Chapter 19
The carriage was nearly already completely packed and Joseph could not have been more thankful for that. He always found that his annual-kingdom-survey-slash-extended-hunting-trip was the perfect excuse to be away from the dragging duties that were a part of being king. He got to happily hand those off to someone else (that was to say, his son) while he wandered around England, Ireland and Scotland, and things got done without him having to be a part of them.
It also meant that he got to be away from Marie, which was a blessing in itself. She'd been colder than the depths of winter ever since she'd found the Babcock girl in Niles' bed – both to him and to the boy.
Joseph was more upset about his own situation with Marie than her anger at Niles, really. She'd had the nerve to kick him out on the few occasions he'd come looking for his marital rights since that moment, and every denial he faced would always trump her being hurt at their boy finally conquering a seemingly untameable beast.
Marie had even told him that the little whore no longer worked for her, which had made him laugh. He'd seen the slut going in and out of Niles' rooms all the time, so she'd clearly been sent to her proper place after all. Taken away from serving and sitting with the queen by day, to serving and laying with the prince by night. And perhaps by day, too.
Joseph couldn't be prouder of his boy's growing harem, no matter what Marie said or thought.
She hadn't even turned up to say goodbye as the footmen got the last of his things ready, and Joseph could only consider that a win for him. It meant that she wouldn't have time to nag him about anything that he might or might not do during his trip (what did she care, if she wasn't going to give it to him anyway?), and that left him feeling like, when it came right down to it, she knew her proper place.
Beneath him, in more ways than one. She just had to calm down a little bit, then she'd come to him to give him his marital rights.
And, speaking of someone who was putting someone else beneath him, his own son had arrived in time to see him off. Joseph was glad of that, at least. He got to give his boy the playful nudge of somebody who knew that he was getting prime venison served to him in his own bedsheets each night.
That Lady Babcock had to be good, if he'd had her basically every night for so long now. It made Joseph slightly jealous that he hadn't handed her off or at least shared her yet!
For now, he was willing to let it go simply because the girl was still fresh and ripe and easy picking, so what man wouldn't need or want her close at hand for a release every few hours or so?
Her noble blood helped a bit there, too. It wasn't as though she was simple dirt from the street – she had been born above that, so Joseph didn't mind letting him prolong his adventures until he actually got tired of her.
Niles wouldn't be able to keep her for himself much longer, though. And he certainly couldn't let her sleep in his bed all through the night like he did – it was the first rule of keeping a whore. If all men let their bits on the side stay after getting what they wanted, said bits might think they were worth more to them than the fucking. That simply wasn't the case.
Niles would learn that soon enough. He'd definitely learn it once the survey and hunting were over. He'd be married off as soon as Joseph got back.
Not that he was to know this just yet. He might as well get a few more weeks as a free man.
Approaching his son, he gave the widest grin he possibly could and slapped him playfully on the arm.
"Be good, boy. Remember, you're in charge until I return," he said. "So keep the food good, the wine flowing, and the whores spreading their legs until I get back. I'll want to get stuck in, after this!"
Niles felt sick to his stomach at the very thought, and he openly grimaced at his father. He was only there out of a sense of duty – he had no intention of running the palace like Joseph did and he certainly wasn't there because he was going to miss his father. Quite the opposite, in fact.
And he had no intention of bringing...women...into the place, for himself or anybody else. He would never betray, hurt or humiliate his beloved, like his father had done so many times to his mother.
"I'm sure you will," he said coldly, not even attempting to move to grip his father's arm. "Safe trip."
Joseph nodded, releasing him.
His boy seemed...slightly standoffish with him that morning. But he shrugged it off, knowing he hadn't done anything – perhaps Lady Babcock had refused another round the night before, or maybe she wouldn't turn around and let herself be taken from the back.
They all got funny sometimes about that end. They just needed a firm hand to hold them in place and then he'd have them screaming his name, whether they liked it at first or not.
But that wasn't currently his concern. Perhaps it would be, later; Marie wasn't exactly going to be there on the tour to act as his meat, so he'd have to find some cheaper replacement. And by cheaper, he obviously meant more expensive.
