Perfect Blend

A SECRET MARRIAGE

BETHENCOURTS PALACE FORTRESS, 1133

KINGDOM OF EGILSON

A SECRET MARRIAGE. The prince and young princess solemn matrimony commenced a couple of months after arriving at Bethencourts palace before the hunting tournament began.

The ceremony was strictly limited between the Montforts and de Lorris. No one was allowed entry into the fortress of Bethencourt's palace, even the chambermaids, the royal guards, and Desmond. The moon was prominent to its largest that night. It is Bethencourts tradition to be wed under the moonlight. The Bethencourt honors the moon goddess before any other gods. Therefore, getting married under the moonlight promises that no one can break them apart as long as the moon shines. The moon makes their union more robust than getting married traditionally.

"We are gathered here tonight to witness the union of Prince Ezra Tremaine Montfort of Thorgunna and Princess Primavera Elysendria Bethencourt - de Lorris," said Callan Bethencourt.

Callan is Bernice's Benthencourt Del Fierro's surviving brother from Senadosa. He is known to be Americus, the Alpha of the Quintas in La Quintana. He moved to Scotland when Bernice and Erasmus were killed. The couple died protecting their teenage quintuplets from an unknown vampire that was bitten by a black wolf. It was believed that the monster was Raquel Santillan, the missing mother of Dimitrius de Lorris.

Callan became the del Fierro's quintuplets guardian. He remained unmarried after his wife, Tabitha. The omega died of giving birth to his son, Larken. The Duke of Brickenden.

“Prince Ezra Tremaine Montfort, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife. Thou shall take this woman to live together with the blessing of our moon goddess? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” asked Callan.

“I will,” without a second thought, Ezra answered.

“Princess Primavera Elysendria Bethencourt de Lorris, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together with the blessing of our moon goddess? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?” said Callan.

“I will,” Elyse answered, smiling at Ezra.

Then she gazed at her parent and her twin brother. Primo smiled back at her in silence, conversing through their minds. Primo said,” I am happy for you, sister.”

Elyse smiled back at Primo with a tear in her eyes. Tears of happiness. She knows that even if they got separated, Primo and she will never part.

Duke Dimitrius was standing side by side with Princess Elysendria holding her right hand. Callan receives Elyse’s right hand from the Duke. He took Ezra’s right hand, and then he put their hands together to symbolize their union. He continued to officiate the wedding following Ezra and Elyse’s vow.

“I, Ezra Tremaine, take thee, Primavera Elysendria to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do we part. Tonight under the moonlight, I give thee my troth.”

Ezra and Elyse were both staring at each other’s eyes with a smile that they can not resist as they recite each other oath of marriage.

“I, Primavera Elysendria, take thee, Ezra Tremaine, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do we part. Tonight under the moonlight, I give thee my troth.”

“Under your shining light, bless thy ring, oh moon goddess and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives end. “

Prince Ezra took the ring from Callan. It was a princess-cut diamond ring made of gold. Then he placed the ring into Elyse’s fourth left finger and said,” My love, Elysendria, with this ring, I thee wed; with my body, I thee honour, and all my possessions with thee I share. In witness here thee, the prominent moon above. I promise to love you forever and always.”

Elyse curtsy in front of Ezra to accept his vow to her. The bride doesn’t need to place a ring on her groom. Instead, Elyse clasped a gold necklace to Ezra’s neck and made her vow, “My dear, Ezra, with this jewel, I thee wed. With my body, I thee honour, and all my possessions with thee I share. In witness upon my vow, I oath to you under the moonlight. I shall love you and only you. Forever and always.”

Callan joined Ezra and Elyse’s hands together as the matrimonial ceremony ended.

“As an Alpha of the Quintas and the power showered upon me by the moon goddess. I pronounced you Ezra and Elyse, man and wife. May you live together in peace. Your highness, you may now kiss your wife.”

“No!” said Primo.

“Brother,” said Elyse in confusion.

“The coupling. . . the consummation of your marriage must not be done until you come at age.”

“Primo, it’s just a kiss,” Elyse protested.

“Everything starts with a kiss. So, no! I am older than you Elysendria. Listen to me.”

“Mother, father,” Elyse called out.

“I regret, we agree with your twin,” said Duke Dimitrius, teasingly.

