CHAPTER 638: THE DAY OF MARRIAGE 2

The two carriages stopped in front of the red carpet, or at least near it. A moment later, the doors of both carriages opened, and the passengers stepped out.

The front carriage carried Grand Duke Flamecrest, his wife Anna Flamecrest, and Aldrey’s younger brother, Luis Flamecrest. The back carriage carried Grand Duke Rivas and his wife, Elene Rivas.

The arrival of the groom’s and bride’s direct families signaled that the procession was about to begin.

The two families walked into the church, where they saw Aldrian and the others. They greeted everyone, but when Grand Duke Flamecrest and Grand Duke Rivas turned to greet Aldrian, there was still a trace of awkwardness.

Aldrian was their own grandson, yet both Grand Duke Flamecrest and Grand Duke Rivas still felt strange and awkward calling him that. They felt unworthy of being his grandfathers. Even so, they wanted to greet him, but before they could, their wives had already stepped forward.

"Young Aldrian, I’ve actually wanted to meet you directly for a long time. This is the first time I’ve had the chance," said Anna, the wife of Grand Duke Flamecrest, with a smile. She took Aldrian’s right arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, as if trying to feel the firmness of his arm, like a proud grandmother.

"Me too, young Aldrian. I’ve heard about you from your mother ever since the rumors about Irene and Aldrey began spreading. She hasn’t stopped talking about you as the most treasured person in her life," Elene said with a smile. She did the same as Anna, gently holding his left arm.

Aldrian, of course, returned their smiles as he answered them.

"I’m glad we finally met on this joyous occasion, Grandmother Anna, Grandmother Elene. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to visit in the past because of various circumstances."

Hearing Aldrian call them grandmother, Anna and Elene’s smiles grew even brighter.

"That’s alright. After this, I really want to talk with you about many things, young Aldrian. Would you grant us old women the honor of a private conversation?" said Elene, her words supported by Anna’s nod.

"Of course, Grandmother. I would be glad to visit you afterward and talk as much as you like. Also, you two don’t look old at all. What I see are youthful, beautiful, and elegant women," Aldrian replied with a soft smile.

"Jeez, listen to how sweet your words are. I really wonder who you learned that from," Anna said with a slightly embarrassed tone.

Grand Duke Flamecrest and Grand Duke Rivas were not surprised, as their wives already seemed close to each other. Since news of Aldrey and Irene’s relationship had spread across the continent, the two women had met from time to time, and from the looks of it, they had grown close because of it.

Although they were the wives of grand dukes from families that had not shared a good relationship in the past, they did not seem to take that hostility very seriously. In fact, their friendship had developed faster than any other connection between the two families.

Perhaps it was because they shared similar values and ways of thinking. That was what crossed the minds of both grand dukes.

"Grandfather Giovan, Grandfather Carlos," Aldrian said as he greeted the two grand dukes."Thank you for your help all this time. Without your cooperation, we wouldn’t have been able to make this marriage happen."

"Haha, you’re too humble, young Aldrian. You’ve also done a lot to make this possible," Grand Duke Flamecrest said with a natural smile, trying to brush aside the lingering awkwardness. "As their parents, of course we did our best to support this marriage."

"Yes, it was you who made this celebration what it is, young Aldrian," Grand Duke Rivas added. "There’s no way this marriage could have turned out like this without you."

"Anyway, we should take our seats. Aldrey and Irene are almost at the church, so we need to be quick," he added before the two grand dukes and their wives walked toward the altar platform, where special seats had been prepared for them on both sides of the podium where Pope Claudius now stood.

Luis separated from his parents and took a seat near Aldrian, where he was warmly greeted.

Grand Duke Flamecrest and his wife sat on the pope’s right side, while Grand Duke Rivas and his wife sat on his left. From their seats, they looked toward the church entrance, where another commotion could already be heard.

Not long after, a luxurious carriage bearing the symbol of the dragon-phoenix came into view. It stopped at the edge of the red carpet, and those who saw it waited eagerly for its occupant to step out. They all knew this carriage carried the main star of today’s event. It was the carriage used by the groom to fetch the bride from her home and bring her to the wedding venue.

