The Prince's Arranged Marriage
Chapter 60: A Night of Celebration

Chapter 60: A Night of Celebration

The carriage rolled through the grand gates of Valtoria Palace as twilight melted into a canopy of starlit velvet. Torches flickered along the drive, their warm glow reflecting off the polished marble walls. Footmen in gleaming silver-and-blue livery flanked the royal carriage, and as its doors opened, guests pressed eagerly forward to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds. Lucien and Alexander stepped out together—Lucien in his cobalt coat and crisp white cravat, Alexander in midnight blue and silver—and the crowd erupted into applause that echoed off the palace walls.

Inside the entrance hall, banners of Veridia and Avaloria draped the vaulted ceilings. Flowers—white lilies interwoven with golden roses—quilted the staircases and archways. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen starlight over polished marble floors, and subtle footmen shifted quietly between clusters of guests, offering flutes of sparkling wine and delicate hors d’oeuvres. The air shimmered with soft string music as the wedding reception began.

Lucien paused for a moment on the top step of the grand staircase, linking arms with Alexander. They shared a brief, private smile before descending into a sea of congratulatory handshakes and murmured blessings. Nobles from both kingdoms—dukes and duchesses, marquesses and marquesses, high-ranking diplomats—lined the stairway, their attire a luxurious tapestry of deep velvets, brocades, and intricate embroidery. Each newcomer pressed forward to greet the princes, offering gifts wrapped in rich silks or presented on polished trays.

A tableau emerged as they reached the bottom of the stairs. To their left, King Christopher and Queen Alicia of Veridia welcomed well-wishers with proud smiles. To their right, King Theron and Queen Lyra of Avaloria did the same. Elara hovered nearby, serving as Lucien’s anchor amid the flurry, her gentle presence a reminder of family warmth. The press—eager to capture every moment—hovered at the edges but were politely contained behind velvet ropes, allowed only glances through the glittering crowd.

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As the princes and their parents made their way toward the main ballroom, guests stepped forward with tokens of congratulations:

A gilded manuscript from the Veridian royal scriptorium, bound in leather and inscribed with prayers for unity. King Christopher received it with a nod, later gifting a portion of its verses to both princes as a symbolic gesture.

A set of Avalorian crystal goblets, hand-blown and etched with silver griffins, presented by a delegation of Avalorian merchants. Queen Lyra toasted the craftsmanship, and the goblets were placed on a sideboard for future celebrations.

A handcrafted Veridian tapestry, depicting the double-eagle crest entwined with Avaloria’s silver griffin, offered by a consortium of Veridian weavers. Lucien was visibly moved as he unrolled the tapestry, its vibrant threads capturing the dawn sky and the two kingdoms’ verdant fields.

An ornate silver casket containing the rarest Altherian honey and spiced pastries, presented by a coalition of Altherian ambassadors. The gift elicited murmurs of delight, as Altheria’s honey festival had become renowned for its sweet delicacies.

A donation pledge to a new joint Veridia-Avaloria scholarship fund, announced by a group of noble educators. It was a gift of promise—a plan to bring students from both kingdoms together for study, ensuring the union fostered not only political but cultural and intellectual exchange.

Each gift was accompanied by applause, embraces, and lingering bows of reverence. Lucien and Alexander thanked every donor, their voices ringing clear and joyful. Elara moved beside them, helping to manage the flow of guests and to ensure no one was overlooked. By the time the final gift—a small, intricately carved music box from Riverbend’s artistic guild—was presented, the princes were surrounded by a warm glow of celebration.

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The main ballroom lay beyond a pair of massive oak doors carved with scenes of Avaloria’s historic victories and Veridia’s legendary hunts. As the doors opened, guests gasped at the breathtaking sight within. The hall was transformed:

Long banquet tables of polished mahogany ran the length of the hall, covered in pristine white linens edged with gold trim. Centerpieces of intertwined roses and lilies rose above silver candelabras.

Each place setting featured polished silverware, Veridian porcelain plates with Avalorian heraldry at the center, and personalized name cards—each a small work of calligraphy art.

Tens of crystal chandeliers glowed above, their prisms scattering light like a cascade of stars. Subtle uplighting on the walls highlighted the gilded murals and stone reliefs.

A full orchestra sat in a raised alcove, strings and woodwinds poised to perform a selection of Ancerian waltzes and Veridian folk dances.

Lucien and Alexander led the procession to the raised dais at the far end of the hall, flanked by their parents. King Christopher and Queen Alicia took seats closest to the dais on Lucien’s side, while King Theron and Queen Lyra sat beside Alexander. The head table was a symbol of unity itself: the two princes in the center, with each set of parents on either side, their chairs angled inward to face the guests and each other.

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The first course arrived swiftly. Platters of smoked Riverbend trout garnished with lemon-thyme and truffle-scented Avalorian mushroom were paired with chilled Veridian rosé and Avalorian white. As guests sampled the delicate flavors, servers circulated with trays of miniature Altherian honey-glazed pheasant and Falcorean citrus tarts.

Wine flowed from both kingdoms’ finest vineyards. A Veridian burgundy, robust and full-bodied, complemented an Avalorian sparkling elderflower wine, light and effervescent. Toasts were prepared in honor of the union—and of each course, a small flourish to accompany the artistry of the cuisine.

