174 Lights, Fireworks, Action

After the wedding, the guest moved to the garden where for the wedding reception.

The greenhouse was constructed with beautiful hand-blown glass by a local artisan.

Inside the greenhouse were large round tables, with six chairs.

A bouquet of pink and white flowers sat as the centerpiece on the tables.

Inside the greenhouse were garlands of flowers and greenery that decorated the interior. The greenhouse looked stately. The building was impeccably decorated.

Charlotte's assertive behavior led to awe-inspiring creation. The greenhouse made guests feel like they had been transported to the fairy realm, Avalon.

Outside the gardeners shaped the shrubbery to resemble two lovers in different posses. It was a beautiful display both inside and out. As the first guests arrived a full orchestra began to play and troubadours began to sing.

After the wedding Cardinal vont Silva, Bishop vont Omar, and the adepts excused themselves.

On Terra wedding reception could become very rowdy, thus Cardinal vont Gaius would always excuse herself after the wedding.

To the guests' great surprise the Royal Family was seated alongside Chief Savage Wolf, King Druker Flameworn, and his bearded queen.

A human, beastman, and dwarf all sat together. It was quite a shock to see.

But, that was only the first surprise of the evening.

Elder Thaddeus and Master Duncan sat with Will's and Elizabeth's parents.

Holo and Lawrence sat with Rupert, Bradley, Kurosawa.

While Will and Elizabeth's siblings had two tables for themselves, their spouses, and children.

In the back, at the last table Miles, Vanessa and Mei sat with their dates.

The orphan flower girls were invited to eat with the servants, which for the girls was a high honor to see the inside of Lady Elizabeth's new abode. Their little hearts burned with a desire to attend a maid training school.

Will, and Elizabeth, after a wardrobe change, sat at a rectangle table by themselves. The table felt empty, everyone sat at a table with guests except themselves.

This awkward tradition was because most marriages, among nobles, were arranged marriages. Sitting alone at the table gave newly married couples, who might've never been introduced before, a chance to get to know one another.

"It was a beautiful ceremony, Viscount vont Ballard," Elizabeth said both dreading and anticipating what came later this evening.

"It was indeed, Viscountess vont Ballard," Will responded.

Then like a lightbulb, Elizabeth realized that her identity had changed. She was now Lady Elizabeth vont Ballard.

Unlike the modern society, where married women could send their surname change to their county's record office. In this medieval society, there was no paperwork to sign. After the wedding, people would address her by her husband's last name.

"Say it again!" Elizabeth said like she was dreaming. How long had she had to wait for this moment? This was a dream come true.

"Say what?" Will asked.

"Call me Viscountess vont Ballard again," Elizabeth smiled broadly.

"You are my beautiful wife Viscountess vont Ballard!" Will said, unsure how she wanted him to say it.

"I love my new name, and I love you!" Elizabeth said.

"I love you as well!" Will said.

Then the couple leaned forward and kissed.

"Save it for tonight, why don't cha!" yelled an already drunk Marcus.

Everyone laughed hearing Marcus' comment.

Only Will knew how wounded Marcus felt at this moment. Marcus had asked Will permission to bring his cherry red lover as his date, which Will approved.

However, when Helen found out that Marcus planned to be a courtesan as his date, she refused. There ensued shouting matches, Helen crying, more shouting, and more Helen crying.

It would not be an understatement to say this was the most important event of Helen's life. To have a child marry the king's niece. Moreover, she developed a strong bond with the duchess and met the queen on three occasions now.

These opportunities were not supposed to exist for a baroness. She could not have this wedding go wrong. Charlotte was not the only momzilla, Helen was as well. But she knew her place and turned her attention to her family.

Therefore, every family member had to act and look above their station. How could Marcus bring a prostitute?

While they did live on the fringe, they were not country bumpkins…at least not anymore.

That was why James and Helen agreed to leave the farm to Jason. They planned to move stay at Will's Yorkshire manor, and live the high society life.

That life was expensive, but Will offered them a small retirement stipend that would ensure a comfortable retreat to city life.

Eventually, Marcus caved after Jason spoke too and that is how we got to the present.

Traditionally, after all the guests were seated, the City Lord gave the first speech. Coincidentally, that responsibly fell to Will the City Lord and groom. Will looked to the royal steward who was appointed to be tonight's crier.

"Quiet! Quiet please," the man shouted getting everyone's attention.

