Chapter 391: The Bride
Inside the Baker family’s main hall, eunuchs placed the sedan chairs.
Elin, dressed in red ceremonial clothes, came out of the fragrant chamber.
With maids supporting her, she slowly entered the sedan and lowered the curtain.
Hughes stood outside, greeting officials with a bright smile.
More officials came than at his eldest daughter’s wedding to the Crown Prince, a great honor.
At the auspicious time, the sedan chairs lifted and headed toward Simon’s mansion.
Inside the sedan, Elin wept bitterly.
This was the last time she’d see her family for who knows how long. Married far away in Brambleford, with no relatives nearby, she felt sad and lonely.
Though Prince Simon had a great reputation, she didn’t really know him; naturally, she felt nervous and scared.
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With the sound of drums and music, the imperial guards slowly marched forward.
Eldora wasn’t a big city, and the Baker family home was not far from Simon’s mansion. Walking down the straight street, Elin’s group gradually arrived at Prince Simon’s mansion.
By now, most of the guests who came to congratulate and drink had already gathered. The sound of drums outside made Simon realize Elin was about to arrive.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites immediately got busy. From the engagement banquet to the wedding ceremony, the Ministry handled everything, saving Simon a lot of trouble.
The bridal sedan chair soon arrived and was set down. The guards and honor guards stopped and withdrew; their job was done.
Following the guidance of Ministry officials, the accompanying female attendants lifted the pearl curtain and helped Elin out of the sedan. They slowly led her into the prepared bridal chamber.
Ysabeau and Joan were already waiting outside the bridal room and followed inside to serve. Both smiled, knowing their place, just maids, with no right to compete with the bride.
They were happy that Simon married a virtuous and well-bred lady like Elin. If she had been a fierce woman, their lives might have been difficult. "The Lady has arrived. Let the banquet begin!"
As soon as Elin entered the bridal room, a Ministry official shouted. According to castle rules, a prince’s wedding required sixty banquet tables.
At the signal, maids brought out delicious dishes. These cooks came from the imperial kitchen.
After all the fuss, with Elin finally inside the mansion, Simon finally relaxed.
Though he wanted to enter the bridal room and talk to Elin, he couldn’t ignore his guests.
He had to move from one table to another, politely toasting with tea instead of wine.
Surprisingly, besides many lords from the regional principalities, several of his brothers were also there: the Second Prince, Third Prince, and all other princes in the capital.
Perhaps the blood oath made the princes cautious and paused their fights.
The banquet lasted two hours before guests gradually left.
The noisy mansion quieted down, and Simon sighed heavily.
Though weddings were complicated, he was happy. In his past life, he had been alone.
Now, having a family was a kind of compensation, though in a strange new world.
Most importantly, eating and drinking alone was not the same as sharing life with another.
When Elin stepped in, he suddenly felt a new sense of responsibility.
A responsibility to a family.
"Your Highness, the remaining rituals will be prepared by the two matrons left behind. We will take our leave."
The three Ministry officials bowed to Simon.
Simon nodded. Seeing their excitement, he said. "Thank you all. Here’s some wedding money; please don’t refuse it."
Wedding celebrations were the Ministry of Rites’ favorite times, as they were clean government offices that rarely got bribes except on such occasions.
One official accepted the silver note, a thousand caps, and smiled broadly. "Thank you, Your Highness. Whatever you need in the future, just say the word."
Simon smiled and nodded, sending the officials out.
"Your Highness, it’s late. You should see your bride now."
After the officials left, the two matrons gently spoke.
Because the wedding night rituals were not suitable for men, the matrons took over.
Hearing this, Simon chuckled. He looked at the bridal room; this was his rightful wife.
Led by the matrons, he entered the room.
The bridal chamber was bright with red candles. Elin sat upright on the bed’s edge.
Her hands rested on her knees. The red bridal veil and golden crown on her hair gave her a radiant, jewel-like appearance.
"Your Highness, it’s time to lift the veil."
One matron smiled and handed Simon a scepter, signaling him to lift the veil.
Taking the Scepter, Simon felt both anticipation and nervousness. He wondered what Elin looked like. They didn’t know each other at all; it was awkward.
"Come on, Your Highness." The matrons giggled, covering their mouths.
Simon didn’t reply but looked at Elin.
He noticed she was tense; her hands clenched tightly on her knees.
"Damn old traditions." Simon thought with mixed pain and joy. He bravely lifted the veil.
The red veil slowly slid off Elin’s head, revealing flowing black hair, delicate eyebrows, large, lively eyes, a slender nose, and rosy lips—a face like a beautiful ink painting.
"A smile that charms all, leaving beauties pale." Simon thought to himself.
Having seen many beauties in the castle and in his past life, Elin was among the finest, and she had a natural gentle temperament.
"The Lady is truly a rare beauty. Your Highness is very lucky." The matrons congratulated her.
Simon and Elin exchanged glances, studying each other as if to memorize the other’s face.
The matrons shared a look and smiled. "Your Highness, My Lady, there are still rituals to complete. Without them, it would be unlucky. After these, we will leave so as not to disturb your happy time."
These matrons were seasoned veterans who could say anything.
Their blunt words made both Simon and Elin blush, as if a matchmaker suggested rushing to intimacy on a first meeting.
Clearing his throat, Simon said. "Thank you, matrons, please proceed."
The matrons performed the rituals: tying the ceremonial robe, eating dates, sharing wine cups, and more.
After half an hour of these tedious rites, they finished.
Simon asked Joan to tip the matrons. Then the matrons left.
Ysabeau, Joan, and Elin’s maid Kobe also left, leaving Simon and Elin alone on the bed’s edge.
The room was awkward. Elin lowered her head; Simon stared at the ceiling.
After a while, Simon cleared his throat to break the silence. Women in the Eldorian Empire were very conservative, so he had to take the initiative.
"My Lady, it’s late. You should rest now."
Simon didn’t know how he had said that so shamelessly, and felt very embarrassed.