January 1st, this day that would later be celebrated as New Year's Day, had splendid weather.
The heavy snowfall of the past few days had ceased the day before, and on the first day of the new year, the sun made a rare appearance in the sky. Though the winter sunlight was not particularly warm, it was bright enough to quietly melt the ice and snow, heralding the approach of spring.
The Earl of Williams' residence was unusually busy on this day.
The wedding was scheduled for the afternoon at the capital's largest cathedral. Felix had gone to great lengths (and spent a considerable amount of money) to secure the services of a cardinal—second only to the Pope—to officiate the ceremony. The witness to the marriage was none other than His Majesty the King, who had enthusiastically volunteered for the role. Originally, Felix had intended to ask Allen's father to serve as the witness, but since the King was willing, it was naturally the best possible arrangement.
With these two distinguished figures present, Felix's wedding was elevated to an exceptionally high standard, second only to a royal wedding.
Though the ceremony was set for the afternoon, Wei Wei had to rise early to prepare. She needed a full-body treatment, followed by dressing, makeup, and hairstyling—every detail had to be perfected to ensure she presented her most flawless self to the guests.
Of course, this wasn't Wei Wei's ambition but rather the goal of the maids surrounding her, who were practically determined to transform her into a celestial beauty.
Today, she was little more than a mannequin, required only to stay still and let others attend to her.
The makeup, however, she had to do herself—Wei Wei wasn't particularly fond of other people's handiwork.
While she was busy, the other half of the wedding party, the groom, waited nervously outside the door.
There was no custom at this time prohibiting the bride and groom from seeing each other the day before the wedding. In fact, in some regions, the day before the wedding was considered the night of consummation, after which the couple would proceed to the church for the ceremony.
Of course, this tradition was absolutely out of the question for Wei Wei.
Here, it's worth mentioning a reprehensible practice that existed in Europe—and even in the original history of the Yuan Dynasty—known as the droit du seigneur (lord's right).
In Europe, particularly in certain Western European countries (cough, England), marriage wasn't just a personal matter for commoners. The law decreed that a bride's wedding night did not belong to her husband but to her lord. If the couple wished to avoid this obligation, they had to pay the lord a marriage tax of four silver coins. And if the lord took a fancy to the bride, he could choose to forgo the money and take the woman instead.
This rule applied even to freemen, as long as they lived within the lord's domain.
Thus, the more beautiful a woman was, the more she had to worry about this. If Wei Wei weren't marrying Felix—her lord—she would be in serious trouble. Of course, if she married another powerful noble, Felix could at most demand the tax from her.
But all this was merely hypothetical. The reality was that her groom **was** Felix, her lord, so no one could demand that absurd tax from her—not even the King.
According to the wedding traditions of the time, the groom should have gone to the church first to await his bride, who would then be escorted into the church by her mother, and the groom's mother, who would then "give her away."
But neither Wei Wei nor Felix had living parents, so there were no female elders to lead Wei Wei down the aisle.
Though noblewomen like the Countess of Nelson had eagerly volunteered for the role, Wei Wei didn't feel close enough to any of them—nor did she want to suddenly be treated as someone's junior. After some consideration, she politely declined.
Instead, they opted for another approach: the groom would escort the bride into the church together. This wasn't entirely without precedent.
And so, Felix now sat anxiously outside Wei Wei's door, waiting.
From the moment he woke up, Felix had been in a state of nervous excitement—eager to see Wei Wei and proceed to the church with her, yet also wanting to delay a little longer to calm his own nerves. He was uncharacteristically indecisive.
Allen, the best man, had arrived early to keep his friend company.
Since Wei Wei didn't have many close female friends, and the one she got along with—Aveline—was already engaged and thus couldn't serve as a bridesmaid, the role fell to Dolores. Because the bride's side had fewer attendants, Felix had also limited his groomsmen to just Allen. Otherwise, given his social circle in the capital, he could have easily invited three or five friends.
Watching Felix's anxious and nervous demeanor, Allen couldn't help but laugh—and marvel at the strange power of love to reduce Felix to such a state.
He was certain he'd be teasing Felix about this for the rest of his life.
"Don't worry, your day will come too."
"Hah, I doubt it." As a playboy, Allen had no desire for such a day. Moreover, unlike Felix, who had complete autonomy over his marriage, Allen's future spouse would be chosen by his parents—most likely for political alliance.
This was a fate many nobles—and even commoners—couldn't escape. In this era, so-called "free love" was still bound by certain rules.
Not everyone could be as fortunate as Felix.
They didn't dwell on the topic for long, because Wei Wei finally emerged from her room, fully prepared.
The moment the door opened and the bride in white stepped out, Felix felt his heart stop.
A wedding is one of the most beautiful moments in a woman's life. And if the bride is already stunning, the sight she presents is nothing short of breathtaking.
Not just Felix—everyone who saw her was momentarily speechless, their minds blank from sheer awe.
Even Allen, who had seen countless beauties, had to admit that this was the most exquisite, purest bride he had ever laid eyes on. He had a feeling the title of "Most Beautiful Woman in the Empire" might change hands today.
