The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 33

The large doors opened a crack, slowly opening as everyone else in the chapel rose to their feet.

Max held her breath, the sun temporarily blocking her view as it creeped in through the door. It soon settled behind a cloud and the guests turned this heads to see the princess walking down the aisle, holding the king's arm with one hand and a bouquet of white lilies in the other.

A veil was covering her face, but she could still see through the delicate netting. All the royal woman had to wear a veil on their wedding day, and a white dress with a tail behind it, the fabric extending onto the floor. 2 young, smartly-dressed boys from the town held it up, just to ensure it wouldn't tear or get dirty.

The dress was perfect, it fit her body perfectly but not uncomfortably, and everyone seemed to be pleased with it, even the ladies who got her ready, as they had spent ages making sure every little detail was nothing but perfection.

Tears shimmered in Max's eyes as she saw Jane get closer. She already knew the princess was beautiful, but just knowing that they were going to get married, and the fact that she had picked her to marry, it was just too much for Max to comprehend. And it felt so real now.

After a few moments she stepped onto the alter, and the king took the bouquet of flowers, handing them to Nancy before taking his space beside Joyce, wiping his tears.

Once everyone was settled at sat back down, Max reached out and lifted the veil from Jane's face, carefully putting it behind her head.

The elegant tiara was revealed, and the princess smiled. The guard then cupped Jane's face and kissed her forehead, as that was the tradition in Aveington. "You're so beautiful." She said quietly so only Jane could hear, pulling away.

The princess' cheeks turned a rosy shade of red and her smile grew. The officiant, the respected Archbishop, began his speech.

———

A few minutes had passed, and it was now time for the wedding vows.

"Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church." The Archbishop said.

The couple joined their right hands together, and Max was the first to say her vows.

She looked up and met the princess' eyes as she spoke, "I promise to be your wife and best friend in one, I promise to never leave your side and always have your back, no matter how tough the challenges get. I'll be there to protect and support you through every good day and bad day. I promise to be your partner and someone you can depend on no matter what, I promise to be your biggest fan, I promise to be there for you, to grow old with you and to give my life to you and you only."

Jane smiled and tears sparkled in her eyes, her heart had never felt so full as it did right now in this moment. Now it was her turn to say her vows.

She tightened her hand slightly with Max's, "Max, I promise to walk by you to the ends of the Earth. To love, encourage, and support you in your every endeavour. I promise to respect and cherish you without reservation, and to comfort you in times of distress. I will encourage you to achieve all of your dreams. I will grow with you in spirit and mind, and I will always be open and honest with you. I commit to opening myself up completely to you and sharing with you my entire being, to share my laughter and my tears."

Max chuckled lightly, reaching up to wipe the stray tears rolling down her cheek.

A duke's, close to the King, urged his young son to stand up. He was the ring bearer, and he walked towards the alter, the rings on a velvet pillow.

The guard gave him a gentle smile and took Jane's ring first, sliding it onto her ring finger. It was a rose gold ring with several small diamonds onto it, the couple didn't want anything too flashy.

The princess then did the same, taking the ring and thanking the boy as he walked back to his seat, putting the slightly larger ring onto Max's finger.

The Archbishop spoke again, the ceremony almost over. "Max Mayfield, do you take Princess Jane Hopper as 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 cherish until death do you part?"

"I do."

"And Princess Jane Hopper, do you take Max Mayfield as 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 cherish until death do you part?"

"I do."

"Now let us humbly invoke God's blessing upon this bride and bride, that in His kindness He may favor with His help those on whom He has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony. In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you wife and wife! You may now kiss!"

Max smiled, bringing her hands to Jane's face. The cold ring was a contrast to the princess' warm skin, but neither of them cared or even noticed as their lips met. The kiss solidified all the promises they had made to each other.

From outside the door you could hear the other people from around the country or even people from abroad cheering. The guests inside the chapel smiled, some of them standing to do the last things before they all left for the wedding party back at the palace.

The couple up on the alter pulled away after a few moments which felt too short for the both of them. But the stress was over with now, all the planning had gone perfectly, and now they could relax and enjoy their newly married life.

Harriet, the little girl Jane had spoken to all those months ago, stood from her seat, a basket of white and pink roses in her little basket. She began throwing them onto the floor, giggling as a few of her friends joined her.

Jane laughed too, and all the guests rose, all happy for the couple. Max grinned and laced her fingers with the princess', thanking everyone before walking down the steps.

Eventually everyone left the chapel, and now it was time for the wedding party... and the wedding night.