Fran is the super beta who got this back to me in time for the early post, and 2browneyes and Judyblue are my pre-readers XOXOXO!
"Are you pleased with the final alterations?" Alice asks excitedly as she works to tighten the corset of Bella's gown. "The removal of the additional flourishes make it much more appropriate for a knightly wedding."
Bella casts her eyes down and moves her hands along the waist of her gown, brushing against the silk. She looks up with a happy sigh. "Any gown would have sufficed for this day. I only wish to be united in matrimony to my betrothed."
"Alice," Angela interrupts their conversation. "Lady Esme requires your assistance. I can finish the laces."
Alice flutters about, collecting her accessories before moving across the room where their future queen has just donned her own gown. Though she did not pack for a wedding, her gowns are of the finest materials Policia has to offer; therefore, only slight additions were required to make one fitting for a queen.
After both ladies are dressed, two maidens enter to begin the task of giving them intricately designed hair styles. They each sit in a chair where they are close enough to engage in a personal conversation.
"Are you sure this is the right decision?" Esme asks quietly, her concern for her niece seeping into her tone.
Isabella is sitting ramrod straight as the maiden tugs and pulls on her hair, but she is still able to smile. "Oh, Esme, I think it is not only the right decision but the only one. Policia is my home, and with my father gone, my country is in turmoil. I cannot allow it to fall into the hands of another cruel leader, especially by force."
"But what if the people refuse your rule or your marriage to Edward? What will you do then?" Though Esme understands exactly what Isabella is saying, her fear that the people of Policia will refuse her outright is what urges her to speak. "Carlisle has already sent an envoy. All I am asking is to hold off until word comes of their reception."
Stretching her hand, Isabella waits for Esme to grip it tightly. "I cannot," she says simply, returning the ferocity of her grasp. "My people need me, and I need Edward. They will accept him as they will accept me. I have faith that they will be overjoyed that their tyrannical existence has come to an end."
"I only just got you back," Esme responds, and a tear slips down her cheek.
Isabella is so overcome that she stops the maiden who is working on her hair and stands, opening her arms for her aunt. "Though we will be separated, our countries will once again be allies," she says as she closes her arms around her for a hug. When they pull back, both women have tears leaking down their cheeks. "We shall create a safe environment for the citizens of both Olympia and Policia so that we may heal the wounds time has placed upon our people."
Esme brushes her thumbs under Isabella's eyes, wiping the tears away. "Then I hope for your sake, the people are as open as you expect."
Isabella smiles wistfully. "Though my father never gave me any responsibility, I was always raised as if I would one day rule, well; my husband would, in my father's eyes." She shakes her head at the notion. "Up until the announcement of the tournament, the people expected me to one day be their queen. Sending me to another land caused quite the uproar, though it mattered not. King Charles schemed as he saw fit, not for the benefit of his people." Gripping Esme's hands tightly, she pulls them to her chest. "With Edward by my side, Policia could not ask for a better future."
Esme finally is able to form her own smile. "Oh, Isabella, I forget how mature you truly are sometimes. If anyone can do this, it is you."
A loud clapping breaks into their moment. "All right, ladies. I allowed this conversation, but tears were never supposed to happen. Now we must get your faces refreshed and your hair finished." Alice starts handing out orders to the maidens who had moved to allow the two women their talk.
A set of giddy smiles pass between them as their excitement over their nuptials returns to the forefront. The remaining time flies by in a rush as they are pampered and primped into perfection.
Because of the abnormalities that were already plaguing this wedding—change in brides, postponed by the battle, and lastly, the addition of Edward and Isabella's nuptials—many, formal royal traditions are being waylaid for a more open ceremony. Each couple will walk the aisle together, with Edward and Isabella committing to their vows first. Afterward, they will each stand for their counterparts as the king and his new queen join in holy matrimony. Immediately following the wedding, the archbishop will step in to perform the coronation.
Tomorrow, Edward and Isabella leave for Policia.
Alice leads the ladies to the top of the main staircase, where the two handsome men await with stunned smiles upon their faces. Each man is focused on his own, finely dressed woman.
For Edward, his betrothed is more beautiful than he has ever seen, and that is considerable, since she has always been a breath of beauty in his life. Her deep blue gown clings to her upper body, accentuating her trim figure. But it is the overflowing expression of love that beams from her that calls to his soul.
He steps forth, arms open. "Bella, I … I am speechless."
A soft, excited giggle escapes his intended as she steps into his arms and reaches to kiss him on the cheek. "You, my knight, are every bit as handsome."
While this couple is lost in each other, the other is content with their decision and ready to also move forth.
"Esme, you are exceedingly lovely this afternoon," King Carlisle remarks. He is dressed in his finest clothes with a deep red robe hanging from his shoulders and his large, jeweled crown upon his head.
"Thank you, My Lord," Esme says with a slight curtsey as she takes his proffered elbow.
Carlisle clears his throat and looks away from the woman who is sure to steal his heart. "Shall we?"
"Oh, yes, of course," Edward says, coming out of his Bella-induced-trance. "Lead the way, sire." He takes Isabella's hand and places it on his forearm, covering it with his own. He wishes to touch every part of her, but for now, this will have to do.
Once they exit the castle in the rear and move toward the grounds, a round of applause breaks out from the attendees. Everyone is standing, and the space is overflowing with bodies of Olympian citizens from peasants to nobles.
Carlisle and Esme are the first to walk the aisle. They take slow, measured steps as the crowd chants and claps their excitement. Once they are standing at the far end, all eyes turn to Edward and Bella.
The knight offers his lady a tender smile before facing forward and leading her up the flower-lined aisle. The eyes of every guest are on them as they watch their hero and his princess travel the path to matrimony, knowing they are the future of a newly freed Policia.
The aisle ends with the priest standing under a large wooden, flower decorated arch, and he steps forth as soon as the couple comes to a stop. The whispers in the crowd fall silent as the king and future queen step to the side as witnesses.
The priest clears his throat. "We are gathered here today to bear witness two royal unions. Let us begin with Sir Edward Masen of Seattle and Princess Isabella Swan of Policia."
The crowds erupt into a small round of applause before settling in to hear them repeat their vows …
"Edward Masen wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her? Comfort her, honor and protect her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
Edward's eyes fall to his love. "I will," he says surely and confidently.
"Then repeat after me," the priest replies. "I, Edward, take thee … "
Edward turns to face his betrothed, and the love he sees shining in her eyes does nothing but spur his heart into erratic beats as he prepares to take the final step to make her his. Almost overcome with his own emotion, he repeats after the priest.
Then the priest turns to the bride ...
"Isabella, wilt though have this man as thy wedded husband, wilt thy love him, and honor him, keep and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?" the priest asks.
Isabella meets the eyes of her intended. "I will," she vows with a tilt of her head.
"Then repeat after me," the priest replies. "I, Isabella, take thee … "
Isabella repeats after the priest, and for her final line, she turns to her betrothed. "And thereto I plight thee my troth."
"By the power vested in me by the Holy Church, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."
The man who now holds her fate in his hands turns to lift her veil.
With a chaste, but gentle kiss, he claims her as his bride for all of the world to see.
Pretty sure a double wedding, especially with the king and future queen, wasn't all the rage, if ever lol. So, let's suspend that reality a little. Also, the prologue had a priest marrying them, so I left it at that. The archbishop will step in for the coronation.
I am going to reply to every single review! See you Thursday :)