He just hoped the notoriously temperamental queen wouldn't throw a fit.
Wei Wei's veil had been lowered, covering her face like a traditional headpiece. Her delicate features were faintly visible beneath the lace, adding an air of mystery to her beauty. At the moment, she was looking down at her feet, her gloved hands lifting the hem of her dress to reveal white high heels adorned with pearls and seashells.
Though she adored her wedding dress, she had to admit the gown and veil were so long they made walking difficult. Since flower girls weren't yet a tradition to carry the train, she had to hold the front herself while maids in matching white dresses (acting as unofficial bridesmaids) carried the back to keep it clean—to the church.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
Her voice snapped everyone out of their daze. Felix's face flushed red, all his earlier anxiety forgotten. To hell with nervousness—his eyes were now fixed solely on his bride.
He carefully extended his arm for Wei Wei to take, then led her out of the manor.
The wedding carriage painted gold on a red base and as dreamlike as Cinderella's pumpkin coach, waited at the gates. It was drawn by a pair of horses—one black, one white—the very mounts of the bride and groom. Jade Lion, the intelligent white horse, had insisted on pulling the carriage once it learned of its master's wedding. Its suitor, Leo, naturally became its partner for the occasion.
A procession of soldiers and knights formed both guard and honor escort around the carriage, while the rest of the entourage followed behind. The long parade made its way toward the cathedral.
In the distance, the church bells rang out across the capital, announcing the arrival of the couple at the altar.
Inside the cathedral, the guests had already filled every seat. The King and Queen, along with other members of the royal family, occupied the front row. The King, serving as a witness, had even taken a seat in the family section—a tacit acknowledgment that Felix was considered part of the royal household, a junior relative.
Normally, the family section would be divided between the bride's and groom's sides, but since Wei Wei had no relatives, this arrangement was skipped to avoid embarrassment.
At this point, the King, Queen, and Cardinal Adrien had yet to appear—they would arrive at the scheduled time. After all, it wouldn't do to have them waiting for the newlyweds.
With the King absent and the ceremony not yet begun, the guests chatted freely, speculating about the bride's attire.
For the ladies of high society, the most striking thing about this foreign bride was her novel fashion sense. Throughout the winter, Wei Wei had been the trendsetter of the capital's elite. Whether it was the gifts she'd given the Queen or her various outfits at social events, her style had become a constant topic of admiration among these beauty-loving women.
"Perhaps a tiered cake gown? The one she wore at the salon was lovely. I heard from a lady that she adores those layered skirts."
"Or maybe something entirely new. After all, she's from a distant land. It could be her homeland's traditional wedding dress—perhaps made of silk?" one lady suggested, citing an example: "Just like our Queen, who wore her native dress when she first married."
(Here, she was referring to Queen Mirabelle's first marriage.)
"Speaking of the Silk Country, their wedding attire must be silk, right? Could we see a silk wedding gown today?"
"That seems unlikely. Even if she's from the Silk Country, how could she possibly produce a silk dress here? I heard she fled her homeland due to war, and only escaped her treacherous servants by chance when she met Earl Williams. In such circumstances, would you remember to pack a wedding dress?"
Wei Wei's (fabricated) backstory was no secret. Everyone knew this foreign lady had suffered greatly. Had she not been fortunate enough to win Earl Williams' heart, who knows what might have become of her?
So while only Lady Clive had dared to mock her openly, no one truly believed Wei Wei possessed any silk from her homeland—at most, perhaps a handkerchief tucked away for safekeeping. Otherwise, why had no one ever seen her with silk before?
"What a pity. I was genuinely curious about what a Silk Country wedding dress looks like. It must be breathtaking."
"Perhaps you could ask her later?"
"Of course, I certainly will."
The ladies' conversation continued until a fanfare sounded at the entrance. The King and Queen entered the hall, taking their places before the altar—a sign that the ceremony was about to begin.
The choir in the loft began to sing, and amid the sacred hymns, the resplendent Cardinal, accompanied by other clergy, appeared at the altar.
All eyes turned to the cathedral doors, knowing the protagonists of the day were about to arrive.
The carriage halted at the church entrance. The door opened, and Felix, clad in a black suit, stepped out.
Those seated near the entrance gasped at his unprecedented attire. Conservative men frowned at the breach of tradition on such an important occasion, while younger men saw in his suit a bold new fashion—instantly imagining how dashing they might look in similar garb.
The women, however, were unanimous in their admiration. Young and old alike, their eyes lit up at the sight of Felix like bees drawn to nectar.
"He looks magnificent..."
"My God, I'd call him dashing."
"If he smiled at me right now, I might just faint."
These ladies had a keen appreciation for masculine beauty.
But all chatter and excitement ceased when the groom, impeccably dressed in his suit, turned and reached into the carriage to help his bride descend.
The first thing to appear was a shoe.
Or rather, just the tip of one, peeking from beneath the long gown.
