First at Last (Updated Version)

Chapter Twenty-Five

There were a select few allowed through the gates to attend the wedding. Many nobles had come, kings and queens from different lands, dukes and duchesses, lords, friends of King Henry's and Queen Alexia's.

Though, Mother and Father were not among the guests. It was very bittersweet, because they were still my parents and it felt like something was missing that they were not in attendance. However, Mother would have been a nightmare and made it an awful experience for everyone involved—and I am not even sure they would have come had I decided to invite them.

Alice took my hand and squeezed it tightly, as if she could read my thoughts. She offered me a reassuring smile, which I returned.

We reached the garden, which was beautiful this time of year, at the end of spring. Cherry blossom trees were in full bloom; the flowers were blossoming and birds were chirping. The sky was a magnificent blue and there was not a cloud t be seen; the sun shone down so brightly it wreathed the trees in gold. I could hear the soft musical notes of the fountain somewhere nearby. It was as though the earth itself was celebrating our marriage.

I let go of Poppy's when we reached the aisle, and she bowed to me and stepped away to her seat near the king.

I turned to Alice, who I had asked to walk me down the aisle, and she took my arm and did just that.

Everyone stood and turned to watch me walk down the long, white carpet, to my future. William stood at the altar at the end of the aisle, along with the priest. His eyes widened when he saw me and he looked a little straighter, his lips parted slightly in a look of wonder and love. Just that one look from him and I was nearly giddy.

A small group of musicians played as I walked, and pink rose petals dusted the white carpet. My eyes met the sapphire ones of my future husband's and he smiled.

The walk felt like it lasted a lifetime, but, by the time I reached William, I no longer felt nervous. Alice kissed my cheek and stepped off to the side, as the priest gestured that the guests that they may be seated. William took my hands in his, his eyes sparkling.

When everyone had taken their seats, the priest began to speak. He spoke of our love for each other and our love for the country, he waked us through the vows and asked us to repeat promises that he spoke to honor our commitment to each other and our commitment to the kingdom. When the priest told the audience to speak now if any were opposed to our marriage, no one spoke up.

The priest continued with his speech and, soon enough, we were pronounced man and wife. William smiled, his blue eyes dancing, as he leaned in and planted a long, passionate kiss upon my lips. People cheered and clapped, but I could hardly hear it because I was so wrapped up in the moment. This was my first kiss as a married woman, my first kiss with my husband. It wasn't shared under our tree or or in the dead of night so that it could not be seen, as it had been mere months ago. This was for everyone to see, and to know that we were now one, before God, before our friends, before the kingdom.

"We did it, Erika," William whispered against my lips, causing me to smile.

"Yes we did, William," I replied, pulling away to meet his gaze. "Yes, we did."

#

A feast was held in the great hall in honor of our marriage. I had never seen so much food in my life. Platters of roast duck, boar, venison, turkey, and pig took up the table, along with cheeses, and breads, and fresh fruits and pastries, sparkling wine, justs of ale . . . it was not a celebration that would be forgotten. There must have been hundreds of people in attendance.

William and I received many beautiful gifts from guests, as well as from the citizens of Belhaven. It seemed most people were pleased with our marriage.