The day of the wedding had arrived. A wedding almost as luxurious and magnificent as the King's and Queen's own wedding. Almost everyone of noble lineage have gotten a wedding invitation for one of the most unexpected wedding of the century.
People hear stories of monsters and villains and don't necessarily expect them to get married or settle down. Duke Killian Salvatore is as cold and ruthless as they come. He is worst of the monsters out there, but the first daughter of the late viscount of Mowsbury is not better in people's eyes.
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The church was stunning. Claire had vehemently decided to not take part in any kind of planning for the wedding but from what she saw from inside the carriage she was in whoever Duke Salvatore has assigned to take care of everything had done a fabulous job. The theme of white and rose gold adorned the outside of the church and Claire.
The only thing Claire did regarding the wedding is her dress. She wore a flowing A-line gown with rose gold embroidery along the bodice and hem. The veil is long and sheer, edged in rose gold thread. Dani and Hannah helped her with the makeup and hair.
Now that the whole family has arrived at the church, they were all waiting for their sister to take a breathe before her life changed. For better or for worse, they do not know.
Claire knocked on the door twice to let them know she was ready to come out. They opened the door for her. Raymond put his hand forward so Claire could use that to step down from the carriage. He felt his sister's hand tremble slightly and so he held on to it tightly for as long as he possibly could.
Claire only had Hannah as someone who could stand beside her near the altar. She knew nothing of her cousins or aunts or uncles from neither her mother's or father's side. Her mother had never mentioned her family and her father was not close enough with her to speak anything of his family. The family stood in front of the door leading into the church, waiting for it to open. Hannah stood at the front with a bouquet of calla lillies and blush garden roses. Dave and Stephan stood behind her but beside each other.
As the doors clowly opened, Claire could hear the soft tune being played, the church decorated with enough but minimal decoration and guests in their finest attire. All the pews in the church was filled except for a few in the front. As they all walked in together, Claire could feel the eyes of all the people scrutinising her. She hadn't been under such scrutiny in a long time.
Claire looked straight, not at her husband but the wall on the far end, and prayed to the lord above that she would have the strength to deal with what comes after this. As they finally reached the altar, Raymond gave his sister's hand a small squeeze and turned to give her a forehead kiss.
Raymond felt his throat close up as he took his sister's hand and placed it upon the out-stretched hands of the tyrant. His head was going a mile a minute as he thought of any way to get his sister out of this predicament but alas he came up empty. He knew the duke's men would never leave the family alone even if Claire had been able to run away and the duke made sure Claire did not get that chance on the days leading up to the wedding. Raymond noticed the duke's men loittering and following Claire around as if to protect her.
He moved to his seat along side the twins as Hannah stood beside Claire.
The ceremony was conducted by the priest and as the guest sat down, the priest stood with his bible, his voice calm and warm, "Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness the holy union of Lady Claire Anne-Marie Stokenholme and Lord Killian Elias Salvatore. Marriage is a sacred bond between two souls..."
A few minutes passed by as the priest made a speech about what the bible says about marriage and vows. He then turned to both the bride and the groom and said, "Marriage is a promise made not only to each other but before heaven itself. It is a union of hearts, a sharing of burdens, and the intertwining of two lives into one path. Now I ask you Killian Elias Salvatore, do you take Claire Anne-Marie Stokenholme to be your lawfully wedded wife, to cherish her, protect her, and stand beside her, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in hardship, for as long as you both shall live?"
The air stilled as the moments passed and Killian said 'I do'.
The priest then turned to Claire and said, "Claire Anne-Maire Stokenholme, do you take Killian Salvatore to be your lawfully wedded husband, to honor him, stand beside him, to obey him and love him fiercely, in calm or in storm, in strength and in weakness, for as long as you both shall live?"
Claire nodded her head as she also said 'I do' tying herself to a trap she made herself, not knowing what was held in the future for her but she prayed that she has enough strength to come out of it alive.
The priest said a prayer before he asked for the rings. He held them upto the light, "These rings are a symbol of eternity. May they remind you always of the vow you take this day."
He gave Claire's back to Killian and Killian's to Claire and as they exchanged the rings, he said "With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee honor. And all that I am, I give to thee."
He made the sign of the cross and said, "By the power vested in me, and by the grace of our Lord, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no one tear asunder."
He stepped back, smiling and said "You may now kiss the bride."
Killian lifted Claire's veil and pulled her close, "You are mine now Claire. Mine to do with I please. To love, cherish and obey is your vow and we take those seriously, wife."
With that he placed a kiss on her cheeks and walked down the aisle.