The music and cheers were loud as Cora paraded around the capital. The crowd was bigger than she'd even seen before in her life. His Maj-. No. Lord Blackhall rarely let her out of the castle and his events were always so silent and sober… she never knew the people of Plaenia could be so happy. But they were happy now. They were happy with the wedding and wanted her to be their queen.
"My lady," Lady Rosamund offered her the small assembly of flowers – identical to Leo's gift her days earlier – and adjusted her hair, giving the future queen a gentle smile. "Now you're ready."
Her lady grandmother and her lord grandfather waved discreet hands to Cora before entering the abbey alone. She was to walk to her husband on her own. She was a Blackhall, after all, not a Dunch.
Somehow, Leonard looked bigger than ever now. He was waiting for her at the altar, dressed and crowned, and took her hand in his as soon as she got to his side.
"Lady Coraline," he stared into her eyes.
Her blood thundered in her ears and she could barely
"Your Majesty," she curtsied.
None of them said anything else as the ceremony went on. She could see her heart thundering in her chest and throat, and time spun and rushed around them. Before she could even realise, she was saying 'I do' and sliding a new ring onto her husband's finger. Big. His hand were so big. They felt so good and warm when he was touching her the day she first said yes.
"At least, my wife," he grinned.
A shiver ran over Cora's body, and she sighed.
"Come now, my queen," he guided her as the people cheered around them. "Let's go celebrate."
His hand never left hers as they left the abbey, only doing so when it was time to put her on his horse, a black-furred beauty bigger than she had ever seen before, named Kylo.
"Put your hands on the saddle," her husband instructed, sitting behind her and putting a hand on her side, so big it covered half of her waist with his fingers. "I'll hold you, my lady wife."
The title made her shiver, and Leonard kissed the back of her shoulder.
"Smile for our people, my dear," he instructed. "Let them see the beauty of their new queen and rejoice in our bright future."
And she did, holding onto the saddle under her and burning on the face from the embarrassing fire that burnt on her where his hand was laid.
The whole day to the castle, people threw flower petals and delicate branches that were meant to symbolise love and well wishes for their future. Once they arrived and stopped at the entrance to the castle, her husband descended from the horse, but instead of helping her put her feet on the ground, he carried her, his arms under her back and knees.
"Your majesty!" she yelped, surprised.
"Knightson family tradition, dear wife," he answered simply, clearly amused. "When you're back from your wedding, you must carry your wife in your arms when you two arrive at your ship."
Someone chuckled and Leonard looked around with an amused grin.
"Well… castle," he shrugged, smiling even larger, and she couldn't help but do the same. He had a beautiful smile, with cheek dimples, and his blue eyes wrinkled on the corners charmingly when he did so, something that made it seem very genuine.
He carried her inside as Cora held tightly to his broad shoulders, only releasing her when they were inside the room where the fear was to happen now.
"Your Majesties," her husband's father, Lord Knightson, bowed and every other person behind him did the same or curtsied – courtiers, lord, ladies, servants, and even Princess Margaret.
"My love," she nodded.
It felt strange to be surrounded by so many people in such a well-decorated room. Her dead grandfather always left the walls naked and the place quiet.
"We shall begin the celebration." Leo announced in a loud voice.
The musicians on the corner of the room started playing and her lord husband put a hand in the middle of her back, guiding Coraline, so she would sit down at the middle of a table fully decorated with the symbols and colours of the House of Marfont.
Coraline Marfont. The name had a beautiful sound. It was certainly better than Coraline Blackhall.
They had barely adjusted on their seats when Lord Hux put himself in front of the two of them, bowing respectfully and extending a hand to his side.
"The French Ambassador," he introduced, giving space to a brown-haired man.
"Your majesties," he bowed, speaking with a thick accent. "His Majesty, the King, has sent his congratulations on your wedding. May your union be fruitful and your reign be prosperous."
"Thank you, Monsieur Badeaux," Leonard answered with a nod, once again wearing a serious face. "We appreciate his wishes and gifts very much."
Cora turned to him at the word, and her husband's head moved to look at her.
"Monsieur Badeaux just brought us wonderful rare books," he explained. "Great additions to our library."
She nodded and looked at the man again.
"Merci Monsieur," she thanked him once again. "Nous l'apprécions beaucoup."
(Thank you, sir. We appreciate it very much.)
Badeaux seemed surprised at her words, but just smiled, bowing before waking and Leo squeezed her hand.
"I won't ever need a translator with you by my side," he chuckled, pulling her hand and kissing her knuckles. "I hope you're a good eavesdropper."
Cora laughed, quickly covering her mouth when she felt eyes on them, but he simply lowered it, staring attentively into her eyes.
"Don't ever hide your beautiful laugh," he commanded.
"Yes, your majesty," she blushed, going warm on the cheeks, lowering her eyes and leaning onto his ear to answer his previous words. "And I'm the best of them"
Leonard chuckled, still holding her hand, and licked his lips.
"Good, then, my dear," he kissed her knuckled again. "Now, let's eat. We'll need energy for tonight."
Her whole face went hot at his words, and her husband didn't miss it, just kissing her cheek delicately.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "Let's just enjoy everything."
"Yes, your majesty."