Ezra held Elyse’s left hand and kissed her by the ring. He pulled her closer to him, touching his lips into her forehead,” It’s okay, my love. We can sneak out tonight.”

“Prince Ezra!” said Venetia.

“Mother, I am only consoling my wife. Look at her sour face. Don't you pity my princess?”

“Enough of your childishness Elysendria. Act like a lady, more yet a woman. Let’s get to the great hall. We have prepared a feast,” said Duchess Lakeisha.

“Mm-hmm, did you prepare the dinner, Princess Ely?”

“Yes, your majesty. Mother said I must know how to do the homestead chores.”

“Oh, my pretty Princess Ely, call me father from now on.”

"Father. I have two fathers now. Father, may I visit and stay at your palace?"

"You may. But what happened tonight must remain a secret."

"A secret marriage, father?"

"Yes, Princess Elysendria, a secret marriage."

King Tremaine was delighted that Elysendria is now his daughter-in-law. It will be easier for him to absorb her power on the night of the La Luna Sangre. Unknown to Ezra, his marriage to Elyse is a marriage of convenience for his father. Elyse is the leverage of the king for his eternal power.

King Tremaine and royal consort Venetia have kept the union of Ezra and Elyse in private between themselves and Simone. Ezra has been married to Elyse a week before the hunting season begins. That was two months after Ezra left the Ebraculum de Raleigh. The news of Ezra's marriage was kept from Odelina to protect Elysendria.

Ezra lived in Egilson two months before the hunting tournament in preparation for his union with Elyse. After the tournament, Ezra returned to the Bethencourts palace immediately after arriving from Issenberg to fetch Elyse. They traveled back to Thorgunna after to help with the preparation of his birthday ball and his formal announcement of his engagement to Princess Elysendria.

The King of Thorgunna wanted extravagant royal matrimony, but the young couple wanted a solemn ceremony between their families alone.

King Tremaine agreed upon his son's wishes with the condition that consummating their marriage is forbidden until Elyse comes at age. The king insisted on an extravagant royal wedding which the Duke and Duchess of Issenberg also acceded.

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MONTFORT PALACE, 1133

KINGDOM OF THORGUNNA

No one knew about the young prince and princess union except them two and their family. A couple of months after the hunting season will be Ezra's birthday ball.

A month ago, while the Montforts were in Issenberg, Princess Eleanor, known as Odelina, insisted on coming with the king’s consort to her trip to Edinburgh. Odelina wanted to choose Ezra’s attire on his birthday.

Ezra's party is the most awaited extravagant celebration amongst the kingdoms in Scotland.

“Mother, I must come with you to Edinburgh.”

“You don’t have to, Eleanor,” said Venetia.

The king’s consort is the only person that calls Odelina —Eleanor. Venetia has loved Odelina like her own daughter despite Queen Callista’s disapproval. She had cared for her more than her birth mother could.

“Please, mother, I want to help you choose Ezra’s clothes for his birthday.”

“Well then, you must hurry. Let your chambermaid pack you a few clothes.”

“Thank you, mother,” said Odelina, embracing Venetia.

“I can never say no when you insist, my child. Off you go. I shall wait for you in the carriage.”

Odelina swiftly went to her bedchamber to pack some clothes for their trip.

When they arrived in Edinburgh, Odelina was mesmerized by the place. 

It has been a tradition that crowned princesses' chambermaids must accompany them on their journey. However, Princess Eleanor ordered her chambermaid not to come with her to Edinburgh. She wanted to share precious time with her adopted mother, Venetia while traveling miles away from Thorgunna.

"Moeder, may I explore London?"

"Yes, but how must you return home, Eleanor?"

"I'll find a way to be home on the day of Ezra's birthday."

"I expect you to be back in the palace the day before the royal event, Eleanor."

Odelina paused for a millisecond, thinking if she should or should not be left behind.

"Ne, I shouldn't stay here. I must come home with you. Isn't Ezra coming home from Raleigh?"

"Soon," Venetia replied.

Venetia knew her son, Ezra won't be coming home from Raleigh. He will be staying a few months in Egilson.

After purchasing some clothes and ordering the leather boots for Ezra, Venetia returned home. Odelina, on the other hand, decided to stay behind to explore London.

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