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At the conclusion of the first course, the room hushed for the formal toasts. Master of Ceremonies Lord Armand de Silverwood rose from his seat at the head table, tapping his spoon gently on his glass of elderflower wine.

"Lords and ladies, noble guests and honored friends," he began, voice resonant. "Today we celebrate not only the union of two fine princes but the beautiful tapestry that binds Veridia and Avaloria in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. Please join me in toasting our young princes: to Lucien and Alexander—may your hearts forever guide your reigns."

Glasses lifted; voices echoed "To Lucien and Alexander!" in a harmonious swell of support.

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King Christopher rose next, his normally grave expression softened by paternal warmth. He tapped his wine glass of deep Veridian burgundy.

"My son, Lucien, has always borne the weight of Veridia’s hopes with dignity beyond his years. Today, he stands not only as my heir but as a partner to Alexander—an exceptional man who has shown Lucien compassion, courage, and unwavering honor. Let us toast to their future: may they strengthen our kingdoms, and may their bond be as enduring as the hills of Veridia."

He raised his glass. "To Lucien and Alexander!"

Glass chimed, voices followed—"To Lucien and Alexander!"

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Queen Alicia rose with gentle poise, her sapphire pendant glittering against her gown. Her voice was soft but carried.

"In my boy’s eyes, I see both Veridia’s history and its promise of renewal. Today, he gains not only a husband but a partner in Alexander, whose heart matches his own in strength and kindness. May your union be a source of hope for all who look to you. May you lead with compassion, wisdom, and joy."

She lifted her glass of Avalorian white wine. "To Lucien and Alexander!"

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King Theron stood next, his heraldic sash gleaming. His voice boomed with regal authority tempered by genuine warmth.

"From the day Alexander met Lucien, he recognized a kindred spirit—one forged in adversity and refined by duty. Today, we welcome Lucien not only as our prince but as Alexander’s equal, united in purpose and heart. May your shared reign be marked by strength, unity, and the prosperity that only true partnership can bring."

He raised his goblet. "To Lucien and Alexander!"

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Queen Lyra rose last, her tone elegant and resonant. "As queen, I have been honored to guide Alexander through his journey. Today, I am honored to stand beside him as he pledges his heart to Lucien. May your love be an example to all, that even in the grand tapestry of politics and duty, the threads of affection and respect are just as vital."

She raised her glass of sweet Veridian mead. "To Lucien and Alexander!"

The orchestra struck a jubilant chord, and the guests erupted into applause. The band transitioned into a soft waltz, and the orchestral strings invited the princes to the dance floor.

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Lucien and Alexander stepped onto the polished marble floor, hands clasped. As the orchestra’s first notes of the opening waltz filled the hall, they glided into step. Guests watched in quiet admiration as the young couple moved with surprising grace, their bodies echoing the harmony they had found in each other’s company.

Behind them, Elara and Alexander’s sister-in-law partnered for the second dance, laughter and whispered banter swirling around them. Soon, other couples—knights and ladies, nobles and diplomats—filled the floor, as Avalorian elegance blended seamlessly with Veridian fervor.

Between dances, servers offered trays of chocolate-dipped Veridian strawberries, Avalorian honey-poached pears, and miniature almond cakes infused with elderflower. The hall filled with the mingled scents of fruit, honey, and rosewater.

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Amid the formalities, Lucien found moments to slip away with Alexander. He drifted by the terrace doors, stepping out into the cool night air alongside his husband. The palace gardens glowed beneath moonlight, and the distant laughter and music created a gentle backdrop.

"I can’t believe how perfect it feels," Lucien whispered, gazing at Alexander’s profile. "I never thought I’d find joy in a wedding once arranged for politics."

Alexander smiled, brushing a kiss against Lucien’s temple. "Politics may have set the stage, but our hearts wrote the story. I love you, Lucien."

Lucien’s chest tightened with happiness. "And I love you," he replied, pressing a soft kiss to Alexander’s lips.

They lingered for a moment before rejoining the festivities, renewed in the knowledge that their union was no longer merely symbolic, but genuinely embraced by both their hearts.

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As the evening drew near its end, the final dance—an exuberant folk reel drawn from Veridian tradition—brought every guest to their feet. Musicians played with vibrant energy, and couples whirled in spirited circles. The joyous roar of laughter and singing filled the grand hall, echoing off its gilded walls.

At last, the master of ceremonies announced the conclusion of the reception. "To Lucien and Alexander—may your union shine brighter than any star over Veridia or Avaloria!" he declared, raising his glass one final time.

Guests lifted their goblets in a resounding toast. "To Lucien and Alexander!"

Amid the final applause, Lucien felt a quiet tremor of nerves alongside his elation. He had navigated the pomp and ceremony, felt the warmth of his people’s support, and shared sacred vows with Alexander. But now, as the crowd began to thin and servants prepared for the carriage’s return to the palace, a new question curled in his mind:

*Tonight... our first night as husbands. What will that be like?*

He exchanged a glance with Alexander, whose reassuring smile sparked both comfort and a fresh flutter of anticipation. Arm in arm, they made their way toward the awaiting carriages, the soft night air filled with the echo of celebration and the promise of new beginnings.

As they stepped into the carriage—surrounded once more by well-wishers and flickering torchlight—Lucien took a final, steadying breath. The path ahead was unknown, but he had found something more valuable than any throne or treaty: the trust and affection of the man beside him. And in that knowledge, he found the courage to face whatever dawn would bring.

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