BLOODY LOVE'S
3 Extra: The Oath

Spring came so quickly for Lady Chantall who was busy with work, choosing dresses, invitations, and Wedding Courses from the church. Despite growing up as a Catholic, Marco did not care about religion, but Lady Chantall cared. He wanted their marriage to be performed in the church in order to receive the sacrament of marriage. He wanted them to make a pledge before the holy altar. Marco did not mind.

In early April of this year, she was finally able to wear the white dress of her dreams.

Lady Chantall wears a fluffy white dress that resembles princesses in a fairy tale at her first wedding. This time he did not even glance at such a dress. Just like her ring, her wedding dress was also custom made. He chose a simpler model with an open back and a soft cloth that fell to the shape of his body.

The Chantall family in Skot no one objected to the unification of Chantall and Argent. His uncles even easily became familiar and liked Marco. It's strange for Lady Chantall because she remembers Marco not talking too much during their visit to the Scots. Lady Chantall's parents were both gone, so the one who drove her to Marco through the church aisle was her oldest uncle as the current leader of Chantall.

From the veil of the bride's veil, Lady Chantall looked vaguely at her future husband. The man was wearing a dark blue suit. His facial expression was not very visible.

Patience, inner Lady Chantall once it got to her place at Marco's side, I could see her as fully as I could after this.

Mass was fast for Lady Chantall. Just know that the Bride's Handing is done, the Gospel is read, and they come to the Wedding Pledge. He and Marco stood side by side before the altar, in front of the Priest, accompanied by two witnesses of marriage who stood on the left and right. The congregation also stood up from their seats. Lady Chantall felt her back hot from nervousness, but she kept her shoulders straight.

"Marco Argent and Jeanne de Chantall, do you really, with a free and sincere heart, want to formalize this marriage?" ask Imam.

"Yes, really," the two answered in unison.

"Are you willing to lovingly accept the children God has given you, and educate them according to the law of Christ and His Church?"

"Yes, I'm willing," the two replied in unison, but Lady Chantall was a bit suffocated. He had read many times the marriage rite guide they were going to live, but only now realized there were children in this section. They haven't talked about children. Will there be or not? Does Marco want a child between them?

As Lady Chantall was preoccupied with so many new questions in her head, the Priest continued, "To make this holy marriage a pledge, please shake hands with each other and declare your agreement before God and His Church."

Lady Chantall bit her lips, holding a heart tremor in her chest as they shook hands. Even from behind his satin gloves, he could feel Marco's warm, rough and smooth palms. His own fingers were cold from the strain. The priest placed the stole on their hands. Marco spoke his vows smoothly and calmly. His heavy voice reached the corners of the church.

"Before the Lord, Priests, parents, witnesses, I—Marco Argent, with a holy intention and a heart that chooses you, Jeanne de Chantall, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you in good and bad, joy and sorrow, healthy and sick, with all your shortcomings and advantages. I will love and respect you all my life."

Lady Chantall's tears spread and dripped uncontrollably. His grasp tightened behind the stole while holding back the sobs. It was still clear in his mind the beginning of all this. Marco disappears and he is agitated, panicked, then decides to search for the man alone. He could still clearly feel the relief that lay in him at Ashington Castle as soon as the man appeared, seizing and sipping a cup of dope that he was willing to poke for him; then he desperately expressed love, recklessly urging the man over and over again even though he was actually very nervous and embarrassed in his heart, recklessly looking for the man in the middle of the night even though their opponent was clearly a demon. They were nearly separated several times. But God did not turn away from him. Now all his recklessness and hope bear fruit so sweet that he even still finds it hard to believe this is not a dream.

"Jeanne?" whispered Marco.

Lady Chantall raised her face, only to realize that this was her turn to make a promise. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat, trying hard to keep his voice sounding steady and confident.

"Before the Lord, Priests, parents, witnesses, I—Jeanne de Chantall, with a holy intention and a heart that chooses you, Marco Argent, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you in good and bad, joy and sorrow, healthy and sick, with all your shortcomings and advantages. I will love and respect you all my life."

The pledge has been said, but the mass is still long. The priest again continues the rite, "In the name of the Church of God, before the witnesses and the people of God present here, I affirm that this marriage that has been inaugurated is a valid Catholic marriage. May for both of you this sacrament be a source of strength and happiness. That which God has joined together shall not be divorced from man."

"Amin" said the whole community.

"Let's praise the Lord" said the Imam.

"Thank God."

The priest splashed their rings with holy water, then gave a blessing prayer and invited the two brides to take turns taking their partner's ring and wearing it on the right ring finger of each other.

"Jeanne de Chantall," Marco grabbed Lady Chantall's fingers and squeezed them briefly before continuing, "accept this ring, a sign of my love and my loyalty. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Lady Chantall smiles as she turns to put on a ring for Marco. He said the same statement.

The congregation sits down as the ceremony continues at the opening of the bridal veil.