Will stood up and addressed the crowd.

"Greetings everyone! Elizabeth and I would like to thank you for attending our wedding. It's heartwarming to receive so much support. We wish to sincerely thank you for your gifts…and gold," Will said getting a chuckle from the crowd.

"As the person between you and dinner, I won't speak long. But I would be remised if I did not express Elizabeth and my gratitude to our parents and our families. My masters Elder Thaddeus and Master Duncan.

Thank you, Duke and Duchess vont Whitby for allowing me to marry your daughter.

I also want to thank Chief Savage Wolf and King Druker Flamewars for being not just my trading partner, but also allies.

We also want to thank, King Remus Albus Fermion IX and Queen Ashley Maria, for their benevolence.

And although she's not here Elizabeth and I would like to that Cardinal Silvia vont Gaius for performing this morning's rites and this afternoon's declaration. Enjoy the meal," Will said.

Immediately after he sat down, hundreds of servants began serving a 12- course dinner. This dinner was even tastier than last night's and thrice as expensive.

A more exclusive fish and meat were served that could only be imported from the Tribal Lands. High-quality Dwarven wine, beer, and spirits were served. The cheese was imported from Albania. Every food item was extremely delicious and incredibly difficult to source unless purchased in Gadreel through Will's trading partners.

This fact was not lost on anyone. Every guest realized the meal was a statement of economic strength, which no doubt Will would happily sell them…for an uncomfortably high price.

Moreover, the presentation of the food was artistry itself, even though it sat on the dish wear from his Home Debut party.

The guest enjoyed the sumptuous feast. Great food and drink, led to great conversations. People enjoyed the food and drink late until dusk.

As the guests ate and drank, they started to wonder why hadn't the servants hung lanterns. The confused guest began asking each other if Will and Elizabeth wanted to end the party early?

Will saw Charlotte start to develop a nervous tick, at the thought of committing a faux pax being at the wedding. Charlotte looked at Elizabeth not so subtly to have the servants hang lanterns.

After dinner, it was time for speeches. Speeches were done in order of peerage. That meant Baron James vont Ballard, Earl Thaddeus vont Ming, Duke Francis vont Whitby, and finally King Remus Albus Fermion IX.

The weather was comparable to early June on the Earth's Northern Hemisphere. That meant dusk lasted longer.

"Dear son and daughter, I wish to congratulate you on your nuptials. Your mother and I were blessed by heaven to have such wonderful children. William, your mother, and I are happy to see you develop into the man you are today. We're happy you find yourself a fine wife and we wish you and Elizabeth many years of bliss," James finished with roaring applause.

Then Elder Thaddeus stood. For the first time, people saw the damage his affliction had done. The skin was withered and his face was sunken. He looked decrepit and used a cane to stand. Secretly Will empowered his voice with mana. Elder Thaddeus nodded at Will thankfully. Will wanted people to believe his old master could still use mana.

"Not every master has a disciple that reached the Master rank before his 19th birthday!" Elder Thaddeus' shaky voice paused for the gasps.

Some guests looked at Will in fear.

"The old monster raised a new one," said one guest.

"To become a master-ranked mage or knight before twenty was extraordinary," said another.

The kingdom could count on one hand the mages that held that achievement, and two of them were master and disciple at the wedding.

Master Thaddeus reveled in their shook. He liked the look of fear on their faces. How many of them had heard his disciple killed two assassins? How many knew Will's picture hung on the Hall of Worthy?

Elder Thaddeus continued, "Not every master has a disciple that's a graduate of the Knight and Mage Academy." He paused again because that news had not spread entirely either yet.

The more fearful, they looked at Will, the more Elder Thaddeus could die a happy man. His legacy would live on through Will.

"Congratulations disciple, to you and your bride. Keep shocking the world!" Elder Thaddeus said sitting down to the applause.

Next to stand was the Duke. Although it was getting darker it was still possible to see.

"Before I give me speech. Is it possible for the servants to bring out lanterns?" Duke Francis asked on behalf of his wife.

"If your Grace wishes for light, I believe there is a switch near your table. Just simply flip it up," Will instructed. He couldn't believe people had waited this long to ask that question.

"This switch, here…you want me to flip it up?" The Duke said used to Will antics and showmanship. But, he still wondered what would happen.

The Duke switch the switch on, and to his and the guests' amazement over 100 fluorescent bulbs flickered on.

