Chapter 37
The Anderson's palace was buzzing with a frantic activity. Servants came and went from the Grand Salon carrying thousands of trays with bubbling glasses with the most delicate wines in all Talia. All their guests—la creme de la creme of the country—were gathered there just waiting for the ceremony to start. They were wearing their best clothes and making the whole scene look like a page ripped out from a fairy-tale book.
Kurt, who was peeking through one of the small windows from the room where he was waiting, gasped surprised with the display of elegance that was happening inside the palace.
"It's very crowded." He whispered.
"I heard one of the servers saying that all your guests have arrived." Eloise shared. She was supposed to be waiting with Kurt until it was his time to walk down the aisle.
"I don't know all these people. I barely know Blaine's family." Kurt shared his concerns. "And, do you know if there's a lot of people gathered on the open courtyard?" Kurt asked.
Like any other festivity in Bellezza, a Royal wedding was a big deal for the city. Even though the town was not invited to the actual ceremony, it was a tradition among the Bellezzans to gather at the open courtyard for the Royal announcement that happened once the wedding was over and the coronation had taken place, just before the fireworks started.
"The whole city is here and the lagooners too." Eloise informed.
"Oh, God." Kurt whispered, slightly concerned. He was getting married and would be presented as a Prince of the Kingdom, all in the same day. If that was not a very unusual way to start a marriage he didn't know what it was.
"Don't worry, I've only been at one of these celebrations when Your Highness, Prince Cooper, got married, but usually it's the same protocol you used at the Engagement announcement. You just wait for the King to address to the people, and then you two will walk together and wave at the crowd. Then the fireworks will start and the rest is just celebration."
"Really?"
"Yes, the announcement is quite long, because the King has to wait for all the wedding guests to be in line at the balcony, so he talks about previous marriages among the family and how all of them remained together until their final day. He shares some good wishes for you both and when the crowd is finally in dead silence, he makes the announcement welcoming in this case you, to the family and that's it. Just smile and wave when your future husband does it."
"Thank you!" Kurt said, giving Eloise a soft smile.
"People already love you, so everything will be fine. Now just focus on marrying the Prince."
"You're right." Kurt said, stepping away from the window. "I have to focus on that and-"
There was a knock on the door. Eloise rushed to opened it and Ray and Edward Lombardi made their way in.
"Still no changes?" Ray asked, aware of Eloise.
Kurt just shook his head.
"Well, you don't have to worry!" Doctor Lombardi exclaimed. "Nobody will notice it, you know why?" He asked.
Kurt shook his head again.
Ray made Eloise a small motion with his hand to let her know she could go now. Eloise nodded and walked away from the room.
"Because…" Doctor Lombardi continued, "you won't be entering alone. I'll be going with you, so I hope that helps a little to hide your lack of shadow."
"Really?" Kurt asked, suddenly relieved. It was not a tradition in Bellezza for the grooms to enter with someone to the altar, but apparently they were going to make an exception.
"Of course, my dear grandson. We knew you were worried so we talked with the King and Queen, and decided to change the rules a little."
"Oh my God! Really? You're not playing with me, are you?"
"Yes, really. And no, I'm not playing. What kind of fake grandfather do you think I am?"
"The best?" Kurt asked playfully. He only knew this man for less than 24 hours, but he already liked him.
"The best of the best!" The first itinerante said, proudly of himself. "Now, let's go."
"Is it time already?" Kurt asked a bit alarmed, and both Ray and Doctor Lombardi nodded at the same time. "Oh, God! I'm going to be sick!"
"You are not having second thoughts, are you?" Ray asked playfully, already anticipating the answer.
"Of course not!" Kurt exclaimed. "I'm just very nervous, aren't people supposed to get nervous before their weddings?"
"Yes, they are, but try to be more excited than nervous."
"I am very excited, but I'm equally nervous...I guess that's the problem." Kurt exhaled. "Anyway...I'm glad my fake grandfather is going to escort me because otherwise I'm sure I'd pass out in front of everyone."
Ray and Doctor Lombardi's expressions changed dramatically.
"What?" Kurt asked innocently.
"Are you going to keep your engagement ring on or replace it with your wedding band?"
"I'm going to keep both, according to Blaine my wedding band is slightly thinner than his...why?"
"Then you can't pass out, Kurt!" Ray exclaimed. "If you start to feel dizzy then run. If you pass out still being a itinerante and wearing that ring-" He pointed to Kurt's finger, "-then you'll disappear. Literally. And let's not add the fact that you're about to die in your own world so an accident like that could be fatal."
"Oh." Kurt breathed out. He hadn't thought about that. "Do you have some tonic or whatever that can help me with that?"
"No." Ray said, shaking his head.
"Don't worry," Kurt replied, taking a deep breath, "I won't pass out. I'll focus on reaching Blaine and that will help. I got this!"