That was the only thing he was sure that he would miss about their arrangement – getting exactly what he wanted, whenever he wanted it, all from a wife who couldn't complain about it? How many men got to live that dream?
He'd made her cry out that she was his whore the last time they'd been together. She hadn't wanted to, but he'd made her do it anyway. He wouldn't stop until she did. Pity that had been a while ago now, before all the business with finding Niles and Lady Babcock in bed.
He'd have liked to have heard it again, before he'd gone away. Perhaps he'd hear it when he got back...
Perhaps he'd get the actual whore to say it as well, when Niles finally had his fill of Lady Babcock and was busy trying to put a worthy son and heir in a respectable wife.
He liked it when he got to claim them, and have them acknowledge it, too. And God knows he was determined to claim her – he'd fuck her so hard and so many times that it would be like Niles had never been in her in the first place. But that was just a pleasant dream for now. He'd see about making everything a reality when he got back, and had finalised all the details of Niles' wedding.
The boy would have to learn then, sharpish.
"I'll see you in a few months' time, boy," Joseph said, finally climbing into his carriage and waving his final goodbyes at his only child. His pride and joy. "Enjoy being in charge while you can!"
Again, Niles said nothing. He just nodded sharply at his father's words and remained stood where he was as his father's carriage slowly made its way down Whitehall's driveway and out into the street. He couldn't help but compare the image with a dog running away with its tail between its legs – his father shied away from duty, living only for the privileges and pleasures that his position provided. There was no honour in being a weak, frolicking excuse of a King and Niles had no intention of imitating his father's ways. He wouldn't be responsible for running the country to the ground – what's more, after his father's disastrous reign, Niles would probably have to pull it back up.
So, yes, he'd enjoy being in charge. He couldn't wait until it was him calling the shots and not his boor of a father. He would be the complete opposite of him, both in his private and public life.
And that brought him to the next item on his to-do list – getting his own carriage ready to leave for his hunting lodge. At long last, the moment he and his beloved had been waiting for had arrived and he simply couldn't wait.
It hadn't been easy, keeping the whole affair under wraps, but somehow he and C.C. had managed to carry out most of the preparations for their wedding without rousing any suspicions. Dress, jewellery, priest, feast – everything was ready and waiting for them at the lodge. Both the Sheffields (who had only recently been put abreast of their plan) and Margaret and Noel had arrived a few days earlier and were already settled. As for Marie and C.C., they had left two hours ago in separate carriages. For all the rest of the inhabitants of Whitehall knew, C.C. had fallen out of favour with the queen, so it would have been looked slightly suspicious if the two women were seen together.
As a matter of fact, no one knew that Marie was actually going to Niles' hunting lodge. Instead, she'd spread the rumour that she would be spending a few days away at her favourite retreat: Windsor! It was an ideal cover – no one would suspect a thing…
It was all going perfectly, and Niles couldn't be more excited if he tried.
His very own wedding was coming so very quickly now. It wasn't hard to imagine that he'd have been married for a few days by the end of the week, but it was still unbelievable, nonetheless! He'd been dreaming of the moment practically non-stop for days now, and each time it was just as wonderful and magical as the first moment he'd known that he was going to propose!
He'd been missing out on so much, thinking that toying with women, having his fun and then dropping them was better than what he was about to do. He'd been blind, but his beloved had opened his eyes.
She'd shown him what true love was, and he was going to make up to her for it for the rest of their lives. He'd take care of her in every way possible, and see to it that she was never anything apart from happy and content.
He could see their future already, and it was filled with golden haired children, too. As golden as the sun, as beautiful as their mother, and all as bright and happy as the days they would have ahead.
His father had never known that kind of happiness. He never would, and Niles pitied him for that. Underneath all the other angry feelings, of course. Joseph truly had lived a contemptible and pathetic life, under the guise of making himself out to be a giant among men or a god among mortals.
Vanity. It was pure vanity. And now that Niles knew how bad, weak and disgusting it all was, he wanted nothing more to do with it. He was just about able to stand being around someone who did any of it!
