Maude’s hands were shaking as she tried to steady the bouquet of flowers in her hands. Nearly every waking moment of the last six months had gone into preparing the wedding, and now that it had finally arrived, her stomach was tied in knots.

What if he doesn’t show up? She thought. What if someone that we had to invite is opposed to this marriage? What if we are unable to be together after all?

Maude shook her head at herself and her thoughts. I spent far too much time trying to figure out how we could be together, she thought. Now that everything is falling into place, it feels as though the other shoe is about to drop.

She sighed deeply, clutching her green and white flower bouquet tightly. It will all work out, she promised herself. Everything has up to this point.

“My lady,” Helena’s familiar voice said, off to Maude’s right. Maude turned her head and saw the very pregnant Helena smiling next to her.

“Helena,” Maude replied with a bright smile. “I’m so glad you could make it!”

“You look incredible,” Helena said, spreading her arms wide at Maude. Maude’s dress was crisply white, with layers of tulle surrounding her waist and her legs. Ornately sewn flowers spiraled up from the bottom rim of the dress, stopping at her waist. The neckline was a sweetheart one, leaving Maude feeling very exposed without any fabric covering her shoulders or her arms.

“Thank you,” Maude said, looking at the ground sheepishly. “And thank you for helping me pick this gown out.”

Helena had told Maude that it was the perfect gown for her to wear her hair down for, and the maid who had been filling in for Helena had put curlers into Maude’s long chocolate brown hair the night before. A sparkly diamond headband had been tucked into her hair in the center to part the front and the back of her hair, and to give her a little additional sparkle.

They had all been Helena’s ideas, and Maude had chosen to go with them, unsure of what would look good on her or not. Maude knew that Helena would, for sure, ensure that Maude looked great for her wedding day.

“It was my pleasure,” Helena said with a toothy grin. “It was not something I got to do for my own wedding, so it was a lot of fun to do it with you, my lady,” Helena said. She reached her hand out, and Maude took it. Helena gave her a little squeeze. “Are you nervous?” she asked, the smile fading from her face, and concern replacing it.

Maude nodded shallowly. “I am,” she said.

Helena squeezed her hand tighter. “It will be okay,” she said. “I was nervous, too, even though all of the people at my wedding were happy to see Jakob and I together.” Helena smiled warmly at Maude. “The worst thing that can happen is that this baby decides to come out during your ceremony,” Helena said, patting the top of her enormous belly.

Maude couldn’t help but giggle a little bit at the comment. “Let’s hope the baby’s timing is good, then,” Maude replied.

“It will be,” Helena replied, squeezing Maude’s hand again. “It will be a wonderful wedding, okay?”

Maude nodded, her smile feeling a little fake. “Okay,” she replied.

“Okay,” Helena said again, letting go of Maude’s hand. “See you soon,” she said.

“See you soon,” Maude replied. The chapel doors opened in front of them, and Helena walked in to find her seat. The doors were closed again behind her.

Maude sighed deeply again, alone with her thoughts once more. I’m sure Helena is right, she told herself. But this feeling won’t just shake off. Not until it’s over.

“Maude,” she heard Melissa’s voice say. She turned again and saw both Melissa and Cristyne standing there.

“Melissa!” Maude exclaimed. “Cristyne! Thank you so much for coming!”

“Thank you for inviting us, Duchess Rosenberg-to-be,” Melissa said with a shy smile.

“You look incredible,” Cristyne told Maude. “You’ll have to tell me where you got your dress for when I get married.” She flashed a bright sparkling diamond ring at Melissa and Maude.

Maude gasped. Cristyne had started seeing someone shortly after the victory banquet ball. “He proposed?” Maude exclaimed.

“He did,” Cristyne replied with a dreamy look on her face.

“Congratulations!” Melissa replied.

“Congratulations!” Maude agreed with a nod.

“Now Melissa is the only of the three of us who needs a partner,” Cristyne said, looking over at the redhead.

