Indebted

24

After a very chaste ceremony, compiled of a horrid combination of social conservatism, loyalty to the crown and continuation of the patriarchy. The exact terms of the marriage contract read aloud to ensure that none could claim they did not know the precise expectations. Vows unchanged in millennia and a kiss to seal the union. Once the seal was set, everyone moved on from the stiff, cold throne room.  

The ceremony was immediately followed by formal dinning seating in the grand hall. It hadn't been used for such an event since the King had taken Fitzprince Caspian's mother. Esti hadn't ever seen inside before. The king hadn't even used it when the younger prince had gotten married. His own trueborn son.  Though The king had lavished every moment of his son's wedding, and was nowhere to be seen tonight. Esti tucked such thoughts away for another time. She wanted to remember this moment. This was part of her life, celebrating Fowl and Lillybelle.

The grand hall was striking in the luxury and effort made to make the space feel rich and opulent. The room was as large and open as a cathedral. Tables arranged over two levels to ensure good visibility for all. The walls along two sides had as much windows as there was stone walls. Each window flanked by heavy velvet maroon curtains, finished with gold trim and tassels. The ceiling had been painted with a mural depicting the original Flock of the Sovereign leaving their world, coming to Earth and starting this enclave.  Crystal chandeliers glittering and filling the hall with light and rainbows.

Atticus led Esti to a table higher on the second floor, in a corner. A fair choice for their seating assignment all considered. Esti and Atticus were gossip, and salacious, this evening should instead focus on Lord Fowler and his new bride. 

An impeccable tasty meal. Light harp music interspersed between speeches and toasts. The sound of polished silverware tapping against fine china and clinking crystal mixing against the music and toasts as the guests ate; until the dessert course finished.

Then the true party of the evening began. The lights in the hall slowly lowered over several songs, while the music never stopped, but instead slowly increased in tempo to lure more and more people to the dance floor until the ballroom was full of spinning couples, silk and taffeta gowns shining under the dimmed lights. Atticus as a rule, did not dance.

Had never danced. The music was being played live by talented players. The lights were low. Esti smelled so enticing beside him, watching happily as Fowl danced across the floor with his new bride, now wearing a glittering flapper gown, having pulled off a quick change of gown and hairstyle. Beadwork catching the light like diamonds in a night sky. Lillybelle was beautiful, Fowl was looking at his bride as though he had never seen her before until that moment.

Esti breathed out, a soft little sigh on her sweetly smiling lips, knowing just as sure as Atticus did, that had been the moment Fowl fell in love for real with his political benefit bride. Lillybelle and Fowl were going to be more than fine together, they would be in love.

The music shifted, a slow, simple waltz. The dance floor emptied to allow the happy couple a moment for their first waltz. After the wedding couple finished their own dance with a spin into a passionate kiss alone on the dance floor. The audience of wedding guests applauding the newlyweds. Older couples standing and moving to the dance floor to enjoy the slower pace of the next song.

Fowl and Lillybelle began to make the rounds to their various guests. Ensuring they paid lip service to any high lords or ladies who had traveled in for the event. As the polite decorum required of the bride and groom persisted; Esti and Atticus watched as the newly weds slowly, but surely became unable to keep their hands off each other.

Until Fowl and his bride ran out of the main event space hand in hand. Atticus had a more than accurate guess for where the happy couple has absconded to, and for what purpose. Atticus turned back from watching his friend run away with his bride out the back door to look at Esti.