Chapter Thirty-One: The Wedding Ceremony
"You look beautiful Lexi!" Iolene says excitedly. Lexi wearing a pastel pink robe as she twirls in front of the mirror. As Eleya tries to fix the hem.
"STAND STILL!" She shouts in frustration.
"Sorry Eleya... Pink isn't really my colour..." She says with a frown on her face. Her black hair has been curled and put into a bun. Lexi using all of her will not to touch it.
Iolene straightens her light yellow dress. "I think it suits you..." She says playfully. "Perfect for a wedding like this!"
Iolene tries her hardest to avoid looking at herself at the mirror. As Eleya finishes the final touches. Iolene turns around folding clothes on the bed as Lexi sees the dragonfly hairclip.
"That is a beautiful hairclip! Did Ning or Aika let you borrow it?" Lexi asks as Eleya smacks her to stand still.
"No... Aaron bought it for me..." Iolene says as she touches the clip.
"He bought it for you?" Lexi says as she chuckles. Aaron never got her anything during their short time together. She felt a small bit of jealousy as no one has bought her anything.
"There you go! Both of you are ready!" Eleya then grabs both of the women shoals.
"Have a wonderful time! I also received a message from Prince Lei. Meet him in his bedroom." Eleya then claps the women away.
Lei awaits in his bedroom as it has taken all morning to prepare his attire. Like every formal event his face gets painted white with detailed eye make-up. Wearing different layers of robes. Since it is a wedding the colour theme is chosen by the Empress. The royal family will be wearing blue. This means no one else will be wearing any shade of blue.
"Your highness a Iolene and Lexiana will like to see you." A steward informs Lei. He turns and happily greets them inside.
"My, my don't you both look beautiful!" Lei says happily with open arms quickly giving both a hug.
"You look so regal Prince Lei amazing!" Iolene says happily.
"Iolene... You haven't stopped smiling all day... Are you alright?" Lexi asks jokingly.
"WE ARE GOING TO A ROYAL WEDDING! WHAT IS NOT EXCITING ABOUT IT?!" Iolene yells out as Lei tries to quieten her down. He couldn't help but laugh.
"But smiling all the time is hurting my cheeks." Iolene then massages her cheeks and opens and closes her mouth to loosen the muscles.
"Your highness it is time." The steward announces.
Lei takes a deep breathe in. "Have a wonderful time ladies and let us witness a beautiful wedding."
Everyone moves to the throne room, which has been quickly transformed into a beautiful flower forest setting.
Lei takes his seat where the royal family sits. Right at the front facing the alter. The massive alter can be seen just below the grand blue throne. With two detailed porcelain dolls of the couple kneeling next to each other.
Iolene and Lexi sit further at the back surrounded by strangers they don't know. Iolene looking around as she and Lexi stand waiting for the precession to start.
Even the dragons have their special viewing at the back and second floor. Iolene trying look at the details of all of their headdresses. All different and unique to each dragon.
Mali and Stein are under cover as priests as they wear their traditional garbs. Mali sighing as his priest outfit is to large. Trying his hardest not to trip over his large shoes. Stein eyes Iolene as he walks past her row.
"She stands out to much Mali". He whispers. "She should have been locked in her room for today."
"She is a beautiful girl of course she is going to stand out! Can't really hide that... And as for locking her in the room. That is terrific way to get her to despise you. Let her live she's been through enough." Mali almost trips over when Stein grabs him.
"Thanks..." Mali says in defeat.
They stand next to the other priests. Both smiling and bowing to the others. They all get along as they were close allies once upon a time.
Eventually Chen, Ning and Fen arrive wearing very simular outfits. Lei happily greets his siblings as they take their seats.
As everyone found their seats the ceremony begins. Everyone bows as the Emperor walks down the throne room and stands next to the blue draconium throne. Then the room becomes silent. A pin drop can be heard.
The doors open as the Empress walks with Prince Chin arm and Arm. Like the Emperor before them everyone bows as they slowly walk up to the throne where the Empress sits and Chin moves to the front of the alter.
Chin stands out as he wears the darkest blue amongst everyone.
Iolene holds Lexi's hand as she tries to contain her excitement. Lexi lets her and holds her hand just as tight.
The doors open and the bride and her parents arrive. Shu Lan's father holding her right arm, while her mother held the left.
