Bobby
**The day had finally arrived.**

**After a lengthy discussion held with her majesty, it was agreed upon that Doctor Henryk may take Lady Vierna's hand in marriage. To become Patron of Syvathere under the condition he remained loyal to Lazaroth and her people, and to help the Queen with her ailment. A condition Henryk had accepted most graciously, as now neither he or his Fiancée had to hide their love anymore. The people of Syvathere, especially that of the Drow populace found this to be preposterous. A taboo. However despite the scrutiny, they were forced to accept the truth of the matter— that the Queen of Wolves endorsed this union between Drow and Halfling.**

**In a simple dressing room, Doctor Henryk was dressed in shades of grey. His raven hair quaffed by the butlers as they ensured that he had appeared fit to be presented with the Duchess. Standing before a mirror he wore grey slacks, a lighter grey dress shirt, and a darker grey sleeveless vest top, matched with the pin of the Hanging Tree braced over his chest. He had been adorn in Lazaroth's colours, to match Vierna when they would speak their vows and bind their marital pact.**

**Henryk pondered to himself how he had gotten here— how a street urchin turned doctor managed to become betrothed to a Duchess in a foreign land? So much had happened in a short amount of time, he felt blessed to be here today— he would have it no other way. He knew his curse, but even the devil would not steal this day from him. Even if Ulmos attempted to make contact, Henryk would do his best to push away this villain from his mind. For now, he would focus on what was important. His wife.**

**He had been longing to call her that, and today he will finally have the opportunity. For once in his life he had felt anxiety. The way his heart had been racing, breath uneasy— he was nervous, but his arrogance and confidence would disallow him from showing such emotions.**
Ben
𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓥𝓲𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪 𝓐𝓻𝓰𝓲𝓽𝓱

_Only by a Queen's approval, would this moment truly blossom. An event shaped by an unplanned meet. Within foreign lands, paths unexpectedly crossed to the realm of Wolves and Matrons. From a humble clinic to a glorious Estate. From the calm of simplicity, to the daring stares of cynical observers. The wedding of a Duchess was no place to simply ignore, no matter the supposed taboo that clung tight to the pairing. Nobles of Lazaroth flanked by the company of the Doctor's wants. A Matriarch present and with her approval, all bearing witness to an event overseen by Lunam's watchful gaze. Within the Temple in Syvathere, the Duchess would finally claim a Duke. And in truth, bind forbidden lovers._

_Silence crept upon the busy rush of Vierna's quarters. Maids at the ready, working in unison with the Lady at mirrorside. Every lace done to perfect adjustment, every dab of the brush at her cheek. - A truly larger punishment awaited those who failed a Noble on the day of their marriage. Yet, something more stirred than such simple mistakes, thoughts parading at the mind of the Duchess. Anxiety, at what came next. The churning ache at her stomach, the twisting tides of politics at her neck for such a rash decision to marry. Perhaps it would have been better to claim some Lesser Noble of an elevated family, to harness greater trust with the local guilds or magical families of past. And yet, no other man had ever stepped in the places the pair had come. The peculiar Doctor had her heart, and by Ashira's approval, there would be no stopping this event now._
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_After much murmur amid the Temple of Lunam, curious eyes both eager and passively observing would dart to the growing movements at the main doors. With swift beckon of a well-dressed Butler, the masked Drowish musicians would be cued in to begin. From a Harp, woven in Spidery-webs would a most soothing and Lazarothi tune play. A hired Illusionist silently murmuring a cast, as the ceiling grew encased in a night-like aura. A shimmer of darkness, flanked by bright star light. How fitting, as the main doors soon came to an opening._

**_And so came the Duchess.._**

_The strum of Spidery-webs paced delicately, matching the graceful steps of the arriving Noble. All would fall quiet upon the display, as upon the manufactured Night light, came one most devoted to Lunam's stares. The Duchess. The Matron. The Bride. The familiarity in her style retained, Sapphire blue eyes surrounded by the Dark shades of the She-Elf. Her skin marked by white dapples, and ever more by the careful and elegant work of her Maids. A darkening around her eyes, a glittery tune at her cheeks. Her lips, natural if not for the slight gloss that wouldn't dare remain too intruding. Silver locks braided similar to a crown, yet traces of her length retained and left to drape to her upper back. A beauty that was a struggle to doubt, yet little had been said of the gown that draped her._
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_A wedding-themed white dashed by Lazarothi greys. As befit Vierna and her natural style, the wedding dress remained shoulderless and free. Her neck, draped by a manner of jewelerry that dazzled in the nightlight. A long skirt that followed after her by trail, carefully guarded by the Maids that followed. Bracelets apparent yet her hands kept bare. Most intriguing however, was the veil that draped over her head and hair. Mimicking web-like details, the Spidery fashion had been all the craze._

_Behind that veil, came curious stares mustering her composure. Eyes upon the crowd, understandably expecting a quiet scrutiny. Yet, as soon as she saw **Him,** The strangest of relief overtook her thoughts. Henryk, oh how scared she imagined he was. All behind that confident visage, the two truly had that in common. Soon their gaze would meet, and so would encourage those steps as she began her trek along the Aisle. There had been no requirement for an escort, in Lazaroth the Matron likely understood to handle walking just fine. Pacing her steps with the tune of the Spidery-harp, Vierna managed the faintest of stares to familiar faces. From sassy Huntresses to Cunning Nobles, all would fall to silence at this union; or face the wrath of the Matriarch that allowed it._