Luckily, he wouldn't have to for a while. His father would be away for a considerable length of time – it would be the reprieve they all needed. And it would give himself and C.C. the chance they needed to get started as a married couple.
A chance to try for their first child, which was a thought that truly excited him.
He'd wanted to be a father for so long...his first attempt had not worked as he had hoped, and that had been crushing. It still was, when the image of being nineteen and being told that the little boy and his mother were both dead came into his mind. He hadn't loved her, by any stretch of the imagination, but he'd loved the baby from the moment he'd known about him. His mind had been completely taken over by the thought of being a father, right from hearing that he was going to be one – he thought all the time of having a son, whom he would have taught all he knew and spent as much time with as he could, even if it would have caused a scandal to some people. He hadn't cared that the boy was an accident and wouldn't have been able to inherit from him; that wasn't the point. The fact was that that was his boy, and he had been prepared to love him, no matter what. Even before the...the horrible announcement, he'd ordered clothes for the baby, settled with a selection of tutors to give him the best education possible, had been thinking of future horses to breed to give him his own foal...but it had all gone away again, just like that.
He knew he'd adore his future children just as much, and feel twice as blessed to know that they would also be the sons and daughters of the woman he truly loved. His C.C., who'd one day rule by his side, with no one in their way to say that she couldn't.
A dark part of him suggested that it couldn't wait for that day to come. He didn't dismiss the thought so much as store it at the back of his mind, knowing it and acknowledging it, but not going any further than that. His father might've been a bastard with no love for anyone but himself, but Niles wouldn't stoop so low as to do something so vile.
His mother might've suggested that he shouldn't think such things, if she were privy to his thoughts, but she was simply too good for the world. She had more reason than anybody to think what he'd just been thinking, but she would still insist on some things.
Her son not talking about committing an evil act, for a start.
She deserved better than she had gotten, he thought to himself with a sigh. All she'd ever done was love and try her best to please everyone, but she had been rejected, humiliated and given only pain in return.
He'd make it up to her. Somehow, he would.
"You!" Niles said, gesturing for one of his servants to come closer. "Have my own carriage ready and pack my bags – I will be leaving for my lodge. Do inform the Privy Council that, should they need me, I will be happy to receive them there, where I'll be carrying out most of my work."
The young page bowed to him and left with a quiet "Yes, sir" to do the prince's bidding.
Niles trusted it wouldn't take long – C.C. had already taken most of the things he'd need with her in the carriage, so he only needed some extra clothes, books, and the legal documents he'd be needing to run the country while his father was away. Marriage was something he took seriously, but he couldn't just stop acting as regent because he'd be taking a wife. His people still needed him – it was, of course, a rather unfortunate consequence of his status.
C.C. was aware of this, and she perfectly understood. They had, however, agreed on taking a few days off to enjoy from newly-wedded bliss and start on their project of bringing an heir into this world.
Not that he would admit it, but Niles felt oddly nervous whenever he thought about the fact that, in just over a day, he'd finally be able to take his beloved. The Niles from one year ago would have probably been bouncing off the walls, but for some strange reason his new self felt…trepidation.
Perhaps it was because it actually mattered, this time. It could've been because the idea of it being within a marriage was new and a little nerve-racking, if exciting, in its own way. Maybe it was because he loved her, and he truly cared about it being good for her, beyond the expectations of praise that he'd usually get for being good in bed.
He was worried about it being the latter. It was easy enough for a whore to tell him how magnificent he was, if she knew it would get her an extra coin or two. The ladies and girls he'd charmed into doing it for free had all been trying to charm him right back in their own ways, hoping their hollow adoration and empty words might get them more than just a trinket. It didn't matter if they'd liked any of it or not, they never would've told him so.
What would happen if his beloved didn't enjoy it? She didn't necessarily have to feel pain to not enjoy it, but what happened once it was all over and she just hadn't liked it? Any of it?
Of course, he could only think that she wouldn't tell him out of politeness, and possibly from overhearing other, older women around her that sometimes wives just had to put up and shut up about things when it came to men.
But he didn't want her to do that – he wanted to know what she was thinking and feeling. He wanted to know that she was enjoying herself and getting pleasure from the things he would do.
