A/N: I think this is the last of the Catholic references and this time it's all canonical law. It got a little trickier than I anticipated, but I tried to explain with context. Let me know if anything's unclear and I'll give the short and sweet version.
Emil's father is not named (as far as I can find), so Gustave is my own creation. And yes there is a break with comic canon in this chapter, but have patience. There's a reason for everything that's going on so far, including Rogue's lack of emotional response.
Side Note: I have an outline in my head, but I'm posting as I complete a chapter (unlike An Hour After Midnight which is several chapters out and well documented). So updates will probably be irregular in a couple more chapters. This is my muse's new favorite toy though, so hopefully the momentum will keep up.
Thanks: to everyone who's reviewed! This last chapter was a lot of fun to see your responses and guesses on where this is going. My only answer is that you'll just have to wait and see. ;)
Chapter 3
Remy's rage boiled over. He'd never been so furious in his life as to want to kill someone. Suddenly he understood why the assassins took pleasure in what they did. They'd planned this treachery from the beginning and Julien knew what was going to happen. His snide remarks and easy acceptance of the marriage made perfect sense now. The only thing that could appease Remy was to see him beat to a bloody pulp, dying on his knees.
Without thinking, Remy clenched his hands into fists as he reared back to deliver the first blow. But his forward momentum was abruptly stopped, the force behind his punch blocked before it could gain any strength. Anger turned his vision red as Remy looked for who was holding him back. Quick as lightning, Jean-Luc had risen from his place in the first pew to stop his son from starting an all-out Guild war.
With an imperceptible shake of his head, he quietly said, "He's not worth it, fils."
Julien had quickly sobered when Remy raised his fist. Oblivious to the verbal exchange between father and son, he taunted: "Go 'head, voleurs écume. Gimme de excuse. I've been waitin' t' kill y' since y' first laid eyes on ma sœur."
"That's quite enough, Julien." Marius interjected. "There'll be no violence t'day. After all, it is a joyous occasion, non? This marriage has brought peace t' de Guilds. And Remy is now yo' beau-frère. Is this how we treat famille?"
"Where's Belle." Remy demanded through clenched teeth.
Marius turned a hard, criticizing gaze on his new son-in-law. "That is of no consequence now, though I will give y' de peace of mind that she's safe."
"Ouais, too bad in all de time y' were fuckin' her, y' didn't teach her how t' pick a lock." Julien roared in laughter at his own joke.
"S'il vous plaît, have some respect! This is de Lord's house." The archbishop interrupted.
Shame filled Remy for behaving so poorly in church. His fury faded a little as he regained some composure. Jean-Luc squeezed his shoulder, giving him faith that this would shortly be resolved.
"Bien sûr." Jean-Luc conceded. "May we seek yo' counsel in private, Yo' Excellency?"
Archbishop D'Arceneaux assessed the situation. Thieves and assassins on both sides of the cathedral listened with baited breath, poised to take action on what was said or done. Allowing those congregated to hear any decision could very well spill blood on holy ground.
"Oui. Let us adjourn t' de chapterhouse." He agreed with the Thieves Guildmaster before he addressed the assembly.
"Mesdames et Messieurs, de families of de wedded couple have asked that y' peaceably proceed t' de reception at Le Pavillon's Versailles Ballroom, s'il vous plaît." The archbishop requested.
The gathered thieves and assassins waited a moment longer before reluctantly gathering their things. It was obvious there would be no further scene in the cathedral. As the group scattered, Jean-Luc caught the attention of his brothers-in-law, Belize Marceaux and Gustave Lapin.
"Make sure de peace is kept 'til y' hear from me." He quietly instructed.
Gustave nodded in affirmation. "I'll get Emil."
Jean-Luc held up a hand in disagreement. "Non, leave Emil here. He's good at diffusin' tense situations. We may need him on de ride over t' Le Pavillon."
"We'll use Etienne and Theoren." Belize said to Gustave.
Even though Etienne was the eldest of Belize's sons, he had barely passed his Tithing. If it hadn't been for Remy's quick thinking, the boy would have drowned during his initiation rite. Etienne had never been the same after that, choosing to play it safe rather than do anything too dangerous. Though he'd grown into a gentle young man, his amiable temperament made him a good peacekeeper and negotiator for the thieves.
"Bon. Merci." Jean-Luc clapped Belize on the back before returning his attention to the archbishop who was already heading toward the chapterhouse.
Nearby, Marius instructed his own chosen group to watch the assassins. He also accepted a briefcase from his Besider, Gris Gris, but Jean-Luc didn't wait for them to finish the exchange. Nodding for his two sons to follow, the three went after the archbishop. The small group only had to wait a few minutes before Marius, Julien, and Remy's wife joined them.
