't know Claudia's appearance, so the nobles guessed what the Fifth Princess would look like, so that the Marquess of Northland didn't choose the Third Princess, Yvette, who was known as the number one beauty.
They finally understood after seeing how Princess Claudia appeared. In comparison to the lovely and mature Princess Yvette, Princess Claudia exuded grace and purity.
The words of admiration began to reverberate one by one.
"It turns out that the Fifth Princess has her own charm."
A young woman stood quietly among the nobles, clutching the glass cup in her hand. Elena was the young lady, Edgar Baldwin's "former lover."
Elena was determined to attend the wedding despite the fact that she had not been invited. By bragging about her ambiguous relationship with Edgar, she hoped to provoke Princess Claudia. But, just as she was about to proceed, the newlyweds boarded a horse-drawn carriage bearing the Baldwins' coat of arms.
The horse carriage carrying Edgar and Cheryl left Zizvailles Palace for the Baldwin Mansion ahead of the guests.
Elena, unable to carry out her plan, could only bite her lip and stare at the dust left by the horse carriage.
*