The Crimson Crown
An original story by SolaraScott
Chapter 11: A Royal Wedding
I was escorted to the Four Winds chapel, my attendants holding my train so as not to drag, my walk more of a pronounced waddle with the bulk of the diaper between my legs. My cheeks burned with shame, but I found that walking slowly reduced how obvious my padding was, as well as helped the dress. Servants and guards alike bowed to me as we traversed the halls of the castle, arriving at the Four Winds chapel; Prince Dorian was nowhere to be seen.
The priest was there, offering me a deep bow as I entered, my eyes flickering around the chapel. I turned my head to one of my attendants, “Where is my husband-to-be?” I whispered.
“He’s already received his blessing, your grace.” Morris responded, “You will not see him again until the ceremony.”
I nodded, the priest stepping up to me, his hands to his side, palms facing me, “Your grace, it’s an honor to bless you and your wedding.” he said, bowing his head once more.
I realized rather quickly that this visit was a tradition and allowed the priest his moment to speak. He raised his chin, beginning the prayer. I let my eyes close; it felt like the right thing to do as I thought the winds stirred and enveloped me. While I could hear the priest and his words, I was more focused on the feelings pulsating through me, the winds wrapping themselves around me, working under my dress to kiss bare flesh. I felt a surge of power coursing through me, an echoing boom far off in the distance as if lightning had struck, and a sudden blinding light enveloped me.
I opened my eyes, startled; the priest stood before me, glowing softly and floating a few inches off the ground. The prayer seemed to be over; however, as he gently landed, the light faded, and the winds died off around me. He smiled warmly, “Go forth, in peace, your grace.” he said, bowing his head.
I nodded, turning, my attendants gathering my dress once more and leading me from the chapel. I felt a strength and limberness in my joints, a spring to my step. It took everything in me not to skip and grin like a silly schoolgirl. A gentle breeze stirred around me, carrying with it the lingering presence of the blessing. My attendants flanked me, their movements graceful and precise as they adjusted my veil and gown, ensuring everything was perfect. I wasn’t certain why, but I quickly found out.
Outside this side of the chape, a procession awaited me, lined with guards in ceremonial crimson and gold, their spears tipped with banners fluttering in the breeze. The path was strewn with fresh flower petals, their fragrance sweet and comforting. I felt my heart thumping in my chest in anticipation, my nerves trying to gain purchase on me. The castle’s corridors were adorned with garlands of greenery and blossoms in the colors of the kingdom. The soft notes of flutes and lutes accompanied my procession, the music weaving a melody that echoed my heartbeat. Servants and nobles paused along my path, bowing deeply as I passed. Children peered out from behind pillars, whispering and pointing, their faces alight with wonder.
As my procession neared the grand staircase leading to the hall, sunlight poured in through a series of tall, stained-glass windows, casting rainbow-hued beams across the stone floor. Each step down the staircase felt momentous, the weight of tradition and expectation mingling with my determination. At the base, another line of guards awaited, forming a path that led directly to the Great Hall’s wide-open doors.
With each step, I could hear the growing murmur of the assembled crowd in the hall, their excitement and anticipation building. The air felt electric, charged with history and destiny. My attendants carefully lifted my train as he approached the entrance, and the herald announced my presence in a voice that carried through the hall like a wave.
As I stepped over the threshold, every eye turned to me, and the grand hall seemed to hold its breath. The music swelled around me, a regal and uplifting melody played by a choir of strings and wind instruments that filled every corner of the vast space. The sound seemed to echo in my chest, and each note matched the steady but forceful thrum of my heartbeat. I took my first step, my gown gliding gracefully along the polished stone floor, the golden embroidery catching and scattering the light. My breath was slow and deliberate, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions as I moved towards the altar.
My eyes find him, Prince Dorian, standing tall at the end of the aisle, his posture both composed and tense. The sight of him sent a rush of warmth through me, mingling with the butterflies that had taken residence in my stomach. He was seeing me for the first time as his bridge, and I searched his face for a flicker of emotion. My eyes widened ever so slightly, a brief softening of his gaze as he took me in. It was enough to anchor me, to remind me that this moment belongs not just to tradition but to both of us.
With each step, memories flooded my mind: my childhood dreams of love, the weight of my duty, and the countless uncertainties I faced. The soft strains of the music swirled around me, and for a moment, I felt as though I was walking through a dream. But this was no fantasy; this is my reality. I was not just walking to meet my husband-to-be; I was walking into a new life with all its promises and unknowns.
I noticed the faces around me, nobles, commoners, allies, strangers, and even my family, all watching, their expectations a heavy but familiar weight on my shoulders. Yet, as I drew closer to the altar, my focus narrowed. The world around me blurred, and all that mattered was the man I was about to stand beside, the vows we were to make, and the path we would carve together.
I breathed deeply, finding strength in the warmth of the blessing still lingering from the chapel. I lifted my chin slightly, determination flashing in my eyes. This was more than a ceremony; it was a promise to myself that I would meet whatever comes with courage, strength, and a heart that belonged to no one but myself and, perhaps, one day, to him as well. As the final notes of the music echoed and faded, I reached the altar, my gaze meeting Prince Dorian’s. In that silent exchange, the room fell away, and for a breathless moment, there was only the two of us, poised at the brink of a shared destiny.
The hall fell into a respectful silence as Father Aelindor, Keep of the Winds, stepped forward, his flowing robe catching the light. The swirling patterns of green, gold, orange, and blue woven into his garments seemed almost to shimmer as he moved. His silver hair caught the glow of the candles surrounding the altar, giving him an ethereal presence. In one hand, he held his carved staff, its crystal tip glimmering softly, and in the other, a ceremonial vessel engraved with symbols of the elements.
