Chapter 35

We went over positions for everyone and the order of our entrances. It was somewhat like Angela’s and Roger’s wedding with much “pomp and circumstance.” It would be a pretty wedding. I noticed a good contingent of the Royal Guard covering the entrance.

King Marcus would escort his daughter down the aisle. He and I were standing together for a moment. “Jar, it’s a little more elaborate than yours but not by much. I hope it will go off as well.” He looked at the bulge at my back. “I see that Berthold has equipped you.”

“Yes, Sire. He’s trying to cover all the bases. Jam has a pistol as does my friend, Mo. Like Jam, she knows how to use a pistol. She might be more accurate with one than I am.”

All was quiet as we learned our places. We assembled after a couple of practice runs to go to the dining hall for a banquet. I remembered that we would toast the couple at the dinner. We were seated. Jam was next to me. Charles was next to his son on one side and me on the other.

We were served. He noticed the pistols that Jam and I were wearing. “Jar, are you ready for trouble?”

“Yes, Sir. Berthold figures there is a low likelihood but he believes in being prepared. It’s good.” He nodded.

It came my turn to deliver the Matron of Honor’s toast. I said, “I met Anna on a visit to Georgia. We became friends and I watched her with Mason. I saw that they were greatly in love. They still are.” There was a slight laugh. “I think that’s good. To my friend, Anna, may your marriage be long and happy.

It was Jam’s turn since he was the Best Man. He said, “I’ve known Mason since middle school. We’ve been friends that long. I remember him telling me even then about this beautiful princess. In college, we were roommates with Prince Roger and another guy. She attended the same college and I felt then that they were well-matched. Time has only brought them closer. I will be glad to see my old friend marry his beautiful princess.” He lifted his glass toward Mason.

Charles and King Marcus stood together. King Marcus said, “Charles and I have been friends since our college days when we were roommates.”

Charles then spoke, “I knew Marcus’ father and was here when my friend assumed the throne. Our children became friends. As time went on, they have fallen in love. Tomorrow, we shall celebrate their marriage.”

King Marcus said, “I am looking forward to presenting my daughter to my friend’s son in marriage.” He raised his glass with that of Charles toward their children.

At that point, the toasts were over as was the banquet. Gradually, everyone left for their various places. Jam and I went to our sitting room. We were soon joined by three other couples. Roger was last in the door with Angela so he went out and grabbed a chair from the sitting room across the hall. Angela sat in his lap. Everyone looked happy.

I particularly enjoyed sitting in my husband’s lap and occasionally whispering naughty things in his ear and feeling his response. Later, we all went to our beds and he made me very happy. I think I did him.

In the morning, we woke up happy. We showered together and then dressed. We were informal and had our pistols buckled at our backs. We would change clothes after lunch for the wedding.

We walked around in the garden after breakfast. I noticed another couple there, also. Mo and Bert were walking closely. I thought that good. I also noticed that both were wearing pistols. That confirmed to me that Bert had serious concerns.

With very little help from Jam, we steered toward them. We met. I said, “Bert, have you heard anything else?”

“No. It worries me. I think you have a term for it that ‘the silence is deafening.’ The timing and everything worries me.”

Jam nodded. “We understand. We’ll be armed and ready if trouble starts.’

Bert said, “Please make your priority safeguarding the King, Prince and Princess. They will be the real targets. That would make an attempt successful even if all the attackers were killed.”

We nodded. I responded. “We’ll be ready.”

After a while, we went in for lunch. Once finished, the ladies gathered to dress. Mo was with us at Anna’s request. Mo and I brought our pistols with us. We dressed and put our pistols at the small of our backs. They weren’t invisible but you did have to look to see them. Mo looked at me. “Jar, do you really think there may be a problem?”

“I don’t know. I think Bert is concerned about timing and the fact that there is no information coming from the French. I will accept his concerns and be prepared. I know he hopes nothing happens but being prepared is better than being surprised.”

She nodded. She also looked lovely. Angela and I were wearing matching dresses for the procession. Anna was resplendent in her white dress. We had ten minutes before we would gather at the entrance of the church.

One of the ladies in the Royal Guard knocked on our door softly. “Ladies, it’s time. Your Grace, it’s quiet.” I nodded as did Mo hearing that news.

We assembled in order to walk down the aisle. Angela led off. I followed her. King Marcus took his daughter’s arm and they made their way down the aisle to the altar. Everything went off perfectly. At the end Princess Anna and Mason were wed. As they kissed, they looked very happy.

The recession of the group went off well with my husband giving me his arm. At the narthex, we gathered before returning for pictures. There was a court photographer who took the pictures. From Angela’s and Roger’s wedding, I had noticed he was good. I asked him to take one of Jam and I for us to have. He was glad to perform that task. He said, “Your Grace, I will print one but can also send it to you by email so you and your husband may print more.”