Crowned

Chapter Fifteen: Royal Wedding Part 2- The Ceremony

I hear the guests stand and the tenth second passes before I make myself visible.

Eyes up, a princess must show confidence even if it is not present. Mother's Harsh words echo in my ears as I walk down the stairs.

Step, pause.... step, pause.... step.

I reach the bottom and father links his arm in mine.

I look to where Mathieu is standing and see he looks quite nice in his Navy suit and the dresses and suits of the bridesmaids and groomsmen look amazing.

Mathieu wipes at his eye and I realize tears streak my face.

To anyone watching it looks like tears spilt in love.

These tears are not of love or joy, but the more common version, tears of sorrow.

Each step my heart breaks a little more, and each step brings me closer to my cage, to the end of truly being myself.

Each step breaks me and changes me into a character I must pretend to be.

My father hands me off to Mathieu and Mathieu leads me to the center of the altar.

"Don't cry." He whispers as we make our way to the Officiant. He wipes away the tear but I feel like it will be in vain.

"Dearly Beloved..."

I tune out the songs waiting impatiently to get away from all of this attention.

Taking two Ivory Candles Mathieu and I both light a navy candle with the separate flames.

We are blessed by a priest among other traditions before moving into the french traditions.

Out of a large chalice we drink a sip of wine before I am handed A Gold Leaf and Burgundy book that I must place one hand upon and in the other I must hold the staff used in coronations whilst reciting the Manifesto.

"Je promets de gouverner et servir la France avec la justice et de la grâce et de la foi instiller dans le pays . Je promets de mettre mon pays avant que le sang que le peuple de France sont mon sang indirecte . Avec cette puissance de mes ours titre je vais l'utiliser seulement pour le bien du pays et pour le bien de l' gens.S'ils jamais je deviens incapable de posséder la couronne Je reconnais que le droit à la règle peut être pris de moi si je ne remplir mes devoirs et faire ce qui est dans le meilleur intérêt pour la France" I promise to rule and serve France with justice and grace and instill faith into the land. I promise to put my country before blood as the people of france are my indirect blood. With this power my title bears I will use it only for the good of the country and for the good of the people.If I ever become incapable of possessing the crown I acknowledge that the right to rule can be taken from me if I fail to complete my duties and do what is in the best interest for France

The crowd claps politely as the King of France steps up to place the French tiara on my head.

Quickly we move to the vows that have not been altered in any way.

"Mathieu Aaron Regalienne. wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do," His hands shake slightly as he looks at me.

"Jaclynn Renee Astor, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"