Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 93: The Wedding, Part I

Chapter 93: The Wedding, Part I

"Now, everything is ready, Your Highness."

Bella announced with a sense of accomplishment, her hands delicately adjusting the flowing veil that cascaded from AIdeen’s beautiful silver tiara. With precision, she made final tweaks to the sleeves of the wedding dress before stepping back, her gaze filled with admiration.

"I wish you could see it, My Lady! It’s so breathtakingly beautiful that I can hardly contain my emotions," Bella confessed, her sincerity evident in her voice.

The princess’s lips curled into a smile at the maid’s genuine display of emotion.

"I must agree. I’ve seen... well, I suppose I can say it now. I’ve seen this dress before, and it truly is astonishingly beautiful."

However, Bella couldn’t help but politely disagree with such a modest remark.

"No, Your Highness, it’s not just the dress that is beautiful, but the person who wears it," Bella insisted earnestly, her voice filled with conviction. "Let me say it again. The dress is astonishing indeed, but it’s you who makes it so unforgettably stunning."

Aideen couldn’t help but smile once more, her cheeks flushing with a fresh shade of pinkish blush.

She turned to her right, facing the mirror, her gaze intent on capturing the moment. Despite her ability to cloak herself with mana, she longed to see her own reflection. What good was magic if it couldn’t grant her that simple pleasure? The inability to see herself was a constant ache, yet she found solace in admiring the beauty of those around her.

’I wish someone could paint a picture of us today," she mused silently, "Then I could infuse my mana into it and cherish it forever. I don’t want to forget even the tiniest detail of this day. I mustn’t forget.’

As the princess found herself ensnared in silent regrets, Bella meticulously adjusted her lady’s veil once more before stepping back, releasing a sigh of disappointment. She shook her head gently as she lamented,

"It’s a shame we have no children here to hold your veil, My Lady."

"That’s quite alright, Bella. I don’t think it really matters. Nobody will see it but us," Aideen reassured her maid.

However, Bella remained resolute in her determination.

"No, Your Highness, everything must be in order! And though this may not be the ideal solution, I’ve actually devised something to rectify this unfortunate situation."

As soon as she uttered those words, Bella let out a sharp whistle, the sound echoing through the room and prompting the door to Aideen’s bedroom to swing open, inviting in the familiar light footsteps.

Surprised by the unexpected arrival of such guests, the princess arched her elegant eyebrows, her voice laced with both excitement and bewilderment as she exclaimed,

"Lord Wiggles and Lord Giggles?!"

Indeed, the Doberman siblings happily strode towards the lady, their natural black and brown tuxedos now accompanied by a festive touch of black bowties adorning their necks instead of their usual collars.

Initially at a loss for words at the unprecedented sight, Aideen soon found herself consumed by a crashing wave of joy. She clapped her hands together and burst into laughter.

"Goodness, Bella! They’re wearing bowties!"

Genuinely relieved that her lady did not find fault in her actions, Bella released a soft chuckle, giving each dog a praising scratch behind their ears.

"Well, they are noble gentlemen, too! And that is precisely why they will be holding your veil during the ceremony!"

"Pardon? The dogs?" Aideen’s concern grew slightly, but the maid rushed to offer her reassurance.

"Oh, do not worry, Your Highness! They have been properly trained! Sir Stanis and I have trained them using a piece of tulle. They are quite smart students; they’ve learned to hold it properly very fast!"

The princess couldn’t help but laugh again. It was a wonderful feeling –– everybody was involved; even Tillian’s dogs were part of her wedding, and an important part at that! The ceremony had not even started yet, but she was already filled with all-consuming joy.

It was magical. Just like she had always dreamed.

Bella stepped aside again, allowing herself another moment of admiration. Her lady’s beauty was something she had never imagined witnessing in her life.

Then, with a brief gesture of her hand, she commanded the dogs to take the veil. Once they executed that little order perfectly, she smiled and said,

"Well, Your Highness... It is finally the time for you to truly become a Valentine."

Aideen took a deep breath to soothe her soaring emotions and nodded, following the maid as she led the princess outside her bedroom.

Struggling with her relentless feelings of both anxiety and excitement, the young woman failed to notice the direction they were heading until it finally dawned on her –– they were descending the stairs, right toward the greenhouse!

"Bella?" Aideen slowed down, completely perplexed. "Why are we going to the greenhouse? Isn’t the ceremony in the tower where Ahspid lives?"

Without turning around, Bella scoffed in a rather condescending manner before explaining,

"Goodness, My Lady! How can we allow such a beautiful bride to get married in a dusty and cold tower? His Grace wanted your wedding ceremony to be magical, and the greenhouse is the best place for that! You’ll see!"

The princess was still confused by such a choice of venue, although she had to agree that the greenhouse, even with the limited view she got every time she stepped inside it, was literally a place filled with magic.

"Ever since Tillian introduced me to this place, I have only visited it twice to talk to my mother and share my inner feelings with her... She will be there too. My mother will be at my wedding too. He knew I would love it that way, and he was considerate enough to make it happen. Thank you, Your Grace."

At last, standing before the doors of the greenhouse, Bella placed her hands on the cold round handles and asked,

"We are finally here, Your Highness. Are you ready?"

With another deep inhale, Aideen nodded her head and replied,

"Yes. I am ready."

These were the most confident words she had ever said.