"Let us begin the ceremony," Theodore announced, his voice carrying a blend of authority and solemnity.
The marriage customs here were characterized by its simplicity yet hold a significant importance.
It revolved around the symbolic act of signing a parchment, a tangible agreement that united the groom and bride in matrimony.
The signing was not just a formality. It was a binding commitment, a declaration of their willingness to embark on a shared journey.
This process is signified by the presence of representatives from both families, who bear witness to the commitment being made.
This practice underscores the importance of not only the couple's personal decision but also the endorsement and support of their respective families.
As for Riz, his stepmother Josephine would be the one who represent him in this crucial moment.
She stood beside him with a reassuring smile, a symbol of the family's trust and support.
On the opposite side, Theodora was accompanied by her father, Theodore, who regarded his daughter with a mixture of pride and emotion.
Upon the parchment that was meticulously prepared for this purpose inscribed not just the names of the bride and groom, but also the intricate details of the responsibilities that both sides were undertaking.
The commitments and duties of marriage were laid out in careful, elegant script, capturing the essence of partnership and unity that the union represented.
While in theory, one could argue over the terms and conditions delineated on the parchment, such instances were rare.
The terms were a standardized version, refined over generations, encompassing the fundamental tenets of matrimony.
Because this matter held such profound privacy and confidentiality for both families, the hall in which this ceremony took place was devoid of outsiders.
Riz picked up the quill, his eyes meticulously scanning every single detail inscribed on the parchment. He found himself in agreement with every term, each responsibility typical one. Nothing out of ordinary about them.
He poised the quill above the parchment and about to affix his signature, a quiet realization echoed within him.
'I can't believe a piece of paper would change my life,' he thought.
As the quill hovered over the parchment, he couldn't help but reflect on the nature of the ceremony.
While labelled as a marriage, the process felt akin to signing a contract.
After the signing process from both the groom and bride, it was time for the representatives, Josephine and Theodore, to step forward and add their signatures to the parchment as witnesses.
With a sense of solemnity, they dipped their quills and carefully signed their names beneath the vows that had been penned by Riz and Theodora.
Once their signatures were in place, they pressed their family seals into the still-damp ink, leaving a mark that represented their endorsement of the union.
The parchment, now adorned with the signatures and seals, seemed to shimmer with significance as it lay before the gathered assembly.
Following this ceremonial act, attention shifted to the rings, symbols of unity and everlasting commitment.
The rings, crafted from gleaming silver, glinted in the soft light that penetrated the hall.
With reverence, the rings were brought forth, cradled on a cushion of velvet.
Riz took a deep breath as he held the ring.
The silver band felt cool against his fingertips.
However, a sudden uncertainty halted his movement. A split second before the ring made contact, he stopped.
'Wait a second, which hand of the fourth finger should I put?' His heart quickened, and a sheen of sweat formed on his brow.
Inward panic threatened to rise as he found himself grappling with the seemingly simple but suddenly perplexing question.
In that moment of uncertainty, Riz's gaze shifted to Theodore.
Theodore, catching his gaze, understood the unspoken question.
With a subtle smirk, he raised his own left hand, the ring finger extended, and then subtly motioned towards it with a nod.
Theodore provided Riz with the answer he needed, sparing him from an embarrassing misstep.
Riz's anxiety eased as quickly as it had come.
With a newfound confidence, Riz gently lifted Theodora's left hand. As he slid the silver ring onto the correct finger, a smile of relief tugged at the corner of his lips.
After Theodora slid the ring onto Riz's finger, her father's voice carried through the air, announcing with a mix of pride and warmth, "From now on, both of you are officially husband and wife."
In response to Theodore's announcement, the hall came alive with applause. The sound cascaded through the air, a harmonious blend of joy and celebration that resonated with the walls.
The energy was palpable, a current that seemed to flow from person to person, electrifying the atmosphere.
The smiles that had been held back during the solemn moments now burst forth, illuminating the faces of family members.
Amidst the applause, Fiona, Theodora's mother, found herself wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Her emotions had been on a rollercoaster throughout the ceremony, from the solemnity of the signing to the tender exchange of rings.
But now, as her daughter and Riz stood side by side, officially united, a surge of pride and happiness swelled within her.
Fiona's smile was radiant, a reflection of the love she felt for her daughter and the promise of a new beginning.
Josephine, Riz's stepmother, stood a few paces away, her applause resonating with genuine enthusiasm.
Her eyes were fixed on Riz, and a subtle, knowing smile played at the corners of her lips.
She had watched Riz grow and evolve over the years, and this moment marked a significant step in his journey. Her heart swelled with a mix of maternal pride and the recognition of the man he had become.
"It's just a few years, he has grown up so much and has reached so far," Josephine whispered to herself, her voice carrying a blend of awe and admiration.
As the applause began to taper off, Theodora and Riz prepared to make their way to the garden of the mansion where the guests awaited their appearance.
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