Father Aelindor began with a deep, resonant voice that filled the Great Hall. “We gather under the watchful eyes of the Four Winds to witness the binding of two souls, Princess Liliana of House Eldenhart and Prince Dorian of the Four Winds Kingdom. The winds guide us in life, love, and strength. Today, they bless this union.”
The air in the hall felt charged as if the Winds themselves were present. A gentle breeze stirred despite being inside, carrying the scent of spring flowers. Father Aelindor raised the ceremonial vessel and dipped his fingers into the liquid within; a mixture said to represent the essence of each Wind. He anointed the forehead of Prince Dorian before mine with a single touch, whispering words in the ancient tongue. A ripple of energy passed through the room, and the crowd held its collective breath.
“Zephira, Wind of renewal,” he intoned, “bless this union with life and growth, Solian, warm Wind of vitality, grant them strength and abundance. Aridia, the wise Wind of change, guides their hearts with wisdom through the trials of life. Boreas, fierce Wind of endurance, shield their bond with resilience. You may exchange your vows.” he said, his head bowed before us, his palms pressed together as he blessed us.
“I, Dorian, stand before you, Liliana, and all who bear witness to offer my heart, my strength, and my truth. I vow to protect and cherish you in the face of every storm and beneath every sunlit sky. I will honor our bond with steadfastness and humility, seek wisdom from Aridia’s breath, and guard our love with the resilience of Boreas. In all things, I will strive to be your partner, your ally, and your love. This, I swear, under the gaze of the Four winds.” Prince Dorian vowed in a strong, determined voice.
My heart thudded in my heart, my memories lines coming to me slow and sluggish. “I, Liliana of House Eldenhart, stand before you, Dorian, and all who bear witness to offer my heart, my strength, and my truth. I vow to walk beside you through the warmth of summer’s light and the chill of winter’s shadow. I will honor our bond with courage and compassion, seek wisdom when we falter and nurture our union as Zephira nurtures the land. In all things, I will strive to be your partner, your ally, and your love. This, I swear, under the gaze of the Four Winds.”
Our vows were exchanged, and each word was carried clearly through the hall despite not raising my voice. As we finished, Father Aelindor raised his staff, and the Four Winds stirred once more, creating a circle of air that encased us in a shimmering veil. When the winds subside, he proclaimed, “By the blessing of the Four Winds, I declare this union sealed; may you walk together in balance and strength as one. You may kiss the bride.”
The room erupted in applause and cheers as the silk cord around our hands was unwound, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. The room was filled with cheers and applause, but the sound felt distant, as if it existed in another world, leaving only Prince Dorian and me in this small pocket of time. Prince Dorian turned to me, his eyes soft yet intense, searching mine for a moment of silent understanding. His gaze was steady, and there was a warmth there, a promise that extended beyond duty and expectation. My breath caught as he stepped closer, every moment deliberate, his hand gently lifted to my cheek. His touch was warm, grounding me amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
For a split second, doubts, hopes, and a thousand memories flashed through my mind: what this union meant, the life I was leaving behind, and the unknown future of what lay ahead. But in the depth of his gaze, I found a steadiness that quelled my fears. I saw not only a prince but many who stood with me and for me in this pivotal moment.
As he leaned in, the world seemed to hold its breath. When our lips met, the touch was soft, respectful, and filled with a sense of tentative hope. It was a kiss that bridged who we were and who we would become together. The warmth of his lips contrasted with the cool breeze that briefly stirred around me as if the Winds themselves offered their blessing. For me, the kiss was both a grounding and a release, a realization that I was no longer alone in this journey and that we were bound not just by my ceremony but by choice. At that moment, I closed my eyes, letting myself feel the depth of it, the connection, the possibility, and the flicker of something that might one day become love. As we parted, my heart raced, and I knew that whatever the future held, I was no longer just a bride of a symbol; I was a partner.
As our lips part, the cheers and applause from the gathered crowd swell, filling the Great Hall with a thunderous wave of sound. The weight of the moment, of what we had just become to each other and the kingdom, hung in the air like a tangible force. I felt a rush of warmth, the kind that came from both exhilaration and relief. My gaze met Dorian’s once more, and there was a flicker of something new, a mutual understanding, a quiet acknowledgment of what we just shared.
Father Aelindor stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise with calm authority. “Behold, the bond is sealed. May the Winds guide their path and bless their union for all the days to come.”
The room grew quiet slightly, allowing his words to resonate before the applause resumed, accompanied by the melodies of flutes and stringed instruments. The music was joyous, lifting spirits and weaving a celebratory energy into the air. Dorian’s hand found mine, our fingers intertwining, and together, we turned to face the assembled nobles, dignitaries, and citizens of the kingdom. We stepped forward from the altar, our movements confident and purposeful, embodying the strength and unity expected of a royal couple. As we made our way down the aisle, people bowed deeply, offering words of blessing and cheers of support. I felt the warmth of their gaze, the hope and expectations of an entire realm resting upon our shoulders, and for the first time, I felt a spark of connection with these people.
Outside the Great Hall, the royal guards stood ready to escort us to the grand feast that awaited, a tradition steeped in joy, where we would celebrate with food, music, and dancing. The castle grounds were alive with festivity, and the sounds of celebration spilled into the air, laughter, music, and the crackling of touches. Before we stepped into the sunlight, Dorian paused, his grip on my hand tightening just a fraction. He turned to me with a small, genuine smile, a gesture that spoke of solidarity. “Shall we?” he asked softly, a hint of warmth in his voice.
I nodded, a smile touching my lips. Together, we stepped forward, ready to face whatever came next, side by side. The future was uncertain, but for now, in this moment of celebration and unity, we were one, bound by vows, strengthened by hope, and surrounded by the kingdom we now served together.
End of Chapter 11
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