As Marco opened the bride's veil, the Imam smiled and opened his hands, saying, "May you two always look at each other with a face full of love. May the bond of love between the two of you that is inaugurated in this celebration be the source of true happiness."

Everything seems clearer now that the veil has been opened. She could see the face of the Priest, the altar, the floral ornaments on the pillars and altar of the church, the guests, the damascus pattern on the waistcoat and the blue coat of Marco, the expression of her husband.

The smile on the man's face made Lady Chantall curl her lips in full excitement. He raised both eyebrows in surprise as Marco stepped closer.

Is something wrong? Lady Chantall opened her mouth to ask. Marco silenced her with a kiss on the lips. That's the thing that really doesn't exist in a wedding ceremony. Lady Chantall was still stunned for two seconds, then she closed her eyes and kissed back. The whole church applauded and cheered. The priest smiled and gave him time.

***

"Lady Chantall looks so beautiful" whispered Mary as the ceremony came to the signing of the marriage dossier.

"You're prettier," said Jose in short, chuckling as he got a pinch on his arm. "By the way, she's no longer Lady Chantall."

Maria nodded. She became an Argent: Jeanne Argent. His cheeks heated up a little imagining soon he would also catch up.

Some proposed that the marriage be amalgamated with the marriage of Marco and Lady Chantall to be practical, but both Mary and Lady Chantall balked. They want their wedding to be special and only their own. After all Jose is still busy taking care of his move to Redstone, stabilizing his position there. The Redstone guys don't care about their new marquis and aren't enthusiastic about Jose's arrival. To them, Jose was only the son of a rich man, no different from all their previous landlords who would shut themselves up in the honey-clad castle and ladies.

Maria also needs time to learn a lot of things—especially about what kind of family she goes into as well as what things they deal with. She does not want to be just a companion wife who knows nothing. Jose didn't mind at all and it made Maria happy to feel trusted.

Their wedding will take place in mid-April next year, when the flowers start blooming.

I can't wait. Maria put her head on Jose's shoulder. Their fingers are related to each other.

***

Once the couple has returned to Argent, the party begins in the backyard of the manor. The door is opened and guests are welcome to eat. Although the wedding took place in Argent, celebratory parties were also held in Bjork and Aston. The manor gate was opened wide, food was prepared in abundance, and wine barrels were removed. Everyone is invited to come without caring about status. It's a wedding party, so the more people present celebrate the better.

The nobles were of course present at the celebration in Argent. Adrian Marsh arrives with his family, but he breaks away when he meets Clearwater. He whistled short looking at the people around them. Most who come are not just family messengers, but really the head of his family. A third of the audience were nobles entrenched in the darkness. He turned to make a comment to Clearwater, but his eyes caught another figure. The figure he knew.

"Nolan?!" astonished. The girl was wearing a long, leg-length dress. A wide ornamental hat covered his corn-blonde hair that was draped over by a boat. The speck on the girl's face faded until it was almost invisible.

Nolan looked up as soon as he heard his name called. He frowned, as if thinking, his eyes widened when he recognized Marsh. "Oh, hi," he said as he walked over. "I don't recognize you. You guys went to church, too?"

Marsh was still dumbfounded, so Clearwater replied, "Yes, we were present as well. I didn't see you."

"I'm in front, to the right of the pillar." Nolan's blue eyes shifted to the side of Clearwater, staring in astonishment at the little girl clinging to the man's arm. Nolan estimated the boy to be about eight years old. "Your sister?"

Clearwater laughing. "Daughter," correction. "Grace, where's your greeting?"

"Yes?" Clearwater raised his eyebrows. "of course. This year there will be one more" he said with a smile back.

Nolan gasped in shock, only to realize the presence of another person one step behind Clearwater, a beautiful, reddish-haired woman. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean .. uh, I thought you .. well, I didn't expect that. Sorry if it's not polite."

"The age is two and seven, it's strange that he has not had children after ten years of marriage," Marsh chirped that had recovered from his shock.

"I'm talking to Lord Clearwater" Nolan said coldly. It's always a shame to hear a sneaky tone from Marsh. "He always walks alone, so I never thought!"

Clearwater chuckles. "Lucas," he said softly. "You can call me Lucas or Luke." He turned his head to the side, touching the back of the woman behind him politely. "She's my wife, Ashley. Ashley, this is Miss Nolan, my friend."

Nolan gave a polite greeting, but did not have time to talk further as Clearwater immediately said goodbye as soon as he saw Jose passing by. He has important business to discuss with his friend.

"You're beautiful with long hair," Marsh commented as soon as Clearwater moved away from the listening distance. His eyes were still attached to Nolan who was wearing a wide hat. "Why was your hair cut short?"

"For safety's sake." Nolan shrugged his shoulders. "Not all men in this world are as good as you, my lord."

Marsh pursed his nose hearing decency in Nolan's tone of voice. "I'd rather you speak in your southern accent!" said. "It's weird to hear you speak in the northern style."

