Chapter 190: Ceremony

With a bouncing heart, Edmund stared at the double doors at the end of the small chapel. His foot bounced, unable to take it any longer, and part of him wished to run over to the door and throw them open, to speed things up, but with a small breath and thought of how stupid it was, he suppressed his desire and patiently waited. Looking around, he saw all the guests staring at him with wide smiles. A majority of them were close servants for his family, having been given a choice to rest and celebrate or help with the event. Whilst most chose the day of rest, happy to celebrate their lord, a few still chose against it, wishing to make sure the day was perfect and unable to trust any outside help brought in to be up to standard.

Next were courtiers, minor landowners, rich merchants whom they did business with and finally a few friends who weren’t involved in the war. Although his mood dampened at not seeing Tristan or any of his other family, bar his mother, in the crowd, he didn’t let it affect him, instead understanding and focusing on who could come.

A loud piano cut through his thoughts, followed by the rest of the instruments. Although not as good as what he was used to, able to hear a few mistakes, he didn’t focus on the rendition of The Eternal Communion, instead listening to his racing heart as he saw the double doors open. Those on the aisle seats prepared the blue flower petals used at all Flatlands weddings, and turned to watch as Diana did her walk.

Her brown dress dragged behind her, and unlike Emdudn robes, which were all about humility, her dress was more extravagant, blending designs of the Crownlands with the Flatlands, making a perfect mixture of the two. Alongside her, Lord Wells walked, holding her arm with one hand, his other on the cane, desperately making it as quiet as possible to not draw attention away from his daughter-in-law.

’Father, why did you have to walk her?’ Complaining in his mind, Edmund couldn’t help but wonder if it was on purpose, knowing his father wouldn’t be able to walk quickly. Guests threw blue petals before the two, letting them walk through. Edmund couldn’t tear his eyes away from Diana, his gaze fixed on her face, his heart racing, unable to believe what was happening. The music, the guests, his father and mother, the priest. None of it registered as she got closer, finally able to see her clearly and being starstruck.

Only when she stood before him, her father having delivered the bride, did he snap out of his trance. "Dear beloved. Today we are honoured to witness the union of Edmund Wells and Diana Hall. It is with great honour and humility that I preside over this blessed union and tie these two in holy matrimony before the Gods." The priest looked to Diana and sweetly smiled, his old face failing to hide his own happiness.

Diana didn’t need to be told what to do, and stared deep into Edmund’s eyes, grabbing his hands and squeezing tightly. "I, Diana Halls, swear upon the Lord of Creation to honour and respect my beloved husband, from now until death. I swear to be faithful and servile. I swear to be true and honest to him always." Before the priest could turn to Edmund, she carried on, making him nod and smile with respect towards her, "I swear upon the Lord of Joy and Sorrow to bring nothing but happiness to his life. I swear to the Protector of Children and Widows to give her many more to watch over. I swear upon the Lord of Chivarly and Repentance to honour this till now, till the end."

The priest gave a deep, respectful look to Diana and smiled. All that mattered was to swear upon the Lord of Creation’s name; by doing so, it honoured all Gods, yet with every God a promise was made to it, giving additional respect on top of showing the commitment of the party involved.

Looking to Edmund, the priest nearly burst into laughter seeing him stuck in a trance, not realising it was his turn to speak. Rather, he stared deep into Diana’s eyes, lost in them. Seeing it herself, Diana gently placed her foot atop his and pressed down, breaking him out of his trance and getting a small chuckle from the guests.

"I, Edmund Wells, swear to protect and care for my beloved wife." Each word was lathered in indescribable happiness, spreading an infectious smile across the guests. "I swear to provide and lead. I swear to be true to my wife, till now, till the end." Just like with Diana, he carried on, "I swear to the Lord of Joy and Sorrow, to fill her life with nothing but happiness; I swear to the Lord of Chivarly and Repentance to be faithful until death; I swear to the Lord of Anger, to never inflict rage upon her. I swear by all the Gods, this, till now, till the end."

The priest closed his eyes and took a deep breath. With a deep smile, he nodded in satisfaction. "May their vows be sealed with a kiss and their promises to the Gods honoured." Edmund didn’t wait and leaned foward, bringing his wife into a deep kiss, uncaring of the watching crowd, nor of her blushing face. From the younger members of the crowd who grew up with Clover’s influence, he heard the loudest applause, cheering and encouraging him without being rude, whereas the older members all politely applauded.

After an unknown amount of time, Edmund pulled away and looked back, brightly smiling. The music started again, a festive song of Hampton, as Edmund swooped Diana up. Covering her face in embarrassment, wondering why he was doing so much, Edmund laughed, leading the guests outside, where a large area had been prepared for them to carry on the celebrations.

The musicians, workers and guards all quickly took to their positions, expertly slipping through whilst the guests littered the makeshift dance floor, surrounded by flowers. Taking to the centre, Edmund lowered Diana and let her stand as guests littered it. Finally, the music started, playing ’The Lord Toast’ and the dancing began.

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Lord Wells looked at the dance floor with a sad look and rubbed his leg as Mary grabbed his hand. "I know you wish you could celebrate with him. Just wait until they play slower music. Sighing, he looked towards the musicians, hearing them occasionally play a note a little too hard.

Looking back at Edmund, he sighed, "Shouldn’t you be up there? It is customary for a son to dance with his mother." Mary chuckled and rested a hand on her chin. Looking at Edmund, she shook her head and covered her mouth, a deeper, more humorous laugh escaping her lips.

"I don’t think I will get the chance to." Lord Wells nodded as she carried on. "I heard some men forget to speak their vows, but did you see him? He was completely in his own world." Lord Wells chuckled and signalled a servant to bring him and Mary a drink.

"He has been enamoured with her ever since he saw her at court. I had worried when she was a girl from such a minor house, but it doesn’t matter."

"Forgive me for saying this, my dear, but I am very glad he did not marry a Flatlands girl. The influence those twins have had on this place is terrible. Edmund hasn’t even been spared."

"It is fine." Lord Wells smirked to himself as the music came to an end and a new lively song began, one he didn’t know. "I also worry about what those two have done. I must speak to Christian when he comes and try to speak some sense into him.

"Christian." Mary’s smile sweetened. "A lovely little boy he is, but rather terrifying as well."

"Indeed. But he was generous with his gift for Edmund. Did you hear about it?"

"No." Mary shook her head and prepared herself for something outlandish.

"He practically gifted an entire nursery for the two. The letter he sent was something along the lines of, ’I can’t be sure if it will be a boy or girl, so I bought for two.’" Lord Wells chuckled, thinking about, "Honestly, he is very much like Hector when it comes to how easily he gives gifts. They are at war, and he spends so much. That doesn’t even include the rest of the Clovers who sent soemthing, only his." Shaking his head, Lord Wells looked around the venue as Mary leaned against him, chuckling to herself.

From behind, he heard the servants inching closer, trying to be ready to serve at any moment. Yet it was too close. Turning around, he ordered them back and looked around again, seeing guests slowly filter off the dance floor, needing a short break, unable to believe that Edmund and Diana were still going.