"How beautiful," Elizabeth stood and marveled at the lights.

She was not alone, other guests did the same, they looked at the bulbs in amazement. Some had mouths open wide enough to swallow an egg.

"It's hot. Is this pyromancy?" asked a guest.

"No, this is called electricity. No magic was involved. This was done by engineering. Unlike candles, the light shall only go out when you switch the lights off.

Like a child, the Duke switched the lights on and off again.

"What a majestic surprise!" Duke Francis said speaking for everyone present.

He snapped back to reality when Charlotte pinched him.

"Oh, yes. I have a speech to give. Dearest Elizabeth, your mother and I are so proud to have watched you become the woman you are today. I remember you as a little girl, curious, forthright, and truthful. You never hid your emotions and you always cared for others. Your passion to help others, especially commoners, is something I admire. Your mother and I love and cherish you. We look forward to our grandchildren," the Duke said sitting down to another round of applause.

Then the king stood, and asked the million-dollar question.

"Viscount vont Ballard do you plan to install those lights in your mansion?" the king asked.

"They already are," Will motioned to Michael who gave a signal. At once the entire mansion lit up from the darkness. The beautiful sight blew everyone away. Even the king's eyes widen at the sudden scene.

"Do you plan to install light across the kingdom?" the king asked.

"No majesty, right now I'm m limited Gadreel only. If any nobles living in Gadreel, would like lights installed in their residence, they may see my Senior Clerk Miles in the rear. There's also an installation fee and a monthly subscription," Will said.

"Very well then, I look forward to when the castle may have such luxury," the king said. After seeing the power electricity, he knew he was right to deny Will's earlier request.

"As far as my speech, I'll say this. You are an incredible young man. When I first heard about a Knight Academy cadet that created a game called Reversi, I thought how novel.

Then you proceed to create more games and amass enough wealth to build a cafe, casino, and theatre.

After which you later purchased a General Store from an old Albanian couple.

If that was not impressive enough, I was surprised to learn you spent your first summer break in the Beastmen lands.

After you returned later, your business was well established in the capital. For most adults me that would be a lifetime accomplishment. Yet, you went on later to build a bank.

To have such successes you were blessed by the gods. A fact that later became apparent after your true baptism and meeting with Cardinal vont Gaius.

However you're not only a merchant, knight, and mage…you're also a patriot. Your work during the war was commendable. And from that hard work, I'm standing here today to bid you welcome to the vont Whitby family. I hereby declare you my nephew with privileges and honors," the king said.

A round of applause louder than before erupted. The king had declared Will his family, publicly declaring Will and Elizabeth's children in line to the throne. There was no higher honor.

Will and Elizabeth stood up to bow and graciously thank the king for the honor.

After the announcement, it was time for dancing and gave the chance to stand and mingle. It was a wonderful evening full of cheer. People danced for two hours before Will gave Micheal the signal to speak to the king's steward.

"Excuse me, excuse me please!" the royal steward said. Everyone turned to look at the upright steward.

"Viscount vont Ballard asked everyone to please slowly exit outside," the steward shouted to get everyone's attention and to quiet the orchestra.

Everyone was curious for the reason why, but obeyed. Guests openly wondered if there was a problem with the lights. Or could this be a second surprise, but it would be hard to top the lights.

"Your majesties please have a seat," Will said pointing to three chairs with armrests.

"Micheal turns off the lights," Will yelled.

Soon it was pitch black, and a loud BOOM deafened the sky. The guards immediately surrounded the king thinking expecting an attack.

Soon dazzling fireworks shot into the sky. Beautiful blues, reds, yellows crackled and fizzed in the night sky.

The scene was like a painting. No one expected such rich vivid colors at night. The guests' eyes grew to saucers, not wanting to miss a color.

Elizabeth's eyes were the largest, she had never seen something this beautiful.

Wants the citizens of Gadreel to realize they were not under attack, they marveled at the fireworks display. The busy city stopped for 30 minutes to watch this grand finale at a wedding.

When the display ended and the greenhouse light turned on, Elizabeth and others were crying.

They never expected to see something so marvelous tonight. If this wedding was a reflection on Will, the food, lights, fireworks, and actions made a statement to the kingdom that Will was an undisputed high noble.

After the fireworks display was over, James stood up and announced, "What a fitting way to send the couple off. Let the bedding ceremony begin!"