Iredys was just about to pull on the simple dress Ponderosa laid out for her when a loud, energetic, knocking sounded on the door. Ponderosa hurried to the door and opened it just a crack. She stumbled back some as she opened the door the rest of the way and a flurry of people entered the room.
“Good morning!” Sir Hamnet’s voice rang throughout the room as Ponderosa struggled to keep the surge of people from coming too far into the room. “Prince Kelton has chosen to marry the Lady Iredys. Please get her ready.”
Ponderosa nodded her understanding then stepped behind the changing screen to check on Lady Iredys.
Iredys’ brow was furrowed and she looked confused when she turned towards her. ‘This can’t be right,’ she said. ‘He was going to choose Countess Lilia.’
‘With how big that knight’s grin was and the multitude of people here to put you in the most exquisite wedding gown I have ever seen, I don’t think so.’
A tear slipped from her left eye as she brought her hand up to her mouth. More tears left her eyes, and Ponderosa pulled her into an embrace. ‘You are still very much in love with Prince Kelton.’
‘More than I have wanted to admit, despite my deaths,’ Iredys’ thoughts whispered. “Especially to myself.’
‘That I can understand.’ She patted Iredys back. She released her hold and wiped the tears from Iredys cheeks. ‘Come. Let us prepare you to meet your Prince.’
Iredys smiled and nodded.
Ponderosa walked her out to the many women who had come. She was wrapped in a warm blanket in front of the vanity as they dolled up her face and struggled to add even the smallest of combs to the fuzz on her head.
“Oh, stop fussing already,” an older woman scolded. “The Prince is waiting and she’s not even dressed yet!”
The young woman futilely trying to dress her hair stopped. Ponderosa then took her behind the changing screen with the dress to help her slip it on before the others worked to tug the fabric this way and that way as they tied her into the gown and adjusted the skirt of the multi-layered dress to accommodate her pregnant belly. They tried several different veils, but finally settled on the broad combed one. The tines of the comb were nestled into her short hair—almost painfully so—before the women felt satisfied. A bouquet was shoved into her hands before the tittering ladies all left the room.
‘Shall we go, My Lady?’ Ponderosa asked, hooking her arm in Iredys.
‘Not yet. There is something I would have you write for Prince Kelton.’
‘Sure.’ Ponderosa let go and walked over to her writing kit. ‘What am I writing?’
Ponderosa walked slowly down the aisle beside Iredys when the music started. She hardly heard the notes as she cautiously scanned those in attendance. The pews in the chapel were full. It looked like everyone she had seen milling about the castle was in attendance, save Princess Analisa. Ponderosa wouldn’t blame her for not wanting to come to her love rival’s wedding. Prince Kelton stood beside the altar and Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn stood to the side to act as bodyguards.
When they were close enough, Ponderosa passed her to Prince Kelton. Iredys pressed the paper in her gloved hand into his gloved hand as Ponderosa took the bouquet of flowers then stepped away to stand beside Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn. Prince Kelton’s brow twitched slightly before he discreetly unfolded the paper in his hand.
“Is something the matter, Your Highness?” the Archbishop asked when Prince Kelton did not kneel at the altar with Lady Iredys.
Prince Kelton looked up from the paper and turned toward the Archbishop. “No, Archbishop,” he said. “Forgive me. There is something I would like to do before we start.”
The Archbishop nodded.
“My Queen,” Prince Kelton said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Before I make my betrothed of nearly two years my wife, I would like to present several betrothals for your approval.”
Queen Leona nodded and stepped forward. “Proceed.”
“I present the following: Lord Howard and Countess Gracilina.”
He waited for Lord Howard to bring Countess Gracilina to stand in the aisle before the queen.
“Lord Francis and Duchess Harriett…. Lord Keets and Marquess Jemina…. And finally Duke Drake and Duchess Penelope.”
Queen Leona studied the couples standing before her. “If there are no objections,” she said after a moment, “exchange the tokens.”
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Ladies Gracilina and Jemina looked to their families as if seeking for someone to object. Duchess Penelope and Duchess Harriett feigned smiles as they exchanged tokens with the man beside them. As far as the men went, the only sign of discomfort the showed, ever so briefly, was on Lord Howard’s face
“You may return to your seats,” Queen Leona said.