"Excellent idea! When the mind is set to reach a certain purpose, or in this case person, it can make amazing things. Good thinking, young man." Doctor Lombardi exclaimed, clearly delighted. "Now I see why that notebook ended up in your hands. Only a very smart itinerante can make a talisman to choose him."
Kurt smiled.
"I told you he was clever." Ray said.
"But it's always good to confirm it for myself," Doctor Lombardi replied, "now…" he added, extending his hand towards Kurt, "shall we?"
Kurt nodded enthusiastically and followed his master and fake grandfather out of the room. He was ready to get married
o-o-o-o-o
Blaine was waiting at the far entrance of the Grand Salon. His mother, wearing a very elegant and simply stunning blue dress with silver rhinestones, was standing next to him, grabbing his arm firmly.
Blaine was anxious, his fingers were twitching around the handkerchief that one of the servants had handed him to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"Try to calm yourself down, sweetheart." Pamela said.
"I can't," Blaine said, "I'm nervous and excited, and extremely happy, all at the same time. I think that when I finally marry Kurt I'm going to explode, like one of Ray's fireworks."
"That's physically impossible, sweetheart, but I do understand how you're feeling. I was feeling exactly the same thing when I married your father, but I can assure you that you won't explode."
Blaine smiled. "Do you think he has a shadow already?"
"Raymond told you not to worry about that, so don't think about it. Even if he had none, Raymond and Doctor Lombardi will take care of it. That's why we decided to change this part of the tradition."
"Yes, you're right as usual, mother." Blaine said, taking a deep breath. "Thank you."
They both set into a peaceful silence until Blaine said, "Is it hard to be married?"
Pamela tried not to laugh before answering. "Are you seriously asking me about marriage seconds before your wedding?"
Blaine nodded.
"Well, sometimes it is hard, but such is life, sweetheart. The good thing about being married is that when those hard and very difficult times come, you have your better half by your side standing with you ready to fight, and therefore, everything just gets easier." Pamela said in all her wisdom.
"Are you still in love with father even after all these years?"
Pamela shook her head, surprising Blaine who looked at her with some horror in his eyes. "I'm even more in love with him. When my mother, your late grandmother, told me these same words so many years ago, I didn't believe her. But with time, I happened to learn that everything was true. Love is like a tree, Blaine. It will grow tall and strong if you know how to cultivate it. Try to nature it every day, showing your husband how much you love him and encouraging him to do the same. I'm sure Kurt is the one for you, so just treasure what you two have, each and every day, and everything will be fine."
Blaine smiled and just when he was about to reply, the music on the other side of the door started to echo through the room. Two members of the Royal Guard opened the double wooden doors revealing all the guests, sitting in the arranged set of pews placed there, expecting for the grooms to make their entrance.
"It's time." Pamela whispered softly, only for Blaine to hear.
"Hold me tight, mother."
"Don't worry, sweetheart. I got you...I always will."
o-o-o-o-o
Kurt, grabbed from his fake grandfather's arm, made his way to the door where he was supposed to enter the Grand Salon. Knowing that Blaine was already waiting for him on the other side of the doors and down the aisle, made his anticipation to grow.
Taking a deep breath, he looked down one last time to see if he had a shadow already, but down on the floor where his shadow was supposed to be casting against the marbled floor, there was none.
"Don't worry, Kurt, nobody will notice." The first itinerante told him.
Kurt just nodded taking a new mouthful of air.
"Focus on reaching Blaine at the other side of the aisle and just try not to pass out," Doctor Lombardi said, "if you feel weak or dizzy just motion me and I'll help you get out of there in time, okay?"
Kurt nodded and straightened up his head, fixing his eyes to the front. 'Focus on reaching Blaine, focus on reaching Blaine.' He kept repeating himself until the wooden doors swung open.
"Don't let go of me, okay?" Kurt murmured.
"Don't worry, I got you."
They both smiled and started to walk. The moment they made it through the threshold Kurt's eyes fixed on Blaine. His soon to be husband looked dazzling. He was wearing a dark suit with a silver band across his chest—the sign of nobility, which Kurt would be wearing after that night every time they had a formal event. A polished sword hung from his belt and his hair was styled like he had never seen it before. He looked like a real Prince. His soon to be Prince.
Blaine smiled at him and Kurt found himself smiling back. In that small shared moment nothing else mattered, and Kurt started to rush his pace.
"Slow down, my boy," Doctor Lombardi murmured, "enjoy the moment."
Kurt didn't reply, but slowed his strides without taking his eyes away from Blaine who had the most beautiful of the smiles on his face. When they reached the first rows of guests Kurt noticed that all the looks were fixed on him, and he suddenly felt exposed.
The aisle looked like the longest path he had ever walked, although the reward at the end was totally worth it.
Almost at the middle of the aisle, Kurt passed next to the Smythes and he couldn't help but peeked and see if they were looking at him, and they all were. All their eyes were fixed on him, except Sebastian's, who although the rest of his family was looking at the floor.
