Emperor of Italia Venetiensis and Alqanian Princess Marry

[Italia Venetiensis]

Emperor Constantine VI of Italia Venetiensis looked in the mirror from his room in the Imperial Palace, Venice. He was wearing a white toga edged with gold, boots, and white leather ceremonial armour. On his head he wore a golden wreath, the "Corona Aurea", ceremonial crown of the Emperor. He stepped out and left the Greco-Roman Architecture of the palace and made his way literally across the square to the Cathedral of Saint Mark, adoring crowds cheering and applauding him as he went. Before he entered the Cathedral accompanied by ceremonial guards, he waved and smiled. He himself was very happy - what was special about today? He was getting married to Linda, Princess of Alqania. He would have someone to love and have a consort and companion.

He went in to the cavernous Cathedral, and approached the altar, where he waited with the Bishop for the Bride to arrive from her preparations in her temporary chambers on the other side of the palace.

[Alqania]

Linda had been dressed in a white wedding gown designed by her aunt Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Hestby (popularly called The Duchess of Design), made from pleated silk organza and ivory-coloured Chantilly lace and with a matching veil. On her head the Princess wore the Queen Christine Silver Tiara from the Royal Alqanian Collection, a Neoclassical piece of jewellery almost 200 years old. The long train was carried by two of her relatives, the Princesses Ellen and Jane, 7 and 8 years old respectively, as the bride walked across the forum, smiling and waving towards the crowd. It was not a fake smile that adorned the Princess' face; this marriage made her genuinely happy and even if she had not been in a good mood before leaving the palace, the crowd's cheers would still have lifted the bride's spirits higher than ever.

Gazing up at the spires of the Cathedral, Linda was reminded that she was not in Wilborg any more. The Eastern-style architecture stood there as a testament to the fact that this was not her usual church. She was fond of the architecture, of the classicism and the west-meets-east theme that so beautifully surrounded her, but she had not come to call it home. Not yet, at least. As she approached the house of God and of her wedding, Linda was filled with a sense of adventure, while it occurred to her that for her fiancé it was probably more like coming home. To Constantine, this union perhaps represented the end of a journey, the end of a quest, settling down, and in a moment of doubt and hesitation, Linda wondered whether they were in the same place. Was she not rather still an explorer, a hungry student, an adventurer on a quest for whatever life had to offer? Was she really ready for this?

Her hesitation must not have escaped her father, for Prince Consort Charles, at her side in ceremonial uniform during this leg of the journey, offered as reassurance: "You'll do fine." It was a concise, but effective message. Linda had never fully understood that custom; in Alqania, the bride and groom would enter the church together, walk down the aisle together, make the journey together, and so it was perhaps at this time that Linda had missed having a husband more than ever before, because there was no fiancé at her side. This ceremony had not been without controversy back home either - traditionalists protested the unprecedented change from Alqanian religious and courtly custom, while radicals decried the patriarchal symbolism in which the female object was handed over from one male owner to another. But in this moment, none of that mattered. In lieu of her future husband, Linda's father was there and his few words of reassurance served as a reminder that she was not alone, neither physically before the Cathedral nor in making this journey. Although her parents were from the same country, Charles had been a young Duke, much younger than she was now, when he had married the Queen. If she doubted that she was ready, how much would not he had doubted the same?

Strengthened in her conviction through having overcome doubt, Linda entered the Cathedral and was rather surprised to find herself relieved as she saw Constantine waiting at the altar. Had she not only doubted herself, but him as well? In any case, she paused for a second, secured her grip on her father's arm and eagerly awaited the wedding march.

[Italia Venetiensis]

The Bishop cried out "Nupta intrans!" ("The Bride enters!") and the congregation rose to their feet. The Cathedral's Organ burst out into Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba". Constantine looked down as he watched his bride progress down the main aisle of the Cathedral. Constantine could not help but beam. He could not be happier at the moment, even the throngs of senators, dignitaries, members of his family and bride's family and other guests in the pews before him seemed to be blanked out as he watched Linda come forward.

As the bride and her father passed directly under the central dome of the Cathedral he glanced at the Bishop undertaking the ceremony, Archiepiscopus Publius, Archbishop of Venice. He was smiling too, everyone seemed happy, and Constantine hoped everyone across both Italia Venetiensis and Alqania watching at home and of course, those outside, would be happy also.

As Linda came up next to him, Constantine placed his right hand gently on the small of her back and whispered "Hello beautiful. Don't worry." and smiled.
The Archbishop looked at Prince Consort Charles "Itaque quis illa femina ad illum vir dat?" ("And so who gives this woman to this man?").

[Dragonyza]

As Minister for International Culture, it always seemed to fall on Joshua Mellor to come to all these events and functions. Weddings, those were the worst. There were always pretentious delegates who seemed to feel like they had something better than every other nation. After all was said and done, it was just another country, with just another ruler, with just another set of laws. Dragonyza was no different. Well, except the ongoing hatred of capitalism.

