Chapter 33 Wedding Day
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The cathedral of Saint Aurelia had never looked so divine. The sunlight that streamed through its centuries-old stained glass painted the marble floors in gold and crimson hues, while the scent of roses, peonies, and white orchids filled the air. Chandeliers hung like frozen constellations, each crystal refracting the brilliance of the midday sun. The atmosphere hummed with anticipation, tension, and silent awe, it was, after all, the wedding of the century.
The pews were filled with the most powerful names in the business world. Every guest had a fortune or an empire behind their smile, ministers from Europe, CEOs of conglomerates, and heirs of international banking dynasties. Cameras were allowed inside, and every detail was meant for spectacle, a display of Valmere wealth and Aramante prestige.
At the front stood Aston Valmere, the groom, in a tailored black tuxedo designed by Maison Avenoir, his signature silver cufflinks glinting under the light. His brothers.... Lysander, Lucio, and Casper, stood behind him as groomsmen, each wearing the Valmere crest pinned to their lapels. Their father, Rionessi Valmere, sat in the front pew with quiet authority, his gaze moving between the guests and the altar.
Caelum, Knight and Deborah weren’t there, one by command, two by choice. The absence was noted by many, whispered about by more.
The soft music from the quartet began, violins and piano, slow and elegant.
Down the aisle walked the bridesmaids in shimmering champagne gowns. First was Sienna Avelar, a distant cousin of Selene... then Miranda Cortez, sister of Samuel Cortez, a major shareholder allied with the Aramantes. Each woman smiled sweetly for the guests, basking in the glittering attention of high society.
Then the flower girls came, tiny, perfect things scattering white petals, followed by the ring bearer, a boy in a crisp navy suit who looked too solemn for his age.
Finally, the doors at the end of the cathedral opened.
The crowd rose.
Selene Aramante stood there, radiant in a gown that seemed almost unreal, a masterpiece of silk and lace, handcrafted in Paris. The bodice sparkled with a thousand micro-crystals, each one catching light like shattered stars. Her veil trailed nearly ten feet behind her, embroidered with silver vines that shimmered as she moved.
Gasps filled the room. Reporters outside and inside would later describe her as a goddess made flesh.
She held a bouquet of white roses and tulips, a symbol of purity and eternal union. But to the Valmere brothers who knew better, it looked more like a carefully painted mask.
The orchestra swelled as she began her walk. Every step was deliberate, graceful, perfect. Her father, Lord Aramante, walked beside her, his face proud and unreadable. The scent of roses followed them down the aisle.
Aston stood frozen. His jaw was set, his eyes unreadable, but his hands clenched briefly at his sides before he forced them to relax.
Lysander noticed. Casper did too. But neither spoke.
When Selene reached the altar, she turned to face Aston with a smile so flawless it looked rehearsed. He gave a small nod, his expression tightly composed.
The ceremony began.
The priest’s voice echoed through the cathedral, deep and steady. “Dearly beloved, we gather here today in the presence of God to witness the union of Aston Valmere and Selene Aramante…”
Guests murmured softly, their jewels and cufflinks glittering like quiet applause. The sponsors were seated just behind the front pews, The De Larsons from the London trade sector, Mr. and Mrs. Von Aster from Zurich banking, and Ambassador Rowen Chen of Singapore. Every alliance in the room mattered. Every handshake could change the tides of empires.
As the readings were given and the choirs sang, Selene’s smile never wavered. Aston answered when needed, his responses quiet but resolute.
When the priest spoke of loyalty, Aston’s eyes flicked briefly toward his father, and Rionessi Valmere gave a faint nod.
The moment stretched long, ceremonial and cold, until finally, the priest turned to Aston.
“Aston Valmere, do you take Selene Aramante to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
Aston hesitated for just a breath, long enough for Lysander’s brow to furrow. Then his voice came, even but low. “I do.”
Selene smiled triumphantly, her grip tightening on his hand.
“And you, Selene Aramante, do you take Aston Valmere as your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and honor him for all the days of your life?”
Selene tilted her head, her lashes fluttering like a practiced performance. “I do.”
Applause broke out softly, dignified and proper. The choir’s melody rose again, filling the cathedral with angelic harmony. The priest lifted the golden rings, blessing them under the sunlight pouring through the stained glass.
As he handed them over, the tension in the air grew heavier, invisible but palpable. Lysander shifted slightly, his instincts prickling. Casper’s gaze darted to the door once, then back to the couple. Even Rionessi leaned forward, his fingers drumming lightly on his cane.
Something was coming. The priest smiled, holding up the rings once more. “Then, by the power vested in me—”
The cathedral doors burst open.
"STOP!"
A thunderous sound echoed through the grand hall as the guests gasped and turned. The choir fell silent, the violins cutting mid-note. Wind swept through the aisle, scattering rose petals into the air like a storm of white.
A shadow stood at the entrance, fierce, sharp, bold, commanding.
Every eye fixed on the figure as the light from outside spilled around them, blinding and divine. The murmurs grew, “Who is that?” “Is that a coordinator? I can't see because it's against the light,” “What’s happening?”
Selene froze, her face paling beneath her veil. Aston stiffened, his heart seeming to stop. And then the voice rang out, clear, powerful, and trembling with fire.
The word echoed through the cathedral, slamming into the marble pillars, the stained glass, the collective breath of every person inside.
The priest faltered. The guests whispered in alarm.
Lysander’s eyes widened. Casper muttered a curse under his breath. Rionessi rose slowly to his feet, his face unreadable but his gaze sharpened to steel.
Selene’s bouquet slipped slightly in her trembling hands. While aston stopped because he knew that voice.
"Pay for everything you destroyed, Selene Rose Aramante!"