Chereads / Finding The Prince of Astoria / Chapter 20 - Epilogue

Chapter 20 - Epilogue

A Week Later 

"Hufh…" Arthur put his last button of his all black uniform with a red scarf wrapped around his shoulders and waist. Today is the day that he has been waiting for; His wedding day.

Time flies so fast. He was busy working for the past week because he couldn't see Gwen and only communicated through chat or video call even though they are still in the same town. 

A guard showed up and told him that the car that would bring him to the cathedral was ready. Arthur took his hat and followed the guard to go outside of the palace. Some of the people who live nearby the palace greeted and congratulated him from the outside of the palace. He bowed as a sign of gratitude for his people who have been such a great supporter for him and his family. 

He went into the car that moved slowly approaching the gate. He waved to his people who had been waiting since this morning until he moved past them and things around were suddenly quiet again because most of the people were already around the cathedral. 

The car moved slowly but not long after, they arrived at the Cathedral which was located around 10 minutes only from the Palace. 

The situation around the Cathedral was more hectic. People already gathered outside; despite it being held in the afternoon, They were all still coming enthusiastically in the midst of chilly weather. 

It was an Autumn wedding in the morning. The area faced the breathtaking sunrise. At the end of each seated aisle, jasmine scented candles hung from naked tree branches. Spread down the aisle were white leaves, as far as the eyes could see, slightly moist so they wouldn't crack when you stepped on them.  A small group of close family and friends dressed in classic-vintage attire. On either side of the aisle, they sat in white chairs set up for them inside the cathedral. 

Journalists were busy taking pictures, highlighting the dress of the important attires the guests were wearing on that day. 

It was announced to the guests to come inside because the wedding was about to start. After they were all seated, They announced that Arthur had arrived and was ready to enter the castle. 

The door was opened not long after, and Arthur came in accompanied by Gwen's mother. They were walking along the aisle until they arrived in front of the priest who just came out and asked everyone to stand after he delivered the speech. 

And after everyone stood up, It was announced that the bride-to-be was about to enter the Cathedral. 

The door was opened and The flower girl lined the path with white rose petals as the music started. Gwen took two steps out before she was greeted by Helena. 

"Put your hands on me," Said King Frederick offering his right arm before escorting her to the aisle.

Arthur let out a deep breath because he was nervous. He then turned around when he felt that they were near. The anxiety turned into  a bright smile when he finally saw his bride looking so beautiful in a simple and elegant white gown.

King Frederick let Arthur handle the rest. He reached his hand out to her and helped Gwen until she finally stood on his side. 

"I was so nervous," she mouthed to him. But she felt much better now since Arthur was right by her side and holding her hand.

"You're pretty," Arthur mouthed back at her without any sound. They both turned around to listen to the speech by the Priest.

"Dear beloved, we are gathered here this morning to witness the groom and the bride join together in holy matrimony," The Priest was starting the wedding ceremony. Speech and prayers were delivered until they had to exchange vows. 

"I, Arthur Frederick Zachary of Astoria, take you, Gwen Katherine Elizabeth, to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live." 

Tears were starting to run down her face when Gwen listened to Arthur's wedding vow. She never expected that her life would take this turn for her. 

After the exchange vows finished, the ring bearer came forward and presented the rings. Gwen put it on Arthur and he did the same thing to her afterwards. 

"With the power invested in me by God. I now pronounce you, Prince Arthur Frederick Zachary of Astoria and Gwen Katherine Elizabeth of Astoria as a Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride." 

With such a shy smile on their faces, Arthur stepped forward to kiss his woman in front of all the guests. Cheers could be heard loudly from the outside since the wedding was witnessed by the people of Astoria.

— 

After the wedding, They were all going back to the palace. Arthur and Gwen rode an open horse carriage around the town so they could greet everyone present to congratulate them on their wedding. 

After arriving at the palace, They were both escorted to the Palace's balcony, followed by the King and Queen, also the families of both Arthur and Gwen. 

Arthur and Gwen greeted the Astorian people once again from the balcony. Arthur turned to see his wife who then accidentally caught his gaze. He smiled brightly before kissing Gwen again just like what he did during the engagement night and the crowd cheered even louder to the future King and Queen of Astoria. 

— 

A chirp of birds echoing through the window sills, Waking up Gwen from her overwhelming night. She took some time to arrange her thoughts before fully awakening from her sleep.

She turned to the side and found Arthur slept peacefully. She lifted her hand and touched his cheek softly until she saw a ring on her finger. Everything that happened was not a dream; she really is now the wife of the prince, the soon-to-be duchess of Astoria. 

Gwen looked out of the window and decided to get up after placing a soft kiss on Arthur's cheek. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking around where their last night's clothes were scattered around the room as a proof of how passionate they were last night.