So, as Joshua sat in the ridiculously uncomfortable pews, he thought to himself. 'You'd think that these royals would have more comfortable pews.' Okay, so it's not exactly the most eloquent of thoughts, but the ceremony was just getting started, and Joshua really wanted to be back at home. He had to admit, the Princess of Alqania was, for lack of a better word, smoking. At one point, as the sun was streaming in through the dusty cathedral windows, it caught a jewel and it glinted in the light. After what seemed like an eternity for Joshua, the Bishop finally spoke, but in Latin. 'Not exactly the lingua franca.'

Joshua settled in for a long ceremony, with only the backside of the Princess to keep him occupied. He made a mental note to slip off his wedding band before the reception.

[Alqania]

Linda was relieved to finally reach Constantine at the altar. She would not remember her wedding dress for its mobility, that was for certain. Charles bowed his head slightly before the Emperor, and Linda returned the smile as the Bishop spoke.

"In conspectu reginae gratiam, ego" ("In regard of the Queen's favour, I do"), Charles replied. He bowed once more before the Emperor and offered him his daughter's hand. He then turned and bowed before the Queen, before taking his place at her side.

[Italia Venetiensis]

The Archbishop centred himself and began to undertake the ceremony, in full formal Ecclesiastical Latin "Carissimi, nos in hoc loco congregamus hodie..." ("Dearly beloved, we gather here today..."). Constantine looked at Linda and continued to smile. As the priest continued his prayers and recitations Constantine felt that this was one of the best days of his life, and he was about to spend the rest of them with a beautiful woman.

The ceremony continued fir a while, several hymns in Latin, Italian and English for good measure were sung, until the ceremony reached the crucial and most famous part.
The Archbishop addressed Constantine "Constantine Claudie Auguste Caesar, tune accipes haec uxor legitima esse?" ("Constantine Claudius Augustus Caesar, do you takes this woman to be your lawful (wedded) wife?") Constantine replied without hesitation "Accipio." ("I do" lit. "I accept/take") the Archbishop looked at Linda "Et tune, Linda Panthera, accipes hic maritus legitimus esse?"

[Alqania]

"Accipio", replied Linda with determination and satisfaction.

[Italia Venetiensis]

"Anuli, gratias" the rings were brought forth on red cushions, both rings of shining gold. The rings were exchanged and the Bishop prepared for the final words of the ceremony:

"Proclamo vos vir uxorque esse." he looked at Constantine "Nupta oscula potestis." ("You may kiss the Bride"). Constantine drew Linda up close to him and kissed her on the lips as the entire Cathedral applauded and cheered, with the Venetian members of the congregation crying "Felicitas!" ("Happiness!/Congratulations!") a common cry after wedding ceremonies.

[Alqania]

Some of the Alqanian guests followed suit and joined in the cries of "Felicitas!", while others expressed their approval and happiness through less articulate means. A few, of a more traditionalist bent, remained silent as they felt was proper throughout a church service.

Linda did not really hear them; her senses were numbed by the rush of emotion as Constantine kissed her.

[Italia Venetiensis]

Constantine pulled back from the kiss and looked at Linda, smiling. He was so happy. He looked at the Bishop "Gratias maximas Archiepiscope!" ("Thank you very much Archbishop!") then he took Linda by the hand "Come with me, my little Imperatrix!" he said joyfully, and he began to walk, nearly skip, back down the isle, holding Linda close to him.

As they both left the Cathedral, the tall double door swung open and, after a moment to adjust to the bright light outside, they saw the massed cheering crowds of mostly Venetian citizens come to catch a glimpse of the newly-wed Emperor and Empress.

[Alqania]

Linda was overcome by euphoria, so happy she did not know what to do. Her emotions defied understanding and verbalisation.

No matter where an Alqanian was, homes, schools and workplaces had come to a standstill as people were glued to a TV, computer, pad, mobile or whatever could be used to watch the wedding. The Royal family was not just any family, the Alqanian populace felt like it was their family and one of their Princesses was now married. Alqanian tourism to Italia Venetiensis was booming and would probably continue to prosper, as the people wanted to see the bride's new home.

Outside the Cathedral, Linda waved to the crowds. It was a rather enthusiastic wave that well accompanied her broad smile, or at least so said the Royal Broadcasting Corporation commentators.

[Italia Venetiensis]

The Emperor was equally happy, and he led his wife on the short walk through the fenced-off path from the Cathedral to the Imperial Palace. The double doors swung open, but jest before they went in, Constantine stopped and spoke to Linda. "Sorry dear, I didn't tell you this before, it's a bit of a surprise, but it's a tradition of my people at weddings." then he turned and picked Linda up, carrying her in his arms then he stepped through the palace gates, right foot first, before placing her down again. They turned and waved to the crowd one last time, before the doors swung shut.

Constantine kissed Linda again. "Now, let's go to our room and get ready for the Reception."