Chapter 59 – A Royal Wedding

*** Princess, Morning of the wedding ***

It was an early start for the wedding. A little before the sun rose, I was already getting my makeup on. My brides put theirs on beside me. Then we all slipped into our formal outfits, including a simple purple dress that reached to the floor.

This is all for a painting, the beginning of the harem. It's to be displayed in the entrance hall of our house. When we make it to the throne, it'll be moved into the castle with the previous Queen's paintings. Every single painting had a bunch of women and normally a man in purple. Ours will join them, six beautiful women taking my Mother's place.

The painting only takes an hour to finish, thanks to magic and classes. We all head our separate ways to do a bit of new makeup and then put on the dresses for the ceremony.

My new servants are busy working with the castle's Priestess for the Goddess of Love. Decorations, seating charts, and the selection of prayers were all organized through them.

The castle has its own temple for the Goddess of Love. Every noble near the capital gets married in that temple to cover the silly cost of running yet another temple for the Goddess of Love in the city. Outside the castle, there were already ten of them of various sizes for the different classes of people. An eleventh inside the castle walls wouldn't see much traffic without the rule.

Having a private one for nobles does make it easy to book and handle any marriage problems swiftly.

The guests are just my supporters and the nobles near the capital. To get a larger crowd, I would need to schedule it too far out, and I don't have the time. The longer the wedding takes, the shorter the time I have to earn the throne.

"All finished, your Highness," the maids say, moving the mirrors around so I can see the complete dress. Standard makeup, nothing too overbearing, just enough to hide the blemishes and give an even tone. Just some red eyeliner to give a bit of contrast. The usual deep red dress. Short sleeves so the dress can prop up my breasts instead of weighing them down; it hugs my stomach enough I can get my abs to show through if you look for them. Flaring out at the hips and ending at my ankles, letting everyone see my black heels. Gold jewelry hangs all over me, bracelets, a necklace with a ruby just inside my cleavage, dangling earrings, and a hairpin. My brides will be in white for the ceremony, switching over to red for the reception.

Eight girls, just for the start. I'll have several more over the next few years, and then I'll absorb my Mother's harem after all is done. It's a little nerve-racking thinking about it. I'm in charge of this family, their happiness, and the future children Alzi will bring us. They are all under threat from inside the country while the campaign for the throne happens. Afterward, the threats will be from the outside. I have to protect them all.

"Is everything ok?" One of the maids asks.

"Yes, just getting married is a little scary, I guess."

"Ah, yes. Don't worry; nobody would dare cause a fuss inside the temple. You just have to worry about after the wedding and that is something you can start worrying about then. For now, just enjoy the wedding. Even the Queen won't dare to misbehave."

"I know. It isn't easy to put your worries aside, especially when they are this big and will last so long," I say before taking a deep breath. "Are they ready for us at the temple?"

"Yes, your Highness."

"Let's go then. Waiting will make everything worse."

As a group, we head over to the temple in a corner of the castle grounds. It isn't the biggest temple for the Goddess of Love in the capital, but that is simply because the biggest is way too big, accommodating a few thousand for each event it holds.

This one can hold a thousand people for a wedding—over a thousand if it ever held a mass—more than enough for my small wedding of two hundred guests. Plenty of decorations will be put up to fill the space out, but it will still be a bit empty.

My group of maids goes in a side door once we reach the large temple. The guests are slowly streaming in through the main entrance, my brides coming in the other side. It isn't a problem to see each other in our dresses; it is just preferred to see it for the first time at the altar. Many have talked about a political marriage turning into one filled with love due to that first sight. Likely full of shit, but you do what you can to appease the poor kids forced into them.

Worried about wrinkles in my dress, I just stood waiting for everyone to get seated. It shouldn't be long; I only saw a few stragglers. The Queen will meet me in the main chamber and walk me down.

"Your Highness, there is no need to worry. Everything is set. You're in the Goddess's domain; nothing bad will happen. The Queen is here; the Goddess will punish her if she fails her duty today," a minor priestess says, noticing my shaking hands.

"Yes, I just have a lot going on after this, and Mother has worked hard to embarrass me during these moments," I say, working to steady my hands.

"I see. Don't be afraid to ask a Goddess or two for help. I think many will find you worth their backing to some degree."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good. It seems everyone is in place now. Are you ready to start?" she says, opening the door.

"Yes," I say trying to get my confidence back following the quick woman.

"Elora! You look beautiful," I hear as I turn the last corner. There is my Mother in a purple dress with small silver patterns wearing her normal crown. I let out a deep breath, and a lot of tension left my body, seeing her dressed normally. I guess my body didn't believe my mind.

"Thank you, Mother."

"Huh, sorry about your announcement party. I've been scolded quite a few times now about that. I should've let you have your moment."

"It's fine, Mother," I struggle to say. Nothing can change what she did. She knows that; she isn't sorry. Maybe she feels a little sad for hurting me, but she still stands by it. Whatever she'll have to truly support me for today.

The Priestess starts to push us along: "We have a wedding to start today. Make up for real later!" She moves the Queen into position a bit forcefully and then gives us both the last little push: "Go."

A band starts up as we start walking down, all eyes following us. We walk through the well-decorated room, past many empty rows, until we reach the front third, where everyone is sitting. Each step lets me release a bit more of my nerves. Everyone is looking at me, not the stupid Queen on my arm.

She lets me go when we reach the altar. I walk up alone and turn around, ready to watch my beautiful wives walk down to me. I don't wait long for the first to show, little Isda with her belly poking out a bit. Next were my old adventure teammates, the centaur Elyne, a wind mage. Their clothing is always strange. A white shirt for the human portion and a pair of pants for the hind legs.

Next is Vanya Zylris, the high elf warrior, her dress showing her well-made muscle, followed by Ioelena, then the paladin Geta, and Shimmer, the fire mage. The last two are Syro, a harpy mind mage, and finally, Inanos, the elemental death mage. They line up across from me, all of us checking the other out. The girls are pretty and big-breasted, just as a Princess deserves. The first to get pregnant from Alzi of this group should be the centaur. What does a dragon and a centaur blood mix look like?

"Today!" The Priestess shouts, stirring us from our stares, "We gather to join Princess Elora Elagwyn with the beginning of her harem. These eight women will be there from the beginning to help and support her in the journey for the throne. To help her make this wonderful Queendom stronger and better. This house we are witnessing the formation of today will be a force to change this Queendom. We wish them the best; let love not follow but guide them on this difficult and tiring journey. Each brings a power, a purpose, and a desire to the family. Remember to think of each other and build up the family. Don't leave each other behind. Be the shoulder to cry on, lean on, and a body to hug for all occasions. Goddess of Love demands those she marries work together to be a unit. That is the only way to truly reach your true potential as a family. Do you all promise to do your best to work together?"

"Yes," we all answer.

... A few too many verses later and a number of prayers ...

"Do you all love one another and promise to work together in your marriage?" the Priestess says. This is the only line she has to say for a marriage to be official. Nobles like to be extra, and the royal family has to outdo them. Though some say, this extra preaching helps keep the noble's family harmonious with the large number of the harems.

"Yes," we all answer yet again.

"Then be married!" she screams out, accompanied by clapping from our guests. I move over and give each wife a kiss in the opposite order they walked in. If only this was it. Instead of walking out like a commoner's wedding, we had a thirty-minute mass to attend before the reception. I'm sure the Priestess will not have a voice for the next week.

"Now to hear the Goddess's great words on Love..."

Finally, she finishes up, and my family walks down the aisle together to the crowd's cheers. A large smile on my silly face.