The sun shone brightly on the day of Rolan and Christina's wedding, casting a warm glow on the magnificent Catherine Palace of the Ruthenian Empire. The palace stood tall and proud, a true masterpiece of baroque architecture, with its white and gold façade gleaming in the light.
As the guests arrived, they were ushered into the palace's grand ballroom, which was decorated with a stunning array of floral arrangements and chandeliers. The room was filled with the fragrance of roses, lilies, and other fresh flowers, their petals arranged in intricate patterns to form a stunning display of natural beauty.
At the end of the ballroom was a raised altar, adorned with ornate carvings and gold leaf. Above the altar, a large painting of the Madonna and Child looked down upon the wedding ceremony, its soft colors complementing the gold accents of the room.
As the wedding party entered, the guests rose to their feet, and a hush fell over the room. Christina, looked stunning in her flowing white gown, adorned with delicate pearls and intricate lace. Her veil cascaded down her back, and her hair was elegantly styled in a loose bun. As she walked, her steps guided by her beaming brother, Alexander, she held her head high, radiating confidence and beauty.
The guests watched in awe as Christina made her way toward the altar, her dress trailing behind her in a gentle sway. Her eyes were fixed on her groom, Rolan, who stood waiting for her at the end of the aisle with a look of pure adoration on his face.
Rolan, dressed in a fine black suit, waited at the altar, his eyes fixed on Christina. His heart was filled with love and anticipation, and he could hardly contain his joy as he watched his bride approach.
The wedding between Christina and Rolan was private, meaning that the public had no idea that the Grand Duchess of the Ruthenia Empire was going to marry a man of humble background. The only guests at this wedding are the Ruthenia Empire's top officials in the government and Alexander's family.
As Christina reached the altar, her brother stepped back and took his place among the guests. Rolan took Christina's hand and looked into her eyes, his own filled with adoration and love.
The priest walked up to the altar with quiet grace, his steps muffled by the plush carpet that lined the aisle. He was an older man, with a kind face and gentle eyes that crinkled at the corners as he smiled at the couple. He wore a simple black cassock, embroidered with delicate gold crosses that glimmered in the light. His white hair was neatly combed, and a pair of round spectacles perched on his nose, giving him an air of wisdom and dignity.
"Are you ready to commence the ceremony?" he asked softly, looking at the couple. His voice was warm and comforting, like a familiar old friend, and it put them at ease. Rolan squeezed Christina's hand, and they nodded in unison, their eyes locked on each other.
"Yes, we are ready," Rolan replied, his voice steady and clear. The priest smiled at them once more before turning to face the guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Christina Romanoff, the Grand Duchess of the Ruthenia Empire, and Rolan Makarov. They have chosen to unite their lives in holy matrimony, and it is my great honor to officiate this sacred ceremony." His voice echoed through the ballroom, filling it with a sense of reverence and solemnity.
The priest took a deep breath and continued, "Marriage is a holy union, a covenant between two souls who love each other deeply and wish to share their lives together. It is a promise to be each other's support, to cherish each other, and to love each other unconditionally. And so, as we witness the union of Christina and Rolan, we ask for the blessing of God, that their union may be one of love, peace, and joy."
The priest turned to Christina and Rolan and asked, "Do you, Christina, take Rolan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"
Christina looked deeply into Rolan's eyes and replied, "I do."
The priest then turned to Rolan and asked, "And do you, Rolan, take Christina to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"
Rolan looked at Christina with a smile, his heart filled with love and happiness, and replied, "I do."
The priest nodded and said, "Then by the power vested in me by the Church and the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Rolan lifted Christina's veil and leaned in to kiss her, their lips meeting in a gentle yet passionate embrace. The guests erupted into applause and cheers, as the couple held each other tightly, lost in the moment. The kiss was more than just a simple gesture of love, it was a declaration of their commitment to each other, a promise to share their lives together in all its ups and downs.
As they pulled away from the kiss, Christina looked up at Rolan, her eyes shining with tears of joy. They both knew that their love was true and strong and that together they could face anything that life threw their way.
The priest smiled at them, his eyes twinkling with happiness, and said, "May God bless your union and grant you a lifetime of love, joy, and peace."
Christina and Rolan smiled at each other, their hands clasped together, as they walked down the aisle, Christina's sisters approached her.
"Congratulations, sister," Anastasia was the first one to speak. "How envious, I hope I get to find a man like Rolan."
Christina hugged her sister tightly, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. "Thank you, Anastasia," she said, her voice choked with tears. "I'm so glad you could be here to share this moment with me."
Tiffania stepped forward and gave Christina a warm hug. "I'm so happy for you, sister," she said with a smile.
Christina smiled, feeling grateful for her sister's kind words. "Thank you, Tiffania."
Tiffania's gaze flickered at Rolan, her face turning scary. "Mr. Makarov, should you dare and try to make my sister sad you will…"
Rolan's smile faltered slightly at Tiffania's words, but he maintained his composure. "I promise to do everything in my power to make Christina happy and to never cause her any sadness. And besides, your brother's threat is already enough for me and I don't think I can take yours either," he chuckled.
Tiffania nodded, her expression softening. "Good."
Christina smiled gratefully at her sister, feeling blessed to have such a supportive family.
Lastly, her brother, Alexander, his wife, Sophie, and their two children, Andrei and Anya walked up to them.
Alexander embraced his sister tightly. "Congratulations," he said with a smile. "I'm so happy for you."
Sophie hugged Christina next. "You look stunning," she said, admiring Christina's dress.
Andrei and Anya, Christina's niece and nephew, ran up to her and hugged her legs. "Auntie Christina, you look like a princess!" Anya exclaimed.
Christina chuckled and ruffled their hair. "Thank you, my sweethearts. You both look so handsome and beautiful today!"
Rolan watched the family interact with Christina, feeling happy that she had such a loving family. He knew how important they were to her, and he was determined to make sure they all approved of him as well.
Alexander also watched as this wholesome moment was unfolding before him. This was one of his goals before ending his reign as the Emperor of the Ruthenia Empire. And now that it's one goal completed, there's only one thing that he needed to do. And that is, sending a man to the moon.