The four couples returned to the pews. Those in the pews moved toward the center of the benches so the betrothed couples could sit together at the end of the pews. Queen Leona returned to her chair and Prince Kelton brought Iredys to kneel beside him at the altar.
The Archbishop turned to Queen Leona.
She nodded once.
Returning a slight bow, the Archbishop turned to face Prince Kelton and Lady Iredys. He lifted his arms and projected the words of the ceremony.
“We are here this morning to join the noble Prince Kelton of Greywolf and the fair Lady Iredys of Abundare together in the holy order of matrimony. They have asked all of you here to bear witness to their declaration of love for one another. My Lord, art thou here this morning in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?”
“Yes, Father,” Prince Kelton said.
“My Lady, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?”
Iredys nodded.
The Archbishop paused and glanced at Queen Leona.
She waved her hand slightly for him to continue.
He cleared his throat, which barely covered the sound of the chapel doors opening. Princess Analisa stepped into the room as the Archbishop continued.
“…In as much as this noble Prince and fair Lady have pledged their troth to be married this day, we call upon Heaven to bless this union. Therefore,….”
“Witch!” Princess Analisa screeched, cutting off the Archbishop as she lunged at Iredys.
Prince Kelton was swift to turn and stand, but Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn caught her before she could get near Iredys. He tried to keep his face neutral as Iredys stood and turned to face her accuser as Princess Analisa continued.
“How dare you come back and bewitch Prince Kelton into marrying you! You….”
“Princess Analisa,” Queen Leona interrupted. “These accusations are quite serious. Especially in front of so many who just witnessed Prince Kelton and Lady Iredys both affirm that they are at the altar of their own free will and choice. What proof do you have that Lady Iredys is indeed a witch?”
Prince Kelton clenched his jaw and fisted his hands. Ponderosa could see it was taking everything he had not to grab Iredys and run.
“I…. It’s just that…. He was supposed to marry me! If she hadn’t shown up, he would have married me.”
“Wrong,” Prince Kelton growled in a low voice. “Countess Lilia would have been my choice had I not found Lady Iredys.”
“That…. But, we were betrothed!” Princess Analisa whined.
“Were we? I don’t recall ever agreeing to such an arrangement.”
“But…. You….”
“Enough!” King Tristan commanded.
“Daddy!” Princess Analisa complained.
King Tristan bowed low and pulled his daughter to her knees before she could say anymore. “Our deepest and sincerest apologies to Prince Kelton and Lady Iredys for the false accusations levied in jealousy and selfishness.” He forced Princess Analisa to bow lower when she refused to.
“...You are forgiven,” Prince Kelton replied.
“If you would be so kind as to excuse us, Your Majesties.”
Queen Leona dismissed them with a wave.
King Tristan bowed even lower before rising and pulling Princess Analisa out of the chapel.
Prince Kelton waited until they were out of sight before turning to Iredys. He took her hands in his so she would face him. “Are you alright, Lady Iredys?” Kelton asked quietly.
Iredys nodded.
“Would you like to continue?”
She nodded again.
“Okay,” he replied softly.
He helped her kneel beside him at the altar once more.
“Please continue, Father,” Prince Kelton said to the Archbishop.
The Archbishop nodded. “Do you Prince Kelton take unto thyself as wife the Lady Iredys and pledge unto her before God to be her protector, defender, and sure resort, to honor and sustain her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, with all thy worldly powers, to cherish her, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Prince Kelton said with a smile.
“Do you fair Lady Iredys take unto thyself Prince Kelton to be thy rightful husband and pledge unto him before God to honor and cherish him, to cleave unto him, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and lasting counselor and solace, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Iredys nodded.
“Heavenly Father, bless these rings which noble Prince Kelton and fair Lady Iredys have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them.”
“Lady Iredys,” Prince Kelton said. “Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect, and my love for you.” He slipped his signet ring over her finger then pressed the garnet ring she had given him into her palm.
Iredys took his hand and slid the ring over his finger before she bowed her head low.
“May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths,” the Archbishop continued. “Two entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows…. Thou hast pledged troth of thy own free will; Thou hast exchanged rings and been bound together. May it be granted that what is done before God be not undone by man. So, by the Power vested in me,” the Archbishop proclaimed. “I now pronounce you, Prince Kelton of Greywolf and Lady Iredys of Abundare, Husband and Wife.”
Prince Kelton helped Princess Iredys to her feet. He lifted the veil from her face then kissed Iredys long and deep.