Chapter 11

Author's Note: Hi Everybody! I wanna say thanks for all the lovely reviews, so I'm sending a big hug to sevy MMAD, tengland2, OSUSprinks, Faby Urgel, Faithful Magewhisper, Honkytonkangel, Veve, bluegirl-783 and to minnie313. And another extra hug to Faby… So here's the next chapter with the wedding… ;)

"Bloody hell!" cried Mia instinctively as she saw her grandmother, but glancing at her left, she started blushing, "Oh, sorry Archbishop."

"Never mind dear, I wanted to say the same," he said dumbfounded, while Mia just chuckled, but also could not take her eyes off her, so she leant a bit closer to Charlotte and Joseph,

"Have you known about this?"

"Of course not," protested Joseph, "The only thing she said, her dress will be a surprise, but I think that part really worked," he was amazed, while Charlotte still has not come to her senses,

"This is frightening..."

And it was frightening indeed… Clarisse looked like as Frankeinstein's bride, wearing a traditional wedding dress with a big skirt and a huge, long veil, all made from heavy black lace. In other circumstances she would have been quite a bit sexy, but in a church, especially on a wedding she was rather creepy. It was like in a horror movie, that's why people just stood there with opened mouth, not able to say a word, only waiting for what's next, while Clarisse just looked at the Viscount with a provoking expression, and he already knew… he extremely underestimated her.

As the music started to play –actually as the members of the choir pulled themselves together - Clarisse started to walk down the aisle slowly, not breaking the eye-contact with Mabrey, because in one hand, she knew if she would take a glance at Joseph, she would not be able to do it, and on the other hand, she did not want to miss a second from the Viscount's torture. As she reached the altar, she completely freed her face from the veil, looking firmly to her future husband.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he hissed, trying to hold himself back,

"But not as much as you will 'enjoy' it," her look was fearless, her voice steady, "This is what you wanted, right? A wedding, and now you get it! You sent out the invitations, while I found a dress…anyway it's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked challengingly, "And here is my ring, so I think we have everything we need, do you agree with me?"

"This whole thing," he looked on her from top to toe, "Is just ridiculous."

"Really? Then if you changed your mind…"

"Oh never," he shook his head determined, "You will be my wife, that's sure… forever."

"Well…you know how they say," she smiled menacingly, stepping closer, "'til death do us part."

The air froze for a moment, but soon it was broke by the Archbishop's discreet cough,

"Excuse me, Your Majesty," he tried, "You would like to...?"

"Just if the Viscount wants it…"

"I definitely want it, don't worry," he answered with a meaningful look on his face, "So you can start the ceremony, go ahead!"

"Sure," he cleared his throat, making an end to the still shocked murmuring, "Dearly beloved," started the Archbishop, "We are gathered here today to join in holy matrimony our lovely queen, Clarisse and... and… oh dear."

"…Arthur," said the Viscount huffed,

"Of course, Arthur," smiled the Archbishop winking at Mia barely noticeably, but Clarisse saw it, so she looked at her questioningly,

"Just a little fun," whispered Mia with a grin as the Archbishop continued deep in thought,

"I knew an Arthur once…He, uh...no. He's dead, that's not you. Anyway...," he chuckled then continued, "…To join in holy matrimony Clarisse and Arthur,"

The Viscount just looked puzzled…

"Oh, dear, I hate this part," said the Archbishop holding up his prayer-book, "But it is after all among the rules, so if there be anyone here who knows of any reason," he looked around, "So, if there be any doubt, any doubt at all…"

"We might as well..." tried Mabrey with not much success,

"Lay it out on the table, right now, why these two lovely people should not be joined in holy matrimony. Speak now...or forever hold your peace…Anyone?," he was still looking around,

"I think you should continue," the Viscount was on losing control,

"Oh, wait! Is that your hand up back there?" cried the Archbishop, and everybody looked at the same direction immediately, while the Viscount turned back with disbelieve,

"Yes, you… The lady in the back row… 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th from the left!... Oh, I'm so sorry. It's just your hat. It looked like your hand..." he chuckled,

"Can we please get on with this?" asked Mabrey angrily,

"Of course, sorry," chuckled the Archbishop, then he hit home Mabrey with his last comment, "And I hope this time the rings will not disappear…"

The 'I do' part came quickly after this, but it was the most challenging for everyone… Clarisse said the words with such disgust, that it was more embarrassing for the Viscount – if it was possible – than the other parts of the ceremony, so as a revenge he did not turn to her during his answer, he rather looked directly at Joseph, so you could cut the atmosphere with a knife…

"And now I pronounce you man and wife," said the Archbishop finally,

"…" Mabrey just waited for a few seconds, then he whispered as a help, "You may kiss the bride…"

"No," the Archbishop just shook his head with a smile, "Not in here,"

"What?... How you mean?" the Viscount was at a loss,

"Actually," started Clarisse turning to Mabrey with a smile, "We - the Archbishop and me - made a few changes on the ecclesiastical ceremonies yesterday, including this 'kissing the bride at the church' thing. I think it's an absolutely inappropriate thing in such a holy place, so as on English royal weddings, there won't be any kiss here either."

"WHAT?"

To be continued…