_And so, soon enough, would she finish her trek and closen to the Man who waited. The closer she got to him, the quieter the room felt. The anticipation, bringing a smile to her face as she soon positioned herself at his side. The Priestess of Lunam awaited them, and soon the ceremony would truly begin._
Bobby
**He could hear every step she made. With each pace approaching, the world became quieter. His heart raced. It _pounded_ like it was ready to jump out from his chest. Oh how she radiated. Dressed in hues of grey, her blue skin and starlit freckles which doted her skin made him think of night skies— she truly was graced by Lunam's beauty.**

**Silence began to wash over the crowd as she took her place beside the Doctor. He would smile at her, unable to maintain his composure as happiness was flooding from his being. Where most Lazarothi couples united not due to love, but due to politics, these two united willing because they truly felt for one another. In this destitute land, romance could be found between the shades of lies and half-truths, that Lazaroth could yield something truly pure.**

**Henryk now faced the Lunam Priestess himself, standing beside Vierna. He couldn't help but occasionally shift his gaze to Vierna, before quickly looking back to the Priestess as she had begun the ceremony.**

**The rites began, and the Priestess would open with introducing the couple to be wedded within Lunam's temple. She would speak through the customs— to Henryk words began to blur as his attention was not on her, but to Vierna's very breath. O' how he wished to hold her hand right now. How he wished for the eyes of onlookers to gaze away— but he knew they needed to witness this. They needed to know that this union is to be, whether they objected or not. It was written in the night sky by the Moon God that these star crossed lovers were fated to be together.**

**Then the Priestess would motion a hand for the fair to look to one another. Slowly, Henryk would turn his body to face Vierna's. Eyes locked with hers. The cold dead blue eyes he possessed more than a year past were long gone. He did not look upon his wife-to-be with a clinical gaze, no, his eyes held warmth. The blizzard which clung to his irises had long since cleared to reveal blue skies. Spring had came with Vierna's presence— Henryk was a man whole. Far beyond a touched starve Half-Concubus, but now an individual who had found the person he needed to be complete. He gave his heart to her, and likewise, she gave hers to him. He would do everything in this world to keep Vierna happy. To keep her _safe._**

`"Doctor Henryk. You may speak your vows to Matron Argith."` **The Priestess spoke to the Doctor, their gaze looking upon Henryk, whilst his own gaze remained locked to Vierna's.**

**Henryk, clearing his throat, spoke loud and clear— for everyone and for all within this temple to hear.**

"I, Doctor Henryk, in the presence of Lunam and the people of Lazaroth, pledge my mortal body and soul to you, Vierna Argith. I taketh thee to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, for in sickness, and for in health, I shall remain ever faithful even after death; I thereto pledge thee my faith." 

**After a brief pause, Henryk would speak a last phrase— perhaps something not typically heard at weddings when reciting one's vows...**

"I love you, Vierna." 

**The Priestess, seeing as Henryk had finished speaking his vows turned to Vierna.** 

`"Matron Argith. You may now speak your vows to Doctor Henryk."` **They would hold their gaze to Vierna, whilst she looked to Henryk...**

**The audience waited expectantly, especially after Doctor Henryk spoke his final sentence— his declaration of love. Would the Duchess reciprocate?**

**Anticipation filled the air...**
Ben
_The moments began to blur. The anticipation clear as vows began to be recited in the presence of Lunam. A wedding, a binding. A Matron to claim a Man, a Duchess to find her Duke. But as they turned and their gazes locked, Vierna struggled to look at him with the cunning mind of a politician. There was no land to gain from him, no alliance to bind her connection to the land greater. No Noble friends would be made from this ceremony, atleast those in Lazaroth. Moments continuing to pass, her eyes lost within his as she watched his lips move. A vow, that he offered firmly and with little in the way to stop him_

_Yes, the thoughts of a politician quickly wavered. A brightening sensation harnessed within her, an confidence if not foolish but so surely needed. The customs of the mainland fluttered in her thoughts. No longer could she simply see him as a means for gains, but of a life together. A husband at her side. A Father, for their children. A means to a Family never before experienced, and how perfectly Henryk concluded his vow, bringing a smile to the speechless Drow._

_Her turn came, a brief look upon the Priestess before her stares returning. The audience, how they watched. Their thoughts, likely to sow gossip and deceit. Within that stare however, she would focus entirely upon him. The much needed confidence._

"I, Vierna of House Argith, Matron of Syvathere and devout to Lunam, take you as my Man. My **Husband.** To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, I shall remain ever faithful even after death. May we dream together in the night."

_Her vow complete, Vierna had the mind to reply to his unexpected final words. By her stares, she intended on waiting til the perfect time. Now, allowing the ceremony to go forth._
Bobby
**The Priestess spoke thus,**

`"Then with the power vested within me, I decree thee Husband and Wife."` **The Priestess would clasp her hands together, as moonlight passed from the temple's roof to shower onto the pair. Lunam recognizes their marriage, and are now bonded by the Moon Lord presence.**

**There'd be an uproar of cheers from where Henryk's peers had been sitting. Loud whistles and clapping would shower the venue whilst the Lazarothi nobles remained more cordial, giving simple claps.**

**Henryk, holding Vierna within his gaze, would bring a hand to her waist side, pulling her closer as he looked down to smile at her.** "I hope you don't mind..." **Before leaning in to kiss the She-Elf before the crowd, which only caused Henryk's entourage to grow even rowdier in celebration.**

**He hadn't cared for politics presently— No, he simply wished to declare his undying fealty to his now Wife. That none would tear them apart.**

**The future was now at hand. What more would be beholden between the pair? How will their path shape now that they were in unity?**

**The future in Henryk's eyes remained uncertain, but his confidence and unwavering optimism will ride out any storm that comes their way. After all, he and Vierna were strongest together.**

**Not even the Devil will take this day from him.**