That was, if she wanted him to do them in the first place. He'd never force her, he wasn't a monster. But what if the mere thought of it was too much? Unlike most girls her age, who had probably already been married or at least had...been with somebody, she'd had no experience whatsoever. What if it was all too overwhelming?
The mere thought of it all was...daunting, to say the least. But he had to simply go on; he couldn't embarrass his beloved by trying to ask about any of it. She wouldn't have been sure herself, and he wanted to protect her from his own insecurities.
How else was anybody even going to attempt to enjoy the night?
He tried to keep the pressure of that last one out of his head, but it was almost as though it came in a package with everything else. The wedding, his future family, the wedding night...
It was making him sweat a little even as he stood there – was this the nervousness people spoke about just before they got married? He couldn't have been the only man in the world ever to have these kind of thoughts and doubts, could he?
Had he been anybody else, with practically any other family, he would have been able to ask his father. Even an older male would've sufficed – his uncle, King Louis, maybe, had he been able to come to the wedding.
He'd been more than generous enough as it was. He couldn't expect him to dish out advice whenever he wanted, when he'd already offered C.C. a place in his court if worst came to the worst and she had to flee England.
He couldn't ask his friends, either – Maxwell would've found the subject far too awkward when he explained a certain part of why he felt so nervous (not to mention, he wasn't there with him right now), and all the other young lords would've just laughed.
So, as things were, he had no one. And he had to simply deal with these things alone.
This was yet another example of his father's failure as a parent. After all, weren't sons supposed to be shaped into their own father's image? His father had certainly tried to mould him into a little copy of himself – a monstrous creation that would have condemned Niles to fiery damnation. It was lucky that he'd seen the error of his ways and had changed for the better.
His father had taught him the type of man he didn't want to be. Not anymore, at least. He had many sins to account for, but with C.C. by his side, he was certain he would never stray again. He'd vowed to be the best man he could be for her and for their children, and when sons came along, he would bring them up to be respectable, God-fearing gentlemen instead of lustful boors.
Niles smiled at the thought – he could already see himself surrounded by a horde of golden-haired little boys and playing with them. He simply couldn't wait!
It was this eagerness what probably made time crawl by, but eventually one of the servant came to inform him his ride was ready and waiting.
At last, the time had come! He'd be married to his beloved in no time at all and they could put an end to anything his father said! They'd be safe, legally husband and wife, and they would have the family he'd started dreaming of having...
His past self would've been mortified as he hurried off to the carriage, but Niles didn't care what that pig thought. He simply wasn't that person – if he deserved such a title for his behaviour – anymore. He loved one woman, he didn't chase after others like he thought they were sport, and he certainly didn't keep a tally. He was not some great lover and it didn't make him a hero, having so many piles of women at his feet.
Especially not when he'd dropped them there.
He had a new life ahead of him, with the woman he loved by his side and the promise of children at their feet. That was more than enough – it was exactly what he wanted, and he didn't intend to waste time standing around when he could be heading to it right that moment.
He had never dreamed that he'd elope. But, then again, he'd never imagined that he'd be in love with the bride he was marrying, either. It was all still overwhelming, in a sense, but as he climbed into the carriage and bade the footman to shut the door behind him quickly, he knew he wouldn't want it to feel any other way.
Marie simply couldn't be happier.
Back when she'd first arrived in England to marry the man who would be her husband, she'd been quick to bury the notion of being able to have a loving marriage. Joseph's nature had been crystal clear since the get-go, and as such she'd never been hopeful about experiencing romantic love.
Except for a few short years between Josephine's and Niles' births, her marriage had been a complete disaster. She and her husband could barely tolerate one another, so it had only been natural for things to fall apart. It had been a long time coming, but the last nail in their coffin had been Josie's death. Marie had been pregnant with Niles at the time, but after their daughter's (who Joseph would always say was his favourite) untimely death, Joseph had all but abandoned Marie.
