They were met by two of the most powerful members of Parliament as well as the Senior Councilman. The handshakes were real.
The smiles were not.
All of them resented his quick marriage to Catherine and how it interrupted any plans they may have had to influence her.
Regardless, they walked together through the narthex and up the stairs to the holding room near the balcony above the front entrance. He wouldn't exit until Catherine had entered the building.
His family gathered around him and talked quietly, while the politicians clustered in another corner giving them the side eye.
"This is the part I'm not crazy about," he said softly enough no one could hear him. "Catherine is amazing and her family is wonderful, but I could do without the political side."
"It's part of the life," his father told him. "I know you know that. I saw enough of it when I worked here at the palace, and I wasn't even a part of it, not really."
"I'll learn to deal with it, but that doesn't mean I'll ever like it or become fully comfortable."
Before the conversation could continue, the minister from the Cathedral joined them to make a bit of small talk. Catherine had to have left the palace by now. She was supposed to be about ten minutes behind him, if that. She would have entered her car as he exited his. Any second, they would hear the increased volume from the supporters outside as her motorcade neared.
He could see some photos hanging on one of the walls and went over to get a better look. Children were doing some kind of sporting events at camp somewhere. It looked like a lot of fun, if a bit muddy.
Jake looked toward the glass doors leading to the balcony. He could hear the volume from the onlookers start to increase. Catherine had to be getting close.
His father clapped a hand on his shoulder. "It's almost time."
"Are you ready, Jakey?" His youngest sister reverted to her childhood nickname for him.
Jake grinned and picked her up, spinning her in a circle.
Once.
Two or more and she might lose her lunch all over his fancy clothes.
Byron motioned toward the doors. It was time for them to exit.
Once at the rail of the balcony, Jake waved at those gathered until he was told to turn.
Here came his bride.
Inside the balcony doors,Catherine waited to be last on the balcony. Her half-siblings went first followed by her full siblings. Mumeleine and her father went last.
With a deep breath, she held her bouquet in front of her and took the first step onto the lighted balcony.
Her heart leapt when she saw Jacob waiting for her near the railing. The way his face lit up gave her hope they could find a way to be compatible and have a long, happy life together.
As she neared the railing, Jacob held a hand out to her.
She handed the flowers to Mumeleine, took Jacob’s hand, and stepped to his side. Her arm slid around the back of his waist as his went around her. The cheers of the thousands of people gathered to watch them stand there and wave for a few minutes. After handing her bouquet to Mumeleine, she waved and smiled then blew a few kisses.
The minister from the cathedral cleared his throat lightly.
Turning to face each other, the minister spoke a few sentences about the sanctity of marriage then handed them their wedding bands.
In turn, they each slid the band onto the finger of the other and repeated the minister's words. "With this ring, I thee wed." The cheers of the crowd reached a crescendo.
Jacob held both of her hands and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You know they want us to kiss, right?"
Catherine nodded, and did her best to speak without moving her lips. "But we're supposed to wait until we're at the palace, on the balcony there."
"We're not doing the balcony at the palace, are we? I thought we were changing clothes and going straight to the ball."