Even though Julien was Marius' intended heir and had been present for the marriage arrangment, this meeting would have to be resolved between the two Guild leaders. He smartly hovered in the back with Henri to observe the inevitable fireworks.
As soon as the meeting room's doors were shut, Jean-Luc kneeled on his left knee to pay respects to the archbishop by kissing his ring.
Rising, he started his objections. "Yo' Excellency, s'il vous plaît, this farce is not de terms we Thieves agreed upon. We seek a Declaration of Nullity."
"Oh, but it is, mon ami." Marius countered. "At no point did we Assassins say de bride would be Bella Donna."
Remy's earlier rage returned when he saw Marius' conniving, wicked smirk. He took two steps toward his new father-in-law before Henri grabbed him around the chest and held him back.
"Y' gave me permission t' propose t' Bella Donna!" Remy exclaimed before turning to the archbishop. "Yo' Excellency, she and I completed our pre-cana wit'Monsignor Renault. He has all de proof of our marriage eligibility and signed our certificate."
Renault was the presiding curate priest at Sacred Heart of St. Cecilia and had rushed t' help them complete their marriage counseling in the shortened timeframe. The entire process normally took months, but Marius had arranged to have things expedited.
"I'm afraid Monsignor Renault is not immediately available t' provide witness. He received Holy Orders for a special ministry in a remote part of South Africa and left earlier in de week." Archbishop D'Arceneaux apologized.
"That is quite alright, Yo' Excellency." Marius announced as he opened the briefcase he'd received from Gris Gris. "We have all de original documents here: prenuptial investigation; birth, adoption, baptismal, confirmation, and pre-cana certificates; and de wedding license applied for wit' de great state of Louisiana."
Marius kneeled in respect and kissed the archbishop's ring before handing over the documents. Papers in hand, Archbishop D'Arceneaux laid them out on the conference table before taking a seat. Placing them in chronological order, he compared signatures, names, dates, anything that seemed pertinent or fraudulent.
"Who is Anna Marie Boudreaux?" He asked.
"Ah am." It was the first time the bride's voice rang loud and clear. Everyone's eyes fell on her. "But Ah'd prefer it if ya called me Rogue."
"Menteur!" Jean-Luc shouted. "Marius Boudreaux has only two children: Julien and Bella Donna."
The archbishop's commanding voice calmly chastised: "And yet I have adoption records here for a third: a younger daughter born twenty-one years ago and adopted by Marius at de age of two." He held up the adoption records for Jean-Luc's inspection.
Seeing truth in the statement, he had no ground to object other than: "If these documents are not forgeries, which I greatly question, then why are we just now learnin' of this adoption?"
"Ma fille has…special talents. Her trainin' has been quite intensive and very private over de last nineteen years." Marius offered.
"Come here, my child." The archbishop kindly waved her over. When she arrived by his side, he took her gloved hands in his and asked: "Tell me, is Marius Boudreaux yo' father?"
"For as long as Ah can remember, he is the only father Ah've known." Rogue confirmed.
"And did y' complete pre-cana wit' Remy LeBeau as this document certifies?" He questioned, releasing her hands so he could indicate the appropriate paperwork.
"No." She answered.
"Vous remercie!" Remy visibly relaxed at her confession.
"No," Rogue reiterated in a louder voice, "Ah did not complete pre-cana with him. Ah was workin' on Guild business and couldn't be there in person. Père arranged with Monsignor Renault for me ta complete my portions via phone and email."
Remy threw his hands in the air as he quietly swore under his breath. He realized before anyone else that his objection would be her word against his. The assassins had manipulated the situation in their favor.
"I see." Archbishop D'Arceneaux paused, deep in thought. After a moment, he requested: "S'il vous plait, I would like t' interview de bride and groom alone un instant."
The archbishop arranged two chairs side by side in front of the one he was using. Remy rolled his eyes and bit his tongue, but did as he was instructed. He flopped down in the chair. His posture slumped as he watched Rogue struggle to get her cathedral length train and veil under control. Julien folded his arms and smirked as he watched her vain efforts while Marius and Jean-Luc stared each other down.
Seeing that his brother wasn't going to do a thing to help his bride, Henri stepped forward to gently grab a handful of the lace and tulle.
"Permettez-moi." He offered as he took her hand.
His kindness cracked her ever present stoicism. For as momentous as this occasion and following proceedings, she'd been inscrutably aloof. And yet Henri's simple act brought a momentary flash of surprise, confusion, and something else he couldn't quite identify. She hesitated only a moment before accepting his help.
