Note: This is a fanfiction. I am currently working on a story under the same title that will be available for purchasing on Kindle once it is done. I down own or have anything to do with the WWE or the Undertaker

Chapter Thirty-Six

Downstairs, Markus stood in the foyer of his castle home, greeting the stragglers that were coming in a little late while the part of his guests were already in their seats, awaiting the ceremony to start.

Oh…How I do hate those of my kind who have no sense of time on nights important to me like this one.

He did his best to keep his frustration in check while his right hand was shaking the ones extending out from his remaining guests that were still coming inside, and heading into the grand ballroom where the ceremony was to take place in. Secretly, however, he wanted nothing more than to tell them off for showing up late on his special evening.

You would think that beings such as myself would have the ability to show up when they are supposed to and not be late…I guess there are some traits the mortal men and women have amongst one another that we can't help but adapt and pick up.

His eyes caught sight of what he perceived to be the last member of the member of the nobility, as well as his guests, when he decided to close the door.

"Wait!"

A female, mortal voice called out to him outside just as he had started to close the doors. Markus looked through the opening that remained in the door, and found his emerald stare meeting that of Marigold, Lily's mother, coming up the walkway in her best peasant gown and slippers she owned while keeping a white cloth over her hair that had signs of her work from the day.

This is a surprise. Marigold…has decided to come to my home this night. I did not think her husband and she would accept the invitation when I had them sent to them. However, seeing at least her coming…gives me hope for what is to come on the horizon.

Markus eased the door back, and allowed her inside before he closed the door back in its place, firmly. His attention drifted back to Lily's mother shortly before the deep, firm tone of his voice escaped his mouth.

"It is a pleasant sight to see that you have decided to come and witness my wedding to your daughter." He couldn't mask a growing tension in his voice that had formed the moment she stepped across the threshold of his home. "However…I did not see Radcliff with you…Is he running late as well, Marigold?"

"My husband will be unable to attend tonight, my lord." Marigold replied, speaking to him with a polite tone in her soft voice. "He is helping Ramus find several cows that had gotten loose from his land before the wolves that dwell nearby get to them."

"That is understandable." The answer she had given to him provided him a form of relief even though it didn't erase the fear or what Lily had told him of Radcliff coming to take her away from him with the assistance of men from the surrounding area. He drew in a breath of air, and released it while his right hand gestured her towards the open doorway of the grand ballroom. "If you will be so kind as to walk with me to your seat…The ceremony will be able to start."

"Yes, my lord."

Markus moved with Marigold to the opened doorway of the grand ballroom, and stepped over the threshold. After pulling the doors closed behind him, his eyes soaked in the surroundings, allowing himself to take in the sights.

Around each of the side doors of the room that led out to their own private balcony were black and deep purple, satin drapes tied back by an additional black ribbon in the form of a bow, matching the purple and blame theme that stretched from the very aisle rug they were walking on to the seats that the vampire nobility were in, and ending in front of the room where a black and purple arch stood with his advisor in a blue and deep purple suit beside a priest that was dressed in similar colors for the even that was to take place there night, and who was also a member of his royal court of vampires.

Everything is exactly how I wanted it to be. There is not one single part that is out of place…Tonight will be a night…to be remember for years to come.

Markus brought Marigold to a seat in the very front where a more 'tame' group of vampires sat, providing her with a form of safety since there were those of his court that were not very good with being around humans without experiencing some blood lust. He waited until she was comfortable before he moved up to the front of the archway, and brought his hands up to the room. Lowering them down, he waited for the room to fall silent before he proceeded to speak up.

"My friends and fellow creatures of the night," Markus stated, firm yet friendly, "it does my soul well to see you all here this night to witness and take part in my union with a young mortal woman that I have become very close with and have formed a strong bond with in very little time. She will not only be mother to my children and my wife for all eternity after tonight…but she will also become your queen, and help me rule over these lands in a more just manner instead of the ruthless pattern that has been seen by neighboring kings over their kingdoms shortly before they fell due to their own greed and power. That being said…I believe it is time for the talking to end…and for the wedding to commence."