When the door finally opened, people across the continent held their breath. The man who stepped down was the very one who had long captured the hearts of many women, even before Aldrian ever appeared.

At this moment, his handsomeness made many women fall in love at first sight all over again. Now, they truly found themselves confused, unable to decide between the father or the son.

It was clear that Aldrian’s good looks came from his father, though each had his own unique charm. Aldrian’s youth gave him a fresh, captivating presence, while Aldrey’s mature features were like a perfectly ripened fruit, he was the refined, grown version of Aldrian.

Aldrey was dressed in a noble white wedding suit from the Flamecrest family, his red hair neatly combed back, giving him an elegant and masculine appearance.

His smile at that moment showed he was the happiest man in the world. He then turned and extended his hand, and a woman’s hand reached out from the carriage to take his. The moment the bride stepped out, the eyes of men and women across the continent shimmered with amazement as they finally saw her.

At this moment, Irene looked truly like a goddess, her charm standing side by side with Sylphia’s without falling short. She wore a beautiful white wedding dress that enhanced her elegance and grace. Her long black hair flowed freely beneath a sheer white veil, and her flawless face was visible for all to admire.

The smile she gave Aldrey made her feelings clear. She was already known across the continent as the "Ice Beauty," and had rarely shown any emotion, but this smile, warm and full of love, appeared only in front of him.

As Irene stepped down from the carriage, she gently held Aldrey’s arm. They smiled at each other, then began walking toward the entrance of the church. Once again, people across the continent could not help but think that this couple truly looked like a match made in heaven.

Aldrian and the others watched with smiles and moved expressions. For Grand Duke Rivas and his wife, the emotions were harder to contain. The grand duke held back tears, while his wife’s eyes were already red. Their daughter, whom they had raised with love and care for so many years was finally getting married, and they could see that she was truly happy.

Aldrian also looked at his parents with a gentle smile. They had finally reached the moment where they could stand together, united as husband and wife in front of many people. He knew how much hardship they had endured to arrive at this point.

While his gaze remained on them, something unusual drew his attention. He sensed a subtle movement of energy around his mother. Aldrian’s eyes shifted toward her abdomen, where he could feel the flow of heaven and earth energy being quietly drawn in.

With his sharp sense, he immediately recognized that it was not the location of a dantian, but rather, the place of a womb.

He slightly widened his eyes, then smiled warmly as he finally understood what was happening.

"Mother has already conceived my little sibling. It looks like Father and Mother truly succeeded," he thought.

Aldrey and Irene had returned to their own grand duchy more than two weeks earlier to prepare for the wedding, after staying in Aldrian’s palace. Before they left, Aldrian had sensed nothing unusual. That was why he was so astonished to sense it now, his mother was already carrying his little sibling.

Since the pregnancy was still in its early stages, he could not tell the gender. But the warmth and quiet excitement in his heart continued to grow. He didn’t care whether it was a brother or sister. Whatever the gender, he would cherish them, and take care of them.

As Aldrey and Irene approached the altar, they finally spotted Aldrian seated with his group. Their smiles grew even brighter, and they couldn’t help but feel moved. They had finally reached the moment where they could stand together, united, without worrying about others’ opinions or judgment. After everything they had been through, they had arrived at the dream they had always hoped for.

They had never imagined their wedding would be held on such a grand scale, with people across the continent watching. And they both knew that all of this had only been possible because of their son, their pride, Aldrian. His presence was truly a blessing, and to them, he was their greatest gift.

Irene’s eyes grew red, but she held back her tears as she and Aldrey continued walking toward the altar, where Pope Claudius and their parents were already waiting. When they reached the altar, they stopped just before the podium.

They exchanged one more glance, smiling at each other, before Aldrey turned to look at Pope Claudius, who welcomed them with a gentle smile of his own.

Pope Claudius gave a small nod, then looked out at the gathered audience.

"For all beings under the heavens who are watching this sacred ceremony at this very moment..."