"Thanks." Rogue answered as she settled into the chair.
To her alone, he smiled and said, "Think nothin' of it."
As he moved to resume his place of observation, he smacked Remy upside the head.
"Mule impoli." He chastised as Remy indignantly cried, "Hey!"
Rather than reminding both brothers of their location, the archbishop began his interview. "Rogue, did y' freely and unconditionally give yo' consent t' marry Remy t'day?"
"Yes." She answered.
"And did anyone coerce y' or place conditions on givin' yo' consent?" The archbishop continued.
Again, her answer was simple. "No."
Turning his attention to the groom, Archbishop D'Arceneaux asked: "Remy, did y' freely and unconditionally give yo' consent t' marry this femme t'day?"
"Oui." He answered on a sulk before immediately adding: "But I thought she was Belle!"
"Patience, mon garçon." The archbishop raised his hand in a shushing gesture to retain the peace. "Were y' coerced or conditions placed on y' t' give yo' consent?"
Folding his arms over his chest and looking away, Remy answered, "Non."
"Did y' consent t' fidelity, indissolubility, and de openness t' children?" Archbishop D'Arceneaux prompted.
"Yes." They individually answered.
An awkward silence descended upon the room as the archbishop critically appraised the couple. He folded his hands as if in prayer, the forefingers remaining up so he could press them to his lips as he thought. After a few moments, he shook himself out of a daze and picked up a few of the papers.
Shuffling through the sheets, he absentmindedly remarked: "From yo' records, we know y' both are of age and confirmed in de Catholic faith. And y' aren't related by adoption, affinity, or public propriety. Nor have y' been previously married, received sacred orders, or vowed chastity. Aside from a physical examination, I have doubts that y' are blood related or mentally ill. Or that you, Remy, are impotent."
The archbishop smiled at the younger man's pinked cheeks. Despite Remy's experience with the ladies, he did not want to discuss his sexual prowess in church or with any of its officials.
Trying to change the focus, he sullenly asked, "So what does all that mean?"
Archbishop D'Arceneaux took care as he gave his answer. "It means I have no reason not t' sign this marriage license."
"Quoi!?" Jean-Luc and Remy simultaneously shouted.
"How can this be?" Jean-Luc argued as he stepped toward the seated parties. "At de very least, de assassins have seriously deceived us at de time of de weddin'!"
"This is true." The archbishop conceded. "However I see no such deception on behalf of de bride. I must recognize this as a putative marriage."
Everyone in the room knew what his ruling meant. The marriage was considered valid because Rogue entered in good faith even though Jean-Luc correctly cited the impediment of deception. Without further delay, the archbishop signed the marriage license and slipped it into his vestments to be filed with the Orleans Parish Clerk of the Court.
"So mon garçon is expected t' honor this…this hoax?" Jean-Luc cried in indignation.
Archbishop D'Arceneaux placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "M. LeBeau, I am not de Ecclesiastical Tribunal. I cannot simply provide a Decree of Nullity after a few questions. De only thing wit'in my power t' do t'day is determine if de marriage is valid, which I have."
Remy jumped up from his slouched position. "Then what do I have t' do t' make this go away so I can marry Belle?"
Evaluating the younger man's impiety, the archbishop begrudgingly provided the requested information. "If an annulment is truly what de thieves desire, then y' must first obtain a divorce from de state before petitionin' de diocesan tribunal. Between de civil and ecclesiastical courts, that will take 'bout two years."
"Two years!" Remy said, shocked.
After watching the interview in silence, Marius finally chimed in. "Yo' Excellency, there is a required six month separation period t' file for divorce. If de bride and groom do not live t'gether at de LeBeau Manor, one of de terms of de peace agreement will be violated."
Archbishop D'Arceneaux leveled a stern look on the Assassin Patriarch. "M. Boudreaux, do not think that y' are absolved of yo' deceit simply because I have ruled in yo' favor. Y' have offended God in His house and proven t' me through yo' behavior that y' are not willfully contrite over yo' sins. When y' find de resolution t' sin no more and de will t' receive de Sacrament, I will give y' penance."
"Bien sûr, Yo' Excellency." Marius said, showing the expected level remorse even though he inwardly celebrated.
Appeased by Marius' display, the archbishop returned his attention to Remy. "If de peace terms included that y' live t'gether, M. Boudreaux is correct. Though y' must refrain from conjugation due t' de putatitve state of de marriage, especially if y' decide t' seek a Declaration of Nullity."
"That won't be a problem." Remy mumbled under his breath as he looked away.