He'd avoided her like the plague, choosing only to visit when the news reached him that she had given birth to their son. Even then, he'd barely acknowledged her in the room, focusing only on every aspect of Niles. Newly born, smaller than their other babies had been. And Joseph had made sure to deliberately mention that fact, as well as many others that spoke of his disdain. He had thought Niles' screeching cries were strained, as though they'd fail at any moment. He'd noted that the boy didn't have a strong grip, like a future king should have. He'd even made sure to be extra loud when ordering the servants to close the windows, lest the baby "have his life snuffed out by a gentle, slightly chilled breeze".
He'd even suggested that Marie name Niles, claiming that he didn't see any point in getting attached. That attitude didn't change until their boy grew, bigger and stronger, until he was as healthy and golden and perfect as their own Josie had been. Joseph started showing interest in their son, then. That had become complete adoration the moment Niles had been old enough to start speaking, and his first word had been "Dada".
But his change of heart over their son hadn't extended back to her. She'd seen it, one of the first days he'd come to her chambers, simply to take their boy in his arms and walk out again. He'd barely even spoken to her, or given any acknowledgment of her existence.
That had been the moment she'd realised they simply weren't meant to be. Had never been meant to be. They were too different — too different for them to even try and be cordial to one another.
So she'd surrendered hope and gotten used to the idea that a life she'd hoped would be full of love and happiness, would be the opposite.
But not anymore. Not when her son was getting married to a girl he actually loved – the perfect girl for him, no less – and she could see a future for them stretching out into a golden horizon.
She had feared for so long that Niles would simply become a copy of his father. Never caring about any of the many women he was with, hurting and humiliating the one that had the misfortune of marrying him, spreading misery and pain while basking in some self-created glory...
But when he had taken the time and gotten to know Lady Babcock, all of that had changed. He'd become a whole new person, little by little, until he no longer resembled the boor she was almost ashamed to have brought up.
He'd found his love. The woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And he had promised that there would be lots of grandchildren for Marie to dote on – a family that she could love and spoil, when her own children had not survived long enough for it to happen.
She'd not been able to have children for many years, now. Granted, she had been able to get pregnant, but all of them had ended in one heartbreaking miscarriage after another. She'd held on tightly to her remaining child - her boy - after that. Niles had kept her going throughout her whole life, and just before she had left for his lodge, he had said that he and his new bride would make sure she had such a large family around her that she would never know what to do with herself.
She'd never be alone again.
It might not have been the happy ending she had imagined, back when she'd been a young, naive French princess, but it was just as good.
That turned into more than just as good, as C.C.'s voice came from the other room, muffled by the closed door Marie had been standing and watching guard from.
"I...I think I'm ready, Marie...!"
This was it. The moment she'd see her future daughter-in-law for the first time, wearing her wedding dress!
They were going to head to the chapel to practice and pray before the official ceremony, and Marie had been given the honour of accompanying her. It was a task she held with great reverence and love in her heart.
Normally it would have been C.C's mother doing such a thing. Sadly, that wasn't possible, so the task now fell on Marie. After all, they were her new family now: her, Niles and that half-brother of hers, who had been nothing but a kind and jolly figure ever since he and his wife had arrived. But this moment called for a matriarchal presence – something Marie was more than happy to provide.
She opened the door without hesitation, but with a sense of building anticipation in her heart. Said feeling quickly exploded into an overwhelming sense of awe the moment she looked up and set eyes on C.C..
The ballgown she'd chosen made her look every inch the woman she was. A high waisted bodice for a slim, statuesque build. Full sleeves for the demure look of a bride, and a long train just to prove it...
Everything about each detail was magnificent. The colour could remind one of clear summer skies that stretched into lazy, happy afternoons. Silver thread embroidery delicately curved and swirled about the train, and gemstones glittered – no, she glittered – in the light, so that all who saw might think an angel, or perhaps some great and benevolent sky goddess from a mythology long forgotten had come to make herself known on Earth again.
If Niles did not appreciate seeing her in this gown (and by that, Marie meant if he didn't get down on his knees and thank the Lord God Almighty), then she wasn't entirely sure that her son would deserve such a bride!
