The Bride of the Immortal (44 page)

The flower girl had appeared in the entrance and the special music ensemble started to play as soon as Engelin began to hurl her white flower petals into the air. Considering the child’s enthusiasm Adrijan was wondering if the content of the basket was even going to suffice for the moderately short distance she would have to cover. The bridesmaids behind Engelin were casting red petals to the ground. Though they were fewer in count they stood out like drops of blood on the white carpet with the silver margin.

Adrijan closed his eyes, listening to Pachelbel’s canon in D. The gifted musicians were using instruments from the time the composition originated – baroque violins, baroque cello and baroque organ as well as a theorbo.

As the music progressed, Adrijan caught himself afraid of opening his eyes again. By now Mairin had to have appeared in the hall and was most likely already close to him and the groom.

“Ade? Just look at her…”

It was Vivian’s unbelieving voice that penetrated the sound of the music and the clustered thoughts that occupied his mind. Unwillingly Adrijan followed his brother’s request.

Engelin had put back the distance more quickly than the others and was about to step off the carpet to join her mother Änlin who was standing near to them. His gaze focused on the small procession behind the girl. The remaining bridesmaids were splitting up into two groups, creating an alleyway for Mairin and Alfred and giving Adrijan a clear view of the bride.

Mairin’s dark brown hair was loosely put up and held in place by a broad silvery white headband. Attached to it was a beautiful veil that was like gossamer and reached from her head to the floor, enveloping her without hiding the revealing wedding gown she had chosen.

The soft curve of the sleeveless bust line top peaked in the centre, where it touched Mairin’s treasured necklace.

Astonished he examined the angelic wings that were protruding to her sides. As far as he could see they were ingeniously crafted out of white feathers and showed a hint of grey closer to her body. The choice of colour turned them into more than a feature of a heavenly being – they induced the observer to draw a comparison to the ugly duckling that had turned into a beautiful swan.

Even though Adrijan felt that it was wrong to stare at the bride this intently, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Underneath the low, slim waistline the dress was in the front no more than an almost too short skirt and cut in a smooth zigzag pattern that bore a resemblance to the tips of flower petals. Every one of the four smoothly edged pieces was adorned with tiny silver embroidery at their borders. The external parts opened out into the rest of the gown where it was carrying the same decoration and reached down to the floor. The dress was longest in the back, where part of its fine fabric rested on the carpet, gently ruffled and almost in a semicircle, reminding of the white swash on the beach, the last breath of a wave of the sea.

Due to the lack of material in the front, Adrijan had a clear view of Mairin’s long pale legs. Hastily he turned his eyes down and found himself trying to focus on her silver pumps. Ribbons of the same colour as her shoes were tied around her lower legs, entangling one of them almost up to her knee, while only covering the ankle of the other. Before he was able to take notice of it, following the first had led his gaze back up again. Adrijan quickly searched for something that was safe to look at and found it in Mairin’s hands.

Unlike the other brides he had seen before, Mairin wasn’t carrying a bridal bouquet. He wasn’t entirely certain what kind of plant it was, but his best guess was that the huge white blossom she was balancing on her palms was an exotic water lily. It had a diameter of at least twenty centimetres, fit her outfit perfectly – and had most likely been Vivian’s idea.

Adrijan suppressed a sigh.

Mairin looked no less than breath-taking. Without a doubt, she and the master of
Mondstein
castle would make a lovely pair.

Mairin was taken in by the magic of the ceremony as she was walking down the aisle. The wedding surpassed her wildest expectations. Even when she had been a child with a vivid imagination and often pondering about her future, she hadn’t been able to dream up this moment in such a way. Of course back then she also hadn’t quite expected to feel the desire to marry the priest instead of the prince on that fated day.

Mairin was driven forward, following the rhythm of the enticing music. The last steps into a spider web had never before been accompanied by a melody this lovely, nor had a nightmare ever been so beautifully disguised by being dipped into shining and shimmering tones of white and silver.

Vivian was waiting for her next to Adrijan, smiling encouragingly. Besides Alfred, the two of them were the only people in black. Even though she had expected something more festive, the priest wore his usual garments as well as the emotionless expression that brought back unpleasant memories of her visit at Mrs Crouse’s home.

Her groom had chosen a simple black cutaway and trousers, a white shirt and an ascot tie. After many weeks of dressing up, she was almost disappointed that Vivian hadn’t shown up in a ceremonial uniform she was certain he possessed. Despite his – considering Vivian’s usually extravagant behaviour – average outfit and the lack of a crown he still managed to look regal.

His brother Adrijan had chosen the bride well. Vivian was almost looking forward to the wedding night – almost. It was certainly regrettable that everything had come to be like this after his brother had finally fallen in love after all those centuries. Perhaps love and sadness were indeed sisters.

Vivian continued smiling at the girl as she halted next to him. Over the years he had learnt that the only way to survive was to move on. After all, even impaired pleasure, was still pleasure.

Hilda hurried to Mairin’s side, as devoutly as possible. Her utter lack of knowledge about classical music left her in the dark about the length of the composition and she was in a rush to complete her task. The maid didn’t quite understand why Vivian had asked the music ensemble to come after having a whole orchestra to his disposal. But what did she know about the likes of him?

Corinne helped her lift the veil over Mairin’s head and she carefully removed most of the pins and loosened the rest like she had been instructed.

Her mistress looked very pretty in her gown and a glance at Father Adrijan told her, that she wasn’t the only one thinking that way.

After having fulfilled her duty, Hilda took her place among the maids and relaxed when the dreadful music finally came to an end.

Adrijan cleared his throat. This was a nightmare he knew he had to endure, if he wanted to see the end of it.

“Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today…” his own voice sounded unreal and distant. He continued to listen to it as if it were a recording – one that couldn’t be stopped.

“If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

In all the years he had been in service, he had never experienced such a sad moment. There was something inhuman about monarchs, doctors and priests. In a way they were aloof, untouchable and unreachable for the average human being, but at this very moment his master was only a man like any other. Alfred knew the pain he had to be feeling, the longing for a person that was so utterly out of reach.

The old man gazed at Miss Muriel, then at Master Vivian and finally at Master Adrijan. Should he speak up?

No.

Alfred imperceptibly shook his head.

No, it wasn’t his place to decide what was best for his master.

“A-cho!”

Mairin turned her head. Couldn’t Engelin have suppressed the sneeze at a time like this?

“I’m sorry,” she said rolling her eyes. “I’m allergic to bad endings.”

Meanwhile everyone present had at least stolen one glance at the cheeky girl.

Adrijan cleared his throat. “Is there something you want to tell us, child?”

“Well…-” Engelin began. Änlin quickly put her hand over the girl’s mouth. Her protest was muffled but Mairin thought that she was trying to say that she had a valid reason. Her mother wouldn’t let her speak.