The day of the wedding arrived. Atress Astor was a noble heiress while Gale wasn't, which meant he would marry into her family, and he would become a viscount with Atress' title. Because of that, the marriage took place in the yard of the Astor family's mansion.
Staying true to the traditions, Gale and Atress didn't see each other in the preceding week, which alsomeant they didn't see each other for one month and two weeks; the last time they met was when Atress came to ask Gale to cancel or delay the wedding.
Gale and Atress were waiting in their respective waiting rooms, each with their family. Atress was escorted by her mother, and Gale was escorted by Donne. His father was too sick to come, and his mother preferred staying by his father's side.
When the time came, both parties left their rooms and went to the decorated carriages that waited for them outside. Special carriages and coachmen were hired to take them to the marriage venue, where their guests were waiting for their arrival.
In the carriages, however, some conversations didn't fit the joyous day.
"Why are you marrying her? She is only a viscount, you aren't planning to stay in Miyena Kingdom while she does, and you are now considered more talented than her. Given the fact I can't feel your stage well, you're probably an Expert Magician by now, although I don't know how it is possible."
Donne tried to dissuade Gale from this marriage. Although it would taint his name and might make future matches troublesome, he doubted a 19-year-old Expert Magician would have a problem getting married. He was sure even the royal family would try to match him with one of the princesses or a duke's daughter. He didn't know Gale presented himself as a single-element magician to Prince Florian and Princess Raya, and he didn't even know Gale's elements.
"I'm sure. I don't know why, but Lena who was against the marriage originally, changed her mind after I showcased my talent."
A very similar conversation was going on in the other carriage. Lady Nancy Astor, Atress' mother, didn't like the match as well.
"Why are you getting married to a waste? He will die young, he won't be able to support you should you get into a predicament, and he is just sickly looking. When will you get over this weird preference of yours?"
Atress' mother was trying to dissuade her from marrying Gale.
"I don't know, when I tried meeting him to cancel the marriage, I just felt like I must not miss the opportunity to marry him. Unfortunately, he isn't sickly looking anymore. He is now healthy and muscular, probably much more to your taste."
Atress dissed her back for her taste in younger men.
"Hm, that sounds… interesting."
Lady Nancy licked her lips in an unladylike manner.
"Don't forget he has a mage mother and a monstrous sister."
"I didn't forget it."
The carriages arrived at the wedding venue and the soon-to-be married couple started walking to the altar at the front. The bride's face was hidden by a veil, and she was wearing a traditional white marriage dress.
There was no religion in the kingdom, as they believed in the supremacy of powerful magic users, thus, couples normally ask a minister from the kingdom to lead the ceremony. In Gale and Atress' wedding, it was Baron William de Huntingfield, Naron's father.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony…"
Baron Huntingfield started the ceremony with the traditional opening speech. Then, he turned to the groom for his vows.
"Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after the kingdom's ordinance in the estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will"
Gale took the vow. He didn't plan to keep it or his powers would become a joke, but it was all just formalities anyhow. Baron Huntingfield turned to the bride.
"Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded wife, to live together after the kingdom's ordinance in the estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
The bride's vow was the same as the groom's as in the magic society the woman could be stronger than the man, and the king's heir would be oftentimes an heiress if she was more talented than the princes.
They finished their vows, and they prepared to put the rings on each other's fingers.
"With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow."
Gale then kneeled before the bride, and removed the garter from her thigh, just above the right knee. He amused himself by thinking to remove it with his teeth, but nobles rarely did it. He threw it to the crowd, without checking who was the lucky person to catch it.
The wedding soon ended, and the guests left the venue. Naron came to congratulate Gale before he left.
"Lord Gale, congratulations on this blissful match. I wish you prosperity along with Lady Atress. I hope that you can bring fame and honor to our kingdom and citizens."
He was acting much more amiable than the last time they met. Gale knew his social status did a 180 degrees turn; he was above a Baron's heir now as the husband of a viscountess' heiress, and he knew Naron's father has felt his stage and notified Naron to be respectful.
"Thank you, Naron. I appreciate your attendance."
He said superficial words and left. Naron left him when he was weak, and Gale didn't plan to grow closer to such a person after getting stronger.
He knew that after this ceremony, word of his current stage would spread quickly. There were many expert magicians and even a few mages at the wedding, as many were interested to attend the wedding of an earl's son and a viscountess heiress, either to form connections with the couple and other guests or just to be polite in case of future interactions.
Gale and Atress left the venue after parting with the guests and were accompanied by Viscountess Astor, Nina, and a few other servants.
"Having an expert magician as your maid is quite impressive, Gale. I'm also quite impressed by your stage, I've heard you were unable to use magic, yet you are an expert magician yourself."
The viscountess remarked after sensing Nina's stage. It startled Atress greatly; she was sure he wasn't strengthened by magic at all when they had last met less than two months ago. How was it possible to get to the expert rank so quickly?
"Thank you, Lady Astor. I hope it will be enough to keep me and Atress safe."
They arrived at the mansion and went in. Nina was led to her chambers by other servants, and Gale was left alone with Atress and Nancy.
"I will instruct the servants to show you the room we've prepared for you."
"Won't we live together?"
"Sorry, but no. I have no interest in men at the moment."
Atress placed him in a separate room, which confused Gale. Was his charm broken?
Atress glanced toward Gale one last time and left. She thought it was a shame he changed, he used to be just her type in the past.
Gale was led to his room and started examining it. It was a large room with a king-size bed in the middle. There was another door leading somewhere else, but it was locked. He decided to ask Atress about it tomorrow.
He was deep in thoughts of what his goals should be here when the door creaked open and Nancy entered his room.