industrial lord

Chapter 763 Wedding
The year 1038 quietly ended in a violent blizzard, with snowflakes swirling in the air and covering the earth, as if draping this turbulent year in a mournful silver coat.

A protracted war between nations yielded no real winners. Exhausted, the armies of each nation lowered their banners, retreated to their territories, and silently licked the wounds of war.

In the Kingdom of Tarragona, the elderly King Louis suddenly fell seriously ill with a persistent high fever. The royal physicians were helpless, and the Gallic army was thrown into chaos. The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, and panic of leaderlessness spread throughout the camp.

At the same time, merchants from the Eastern trade routes brought shocking news: the iron cavalry of the Gazi Empire, under the command of a mysterious commander, had utterly defeated the army of the Great Stone Empire, not only recovering lost territory but also capturing a key enemy fortress. This victory spread like wildfire.

The road ahead became increasingly unpredictable, and people ushered in the new and unknown year of 1039 with trepidation.

Just as the new year began, a startling piece of news spread like wildfire through every city's streets and alleys, and every bustling tavern, becoming the talk of the town among commoners and nobles alike—the renowned Grand Duke of Wessen was about to hold his wedding, scheduled for the spring equinox this year.

Many people couldn't help but whisper among themselves, imagining how luxurious and magnificent the wedding of the Duke of Wessen, whose wealth was unmatched in the world, would be, with a magnificent hall and an overwhelming amount of treasures, perhaps even making the stars in the sky pale in comparison.

The spring equinox sunlight poured down on the new dome and spire of the Germain Cathedral.

This magnificent building, which took fifteen years to complete, silently proclaims the majesty of faith and the arrival of a new era with its exquisite stone carvings, towering spires, and windows inlaid with countless stained glass windows.

Today, it will host its first sacred and solemn ceremony since its completion—the wedding of Grand Duke Wessen and Count Elthal.

The sun had barely risen when the streets of Wessenburg were flooded with cheering crowds.

Dressed in festive attire, they scattered early spring petals, eager to witness this rare spectacle.

The soldiers of the Weisen Army, dressed in crisp blue and silver uniforms designed and made for the wedding, formed a human wall to block the surging crowds on both sides of the road covered with a brand-new red carpet.

Inside the church, on either side of the high, wide vaulted ceiling, massive stone pillars stand like silent giants, supporting the dome painting depicting the lives of the saints.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows depicting the miracles of the god of light, casting dazzling beams of light that, like blessings from heaven, enveloped the entire hall in a sacred and magnificent atmosphere.

The air was filled with the fragrance of myrrh and frankincense, mingling with the aroma of countless expensive scented candles burning, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

The benches were packed with people, from the Great Stone Empire in the east to the Kingdom of Madeira in the west, from Green Island in the north to the Red Ant Tribe in the south, countless illustrious nobles and envoys gathered.

The ladies' luxurious silk skirts rustled, and their jewels glittered in the light.

The gentlemen, their medals and sashes gleaming, conversed in hushed tones.

The red ants and others who came with the flying tulip looked around and felt as if they had arrived at the abode of the gods in the sky.

Everyone's gaze kept drifting toward the huge oak door, carved with sacred patterns.

As the bells rang, their resounding chimes echoed throughout the city, reaching every corner with a radio station via radio waves, and all whispers fell silent instantly.

The gates of the hilltop castle slowly opened, and Dawn pulled out an open carriage, driven by Baron Metzger, along an uninterrupted red carpet to the church.

On the carriage, Frederick was dressed in traditional wedding attire, with a dark blue naval admiral's uniform underneath and a purple cloak draped over his shoulders.

Maria, standing beside him, wore a snow-white wedding dress adorned with tens of thousands of pearls from the distant Kingdom of Hejaz in the East, which shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

The two stood tall and straight, their faces showing a barely perceptible tension and anticipation beneath their efforts to maintain a calm demeanor.

Following the carriage, a guard of honor, handpicked from the entire Weisen army, dressed in formal attire and carrying weapons, escorted the carriage.

Amidst thunderous cheers and snow-like petals, the carriage stopped in front of the cathedral. When Mary alighted, the boys and girls, who had been the top students of the Duchy of Wessen for many years, had been waiting on both sides for a long time, holding up lace headscarves, one pair per meter, a total of seventy-two people.

The two followed the flower girl into the hall and arrived at the altar at the deepest part of the church. This short but not long journey felt like an eternity.

Standing on the altar was the witness to this sacred ceremony—Pope Valentine of the Church of Light.

His Majesty Valentine was dressed in a pure white holy robe, wearing a triple crown, and holding a golden scepter symbolizing supreme divine authority. His aged face was filled with benevolence and majesty, and his eyes were wise and profound, as if they could see into the souls of all beings.

As the choir sang their ethereal and magnificent songs, the midday sun of the spring equinox shone through the glass windows of the dome, casting its light directly onto the altar.

Everyone's breathing almost stopped at that moment.

Pope Valentine stepped forward, his gentle yet powerful voice echoing clearly in the vast space of the church:

“Dear children, under the watchful eye of the God of Light, in this sacred hall, we gather here to witness a sacred covenant—marriage.”

He looked at the bride and groom in turn, asking the ancient question:

"Frederick von Weisen, do you take this woman beside you, Maria von Erthal, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

Frederick took a deep breath, his voice loud and firm, without hesitation: "I do."

Valentine looked at the bride and asked:

"Maria von Erthal, do you take this man beside you, Frederick von Weisen, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish him, in good times and bad, in wealth and poverty, in sickness and in health, until the end of your life?"

The bride raised her head, her gaze clear and courageous through the thin veil, her voice as melodious as a clear spring yet equally firm: "I do."

The Pope nodded solemnly, signaling the exchange of vows and rings.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, the newlyweds exchanged golden rings symbolizing eternity and fidelity.

Finally, Pope Valentine raised his arms high, his voice booming as if imbued with divine grace, and announced:

"By the authority bestowed upon me by the God of Light, and by the power recognized by secular law, I hereby declare Frederick von Weisen and Maria von Erthal to be husband and wife!"

"May the God of Light bless you and protect your union. May your love be like the light of the spring equinox, eternally balanced and everlasting in warmth!"

The moment the words were spoken, a tsunami of cheers and blessings erupted inside and outside the church.

The bells rang again, more enthusiastically and joyfully than before, and the choir's singing became even more uplifting and joyful.

As the couple walked to the cathedral entrance, beneath the towering towers, on the red-carpeted steps, they suddenly turned around and kissed each other in front of everyone in the square.

Their faces radiated happiness and hope, and under the brightest sunshine of the spring equinox, they resembled a perfect painting blessed by God.

A brand new era has begun.

(End of this chapter)