Chapter 19: Kiss the bride
Ruelle’s breath came in shallow gasps as she ran through the narrow streets, clutching the front of her dress with her feet pounding against the cobblestones. She could feel the loose strands of hair that had slipped free from her bun whipping wildly in the wind, brushing against her flushed cheeks. She was worried of being too late to witness her sister’s wedding ceremony.
"Not much further," Ruelle whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of her footsteps and the rustling of her dress.
When she caught sight of the walls of the church, a smile spread across her lips. She could hear the priest’s voice echo faintly from within the church, carrying the words of the ceremony. As she approached, she noticed two men standing by the entrance, who turned to seemingly leave. Slipping past them, she finally reached the doorway, quickly spotting Caroline and Mr. Henley standing at the altar.
Ruelle’s hand instinctively reached to grasp the doorframe as she heaved for air.
Mr. Belmont stood to the side near the altar with a composed expression, while his wife’s eyes kept darting between the entrance, the altar, and then the guests, offering polite smiles. But then, her eyes caught sight of Ruelle, and her posture tensed. She tried to hide her fidgety fingers behind the bouquet she had temporarily taken from Caroline.
When Ruelle’s eyes met her mother’s stern gaze, she understood the silent command—a quick jerk of her mother’s head, signalling her to step aside. Bowing in acknowledgement, she quietly slipped inside, keeping close to the wall to avoid drawing attention to herself.
"And now, if you would exchange the rings," the priest’s voice drifted through the air.
From her distant position, Ruelle watched as Ezekiel lifted Caroline’s hand and slid the ring onto her finger. Then it was Caroline’s turn. She momentarily fumbled, the weight of the ring heavy in her grasp, before managing to place it onto Ezekiel’s hand.
Ruelle heard the priest speak once again, "Do you, Mr. Ezekiel Henley, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"