THE GRAND STORY OF THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE ADVENTURES OF BARON BRITPOP BLASTFURNACE
Andelbert and Maria / The Wedding
Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Part 49
Andelbert and Maria
Andelbert will take the reigns for this portion of the story. As it is his story to tell.
I met with Maria in the gardens the morning after Britpop told me of his plans to return home. It was the day I had been dreading since I fell in love with Maria. I was conflicted and at a loss as to what I should do.
“You look upset, my love. What is it?” Maria said as I approached her.
“I am afraid I have some bad news. Britpop has decided to return to Kapri. He has given me his blessing to stay here if I desire. Maria, you know I love you with all of my heart, but I love Britpop as a brother and miss my home. I don’t know what to do.”
“I understand. You know my love for you is true. I would be devastated if you were to leave me. I also love my village. If you choose to stay, I am sure the King would allow you to stay on as a Royal Baker. The other chefs follow your recipe, but their bread is still not as good as yours.”
“I feel duty-bound to return with Britpop, but I am hopelessly in love with you. I am torn in two. I wish to leave, and I wish to stay. How I wish you could come with us. But I cannot ask you to leave your life working in a palace.”
“Try.”
“What?”
“Ask me.”
“You mean…”
“Ask me.”
“Maria, you are the love of my life. I can think of nothing I desire more than spending my life with you. Will you be my wife?”
“Yes, you silly man. Being with you is what matters to me. Here or in Kapri, I don’t care. I want to be your wife.”
After an embrace, I said, “Come with me to Kapri. Spend some time there. If you don’t love it, we will move back.”
“That seems reasonable. I have never been outside of France. It will be an adventure.”
“The adventure of a lifetime.”
Maria laughed. “You are precious.” Then she kissed me. “Now go, I have work to do. I will see you after dinner. We have a wedding to plan.”
My heart was full of unexplainable joy. I had found the love of my life, and she was coming home with me. I rushed back into the palace to find Britpop, but I could not locate him. I recalled that he had an appointment with the Royal Physician. I went to see him, and he told me that Britpop had already left, walking under his own power. He must be with the King or Queen, I thought. My news would have to wait.
Later that afternoon, I happened upon Britpop in the gardens.
“Britpop! Maria has agreed to marry me,” I shouted as soon as I saw him.
“Marry you? How wonderful.”
“I can scarcely breathe, I am so happy.”
“Will you be staying here, then?”
“No. Maria has agreed to come back to Kapri with us.”
“This is great news. I will inform the King that we will need passage for another passenger.”
“Yes, please do.”
“I hope I am not being presumptuous, but I would gladly welcome Maria as one of my staff in Kapri.”
“We have not gotten that far in our planning, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”
“It would be my greatest joy to have the company of you both daily.”
We embraced.
“If you don’t mind, I would like to go share the news with Lafayette.”
“Of course. Go, my friend. I will inform the King.”
The Wedding
I shall resume my narration.
I was truly happy for Andelbert and Maria. But I couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for myself. I had let loneliness get the best of me the past few weeks. But I pushed those feelings aside and went to my room to draft a message to the King humbly requesting passage for an additional passenger. I completed the task and gave the letter to a valet.
An hour later, I was summoned to the King’s chambers.
“Baron Britpop, am I to understand that Andelbert is to marry one of my staff? And remove her permanently from my service?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do you realize the effort involved in finding servants to serve at the palace.”
“I am sure it is considerable.”
“And yet you expect me to release one of my best servants? And pay for her passage? Your brother has done me a great disservice.”
“I am sorry, Your Highness. We had no idea this would happen when we arrived.”
The King suddenly began laughing.
“I have made you squirm long enough. You are in no danger, Baron. I was only jesting.”
“That is a relief, Your Majesty.”
The Queen entered the room, laughing.
“Britpop, You looked so scared. I fear we may have been too cruel,” the Queen said.
“I was growing quite concerned, You Highness,” I replied.
“Set your mind to rest. I am not happy to see one of my best maids leave, but we will endure. And I am delighted to arrange for her passage as well,” the King said.
“As I shall be delighted to arrange for Andelbert and Maria’s wedding tomorrow. I think a garden wedding would be wonderful this time of year. Don’t you agree, my King?” the Queen added.
“I do. It will be a fitting farewell.”
“I don’t know how to thank you, Your Highnesses,” I said.
“You have already,” the King said.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of activity. Maria was removed from service and sent to the Queen’s Chateau to be fitted for a gown. Andelbert and I were fitted for suitable garments of our own. The services of a priest were arranged, and preparations for the wedding began in the garden. The kitchens were alerted, and plans were made for a wedding feast. Andelbert and Maria were being given the royal treatment. It was entirely unexpected.
In the evening, Andelbert, Maria, and I were allowed a moment of peace to eat.
“Britpop. If I may be so forward, why have you not courted any of the ladies here in Versaille or Paris? Surely some have expressed interest in a young Baron,” Maria asked.
“The Queen asked me the very same question. There have been introductions and pleasantries exchanged. But I have been out of sorts since I… was rejected by a girl recently. I am afraid my heart is not ready for romance just yet.”
“Well, I am sure, with time, you will regain an interest. Perhaps someone in Kapri will stir the flames.”
“I would like that very much. I hope you are right.”
“I am sure of it.”
“But enough about me. Could you have ever imagined being married at the Royal Palace? In the presence of the King and Queen of France?”
“It is beyond imagining,” Andelbert said.
“Every girl dreams of being a princess. I feel as though I am one in everything but title. I can hardly believe it. It seems like a dream,” Maria said.
“I agree.”
The following day, shortly after noon, the wedding took place as planned. It was a grand affair. The King and Queen attended, as did many of the nobility. Some we did not even know. Lafayette and Marie were given seats of honor. I don’t believe I had seen Andelbert any happier, and Maria was radiant. The service was brief but impressive. A full orchestra and a choir performed two songs.
Afterward, there was a wedding feast with tables set up along the banks of the Grand Canal. Andelbert and Maria were seated at a table on a barge-like ship that was decorated with flowers. They cruised along the canal for all to see. Then they debarked from the ship and wandered from table to table, greeting the well-wishers. All the while, the orchestra played fanciful music, and many danced.
Eventually, the celebration wound down, and Andelbert and Maria made their escape back to Andelbert’s room. It was a joyous day for everyone.
Continues in Part 50:
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©2020 Mark Starlin