Page 31 of Royally Matched
Chapter Ten
The day for the royal wedding had finally arrived. The St. James Cathedral was bustling with tons of people. In the thick of it, Max watched the wedding planner put the final touches on the aisle runner and bouquets of flowers that lined the center walkway. She was fussing to make sure all the decorations were centered correctly and lined up the way she planned.
“Don’t forget that the series of candelabras on each side need to be tiltedso the guests can still see everything,” the blonde woman stated, pushing a loose wisp of hair out of her face. “Everything needs to be perfect. This is a royal wedding after all.”
Max wondered if his own wedding would be this chaotic. Then remembering that because he was Crown Prince, and it was his job to display his wedding for his whole country (and world), it would be even worse than all of this.
A quick glance at his watch confirmed they were just over an hour away from show time. Max hurried out of the ceremony area, knowing they would seat guests shortly. It was time for him to check in on Richard anyway.
Max found his best friend in the groom’s room, where he was nervously pacing back and forth. “Are you okay?” Max asked with concern.
“I’m fine. I want to get married already, and this is taking bloody forever,” Richard’s British accent from growing up abroad came out when he got upset.
“I understand but be patient. It’s almost time,” Max said, coming up to Richard, and putting his hands on either side of his shoulders. “Just take a deep breath and focus on the fact that in less than an hour you will be married to the woman of your dreams.”
“Or, on the other hand, you could reflect on the fact you’ll be tied down to the same woman for the rest of your life,” Benji stated snidely. “Are you ready for that?”
“Be quiet,” Max demanded, glaring at Benji. “We don’t need you trying to tease him right now. Can’t you see he’s nervous enough?”
Benji shrugged. “I was just trying to make a joke.”
“It wasn’t funny,” Richard corrected, “And Max is right, I sure don’t need that type of help. Why don’t you find something else to do?”
He must have known he had overstepped,because Benji shrunk away without another word. Max figured he would probably go bother the bridesmaids, but as long as he wasn’t bothering Richard, Max didn’t much care what Benji did.
“Let me look at your bow tie,” Max said, straightening it by slightly pulling on both sides. “There you go. You look great.”
Richard looked every bit the royal groom in his custom white tuxedo. Though Max had fixed his cousin’s outer appearance, it didn’t seem to help calm his spirits. Wanting to help him, Max offered, “Do you want me to say a quick prayer?”
Richard stopped pacing and raised his eyebrows in shock. “Never did I think I would hear those words come from your lips.”
“What can I say, I’m a changed man,” Max explained with a roll of his shoulders. “So, what do you say?”
“I would welcome it,” Richard said, closing his eyes.
Max closed his own eyes before he prayed. “Dear Lord, right now we come to You and ask that You bless this special day. Help my cousin to put everything in Your hands and trust that You will help everything go smoothly.”
“Thanks, cousin, I appreciate your support,” Richard stated as he opened his eyes and smiled. “You always know how to keep me calm.”
“That’s what family is for. And for the record, it’s not me, it’s God. I’ve realized the more I pray, the better off I am.”
A little while later, the wedding planner knocked on the door, telling them it was time to enter the ceremony area. They made their way in to the crowded venue where over a thousand guests were seated to watch the royal wedding.
“You got this,” Max whispered reassuringly to Richard as they took their spots at the front of the room under the massive arch adorned with pastel flowers and ribbon.
A few moments later, the orchestra played, quieting the crowd and turning everyone’s attention towards the back as they stood to their feet. The doors opened to reveal Margo standing in a white satin gown with a long train and a beautiful tiara that glistened against her golden hair. She also had a veil draped over her face that flowed out and around her.
Behind her stood her two bridesmaids, four flower girls, two page boys and Lily, her Maid of Honor. The rest of the bridal party was wearing cream-colored outfits.
As they made their way down the aisle, Max knew he should be focused on the bride, but he couldn’t keep his eyes from drifting to Lily. She looked like perfection in her gown, and Max could only imagine how much more beautiful she would look on their own day down the road.
The ceremony passed quickly, with the traditional vows, rings, and prayers. By the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room, as it was clear that Margo and Richard truly loved each other.
The bridal party, along with the royal family, exited the cathedral and prepared to go by carriages to the wedding reception at the Rivera Club. Hordes of people were out for the event, waving and cheering on the royal family. Max was grateful there were no hecklers in the crowd, and the day could go by in peace.
As they rode through the streets waving to everyone, Max leaned over and whispered to Lily. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she whispered back. “You look handsome as well.”
