Chapter 363 - 360: Royal Wedding I
As early as before the sun has even risen, vast crowds have congregated along the route the carriages of the wedding procession would pass through. By 9am, the number became so numerous, that there was no room for even an apple to drop. For some who were lucky, their homes had windows overlooking the streets and even then, their relatives would have rudely tried to squeeze in their homes just to catch a glimpse.
The royal guards and soldiers on duty who were already on standby from midnight as they needed to ensure that the whole route was clear for the day, could only make a formation where they looped their arms to act as human barriers just to control the pushing of people behind them as more people wanted to squeeze in.
Never have there been a royal wedding as so anticipated as Geoffrey's and Serena's. Perhaps it's because Serena was so well loved and popular to the citizens of the empire, or maybe that it was the first time in 300 years in which a citizen (though she's a daughter of a duke) and not a princess from an allied kingdom would be marrying the crown prince which paved for a romantic fairytale that did it, or maybe it's the mix of both. In either case, all the precedent royal weddings would have been put to shame by just the sheer magnitude of the crowds.
Meanwhile, in contrast to the excited and jubilant crowd and well-wishers, the second prince's faction and the radical faction were both feeling trepidation. The crown prince's popularity just leapt by heaves and bounds to the public with his marriage to Serena. How could they even pretend to be happy?
Anyhow, whatever these people think, it was the least of concerns for the soon to be wed royal couple.
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The schedule for the wedding was very militantly planned that it was nearly laughable. Geoffrey and Serena had their own schedules to follow before meeting each other down the aisle.
It was cumbersome, but they didn't mind it. In fact, they were even happy to do all of those. Although none of them wanted this marriage at the beginning, now, they were both looking forward to the moment they tie the knot.
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At 6 in the morning, Geoffrey decided to get up from his bed. Getting sleep was futile. Never in his life has he looked forward for anything as much as he did his and Serena's wedding. Decidedly, he called for his gentleman of the chamber to prepare his breakfast. Not that he has an appetite, but he knew it would be a long day.
At 10 in the morning, he was already at the palace grounds where some of the royal guests were already waiting. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Frederick, the 2nd prince, trying to politicize. He decided to ignore his distasteful conduct. He was not in the mood to get his day ruined by the fool's folly.
During this time, he was approached and congratulated by the guests who will be joining the royal carriage procession. The royal photographers on standby also began taking pictures, documenting the day.
By 10:15 am, he was already seated inside the horse drawn landaulet with Frederick beside him. He was by protocol appointed as his best man. Thankfully, he was senseful enough not to talk as not to ruin his mood.
At 10:30, the trumpet blared. Signifying that the royal procession was to begin. Two dozen of royal guards on horseback were at the forefront for security purposes.
Then, the semi-state landau carrying the King and Queen was the first carriage to exit the royal palace of Windsor. The crowds that have been waiting for so long, and patiently at that, began to roar and cheer. Behind them was another 2 dozen of mounted royal guards.
After, another set of carriages exited the palace, inside were other members of the royal family.
After all the carriages exited, there was a pause of 5 minutes before the landaulet carrying Geoffrey and Frederick exited. Escorted by 1 dozen at front and 2 dozen of mounted royal guards behind. Again, the crowds roared and cheered, perhaps even louder that when the king and queen passed by. Almost everyone was waving something with Geoffrey and Serena's photo on it, the most prominent being the cover of the album 'for the first time'.
Frederick's eyes could only turn into slits. Perfectly annoyed and disgusted by the display.
--
Meanwhile, from the Maxwell ducal mansion, at 7 in the morning, Serena was served with breakfast by her attendants, and although she usually wakes up at 10am with her laziness, it was easy enough as she was not able to sleep a wink with the excitement for her own wedding.
At 8:00 am, she was aided with her bathing. At 9 am, the royal make-up artist sent by the queen to ensure that her image would be flawless for the public to see, began working their magic. At 10:30 am, she was with her family, taking some wedding photos.
At 11:15am, she was ushered to enter the glass carriage with her mother which would bring them to the St. Vincent's cathedral. Her father and brother on a separate landaulet in front of theirs.
The trumpet blared. The first landaulet exited the ducal mansion carrying the duke of Cornwell, Simoun and his adopted son, marquis Leonard. Just behind theirs, inside was Serena and her mother on a glass enclosed carriage. They were escorted by 3 dozen of mounted guards.
The crowds cheered and chanted the name Lady Serena. Then, don't know who started it but someone exclaimed her royal highness, then, different names were called, from your royal highness, crown princess, until finally, the chant changed to simply Princess Serena.
Inside the carriage, duchess Celine and Serena who were holding hands, their fingers intertwined, began giggling. It was a great day for the family. Everyone saw and felt Serena's happiness from when Geoffrey proposed so the wedding was highly anticipated and welcomed.
"You know, after this day, I would have to curtsy to you." Celine jokingly told her daughter.
Serena shook her head as she chuckled. "Mother, although protocol demands that stupid practice, when it's just us, you would never have to do that. Besides, even after marriage, I will always be your daughter first."
Celine gently smiled at her daughter, her nose turning sour. However, she shook her head. "Serena, my dear child, me and your father, we love you very much, and I know you love us too. But because we love you, now that you're marrying, I have one advice and you must listen carefully. Okay?"
Serena smiled as she nodded her head, her nose also turning sour. She will miss her family. Although she did not live with them regularly, there's still the thought of being able to go home, spend time together whenever. But after marriage she would be living with Geoffrey permanently.
"We want you to have a happy marriage, so once you make your vow, we would understand this, and you should to. You must always choose your husband over us. We will always be your family, but Geoffrey should be your family first."
"Mother…" Serena protested.
Celine patted their intertwined hands her eyes in crescents. "Don't protest. This is the best gift your father and I can give you and Geoffrey. Someday you will understand what I mean and be grateful."
Serena knew deep in her heart that her mother was right. Marriage was like that. What for are the sacred vows shared at the altar if not?
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TBC