Chapter 212: Wedding Day

The wedding was both grand and rushed. On the wedding day, the bride even ran off. She was only seen hurriedly returning through the back door half an hour before the ceremony. Esme and Noelle quickly ushered her inside. Some washed her face, others changed her clothes, and others applied her makeup. Even just styling the bride's hair took a considerable amount of time; fortunately, Esme possessed skillful hands. Others were less adept.

The wedding had been prepared in two days, but the bride's dress was newly commissioned. Because Isolde and William had been previously engaged, and the wedding date already set, many items had been prepared in advance. The wedding attire, however, was of paramount importance and had undoubtedly been ordered long ago.

Margaret was reluctant to participate but couldn't disobey Pablo's orders. Usually, a posthumous wedding involved a living person and the cremation urn of the deceased. However, news of Oliver's death had spread without funeral arrangements or even a cremation urn. Instead, Isolde simply moved into Oliver's house, and after meeting his parents, the ceremony was considered complete.

William did not appear. He hadn't been seen since learning of Isolde's marriage to Oliver. Eleanor, however, did attend. Upon seeing the arriving guests, she sneered, "How shameless! Marrying a dead man and throwing such a lavish party?"

This so-called "lavish party" wasn't held in a large hall. Only the Valen family and some Langley relatives and friends were invited for a meal to announce the union. After all, this marriage was decreed by the Queen Mother.

Margaret maintained a stoic expression throughout, watching Isolde's wedding gifts arrive piece by piece. Her face darkened, but a gentle, virtuous smile appeared whenever a guest offered congratulations or Pablo's gaze fell upon her. She wore a deep red taffeta gown embroidered with birds, her hair styled in a high bun adorned with a gold hairpin. However, her dress was less impressive than the one she wore the day William took a concubine.

Isolde's new home on the Marquis Eldermere estate was the Ningser Pavilion, originally intended for William and Isolde. It was the finest residence on the estate, warm in winter and cool in summer. Its location, neither too close to the front yard nor too secluded, placed it beside a garden near a small lake. The attic offered a lovely view of the flowers. Blanner had always wanted to live there, mentioning it several times to William, but he refused, coldly stating it was for his future wife, and she shouldn't harbor such fantasies. Eleanor had detested Ningser Pavilion ever since. Now, the person residing there was the one she hated most. Eleanor raged.

Oliver's wedding was originally to include the Baron and his family, but no one appeared, not even Agnes. Even waiting until dusk yielded no arrival. As the eldest sister, Agnes's absence was indeed rude. However, the Felton family's absence stemmed from the fact that Rosemary was officiating the wedding. They feared confronting her.

Previously, Cristina had insisted on breaking off her engagement with Oliver. The Baron had agreed, believing her dislike of Oliver was justified. Though Oliver had been appointed Great Marshal, it seemed a fleeting moment of glory, lacking the support of a powerful family. Therefore, when Cristina demanded a broken engagement, he readily sought a more influential family for her.

Cristina did find someone with powerful connections. However, the Baron never expected his younger sister, ten years his junior, to become enamored with Jonathan, sixteen years her senior and already married. Who were Jonathan and Rosemary? Yet Cristina brazenly claimed she was younger and more beautiful than Rosemary, and that Jonathan was tired of his wife but couldn't divorce her. This wasn't confined to family; her remarks reached Rosemary, who responded arrogantly, "What kind of wanton woman dares covet Jonathan?"

This humiliation nearly destroyed the Baron. He scolded Cristina repeatedly, but she remained smug, claiming Rosemary's response demonstrated poor manners. This only solidified her belief that the Marchioness of Greystone, Jonathan, had no feelings for Rosemary.

On Isolde's wedding day, Cristina initially expressed a desire to attend. However, knowing her unruly nature, the Baron forbade it, instructing Agnes to keep her confined. Agnes was capable of this task but disapproved of the situation. She disliked Cristina and felt her pursuit of Jonathan would inevitably cause trouble. She reasoned that letting Cristina attend the wedding, creating a scene, and receiving a scolding from Rosemary might teach her a lesson and prevent future problems. Jonathan likely wouldn't attend. Therefore, Agnes deliberately told Cristina, "I know you want to go, but Baron fears you'll cause trouble and asked me to watch you. He won't let you leave; stay and read."

Cristina's eyes reddened in anger. "Why does he control me? I won't embarrass him; I just want to see how coarse Rosemary is."

Agnes asked, "Haven't you seen her before?"

Cristina snorted. "I have, briefly. I didn't get a clear look, let alone know her character."

"It's none of your concern."

Cristina's eyes narrowed. "Of course it is! If she's gentle and kind, I won't mind. But if she's coarse, rude, and hot-tempered, how could I let Jonathan be with her? It would be unbearable!"

A wistful sigh escaped her. Agnes, feigning sympathy, sighed as well. "I know you're infatuated. Go. I'll accompany you; it's family business after all."

Cristina rejoiced. "Really? Thank you, Agnes." And so, Agnes and Cristina arrived at the beginning of the party. Isolde had just toasted her in-laws when the guests sat down. Agnes, expecting few attendees, was surprised to find many relatives of both families present, including some who brought their families. She had been told only a select few from the main families would be invited. When Eleanor saw Agnes's return, she approached her immediately. Agnes, seeking information, pulled Eleanor aside. Eleanor explained Jonathan had called these people. Cristina's eyes widened. "Really? Jonathan's here? Where?"