Chapter 170 - Duchess Of Marduque

Stacey stared at herself in the mirror. She's wearing this silver wedding dress. It's like a wedding ball gown. It's also heavy and since she gained a little weight they have to adjust it. Still, she looked curvy. 

"Here's your necklace madam." The handmaiden that extended the box to the Butler. She stared at it for a while as it was put on her. It's also quite heavy but beautiful as it shines on her neck. She gasped at the beauty and then the earrings didn't look heavy at all. 

"Wow!" Victoria clapped her hands. "You are so beautiful." 

Victoria reached her camera from Pauline as she started taking photos of her as a real photographer. Stacey smiled at the camera while Kaisley was also taking photos using her Polaroid. Although they have a professional photographer and videographer. 

"Don't worry, you'll have a fine wedding, probably grander than this," Stacey said and turned to her best friend. "I want to have photos with my friends," Stacey told the photographer. 

Stacey already had great photos with Victoria, Harriet, and Kaisley. However, she still felt a little uneasy because her mother wasn't there on the very special day, not even her father. But they said that they would catch up. 

"Your grace," the maid came up. "Your mother is here." 

She felt a big hope as she turned to the door. Then, her stylish photographer and videographer were escorted by Butler Reinheart outside. Then, after a few moments, a woman in a ruby dress and hat with a face net entered. 

It wasn't her mother but Maverick's mother. She must have probably heard that her mother hasn't arrived yet. They curtsied but she raised her hand not to. 

"Mom," Stacey smiled. 

"I'm sorry, dear. Your parents haven't arrived yet. Do you want to delay it a little?" 

"No." Stacey shook her head and clenched her fist. "Let's go there on time. I don't mind if they didn't make it." 

Vanessa approached her as she reached her hands. 

"Duchess, you should be strong and fierce. You have me to be your mom." 

Stacey has been neglected by her mother. She knew that she was born to be sold off to rich men. But she worked hard until she bought a house for her to stay in and a car. She doesn't want to be sold off to any rich man. She wanted to be with the man she loves, and she doesn't care if it was a beggar as long as he loves her. 

Vanessa removed her hat as Butler Reinheart took it. Butler Reinheart had a camera of his own and took photos of them together. Then, the girls stepped away to have Vanessa and Stacey a photo of their own. 

The ringing of bells in the cathedral could be heard from the castle and all over the city. She's already inside her car instead of the carriage. She liked it better than the carriage. She'll have privacy although there were a lot of people lining up on the side. 

Inside the car is Victoria, her best friend who was always there for her. 

"I'm sorry that your parents aren't here." She mumbled. 

Stacey indeed felt hurt, sad and disappointed. 

"They never approved of Maverick after he was known to be my houseboy. But I guess it's better that way. My family is despicable. It's better that way." She whispered. 

"Hey," Victoria smiled. "Your parents are not as bad as mine. They still care for you." 

"Well, I somehow grew up without a parent."Stacey exhaled and reached her chest. "I feel quite nervous that I couldn't sleep last night." 

"Hey, you will be tied up to Mave." 

She giggled at what Victoria said. She will be indeed tied up to Mave and will become a Duchess of Marduque along with the cities around it. 

"Hey, we will be a family," Victoria said. "You have a great mother-in-law. She likes you very much and I am sure that she will do everything to protect you." 

People already gathered inside and Victoria came out first as she helped Stacey. More people helped Kaisley with her dress. She also has a long veil and a beautiful tiara. 

Stacey held Victoria's hand and pouted. 

"Hey, you have to walk on your own, or do you want Butler Reinheart or probably Butler Paul." 

"Butler Paul." She said and smiled nervously. 

"Hey, you are beautiful," Victoria said and the bridesmaids, which are their friends, are waving at them. 

They entered the church as waited until everyone lined up. There's another door and they already lined up as the music started Butler Paul approached her and bowed. She curtsied to him to show respect. Butler Paul extended his arm. 

"I will be your escort, my Duchess." 

She held Butler Paul's right arm while she held the bouquet on the other hand. Then, the door opened. She was surprised to see beautiful flowers in the aisle. It's a long walk until she reached her future husband. 

Everything is dreamy, even the music. It was a silver and crystal wedding. There are only a few people invited that were chosen by Maverick. At the time that she reached the altar, Maverick held out his hand. She reached it and he bent down to kiss it. 

"My love," Maverick mumbled. 

"My love," Stacey responded. 

The ritual started as Maverick held her and looked at her lovingly. Then, back in the front seats, where Lady Vanessa was sitting with Butler Paul and Butler Reinheart on her both sides. She noticed that Stacey's parents came, already dressed and seemed to be panting a little. She was completely disappointed but at least they came. 

"Are they five seats away?" She asked Armin.

"Yes, your highness." 

"Good," She sat straight like a real lady as she sat with King Edgar. 

The ritual continues until the couple says their vows without any papers with them. Maverick held her hand and said those words that made any woman's heart flutter. She also noticed that the Counts and Countesses of Marduque were surprised by the Duke's words. It sounds romantic and a threat to anyone who would hurt his wife. 

<><><><><> 

Geralt never thought that his son could be this romantic toward the commoner. He kept glancing toward the front seats to glance at the King that everyone rarely sees. There's also Prince Philip who was doing his duty as working for the army and police of the country, which also includes other security measures and organizations. It's still both an aristocratic and monarchy country. They still checked the King's decisions together with other aristocrats. 

"Who was that lady wearing a white hat?" Countess Madeleine asked her husband. 

"I don't know." Geralt mumbled. 

"Look, there's also the Marchioness in the front seats." 

"They are after all close to the Duke and Duchess," Viena said. "And are those her parents? Not bad for a commoner." 

"They are called the middle class," Vince said as he glanced at his wristwatch to check the time. 

Geralt remained silent until the vows were done and the couple kissed passionately. Everyone stood and clapped their hands. Their family stood lazily with a little grace and clapped their hands. 

"I never expected that this was quite grand with only a few people attending," Vienna said. 

They watched as the couple approached King Edgar and Prince Philip. They received hugs and finally to the woman in a white hat. Maverick even bowed to kiss the woman's hand and then her cheeks. Stacey also did the same. Then, the couple walked in the aisle as the flowers started showering and the bell was ringing. 

Geralt was quite mesmerized that his son was smiling lovingly at his new wife. The wife also looked loving as they were enjoying everything. It's just a shame that the son he raised seemed to hate him and his family. Somehow, he felt goosebumps as he felt someone staring at him. But when he turned around, the lady in a white and red formal dress with a big hat used a different exit with a tall man with dark hair. 

"Armin?" he grumbled as he was about to go after them. He was sure that he knew the man. But the man would only serve one lord in his life… and he happened to know that it was his ex-wife. 

"Dear, let's go." His Countess held his hand and he followed her. It's time to go to the reception. The reception was located in the castle of the Duke and Duchess of Marduque. They also happened to see Princess Kaisley and Prince Caleb closely. 

"The Prince is handsome," Vienna commented. 

"And so is the Duchess of Westeria," Vince commented. "Such a fine lady." He said and nodded his head in approval. 

Somehow, Geralt doesn't care about those things. He let his family enter the car first as they followed. They went directly to the castle and showed the invitation cards from the guards. He noticed that it was full of top security. They are knights of Marduque and few of them were always loyal to the throne and had their children become knights to serve the Duke and Duchess of Marduque and something caught him. The woman in a silver and red dress. That blond long hair reminded him of that innocent lady that he took as a wife. 

Vanessa Jane Etrama Edward.