“Parnacorta Cathedral. The moment’s finally here…”
It was the day of the wedding ceremony. I’d arrived at Parnacorta Cathedral, where the ceremony was to be held.
Renovation work on the cathedral had only recently been completed, and a majestic atmosphere enveloped the tall white edifice. The design was nothing short of divine.
“All right, Lady Philia,” said Lena. “The only thing left for you to do is get changed.”
“Very well. I’d appreciate your help.”
Lena and Himari helped me into my pure white wedding dress, just as they’d done during the fitting. Then I waited in the dressing room for my big moment to arrive.
“You look incredibly, unbelievably beautiful, Lady Philia! Uuugh, I can’t hold back the tears.”
Lena, overcome with emotion, began to cry. I hadn’t expected her to start weeping. I panicked before handing her a handkerchief.
“Please don’t cry, Lena. You saw my dress when I tried it on.”
“I can’t help it. Today your beauty is beyond words. I was moved when you tried it on before, but this time you’re on a whole other level.” She dabbed at her tears. “Ugh, thank you for the handkerchief.”
Lena articulated even more of her thoughts as she wiped her tears with the handkerchief. Her pure, honest nature had buoyed my spirits so many times before.
Himari, seemingly unable to turn a blind eye to Lena’s emotional outburst, warned her. “Stop it, Lena. You’ve bothered Lady Philia.”
Himari was as dignified as ever. Like Lena, she was someone I could depend on, if not quite in the same way.
“Himariii. Don’t you…tear up…when you look at Philia…in her wedding gown?”
“Pardon me? What a comical notion. I’m tremendously moved by the spectacle, but even so…”
Himari’s expression shifted and her eyebrows twitched. On closer inspection, her eyes had reddened slightly.
“Hey. You are tearing up!”
“Don’t be so absurd! I would never—”
“Enough already, you two. I’m happy. Just knowing that you care so much about me is more than enough.”
At this, they both fell silent. “Lady Philia…”
As we were confirming our next steps and waiting for the moment to arrive, there was a knock at the door.
“Okay! The bride’s attendant, Mother Hilda, is ready! Lady Philia, it’s time!”
Lena checked who was at the door. It sounded as though Mother had finished getting ready.
I rose to my feet and began my progress toward the cathedral, with Lena and Himari by my side.
“Philia, let me congratulate you one more time. I never imagined I’d be the one walking you down the aisle at your wedding. Even now, it doesn’t quite feel real.”
“Mother…”
“I was nothing more than your teacher and your aunt… No, enough of that. I have no doubt that my husband, Kamil, is smiling down at us from heaven, delighted to see the beautiful bride you are today. That’s all I wanted to tell you.”
Mother’s eyes narrowed as she smiled.
I was sure my father was happy for me, too. My mother’s words touched my heart.
“Lady Philia, this way.”
We arrived at the entrance of the cathedral. I followed Himari’s guidance and moved forward, one step at the time.
At last, the wedding was about to begin.
“Are you ready, Philia?”
“Yes, Mother. Let’s go.”
I linked arms with Mother. Together, we stepped forward as the doors to the venue swung open.
✦ ✦ ✦
The cathedral was enshrouded in silence. The only sound filling the space was the echo of our footsteps.
Sir Osvalt, all but glowing in a white tuxedo, was already standing in front of the altar. I walked up and positioned myself by his side.
“I’m amazed. I tried to picture how beautiful you would look, but it seems my imagination was lacking. I see you almost every day, but I still couldn’t imagine a woman as beautiful as the one standing right here.”
“You’re such a charmer, Sir Osvalt.”
“I’m not trying to flatter you. You know I’m no good at that. Everyone is mesmerized by your beauty, Philia.”
As soon as our eyes met, Sir Osvalt complimented me on how I looked in my dress, sending my heart racing. I knew his words were sincere, and that made me feel strangely shy. I couldn’t help it.
“We will now commence the wedding ceremony of Osvalt Parnacorta and Philia Adenauer.”
Unsurprisingly, Bishop Bjorn was officiating the ceremony. After checking that we were ready, he began the ceremony.
“Do you, Osvalt Parnacorta, vow to love Philia Adenauer in sickness and in health?”
“Of course, I do. I will devotedly love Philia forever.”
Sir Osvalt answered with confidence, his gaze steady and true. His words moved and delighted me.
“Do you, Philia Adenauer, vow to love Osvalt Parnacorta in sickness and in health?”
“I do. I pledge to love him forever.”
“The couple will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and devotion.”
Mother Hilda brought out a white box and opened the lid to reveal two white-gold rings.
I took the rings from her and slid one onto Sir Osvalt’s finger. Then he placed my ring on mine.
“You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.”
On Bishop Bjorn’s cue, we turned to face one another. At that moment, uncounted emotions surged inside my heart.
The joy of all the days we’d shared, the many people we’d encountered, the thought of spending the rest of our lives together… All of it tangled together, pulling at my heartstrings.
I surrendered myself to these emotions as I awaited his kiss. And then his lips gently touched mine.
After a brief moment, his soft lips pulled away. I opened my eyes to find Sir Osvalt standing in front of me, looking a little shy.
“Philia.”
He spoke my name in the same casual way he always did, yet for some reason, it felt special.
“Yes.”
With this short response, I looked back up at him. Sir Osvalt smiled timidly and pulled me closer once again.
“Philia… I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll work hard to ensure you never regret marrying me.”
“Ha ha… You don’t need to make pledges like that anymore. I’m already convinced that marrying you was the right decision.”
“Are you sure? That means a lot. I’m delighted that I was able to marry you. I love you.”
Why did being in his arms feel safer than any other place in the world? I couldn’t shake the feeling that the emotions surging within me were filling a hole that had been within me all this time.
“In the presence of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Congratulations!”
In response to Bishop Bjorn’s announcement, the guests erupted into celebratory cheers. With the most important people in our lives watching on, our wedding ceremony ended on a perfect note.
✦ ✦ ✦
Hildegard
I STILL COULDN’T BELIEVE I was attending my daughter Philia’s wedding.
I gave birth to her after becoming a saint. After she was taken away from me, I watched over her as her teacher. During that time, I continued to pray to God every day, but I was never as thankful to Him as I was on the day of her nuptials.
The only sound that could be heard in the silent cathedral was our footsteps. As one would expect, guests had come from far and wide to attend the ceremony. They watched us quietly, holding their breath as one, as Philia embarked on her new journey to happiness.