The archbishop placed a hand on his forearm to garner Remy's full attention. "I suggest thinkin' hard on what a separation, divorce, and annulment will mean t' de members of de new Unified Guild, mon garçon."
His words were a reminder of what this marriage really meant. All along, Remy thought he understood what everyone had been trying to tell him, but he'd brushed them off like a buzzing fly. Before, it hadn't mattered if his marriage was bringing peace. His first thought was that Bella Donna was going to be his wife. The peace was secondary.
It was only now, when Belle was no longer part of that picture, did Remy truly realize peace between the Guilds always came first. His love life was inconsequential to that. No, his love life was nonexistent. With his marriage vows, he was trapped by fidelity to a woman he did not know much less love.
Breaking those vows would break the peace. Even if he could somehow devise a way out of the marriage, the thieves and assassins would be at war again. There would be no second wedding with Belle as his bride. They would be worse than sworn enemies. Obligation to their respective Guilds alone would ensure there would be no philandering behind everyone's backs this time. And that was the best scenario. Worst case was Bella Donna being required to take a contract on Remy's life. Not to mention he would be risking the lives of his family and friends in what would be the bloodiest Guild war known during the New Kingdom. There was only one decision that he could make.
"I withdraw my objections and will honor this union." Remy carefully phrased. There was a wedding, but it simply unified two people and two Guilds into one.
"That is a wise choice." The archbishop amiably agreed. "I will assemble de Sanatio in Radicedocuments tomorrow. I believe there is an urgent need not to annul de marriage just t' seek convalidation of yo' consent, Remy."
Archbishop D'Arceneaux made a good point. Because he'd already ruled it a putative marriage, the normal protocol stated that only Remy needed to renew his consent. However since the impediment had been revealed with the bride's identity at the end of mass, both he and Rogue would need to renew their consent. The renewal could only be achieved through a public convalidation ceremony, but it required both of them to be made aware of the nullity of the marriage. An annulment, even if temporary and needed only due to protocol, would violate the peace treaty. That meant sanatio in radice was the only available option.
The special dispensation would revalidate the marriage because Remy had given his consent during the nuptial mass, even though it was later deemed ineffective due to the assassins' deception. By stating he no longer objected to giving his consent, the impediment invalidating the marriage was removed and no renewal of consent was required. And because all of this had happened behind the closed doors of the chapterhouse, the members of the Unified Guild would never know the marriage hadn't been considered true for a short period of time.
The document also meant any future annulment and divorce would be extremely difficult to obtain from the diocesan and civil courts.
"If there is nothin' else, we have guests waitin' at Le Pavillon for our arrival." Marius reminded everyone.
"No, I think all matters have been settled here." Archbishop D'Arceneaux confirmed.
With the matter resolved, each person repeated Jean-Luc's and Marius's earlier reverential gestures before leaving the archbishop's presence. Emil was waiting for the group outside the chapterhouse and joined the LeBeaus as they left the cathedral. He caught up with Henri first since Remy had his hands full helping his new wife with her gown.
"What happened? Is everythin' okay? Who is she?" His rapid fire questions left no room for answers.
Because of the need for the sanatio in radice, Henri ignored the first. "Everythin' is fine. De peace between de Guilds is intact. She is Marius' adopted daughter, Rogue."
A limo was waiting at the curb for the bride and groom. Another two for each of the families were ready to pull up as soon as the first left. Before Emil could ask another question, Jean-Luc gave him new instructions.
"Ride wit' Remy and Rogue t' de reception. Make sure they don't kill each other on de way." His statement was meant both figuratively from Remy's viewpoint and literally from Rogue's presumed skills.
"Oui, Guildmaster." Emil recognized the orders came from his Guildmaster, not his uncle.
He climbed into the limo first so he could help Rogue into the stretch SUV. Outside, Jean-Luc held Remy back.
"I'm very proud of y', fils. Yo' decision was difficult, but it showed great maturity and selflessness. It will serve y' well as Patriarch of de Unified Guild." Remy's father pulled him into a hug.
Bitterness rose in Remy's throat like bile. Not only did he have a wife he didn't want thrust upon him, but he would soon have to assume an equally unwanted leadership.
As he broke out of his father's embrace and climbed into the limo, he smarted back: "Ouais, at de cost of bein' miserable de rest of my life wit'out Belle."
With that spoiled response, Remy completely destroyed any esteem Jean-Luc held for him.
(X)
voleurs écume – thieving scum
Menteur! – Liar!
Vous remercie! – Thank you! (in the emphasized sense)
Permettez-moi – allow me
Mule impoli – impolite mule
Quoi!? – What!?
Sanatio in radice – (Latin) healing in the root