The pure white shoe was adorned with intricate lace patterns—the latest trend—each floral center embellished with lustrous pearls. Though visible for only a few seconds, it left an indelible impression on every woman present.
Next came a gloved hand, sheathed in lace, as it was gently guided down. Before anyone could fully admire the glove's craftsmanship, the bride herself emerged—and the collective gasp was so profound it seemed to suck the air from the room.
Elegant white satin shimmered like pearls under the sunlight, its smoothness so palpable it could only be the legendary fabric of the Silk Country.
The noblewomen who had been speculating moments ago never imagined they would witness a wedding gown made entirely of silk (or rather, satin—Europeans at this time referred to all silk fabrics as "silk").
It was beyond beautiful.
As Wei Wei steadied herself before the church, her maids—as if rehearsed a thousand times—swiftly arranged her train and veil with practiced precision.
In this flowerless season, she carried a bouquet of fabric blooms so lifelike they could fool the eye. Arm in arm with her groom, she ascended the church steps.
And step by step, she entered the collective gaze of all present.
The white wedding dress was fitted at the top and flared at the bottom, resembling the popular puff-skirt style—but with one striking difference: no other gown had such a long train.
As the veiled bride walked down the red carpet, the front of her dress swayed gracefully while the immense train glided behind her like a slow-moving cloud. The effect was like a gentle breeze brushing against the heart.
Compared to other ornate dresses, hers seemed almost austere in its simplicity—devoid of excessive decoration. Yet its masterful tailoring accentuated every curve, and the fact that it was made entirely of silk—from collar to hem—left everyone speechless.
This was **silk**—a fabric so rare even a small scrap could fetch a fortune. Wearing this dress, Wei Wei wasn't just the epitome of understated elegance; she was practically draped in a mountain of gold.
Beyond the gown itself, her makeup, hairstyle, and even the silver hairpiece securing her veil were so flawless they inspired envy in every woman present.
As she drew closer, her face—visible through the translucent veil—revealed a beauty both sacred and regal, as pure as the pearl earrings she wore.
The bride in white, paired with the groom in black, was a match made in heaven.
Looking at them, one couldn't help but feel that the phrase "a match ordained by the gods" was no mere hyperbole.
When they reached the altar, even the presiding Cardinal paused before beginning the ceremony, gazing at the bride with admiration. His first words were praise:
"Few choose white for their wedding attire, but you are the most pure and beautiful bride I have ever seen."
Behind her veil, the young woman smiled faintly and curtsied. "Thank you for your kindness."
In truth, Wei Wei suspected he was more pleased with her veil—which concealed her hair and much of her face. In an era when the Church insisted women cover their hair in public, this detail likely earned her his approval. Most brides would never dream of hiding their beauty on such an occasion, but Wei Wei had chosen the veil purely for its ceremonial aesthetic.
From that point on, the guests watched the proceedings in a daze. Later, few could recall the details of the ceremony—their memories were dominated by the couple's extraordinary attire.
After his initial praise, the Cardinal remembered his duty and turned to address the congregation, beginning the first step: the Declaration of Intent.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join this man, Felix Williams, and this woman, Wei Wei, in holy matrimony. This sacred union, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ and ordained by God's commandment, is the most solemn of human covenants. Therefore, it is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, soberly, and in the fear of God.
Felix Williams and Wei Wei, you have declared your desire to enter this holy estate. If any among you knows a reason why these two should not be joined, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."
Naturally, there was only silence.
Satisfied, the Cardinal turned to the altar and began the prayer:
*"Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing Your will, no weakness prevents us from doing it. Thus may we walk in the light of Christ, finding true freedom in Your service. Be present now with us, and bless this gathering in Your faithfulness, now and forevermore. Amen."*
This was a lengthy process—after the prayer came scripture readings, followed by hymns from the choir. Only then did the ceremony reach its climax: the vows.
Felix and Wei Wei stood facing each other before the altar, their hands clasped as they recited their vows before the assembly.
*"I, Felix Williams (Wei Wei), take you, Wei Wei (Felix Williams), to be my wedded wife (husband). To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death, we do part, according to God's holy ordinance."*
This vow, now a staple of church weddings, was one every couple recited—but how many truly lived by it?
Wei Wei didn't believe in vows. A marriage requires effort, not just promises. What she trusted was her judgment, Felix's character, and their shared commitment to each other's happiness.
After the vows, Dolores stepped forward with a cushion holding two rings—an unusual sight, as only the groom traditionally gave a ring (typically a family signet). But the Cardinal, wise with age, understood the significance of the paired rings and handed the smaller one to Felix.
Felix slipped the exquisitely crafted gemstone ring onto Wei Wei's left ring finger.
At that moment, she felt the faint tremor in his fingertips.
Then, she placed the matching ring on his finger.
Next came the kiss—though not on the lips, as public displays of passion were frowned upon in this era of chastity. Instead, Felix lifted Wei Wei's veil, revealing her rose-like beauty, and pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek.
But the ceremony wasn't over yet. Allen approached with the marriage register, and both Felix and Wei Wei signed their names with quills.
"Now, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder."