---
Even the musicians ceased playing.
Silence reigned in the hall, as if time had frozen under a spell, and only a timid child's cry broke it.
"...".
Eileen squeezed the bouquet in her hand, trying to hide the trembling in her fingers.
She lowered her gaze and slowly stepped forward, concentrating on the space directly in front of her.
She was already on the edge anyway.
Despite all the preparation, the reaction of the guests knocked the ground from under her feet, leading to nausea.
The thin veil, in which her face was reflected, caused only irritation.
It would have been much easier to endure mockery than this oppressive silence.
Worst of all was realizing that Ornella was observing this humiliating spectacle.
Surely she was now inwardly exulting.
Eileen easily imagined how she released clouds of smoke and uttered something like: "So how do you like the wedding?"
Yesterday, after Rotan's warning, she’d feared an exchange of fire would begin at the ceremony.
But now a bullet seemed the lesser of evils.
*‘No, must not think so...’* She had no right to think so, knowing that everyone was risking lives for her protection.
Eileen by a feat of will drove away the gloomy thoughts and concentrated on each step.
The musicians, finally, played again, but the guests as before were silent.
In this terrifying silence she finally approached her father.
From him faintly came the smell of alcohol, but Eileen pretended she hadn't noticed.
In the end, on such a day it could have been worse.
"Beautiful," Father said with a trembling voice.
Eileen barely audibly thanked him and went silent, taking his offered hand.
They stopped before a snow-white carpet.
She looked at the floor, but then slightly raised her head.
She needed to see Cesare—only so could one find the strength to survive the remaining part of the ceremony.
He’d always said she was cute, whatever she was.
Maybe he would even admire her outfit?
Cautiously raising her eyes, she saw the man at the end of the carpet.
They hadn't seen each other for a week.
Cesare was in the ceremonial uniform of the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army—the very one he’d put on for triumphal parades, but without cloak and hat.
On his chest sparkled orders and medals, and in his buttonhole a white lily flaunted.
In this image, which she loved most of all, he was waiting for her.
The groom at this wedding.
At the sight of Cesare the caught breath finally broke free.
Now she noticed the ceremonial area decorated with thousands of flowers.
The aroma of fresh petals, the melody of the march, the applause of guests—the world that until this seemed gray suddenly regained bright colors.
Eileen gradually let go of tension and fear, but her heart squeezed from a new feeling.
Standing on the path strewn with lilies, she remembered that very garden where they had met.
His voice speaking to her then sounded in memory just as clearly: *[So you are Lily.]*
She had fallen in love at first sight.
A little girl who dared to love a prince of the Empire.
Cesare generously answered her love.
He cared for Eileen as if for his own child, giving warmth and tenderness she’d so lacked in childhood.
Thanks to him she existed.
Cesare was her world.
And now, having become from his ward a wife... she was ready to pay any price just to remain with him.
Looking at her beloved, Eileen made a step forward.
Father slightly belatedly hastened after her.
If before she’d looked under her feet, now—only at Cesare.
The closer she approached, the less everything else meant.
Finally she stopped before him.
Slowly closed and opened her eyes, making sure he was not a mirage.
However much she blinked, he didn't vanish.
But it still seemed a dream.
It was so unreal to realize that this man would become her husband.
If now someone had shouted that she was not the bride, Eileen, likely, would only have pointed in response.
Father passed her hand to Cesare.
The latter firmly squeezed Eileen's fingers.
She didn't even notice how Father stepped aside—all attention was riveted to Cesare.
His strong grip and light pain returned the feeling of reality.
In a trembling voice she called:
"Cesare..."
If he answered, she would finally believe it was not a dream.
Through the semi-transparent veil she greedily scanned his features.
Even through the fabric were visible his red eyes looking at her.
Suddenly Cesare let go of her hand.
Before she could be surprised, he threw back the veil.
The world became clear.
They looked at each other.
Her heart hammered so loudly it rang in her ears.
Looking at the incredibly beautiful man, Eileen involuntarily parted her lips.
Having thrown off the bride's veil, he looked at her with an expression she had never seen before.
His usually confident gaze was blurred, as if he were dreaming wide awake.
He looked at Eileen with admiration, as at an unearthly beauty—just as she had always looked at him.
His insistent gaze burned.
It seemed the skin would flare up in those places where he lingered his gaze.
After an eternal moment Cesare slowly opened his mouth:
"Eileen."
Having pronounced her name with a trembling voice, he whispered again: "Eileen..."
As if having sighed, he completely removed the veil, and the light fabric softly slid down behind her back.
She so plunged into him that she belatedly remembered the priest.
The High Priest of the temple was looking at her with bugged eyes.
*‘Probably because the veil was removed ahead of time?’* Usually this was done right before the vows.
Although unusual, not a mistake.
Strange that he is so agitated...
Likely, for the Grand Duke's wedding strict traditions are required.
Not understanding, Eileen together with Cesare straightened before the priest.
The old man for several seconds couldn't come to himself.
He woke only when Cesare slightly frowned, and hastily began the ceremony.
While the priest read a prayer, Eileen involuntarily moved the fingers in Cesare's hand.
In response he slightly squeezed her palm and let go.
After the prayer Cesare was the first to pronounce a vow: "Cesare Traon Karl Erzet.
I vow by the name of God as Grand Duke of the Traon Empire.
In eternal love that will never change.
In true trust.
In that I will become a winged lion protecting our home." He made a pause—a phrase that only the imperial family could pronounce—then finished: "...and without hesitation I will raise a sword for my lady."
The last words were a soldier's vow.
And the conclusion of Eileen's vow too corresponded to a woman marrying a soldier.
"Eileen Elod.
I vow by the name of God as daughter of the house of Barons Elrod.
In eternal love that will never change.
In sincere obedience.
In that in our home peace will reign, as under the crown of an olive." With pain in her heart Eileen prayed: "And in that I will weave a laurel wreath for my knight."
Cesare was worthy only of victories and glory.