Gwen pulled the shirt on her body–An oversized white shirt that Arthur put on her before they went to sleep last night. She got up and walked to the balcony, welcomed by a new sight of Budapest,Hungary. They flew there a few hours after the wedding and stayed in a private place.

Everything felt like a fever dream for Gwen.

— 

Gwen came out to check the night view  out through the balcony after they finished dinner, not long after they arrived in Budapest. She was admiring the night view of the city until a pair of strong arms wrapped around her body.

"It's so pretty~"

"Eum…just like you."

Gwen turned around and stared at her husband in disbelief, "Stop it!"

Arthur laughed at her reaction, "I was right though…" he said while placing a soft kiss on Gwen's cheek. 

"Everything is still unreal to me…"

"Me too," Arthur said while burying his face on the crook of her neck and left some hickeys on it.

Gwen closed her eyes at the tingling sensation she felt all over her body due to Arthur's touch. "W-What if–"

"It's fine….It's a private mansion. No one is here except us," Arthur whispered in her ears before turning Gwen around so he could kiss her freely. They were making out for a while on the mansion's balcony, and did not care about  anything as if the world only belonged to them that night. 

Gwen's hand slipped into the hem of  Arthur's turtleneck and caressed his waist. She could feel his muscles tensed due to her touch. She then pulled it up and took it off from his body before continuing to make out with him. Their bodies pressed together heatedly against the balcony, breathing heavily as their lips pressed together.  

Arthur pulled her closer before turning Gwen around and guided her to the inside of their bedroom. His hands were on her neck to keep her close while Gwen was busy taking out his pants' button. She could taste their shared breath, feel the thud of their combined heartbeat as they fumbled to take off one another's clothes

He then pushed her onto the bed and started to leave traces in every inch of her body before going back to kiss her on the lips until they needed to breathe some air after the intense kiss.

Arthur took all of his time to admire his beautiful wife, "I love you."

"Me too," Gwen smiled at him before closing her eyes and accepted his kiss. Her hand reached the lamp on the nightstand and turned it off so their night could be more intimate than ever. 

— 

In the midst of her thought, Gwen heard a groan behind. She turned around and smiled seeing Arthur moved lazily on the bed before deciding to go back in. 

"Ugh–I thought you left me back in Astoria…"

Gwen chuckled and joined him on the bed, "Gp sleep some more," She caressed his head softly and it formed a smile on Arthur's sleepy face. "You've worked hard for the past few days…barely had any rest…"

"I'm fine…." Arthur got up and sat right next to her. He put his arm around her shoulder. 

"Thank you…"

"Huh? For what?" 

"Do you remember my request? I only asked you to put a picture of my dad in the tram's office, with his story before he died…but You've already planned a whole museum."

"It's actually my mom's dream too. She told me about your dad and I thought, We should appreciate those who have helped and contributed a lot in the community plus Tram has been an essential part in our society. We want our people to use public transportation more than private transportation to reduce pollution. So, It's like hitting two birds with one stone." 

"Still…thank you…"

"He's my father-in-law…We should remember his story…."

Gwen touched his cheek and pecked Arthur's lips, "To be honest, There is something that I haven't told you." 

"What is it?" 

"I haven't got my PMS in a month…I haven't told anyone else about it but you…"

"Wait you mean–" Arthur now remembered that the last time they did it, He didn't use any condoms. "Right! didn't use any condoms since I thought we're going to get married sooner…I'm sorry!"

Gwen laughed at his apology, "We're married now and it has been a month since my PMS stopped. I thought I might have just tired from all of the wedding preparation…So, I haven't checked myself out. It might be just a month old or less…the timing is perfect, Don't you think so?" 

"Eum….The Finding will be held sooner, I guess?" Said Arthur smiled before placing a soft kiss on Gwen's lips. "I'll shower first and We'll check yourself later okay? Wait for me!" 

Arthur jumped out of the bed and ran into the bathroom. He was singing excitedly while taking a shower. The thought of finally getting married followed by the news of Gwen's possible pregnancy made him so giddy. 

Gwen smiled while listening to Arthur's singing from the bathroom. He pulled the nightstand's drawer and took out a pregnancy test that showed two lines on it.

She already brought it with her and just checked it last night when Arthur was sleeping. She had realized it around a week before the wedding since her menstrual cycle was messed up and she hadn't got one for a month. 

Gwen looked down and caressed her tummy softly, "Thank you for coming at the right time, just like your daddy…The Prince of Astoria who used to be hiding right in front of my eyes…." She muttered under her breath and smiled because life took her in the right direction; meet the right person at the right time, Arthur, The man of her dreams.