One surprise followed another in rapid succession and my mind felt blurry.
“I got a phone call. It was very surprising, but I quickly connected the dots. King is…a very unique man. He told me that his son had decided to marry my daughter and in fact you two were already married. He said that he thought that it would be bad manners if he didn’t let me know about it,” Lucien said as he recalled the peculiar conversation that he had with King.
“Aha…” I mumbled, speechless.
“I asked him if my daughter had a proper wedding that was befitting of her social standing. At that point, I just bluntly demanded that both King and Reiner give you a proper wedding that you more than deserve and that I was going to be there no matter what,” Lucien stated a little too proudly.
So…that was what happened…
“I was surprised when King didn’t hesitate to agree. He also arranged to fly me over and all that…” Lucien said before he smiled down at me again.
King must have made special exceptions for Lucien to be here. I never knew that this whole wedding happened because Lucien requested for it. I didn’t fail to recognize that throughout it all, Lucien was still thinking about what was best for me.
Before we could talk anymore there was a knock at the door before one of the staff ladies popped her head in.
“Oh, that’s great. You two are here. The ceremony is about to start so I need you to be in position,” the woman politely informed us.
“Shall we?” Lucien asked invitingly as he offered me his arm.
“Thank you…” I whispered as I took his arm.
Lucien smiled at me, and I could feel his love and his generosity. I didn’t think that Lucien fully understood the gratitude behind my words. I wanted to thank him not just for this wedding or for him being here. I wanted to thank him for everything…everything he gave me ever since we first met and especially for everything that he did for me after my mother passed away.
Despite Reiner saying that it was fine for me to invite some close friends and family over, in the end, I didn’t end up inviting anyone that wasn’t from this island. I just didn’t know how it would work with all the logistics and all the other associated problems. I also didn’t know how to explain myself and my sudden disappearance.
That didn’t mean that I didn’t have special guests of my own. I did invite Kat, Jamie, and some other colleagues from the bar. After a glare from Reiner, I was allowed to invite Charles as well. He could have a reunion with Rachael at my wedding and maybe they would hit it off. Although, I doubt that that would happen based on Reiner’s words, but no one could blame me for trying.
The church was too small to fit a band inside but I had no qualms settling for a recorded version of the classical wedding march followed by other classical wedding songs that Queen graciously helped me select.
“Chin up and smile. Live a proud life, Natalia,” Lucien said firmly to me as his green eyes held mine.
I felt tears stinging my eyes again and knew that I would end up bursting into tears at some point during this ceremony. Hopefully, I would make it to the altar to be by Reiner’s side before that happened. I nodded my head at Lucien as I pursed my lips in determination.
I’ve got this. Lucien is right. I’ve made my decision and I am going to live a proud life without any regrets.
The doors to the church opened for us and I felt the eyes of everyone in the church on me as Lucien slowly led me into the church. A feeling that I have never felt before filled my heart and made it full. It was probably a healthy combination of happiness, excitement, nervousness and gratitude. Of all the pairs of eyes that I felt on me, I only met and held one.
Reiner always did look good in formal attire, and he looked extra dashing in his white tuxedo that I had helped him choose for our wedding. He had a red rose on the side of his chest that I knew was from Queen’s garden and the color of the flower matched very well with the color of his hair. I couldn’t stop smiling at him as our eyes met and held each other’s. I thought that I would be nervous walking down the aisle with everyone watching me and taking photos, but in the end, I found out that I was excited just to have Reiner watch me.
When I finally made it to where Reiner was waiting for me along with the elderly priest, the muscles around my lips were already tired from smiling too much and for too long. Reiner stared at me, and I smiled back. I knew that Lucien had something that he wanted to say to Reiner as he ‘gave me away’. What he said truly surprised, but it really stuck with me up until today.
“Natalia is a Rosenhall. Although I trust that you will take care of her well and that you and your family have the material and wealth to do so, I cannot, and I will not leave Natalia in your hands without any means of her own. Natalia is my only daughter and that will never change,” Lucien said with his eyes on Reiner before he turned to look at me and offer me a warm smile.
“I wish you the best of all joys that this world has to offer because you do not deserve anything less,” Lucien said to me as he placed a hands over mine protectively.
I’m going to cry…
“Thank you, Lucien,” I replied softly as I desperately tried to hold in my tears.
Having said what he wanted to say, Lucien gave me away to Reiner before stepping to the side so that Reiner and I could exchange our vows.
–To be continued…