The Imperial Wedding

[Forkology/Sarah 57]

***

 

The familiar sounds of church bells began to ring in the city of Kaldonia. Despite being peaceful, there was an air of an excitement. It was in the giggles of little noble girls, the groans and eye-rolling of the boys, and the words of gossiping noblewomen. 

 

Banners, streamers, and other decorations adorned the streets. Colors of yellow, black, red, and white could be seen around every corner. A wedding was to take place in the capital city of Oren, though it wasn't just any wedding. It was a royal wedding. The Emperor Robert Chivay was to be wed to the Lady Constance Briarwood.

 

The planning had taken weeks. Still, it was not even close to being over. Cooks, maids, and other servants rushed about the palace. Guards were to be on high alert all day. The bride was not to be left alone for more than a few moments at any point in the day despite her cousin, Rachel Brunswick, shadowing her move.

 

Kaldonian nobility packed into the church, while peasants packed together outside, surrounding the church behind armed Caerngard. Bishop Hectorius Sparrow stood rigidly behind the pulpit, while the Emperor stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Conversation flowed across aisles and pews, though it fell to a low hum as the Bishop rose his hand for silence.

 

Lady Constance Briarwood entered the church, lead by her first cousin once removed, Lord Rhys Briarwood. Rhys lifted his chin proudly, a subtle smirk played across his face as the fair woman was brought before the bishop and Emperor Robert Chivay. Rachel Brunswick walked behind her, carrying her train of white. 

 

The trio made their way up the stairs and both Rachel and Rhys moved to the left to make room for the couple while the Bishop opened his book and began to speak.

 

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.

 

Robert, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

 

Robert nods and replies, “I will.”

 

Hectorius nods and accordingly turns to Constance.

 

“Constance, Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

 

Constance smiles confidently back at Robert.

 

“I will.” 

 

The Bishop cracks a broad smile, closing his book and motioning his hands toward the gathered nobility. “Who gave this woman to be married to this man?” 

 

Lord Rhys Briarwood steps forward from Rachel’s side and strides to stand next to Constance. The Bishop motions for Robert and Constance to clasp hands together and nods for Robert to continue. “I, Robert take thee Constance to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

 

Constance looks to Robert, struggling to mask her excitement as she responds with a smile. “I, Constance take thee Robert to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”

 

Quickly, the Bishop motions for Edmond Brunswick, Rachel’s child, to bring the ring down the aisle.. The child nervously toddles uneasily down the aisle, staring at his mother for encouragement the entire time as he balances the golden ring on the pillow sporting House Chivay’s colors. The child presents the pillow to Robert, who then takes the ring and Constance’s hand and gingerly slips the shimmering band on her ring finger.

 

 

“With this ring I wed thee in the name of the Creator.”

 

Tarmin Chivay, standing by Robert, hands him a yellow-and-black shawl, which Robert promptly lays over Constance’s shoulders.

 

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Hectorius motions towards the couple as the room breaks into a roar of applause. Robert takes Constance into his arms and kisses her while the entire room prepares to leave. The couple is escorted down the aisle, Tarmin, Rachel, and Rhys behind them. 

 

It was already mid afternoon by the time the two made it back to the castle, with nobility streaming behind. Peasants, dressed in their finest, moved through the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of the couple as they paraded up the stairs and into the castle, where the party would assume.

 

The Castle is elaborately decorated in red, white, black, and yellow. Streamers and banners decorate the walls while tables and chairs are decked out in House Chivay colors. The servants scurry back and forth, hollering commands to one another as the nobility rush into the castle.

 

The couple sits at either end of the huge table. Food of every kind that the cooks have been preparing for days sits on the table and even spills into other rooms, open for the guests to eat and converse as they wish. Minstrels sing their ballads while fools take turns tumbling among the children and keeping them entertained while the adults take to dancing.

 

***

[Malaise 1570]

Lord Rhys, cousin to the bride, smiles as the couple kiss. He raises a glass of wine to the two, leaning back in his seat as his eyes skim the crowd.

[Cjmate 1270]

Jean throws rice on the couple as they move back down the aisle.

[_pok_ 1768]

some would say it was................................

 

 

a white wedding

[Treshure 5818]

"A noble house hoarding all the woman has turned out to marry the Imperial Chivays. Who knew!" remarks Hobs Gullyworth happily, raising a glass in their toast.

[Shelby ! 21]

Lady Rachel Brunswick spends most of the after party chasing after her son as he tries to imitate the jesters as well as giggling with the noble ladies whenever possible. She would eventually stop to visit Constance, cheekily whispering a few words of congratulations in her new empress' ear before swiftly steering her son away from the valuables.

[Keldrith 717]

Woo hooo! Nice one Constance! 

[Mouse 324]

Gwyneviere suppresses a squeal of delight as the newly wed couple kiss. She waits patiently as the crowd claps and cheers, and guests begin to stand. Gwyn' stands and allows her state of spaghetti to pass over. Eventually, she approaches Constance and provides her with a welcoming embrace, her words to her cousin those only of excitement and congratulations.

[CasualGhost 184]

The High Patriarch is more than a little perturbed that he was not invited to perform the ceremony. Nevertheless he prays for the safety and health of the Emperor and his new wife. 

[Avacyn 1712]

Within the confines of a place inconceivable to any mortal soul, a world-weary and weathered being sits, and gazes down upon its kin, still traversing the mortal realm. A very subtle smile comes to its lips, curling ever-so-slightly as it watches Constance be wed to the Emperor. It nods in approval, and then with a sigh, closes its eyes, still smiling contently. 

"Ave Kaedrin." It murmurs, before passing on into a deep sleep that it would never awake from.

[Glyc 234]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.