Janessa, Greta, and Lilia sat in their assigned row. The three had been invited to the wedding of Sven's younger sister, Ana. Lilia made sure to get Janessa and Greta new, fine gowns in the style currently trending in Northfjord. Janessa's was a pale, ice blue, while Greta's was a gentle pink. The ceremony was held in the temple for the Northfjord goddess of wine and the lights in the sky at night, Luciia.
"The ceremony is usually rather dull, but the blessing is always exciting," Lilia whispered from behind her hand fan. Janessa frowned at her, confused. "Do they not have wedding blessings in Karagot?"
"They have them in Estrellia," Greta said.
"Since you are unaware, Janessa, the wedding blessing is when the priest asks for someone to bless the wedding. Then, someone either proposes or announces that they are expecting. It is planned in advance so that there are not multiple people clamoring for the same blessing."
"In Estrellia, both blessings are used," Greta said. "The proposal is meant to bless the newlyweds with the same love they had at the start, and the pregnancy announcement is meant to bless them with many children." Lilia nodded.
"We have the same symbolisms for the blessings here. But only at royal and noble weddings do both blessings take place. As a noble wedding, this one will have both."
Before Janessa could ask any follow-up questions, the string quartet began to play. Everyone hushed.
As Lilia had predicted, the ceremony was boring. Janessa's eyes kept straying to Sven, standing by his sister at the front of the room. He looked so dreamy in his formal military attire. Janessa's heart fluttered as she remembered their passionate make out the last time they met.
The priest asked for blessings. A woman, whom Lilia quietly identified to Janessa as the groom's older sister, stood and announced she was expecting her first child. Then, to Janessa's surprise, Sven stepped forward.
"Janessa?" he called. Greta and Lilia nudged Janessa until she stood and walked up to him. She could feel all eyes on her. Then, Sven got down on one knee. Janessa gasped. "I knew when I first saw you that you were the woman I would marry. It only took a few conversations with you to be completely, positively sure. You are brilliant, kind, gentle, sweet, beautiful, and always a surprise. And, hopefully, you will do me the honor of adding to that list two more words." Sven held out a ring. "My wife."
"Yes!" Janessa blurted out immediately. Sven's eyes lit up. He placed the ring, silver with a shining diamond that looked like ice, on her finger. Then he stood and picked her up. He spun her around to the applause in the room.
There were still some additional steps to the ceremony, so Sven led Janessa to two empty chairs in the front row on the bride's side. They sat next to each other. Janessa leaned her head on Sven's shoulder, her heart full.
At the reception, Sven brought Janessa around to meet his friends and family. Janessa smiled and tried to charm everyone. Judging by the kisses and hand squeezes Sven gave her, she was successful. The music started, and Sven took Janessa to dance with him.
The reception passed by in a blur. At one point, Janessa spotted Greta leading a colonel away. No doubt getting some classified information from him. But Janessa spent most of the reception dancing with Sven. As she rested her head on his broad, muscular chest, she thought about her answer to his proposal.
It had only been an act in part. A part of her she was beginning to recognize, the part that liked being Janessa, was truly in love with Sven, and had contributed to her answer. Janessa closed her eyes as she swayed with her fiance. She was worried about her growing affection for not just Sven but also being Janessa. But at the same time, she was happy to be in her future husband's arms.