Like Chin, Shu Lan is wearing navy blue standing out in contrast to everyone's bright and pastel colours. Her Hanfu dress has the longest sleeves that can match any dress train. Unlike Iolene she had the face of nervousness walking down the alter. Her hair done in the most elaborate hairstyle that can almost compare the Empress. The gold beads of her headdress almost look like a veil.
She stands next to Chin and she smiles. As the elder priestess named Liling stands in front of them.
The priestess raises her hands for everyone to sit. As she begins the ceremony by speaking in their ancient dialect. The language of the priests of the Blue Draconium Empire. To Iolenes surprise she could understand some words. As Lexi had no idea... Her priesthood language is very different to theirs. Lexi then thinks about how priests of different nations go to great lengths to keep their secrets.
The priestess finishes after twenty minutes and makes tea on the alter. And gives them both a cup.
"For this union you must drink from your teacup. And then give your teacup to your partner. Don't forget to spin your teacup two time clockwise for good luck."
The couple did as they told and swapped the teacups and drank.
The priestess then sang a beautiful song. Which riveted the room as everyone remains silent. Then the Priestess lights up two matches and passes them over to the couple. They light up the incense. Which makes the smell throne room smell of sandalwood.
"Time to face each other... And look deep into each others eyes."
Shu Lan raises her left hand as Chin raises his right. The priestess then grabs them and makes them hold hands. Tying a red rope around their arms.
"This red rope... Now binds both of you to fate. May you both live long and happy lives, with many children."
Shun Lan and Chin bow their heads to each other.
"You two may now kiss!" The priestess raises her arms to signal for people to cheer. Chin and Shu Lan did a small kiss and face the crowd now officially married.
"THE GRAND PRINCE AND OUR NEW PRINCESS!" People shout.
"Now it is time to have the massive banquet!" Lexi says excitedly.
The massive banquet room is next door all set up to seat a thousand people. Iolene and Lexi sit on their designated seat at the far back.
"Look at all the food! Incredible!" Iolene claps her hands. Then helps herself to all the food.
The smell of spices, rices, soups, curries and roasts filled the room as everyone is talking and having a great time. Iolene even getting to sit next to Aika. Who is very happy to see her.
"Well you see after the dinner both families will have a special private tea ceremony. Where the Empress herself will be serving Shu Lans parents tea." Aika says as she eats roast pork.
"Today has been so wonderful!" Iolene says happily as Lexi yawns next to her.
"Excuse me miss..." A young mans voice can be heard behind Iolene. She turns around and looks up. A young handsome man with a beautiful smile. Iolene smiles in kind.
"Hello... Um... Sir..." Iolene quickly realising her confidence still needs to be worked on. Lexi notices with eyed wide open and she smiles cheekily. "Hello sir..." She says. But she quickly notices he is talking to Iolene.
"I couldn't help but notice your beauty at the wedding. May I ask you name?" He says confidently.
"She is unavailable!" Lexi quickly interrupts.
"Excuse me?" He says annoyed at Lexi.
"You heard me!" She says as she leans closer to Iolene.
"Can't she speak for herself?" The mysterious man says.
Iolene feeling anxious takes deep breaths in and out. Not again... She thinks to herself. However in quick relief Aaron interrupts as he runs into the banquet feast and pretty much lands on top of Iolene.
"Excuse me!? I was here first!" The man shouts at Aaron.
"Who the hell are you!?" Aaron shouts back.
Lexi couldn't help but laugh. "Now this is what I hear about weddings. All the drama!"
"Aaron what are you doing!?" Iolene says with frustration. "You are making a scene!"
"Emergency now!" He whispers clenching his teeth.
Lexi immediately changes expression and quickly grabs Iolenes arm. As they walk out of the banquet hall with less people. The mysterious man flings his arms and walks away.
"What is it?" The ladies say in unison.
"There is an assassin lurking about." Aaron says seriously.
Lexi laughs in reply. "Is that all? There are always assassins at weddings. They go hand in hand. I'm sure the royal family has all borders under control."
"This was no ordinary assassin. He magged me off the palace building. I have a really bad feeling about this." Aaron's heart sinks as the girls are not taking him seriously.
"Aaron... You are over worrying. That is normal... There are always assassins. Each with many different skills. It'll be alright." Lexi trying to comfort him.
Iolene strokes Aarons arm trying to ease him.
Aaron sighs "Alright... Just... Keep your guards up. I will speak to Lei..."
Lexi and Iolene look at each other as Aaron enters the dining hall.