It only made her excitement grow tenfold at the prospect of the next day. The ceremony was going to be wonderful, she could feel it in her very soul! She could see the rays of sun coming in through the chapel window already, bathing the couple in warmth and light and setting them apart in grace and love and beauty from their well-wishers...
It wouldn't be the flashy, over-the-top occasions that most royal weddings were. It was going to be sweet, and quiet, and celebrate the love of two people, not the convenience of a match. It would not lead to hurt, or suffering. There would only be happiness, and peace, and togetherness.
It would suit Corinthians, chapter thirteen, verses four to eight, so perfectly. Their love was patient, and kind. It did not boast, it was not proud...
And it was all happening tomorrow.
It was making Marie's eyes mist over and her breath catch in her throat to even think of it! In mere hours, the woman she saw in front of her would be her daughter-in-law, and her family would grow.
Grow, in size and love, when she'd thought she'd given up all hope of the latter ever happening.
"C.C.," she eventually breathed out, reaching discreetly for her handkerchief that she always kept hidden in her sleeve. "You...oh, chérie, you look so beautiful...! Just...just wonderful!"
C.C.'s beaming smile and rapidly reddening cheeks turned towards the floor, embarrassed by the words. She didn't think she'd ever been called any of that by anybody, apart from Niles.
"Thank you," she was sure she mumbled but the queen didn't look as though she minded. "I was so excited, getting it all fitted! Margaret insisted on using the finest fabrics she had in her store – she'd even had some of them imported! They were ready and waiting, in case a lady or duchess came to order a new gown. She ended up using most of the imported fabrics, which made me feel bad because she'll have to order more, but she didn't mind. She said it was only right, for a family wedding, and the wedding of a future queen...!"
"And right she eez, chérie! You deserve nozhing but zhe very best," said the Queen before giving his future daughter-in-law a tight hug.
A few tear sprang from her eyes and Marie made no effort to hide them. She might not have carried or given birth to the young woman currently in her arms, but she certainly loved her like a daughter. Being part of hers and Niles' special day was a miracle and a blessing all rolled into one!
"We should get going," Marie sniffed and pulled away to dab at her teary eyes. "We 'ave no time to lose…"
Together, Marie and C.C. made their joint way to the chapel. Neither said anything while walking there – they were too immersed in their own little, happy thoughts. The future ahead was, undoubtedly, uncertain, but they couldn't help feeling hopeful. They had a plan; the only step left was following it.
Upon entering the chapel, they quickly greeted the others - Noel and Margaret, along with the Sheffields - before meeting with Reverend Smith. He was the most trusted person to marry the couple - Marie had selected him herself, based on her long-standing friendship with him. He had been her confidante since the time he'd been chosen to guide her and teach her all about the Anglican branch of the faith, upon her conversion, so she couldn't think of anyone better.
The reverend had been as sympathetic as he could have been, when the young queen had started coming to him for lessons. Even if she had made an attempt to hide it, she'd been despondent about being forced to recant her Catholicism. She still was, to some extent. In her heart, she had never given it up, but her position simply wouldn't allow her to openly declare it.
The Reverend greeted them warmly when they joined the group.
"Your Majesty," he bowed to Marie graciously, and nodded with respect towards C.C.. "And this must be the Lady Babcock, if I am not mistaken?"
C.C. nodded and curtsied politely in return, giving very little verbal reply. Or, at least it seemed that way when Fran Sheffield then cut in. The two women had only been introduced a few hours before (quickly "sharing scandals" – Fran had infamously been Maxwell's children's nanny when they'd fallen in love and married), but it had been made clear that the noblewoman was...somewhat peculiar. Everything from the way she'd held her head up high while all the other noblewomen whispered about her climbing her way unscrupulously up the social ladder by bewitching a widower, to her incredibly nasal, piercing voice, made her stand out like a red spot on a white sheet.
C.C. didn't mind that, though, or much else about Fran. She liked the other woman; she found her happy energy refreshing. Like sunshine after a rainstorm. Even with her huge belly protruding until she was almost ready to burst, she still had a smile on her face and looked ready to do anything.
That was why it didn't bother her too much when the brunette started to speak.
