Under the watchful eye of a priest invited by Princess Elise, the marriage vows were exchanged, and the couple spent a blissful wedding night that felt like a dream. While Elise had meticulously calculated the political implications of the union, Crown Prince Randolph was swept away by emotion.
After the impulsive exchange of vows, Randolph fretted over how his father, Charles V, would react. However, what was done was done. Taking a deep breath, he looked at his sleeping wife beside him. Her golden hair spread softly across the pillow, glinting in the morning light.
Looking at her serene beauty, any lingering regret melted away. After all, his father had already half-approved the match. Though the wedding was premature and lacked the blessing of their nations, the wartime situation made it understandable. A proper ceremony could be held after the war.