Arranged: A Future Decided

Wedding Bells

June 15th, Fredricksborg Palace, Denmark

Eva looked in the mirror at her wedding dress. Vallea was doing Eva's hair as a handmaid stood waiting for instructions. A faint knock came at the door, signaling it was time to go down. 

"Breath Signorina," Vallea said softly and Eva nodded.

"What if we don't like each other?" Eva asked nervously, her face stricken with worry.

"A marriage is a partnership. A little tit of a tat," Eva's father said from the doorway, "Surely a lifetime of watching me and your dearly-departed mother would have taught you that."

"Of course Tato. I'm just nervous about the whole thing," Eva replied as she lifted up the skirt of her dress and walked out and down the hall.  

She made her way down the grand staircase and out to the waiting car. A footman helped her in before shutting the door. Eva looked ahead, her mind racing as she tried to process what was about to happen. The car started to move, making it's way to the cathedral. She looked out the window at all the people cheering and watching from the street and sidewalk, all there in support of her marriage. The drive seemed like an eternity and a mere second all at once. 

The car finally stopped and another footman helped her out, being careful with her skirt. All her helpers came to hold her veil, and hand her the bouquet before her father linked arms with her. 

"Breathe my dear," He said softly to her as they waited for their cue. 

Nikolai stood at the altar, his heart pounding. He snuck a glance backward at the crowd watching before looking at his brothers standing next to him. They gave him a reassuring nod and he took another deep breath. The music started and the procession started, bringing in the other bridesmaids and groomsmen. Finally, it was Eva's turn and she slowly started walking. Her future husband's head of hair her main focus. 

Everything was changing now. Their lives would forever be entwined together. After what felt like an eternity walking down the aisle, Eva finally arrived before sitting next to her husband as per Danish tradition. 

"You look very beautiful," Nikolai murmured as they waited for the bishop to be fully ready. 

"Thank you," Eva replied softly before the bishop turned around and they rose. 

They walked up the steps to the bishop, listening as he started to speak. They listened to the blessings, Eva smiling slightly. She was quite happy that she could understand almost all of what the bishop was saying. She had been studying Danish for over a year but her listening skills and pronunciation were still a bit underdeveloped. She felt like she had been standing forever until they finally got to their vows, the bishop turning to Nikolai and starting to speak. Nikolai smiled slightly as he listened to the bishop speak before saying 'i do'. 

"I do," Nikolai said, nodding his head slightly, his heart was racing. 

There was absolutely no going back now for Eva as the bishop turned to Eva for her vows. She tried to discretely wipe her palms on her dress, as she swallowed hard.

"I do," She replied, feeling herself relax when she finally had it over with. 

Nikolai sighed with relief as well, now that they were both locked into their marriage together. He looked at Eva out of the corner of his eye, his hand brushing against hers. The bishop nodded, before speaking once more. 

"And join your hands, and since you have declared this before God and us who are present today, I now pronounce you man and woman," The bishop stated, taking Nikolai's hand and Eva's and holding them together.

The bishop then picked up their rings, "And with this ring, you are joined," He said, Nikolai taking Eva's wedding band and slipping it onto her finger before she did the same for him, "Now let us pray." 

Eva and Nikolai knelt down before the bishop who rested his hands on her and Nikolai's heads. He recited a prayer over them before they stood and turned, both of them being allowed to go and sit once more. Nikolai looked over at Eva, taking her hand and holding it gently. They were both so incredibly nervous, but now that they had said their vows, Nikolai felt far more comfortable reaching to her for support and reassurance. Eva looked at him, not knowing what exactly to do as they listened to the hymns being sung around them. 

It felt surreal, Eva was now a Princess. She was Princess Eva Elizabetta Margrethe Mariella Vittoria of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat. The service finished, Eva and Nikolai rising. They shook the hands of the Bishop before they turned. Eva was handed her bouquet back, as she and Nikolai walked back down the aisle hand and hand. Nikolai felt weirdly happy about it all. Eva was very beautiful and intelligent, seeming to be very nice as well. They made their way out of the church, pausing at the top of the steps. They turned to each other, their hearts racing as they slowly leaned in. When their lips connected, neither of them could deny the connection that they had. 

All the cheers of the crowds seemed to melt away for that brief moment before they parted, both of them grinning. They raised their hands, waving to the crowd as they smiled. There was a sea of Danish and Italian flags, Eva's heart filling with joy at how these people were taking her in. Their carriage rolled up, Nikolai helping Eva in carefully. 

"Thank you," She said with a smile as he joined her. 

"Of course," He replied as they began to wave once more, his other hand holding Eva's. 

It all felt very unworldly as they rode in the carriage back to Amalienborg, waving to all the well-wishers who lined the street. Nikolai was already wishing they would get their faster so he would have a chance to have his first real conversation with his wife. 

I'm not dead! After two years I am finally back into loving Nikolai, partly because I am moving to Denmark next year! So year, you can expect more updates now too!