Panic started to grow inside of Kurt and his eyes met Sebastian's for a second. In that moment Kurt knew that the young Smythe had seen what he was so afraid the rest of the guests would notice—that he didn't have a shadow.
Sebastian opened his mouth, certainly willing to call him out then and there, and Kurt had to grab himself tighter from Doctor Lombardi's arm because his body felt heavy and different all at the same time. For a split second he thought he was going to finally pass out or that Sebastian was going to call him out, but the blankness never arrived and the other boy didn't speak up. Everything happened so quickly that he was sure nobody else had noticed it, but he was suddenly no longer dizzy and on the floor, cast on the marble stones was his shadow.
o-o-o-o-o
Although Blaine was sure nobody had noticed what had just happened, he had. He hadn't taken his eyes away from his ravishing fiance, and he had seen the shadow magically appearing by his feet. He knew it had officially happened and that Kurt's body had died in his world. Now Kurt was a Bellezzan, trapped in this world...forever.
He had also noticed the look on Sebastian's face. The young Smythe looked seriously mortified, but mostly confused. Blaine was sure he had seen the shadow appearing too.
Kurt made his way to where Blaine was and smiled at him. He looked extremely happy and that gave Blaine a sense of relief. He couldn't help but still feel concerned about the fact that Kurt had just given up his life in his world.
"You look lovely." Blaine whispered, smiling at Kurt.
"So do you." Kurt whispered back.
Doctor Lombardi made the statutory gesture of giving Kurt's hand to Blaine, and the moment their hands touched everything was okay. They were where they belonged.
Blaine leaned over and whispered, "Your shadow does too."
Kurt let out a small laugh. "I know."
"Then, let's get married." Blaine said.
Kurt nodded and they both assumed their respective positions for the ceremony. Before sitting down on his chair, Kurt turned around to look at Ray and his fake grandfather, they both had satisfied smiles on their faces. They knew it had finally happened.
o-o-o-o-o
The ceremony was a bit long for Kurt's taste. It was not a secret that in his world Kurt didn't consider himself a believer. Since his mother had died, he had started to lose his faith, and then when he had finally come up in good terms with his sexuality and the harassment started, he used to blame God for making him gay and miserable.
When he first decided to marry Blaine in Bellezza he never considered what that would actually mean. It was a different century and it was obvious that the legal wedding where they just signed some paperwork was not an option, so after laughing at his own naivety, he had happily resigned to the imminent religious ceremony he would have to endure.
However, now that he was listening to all those beautiful lectures and verses about love being patient and kind, and not being envious but hopeful, he felt different about the whole ceremony, and to his surprise he was actually enjoying and appreciating the meaning behind it. He liked the idea of something or someone so powerful and beyond any man's reach actually blessing their union forever.
After some more lectures, gospels and the homily, the priest—who happened to be the same one who had married Blaine's parents—asked the guests and the grooms to stand up.
"Blaine and Kurt, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?" The priest asked.
"We have." They both replied at the same time.
"Will you love and honor each other as husbands for the rest of your lives?"
"We will." They replied in unison again.
The priest then asked them to repeat their vows after him, following the traditional protocol.
Blaine started. "I, Blaine Devon Anderson, take you, Kurt Hummel, to be my beloved husband to have and to hold forever. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. To treasure you, to be by your side in sorrow and in joy, and to love and cherish you forever. I promise you this from the bottom of my heart, for all the days of my life." He said, so sure of himself that Kurt was afraid he was going to sound silly repeating the same words.
"Now it's your turn, Lord Hummmel." The priest told Kurt.
"I, Kurt Hummel," Kurt said, his voice was a bit shaky, but he managed to sound as secure as Blaine did, "-take you, Blaine Devon Anderson, to be my beloved husband to have and to hold forever. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. To treasure you, to be by your side in sorrow and in joy, and to love and cherish you forever. I promise you this from the bottom of my heart, for all the days of my life." Kurt repeated.
Cooper walked next to them with the rings in hand and after the priest blessed them, he asked the grooms to exchange some words while placing their rings on their respective fingers. It was the first time Kurt saw the rings, Blaine had kept them as a surprise—another of his wedding presents, he had said.
"Kurt, my love, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Blaine said.
When the silver ring touched his finger, Kurt felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach, as if all his life he had been waiting for this moment.
"Blaine," Kurt said, with a huge smile on his face, "take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He said, placing the other ring on his now husband's hand.
The priest smiled pleased with the ceremony and after raising his hands up to heaven he said. "What God has joined, men must not divide. You may now kiss."
Kurt and Blaine smiled at each other and exchanged a lingering sweet kiss while the whole room erupted into cheers.
"Now, I declare you husband and husband. You may go in peace." The priest declared, finishing the ceremony.
Kurt and Blaine looked at each other one last time and started to walk hand in hand again through the long aisle between cheers of celebration and exclamations of joy. In that moment there was no one in that room that didn't notice that they were the happiest men in the world.