Ritual of Marking (1)

With the ceremony itself being officially over, the inevitable reception and party that would ensue was all but guaranteed to take place. Darius made sure that no expense would be spared for such an event, his own coffers bearing the brunt of the costs to avoid embezzling funds from the kingdom's vaults itself. 

Still, while his own funds would be considered small when compared to the savings of an entire kingdom, it didn't mean that he was hurting for gold. In fact, he had much more to spare if they so needed. He didn't care how much it would take. So long as their guests were well fed and well entertained, it would be a successful show of his kingdom's wealth.

"I guess this is the reception," Xenia wondered aloud as she let herself be ushered in by her new husband. "You really spared no expenses."