Melissa sighed and shook her head. “I guess the combined effort of both my father and I being picky, is too strict of a criterion,” she said, then paused, frowning. “I just hope I find someone eventually.”

“I’m sure you will,” Maude reassured her friend. “You’ve probably just not bumped into that person yet.”

Melissa pursued her lips and nodded. “I hope you are right,” she said. “But enough about that,” she said, a smile brightening her face. “Congratulations, Maude. I look forward to what you will do as duchess.” Melissa opened her arms to hug Maude. Maude hugged her friend, doing her best not to trip over her wedding gown.

“I do too,” Cristyne said, offering up her own arms for a hug as Maude stepped out of Melissa’s hug.

Maude stepped into Cristyne’s hug. “Congratulations,” Cristyne said with a warm squeeze. “I’m so grateful that my cousin found someone he cares about, and that the person is as great of a person as you.”

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“Thank you,” Maude said, stepping back from Cristyne’s hug, her eyes stinging a little. “Thank you both,” she said, looking over at Melissa. They all smiled together.

“See you in there,” Cristyne said with a little wave.

“You’ll do great,” Melissa added.

“Thank you,” Maude said again as the doors to the chapel were opened in front of her again, and her two dear friends were let in.

Maude took a deep breath, calming her nerves. That’s right, she told herself. I’m no longer alone anymore. I don’t have to defend myself alone if someone opposes our marriage.

She heard the piano beginning to play in the chapel and steadied her hands once more. This is my cue, she thought. She looked up at the two gentlemen who were in charge of opening the doors in front of her, and she nodded. They both nodded back and opened the doors in front of her at the same time.

The crowd were all standing, as Maude made her way down the aisle. Though the crowd was mostly full of strangers, Maude saw the people she had come to care about, and even some of the comrades of the war she had gotten to know as they had all healed together.

A smile was on her face, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit silly at how happy she felt in the moment.

Up ahead, on the stage of the chapel stood Jaspar, looking tall and handsome, his blue eyes not leaving Maude at all as she walked down the aisle. He no longer needed to use his cane, but he still sometimes got very fatigued when he stood too long. When Maude had expressed her concern for their wedding, Jaspar had promised that he would be alright.

He did seem fine, smiling brilliantly as Maude made her way up to him.

These are the last steps I will take as Maude Holloway, she thought. When Jaspar and I leave the stage today, I will be a different woman.

Despite all of the bad memories and bad people that were associated with her last name, Maude felt herself getting choked up at the thought of changing it. Every small moment, every unbearable incident, every small trial and tribulation, everything I thought I could never make it through has led me to this moment, she thought, her chin trembling a little. I’m so grateful. I could have never imagined this life for myself. She met Jaspar’s eyes. Every horrible thing I had to go through was worth it so that I could meet him, she decided. I would never change a thing, as long as it brought me back to him.

Maude stepped up onto the stage, noticing that there were tears in Jaspar’s eyes as well.

“We are gathered together today to share in the moment of this couple choosing to start a life together,” the officiant said as the music stopped. Maude’s eyes searched through Jaspar’s, staring at him, a smile on her face. He was smiling back at her, meeting her eyes as well.

I know he feels the same, Maude thought.

The officiant’s words were drowned out by being lost in Jaspar’s eyes. Eventually, the officiant said, “Jaspar Rosenberg, please read the vows that you have for Maude Holloway.”

Jaspar nodded and pulled out a piece of parchment that had been hidden in his breast pocket.

He cleared his throat and looked at Maude. “Maude Holloway,” he said, his voice warm. “When I first met you the forest, I could have never imagined what you would come to mean to me. I brought you back thinking you could be a key to ending the war. As we got to know one another, I realized you were so much more than a sword saint.” He looked up briefly, their eyes meeting. “We dueled and you were just as good as I was, if not better. You were also kind, intelligent, and steadfast. When you ran into a problem, you did everything in your power to solve it.” He paused, searching her eyes. “To you, I vow to be your counterpart, a partner, and I will try to be as loyal and steadfast as you are. You inspire me, and I vow to do my best to inspire you. I vow to take care of you, and to let you be as free as you need to be. I vow to protect you, and to shower you with love, for all of my days.”