"Ya'd be forgiven fer it ya were! Lady Babcock, you look gorgeous! Like a whole new you! Not that the old you dressed badly or anythin', or was really even that old, but–"
"What I think my lady wife is trying to say," Maxwell stepped in diplomatically. "Is that you look wonderful, Lady Babcock. Every inch the demure and blushing bride!"
Trying not to laugh in amusement at Fran's stumbling attempts, C.C. curtsied as best she could in reply, considering her new dress. She was terrified of tearing it, or even letting the stitching or fabric strain or split the wrong way. Not the day before, and not when everything was going so wonderfully!
"Thank you, Lord Sheffield; Lady Sheffield. And yes, I am Lady Babcock, sir," she replied to the reverend. "I must thank you, for agreeing to conduct my marriage. So many in your position wouldn't agree to such a thing...!"
She wondered if she had maybe said the wrong thing, as soon as that was out of her mouth; she didn't know about how he perceived anybody else in the clergy! What if he held many of them in high regard?! What if he felt that she was being unfair to those who were called to do God's work, and imagined that she would treat him the same way?!
It was only after a moment (in which breath never left nor entered her body) that the Reverend Smith smiled humbly and shook his head.
"I am not here to decide where love is to be found, and I am certainly not here to forbid it in anyone. I am more than honoured to marry yourself and His Royal Highness, even if some of my colleagues in the clergy might find it...unconventional."
C.C. beamed back at him, relieved and never having felt more safe in a place that didn't have Niles in it. Marie had chosen a good man to conduct the ceremony, and C.C. was certain that the wedding itself would be all the better for it.
"Thank you, again, good sir," she replied, before looking around at the others and the chapel. "It is a lovely place, is it not?"
"It absolutely is," the Reverend agreed. "Now, would her Ladyship like to start the rehearsal?"
C.C. didn't need to be told twice and, soon enough, the rehearsal was underway. The ceremony was to be shorter than usual for a royal wedding, but it didn't really matter. They could do without the pomp and flourish of a wedding for someone of Niles' station, but they absolutely couldn't do without one another.
As long as they were married, nothing else really mattered.
Once the rehearsal was over, party gathered at the chapel made their way back to the lodge. They spotted Niles' carriage almost instantly, and Marie was soon ushering C.C. back into the house through one of the back doors.
"'urry up, Chérie!" said the queen, "We do not want your future 'usband to see you just yet!"
"Can't I at least go and say hi?" C.C. pleaded with Marie – in the short hours they'd been apart she'd actually missed her prince. She knew she was being sappy and probably a little clingy, but she simply couldn't help it!
Though the look on Marie's face suggested that she intended to nip that little behaviour in the bud very quickly.
"You may not. You will see 'im tomorrow, just like every ozher bride in zhe country when waiting for 'er bridegroom," the queen replied, hurriedly sending her charge in the other direction still. "Zhis wedding might not entirely be like any ozher wedding zhat has taken place in zhis family, but one tradition shall always stand, as long as I am alive to uphold it!"
C.C. raised an eyebrow as she was practically frogmarched away from the front end of the house and where Niles' carriage was arriving.
Marie clearly took her rituals and superstitions seriously, and she didn't intend to let other people not adhere to them while she was around! It was almost overwhelming, the dedication the queen could provide when she intended to make sure that people followed her orders!
C.C. supposed that she could only respect what her soon-to-be mother-in-law wished. That was, if she didn't want to get marched straight out of the house and kept in the nearest barn until it was time for the ceremony!
"Now, we are getting you back to your room," Marie explained. "Zhe sooner zhe end of zhe day comes, zhe sooner you will be asleep and resting for tomorrow. And when zhat 'appens, eet will be 'ere and you will not 'ave to ask eef you may see Niles!"
C.C. smiled – after tomorrow, she and Niles wouldn't need to ask for permission to see each other or be chaperoned. They'd be man and wife in the eyes of the Lord and would have the right to lie together. The notion was wonderful.
So much so that she happily allowed Marie to frogmarch her into the room, lost in her daydreams about her future life with the man she knew was her one and only.