Chapter 469: Beneath The Maple Leaves
Chairman Delaney was the most excited after hearing that Lariette had agreed to Ruediger’s proposal. The elderly man was among the very few who knew about their contractual marriage.
"Congratulations! And, Rudy! Take good care of my granddaughter!" the old man exclaimed when the pair came to visit after their summer trip.
Lariette and Ruediger agreed to hold a wedding this coming autumn. The time was a bit tight, but bearable because they planned to only have a small wedding.
As they looked over the wedding dress catalogue sent by Elsie, Ruediger teased his lady, "Didn’t you say you still want us to divorce even if we fall for each other?[01]"
Lariette answered with a smirk, "So, what? Even a simple divorce process takes time and procedures. We’ll just waste the civil servants’ time. Let them handle the true divorce cases."
He cackled, but was unable to refute her. After his successful proposal that night, he did bring this matter up. She told him to shred their contracts into pieces.
He had no objection. They could celebrate both dates in a year, the day they registered their marriage and the day they held their wedding.
As Madeline, Felicia and Elsie helped to prepare the wedding, Lariette and Ruediger went along with one of their wishes — to change their surnames[02].
Through Edmund, Ruediger instructed the legal team to assist in their name change, including everything involving certificates, licenses, properties and others, if they were any.
Lariette traded the Elsher surname with the Evans, being Lariette Evans once again. As for Ruediger, he took his late mother’s surname, Sinclair[03].
Because they were adults, they didn’t need to notify their biological families.
Came autumn, when the air was crisp with amber light, Lariette became a bride.
The golden season wrapped her in a soft glow as she stood before the mirror. Outside, maple leaves drifted down like blessings, their fiery hues painting the world in warmth.
She was lovely. Her brown hair curled softly and was pinned with tiny pearls. Her sapphire eyes gleamed, radiating her undisguised joy.
Elsie had designed Lariette’s gown. It was light and ethereal, paired with lace that enveloped her shoulders like vines.
Lariette held a bouquet, its hues befitting autumn. Warm orange tulips, cream roses and dusty eucalyptus formed a beautiful arrangement in her hands.
"Elsie outdid herself!" Madeline, once again a bridesmaid, stood behind Lariette as she admired her friend, "Wow~ Lari, you look like the nymph of autumn forest herself."
Lariette turned, her cheeks flushing red, "Maddie, I’m nervous."
Madeline laughed softly. She patted her friend’s back, "Well, that’s how you know it’s real."
Outside, the maple grove glowed in burnt orange, crimson and gold colors. Lariette and Ruediger had opted for a small and intimate wedding, only inviting a few family and close friends.
The guests on the groom’s side were Felicia, Nathaniel’s family of three, the elderly Walter couple, Renato, Edmund and Tristan, including Andrea, Russell, Diane and Leonard.
Only a few guests came on the bride’s side. They were Chairman Delaney, Madeline, Declan, Rafael, Celina, Paul and Melissa.
Although small, everyone came to bless the bride and groom. They sat beneath a wooden arch wrapped in branches and wildflowers.
The evening sun lingered low, waiting to witness the moment.
Nathaniel stood at the front, wearing a crisp suit. His expression was calm, but his eyes were full of emotion as he waited to officiate the ceremony.
Ruediger stood beside him, dressed in a tailored charcoal suit. His long crimson hair was tied neatly. A sprig of maple leaf was pinned to his lapel.
"Everyone, here comes our lovely bride," Tristan, once again the emcee, announced the bride’s entrance.
Ruediger’s eyes were drawn to the end of the aisle. His heart swelled as he saw Lariette walking toward him, guided by Chairman Delaney. Lorianne walked in the front, tossing flowers with a bright smile.
The sight of her, his beloved, moving through the amber light was almost too much for his heart. He couldn’t believe that such a day had come.
When Lariette and Chairman Delaney reached the altar, the elderly man placed her soft hand in his. He whispered, "Please, Rudy, take good care of Lari."
Ruediger clasped Lariette’s hand. He nodded firmly, "I will, Grandpa, with all my heart."
Then, Nathaniel’s voice broke the silence. He began, "We’ve gathered today beneath the autumn sky to witness the union of two souls, Ruediger and Lariette. They have found each other through seasons of growth and storm."
At that, the pair smiled at one another.
Nathaniel resumed, "These two have seen the change in the passing seasons, and yet they’ve chosen each other still. Now, we shall witness the moment they recite their vows."
Lariette exhaled a shaky breath. Ruediger brushed his thumb across her hand, giving a quiet reassurance. Then, he took a microphone from Nathaniel.
As he stood before his beloved, he began, voice rough with emotion, "Lettie, my love, I used to believe that peace was found in solitude. Then, I met you."
He paused as his usual composure faltered. He swallowed hard before he could continue.
"You’ve turned me into someone who can hold light. I promise to protect our light, always. I promise to make you feel loved, safe and free, for you to soar freely if you wish. Lariette Evans, my heart and soul are yours."
Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she smiled through his vow. She squeezed his hand before taking her turn.
"Eddy, you’ve shown me that love isn’t just warmth. You’ve been the calm in every storm I’ve faced. No matter the season, I want to spend my life with you. Ruediger Sinclair, you’re my home."
There wasn’t a dry eye in the beautiful maple forest. Chairman Delaney held back his sobs. Declan and Rafael, both tear-eyed, tried to comfort their elderly grandfather.
Madeline hiccupped, while Felicia smiled gently. After what the pair had gone through in the past, they were genuinely happy for the bride and groom.
Nathaniel smiled. He looked from Ruediger to Lariette, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
The soft notes of a violin rang through the air as Ruediger leaned down to kiss Lariette. It was tender, full of quiet devotion and reverence.
The maple leaves rustled overhead, scattering petals and light on the pair, as if blessing their union.
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Reference:
1 - 14
2 - 381
3 - 423