Maude felt a tear spill over the rim of her eye, and sliding down her cheek. I can only hope that my words can live up to his, she thought, brushing the water off of her face.

Jaspar handed her the piece of parchment with his beautiful handwriting on it. She held it close to her. The officiant handed her the piece of parchment she had written her own vows on. She opened up the paper, and looked up at Jaspar, seeing tears glistening in his eyes.

She took a deep, shaky breath, and the officiant said, “Maude Holloway, please read the vows you have for Jaspar Rosenberg.”

Maude nodded and then looked down at the sheet of paper with her scribbly scrawl on it. “When I met you,” she began, “My world was an eternal cloudy night. There was no light, and I was stumbling around in the dark, hoping that someday I would find the path that I needed to take. I was completely alone in this cold, dark world, until one day, I met you, Jaspar Rosenberg.” She looked up for a moment and met his eyes before continuing. “For the first time in my life, I saw light. It was blinding at first, but my eyes adjusted. You were not just a small candle in my world, but a beacon of light.” Maude nearly choked on her emotions, and cleared her throat in hopes that it would pass. “Rather than saving me yourself, you gave me the tools and information I needed to save myself, and to find my own path. It was through your patience, albeit, imperfect, and your kindness, that that I was able to find somewhere that I belong. I was able to carve my own path, in my own time, though, admittedly, it was nearly too late,” she chuckled a little, tears spilling over her eyes freely now. “But I made it in time.” She swallowed hard, the thoughts of what could have been lingering in her mind.

She wiped her tears with the back of her hands. “To you, Jaspar Rosenberg, I vow to make our lives the best I can. I vow to consider what you need from me, instead of being immovably stubborn on everything.” She giggled a little, looking up at Jaspar, who also had tears staining his cheeks, and was smiling back at her. “I vow to be your partner, and to prioritize our relationship to the best of my ability, and to make as many happy memories with you as I can.” She sniffled, and then handed Jaspar the sheet with her vows on it.

“Next, the couple will exchange rings. Rings symbolize your love and the promises you have made to one another,” the officiant said. He held out a pillow to Maude and Jaspar. Jaspar grabbed Maude’s ornately designed peridot and diamond band, and gently took her left hand, sliding the ring onto her fourth finger. He then gently took the vows from her and pocketed them, as she took his band off the pillow. It was a black and gold ring, with little flecks of gold and shiny black intertwined.

Maude carefully grabbed Jaspar’s left hand and slid the ring onto his finger. She looked up at him, and he was looking down at her.

“You may kiss the bride!” the officiant exclaimed, clapping his hands together.

Jaspar gently took Maude’s chin into his hands and tipped it up. He seemed to slowly inch down closer and closer to her face, and she couldn’t help but be reminded of the first time he had kissed her.

Finally, his lips met hers, and she heard the crowd start clapping and cheering. Maude embraced Jaspar, and when their kiss broke, she was smiling.

“Presenting to you, Duke and Duchess Rosenberg!” the officiant yelled over the din. The crowd only got louder, and Maude looked out into the audience and saw Helena, Melissa nd Cristyne. Standing next to them was Prince Erich himself, who, rather than looking at the stage where his best friend was getting married, was clearly paying attention to Melissa.

Seems like she won’t have to look far, Maude thought.

Jaspar offered her his arm, and she linked hers through his. He began walking her back down the aisle that would take them to their carriage to their honeymoon. It was their first steps as a duke and his duchess, a husband and wife, no longer two people from two enemy countries.

Where will our lives take us now? Maude couldn’t help but wonder as she smiled, and they waved their way towards the end of the chapel. No matter what comes, I am grateful, she thought. I’ll never be alone again. I have a place to call my home, and friends and family I love. I have something to fight for, and they will fight alongside me until the very end.

The end