The speech actually made Nolan offended because he felt humiliated. "Why should I care about your favorite, my lord?" the question is full of emphasis. He turned quickly, made his blonde hair sway gently, and stepped long into the buffet table.

Marsh gasped, only to realize his mistake. "I don't mean you're the weird one, but me! I feel weird!" he screamed while running after. "Hey, wait!"

***

Besides Clearwater, in the room were also two other nobles: Earl Hugo Blackwood and Earl Thomas North. The three of them gave the same letter for Jose to read. An oath to self-devote.

Many can guess what the reason for Jose being made Marquis of Redstone. Some families immediately came to pledge allegiance to him, offering to become a fence— like Greyland who became the guardian of Argent. The position is advantageous because it will also get compensation from the palace and get power, but also a position that is threatened by danger. They must always be ready and ready to help, even sacrifice their lives for the lord they protect.

Jose would often leave his family on the fence he chose, so he was very careful about choosing people. He knew there would be many who would come to offer themselves, but did not expect his three friends would also present themselves. Blackwood and Clearwater are relatively close to Redstone while North is closer to Aston. All three were people he trusted, but what clearly tested his loyalty was Clearwater. But Clearwater was no stronger than the North.

It's a difficult choice, Jose weighed in while reading the letters of the three men closely. His friends volunteered not for status, power, or money. He knows it. That's why choosing one is so much harder.

"Do you have to choose just one?" blackwood asked as soon as Jose read once again Clearwater's letter. "Isn't more better?"

"Yes, that's right!" North said quickly, his face looking bright. "You can accept the three of us. We can strengthen each other!"

Jose shakes. "I would be greedy if I had three big families as bodyguards."

"Then what's wrong?" hatch Clearwater who's starting to feel Blackwood's idea is really good. "If you're talking about greed, you're not guilty of this."

"You are greedy." North nodded and laughed. "After hearing what happened in Bjork, we decided presumptuously that someone should be ready to help you so you don't kill yourself."

"Even without being my family's guardian, we'll still be friends, Tom. I'll also let you know if you need help" Jose said in surprise. "You don't have to endanger yourself like this."

"You're so sweet." Blackwood chuckles. "But did you ask for our help yesterday, Redstone?"

"You're almost dead, it's precarious, but you're just asking Adrian and Luke for help," North chimed bitterly. He patted the arm of the chair once. "Argent never asked for help from people who were not involved. That's your principle, right? You think we'd bother writing a letter if you'd just as easily ask someone else for help?"

"Your Majesty the Queen would not mind you having three fences" Clearwater chirped. "Redstone is more dangerous than Bjork."

Jose smiled amusedly. "I've never heard of anyone having three guard noble families," he still tried to resist gently.

"I've never heard of a sanctified undead" Clearwater said. "But it exists."

"I never heard of a fourth child being made a marquis even though his predecessors were still alive" North said. He shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "But he's in front of me now."

Blackwood grimacing. He leaned forward with his hands tied in his lap. "You've never heard of it because no one's ever wanted to do that before for anyone, even your uncle only has Greyland. But here are three families willing to dedicate their lives to you, Redstone. You still want to avoid?"

Jose looked at the three one by one to look for a glimmer of doubt in their eyes. But all his friends stared back with determination. Jose sighed and shook his head in astonishment, twitching the base of his nose while thinking. They were not going to back down, Jose realized that these three people in front of him were serious. He got up from the chair and walked towards the fireplace, then threw all three letters in his hand into the flames.

North chuckled in relief. He immediately got up followed by Blackwood and Clearwater. They lined up side by side in front of Jose with fists placed firmly on the left chest.

Jose prepared a sword at the waist. He had prepared the weapon because he had intended to choose people today. It feels strange to have to hear the warrior vows from his own close friends, but this is part of the tradition. Jose threw away his awkwardness. That was all he could do in honor of the devotion Blackwood, North, and Clearwater had given him. They do not call witnesses or priests because this is a secret oath.

Jose raised one hand at a glance as a signal that he was ready.

"In the name of God and all that is holy in the world" said Blackwood, Clearwater, and North in a twisting voice. Their eyes stared straight ahead, unshaken, undaunted. "Let our lives be sacrificed for your health and our treasures for the success of your path. Our tongue will only say honest things! If we leave your way, let us die at the end of your sword!"

Jose nodded, touching the sword hilt on his waist solemnly. "Let the oath you make today hold your soul hostage."

"Let us be slain by our own swords, trampled to the ground, and crushed by the wind if we disbelieve!"

The vow that was spoken crept through the cold stone walls, echoing in the hallways of the Argent manor who had witnessed many things.

***

Note:

¬Oath: oath/ikrar.

¬stola: scarf worn by the priest as a liturgical garment.

¬marriage course: in a Roman Catholic marriage, before marriage the couple is required to take the Marriage Preparation Course which is more or less a kind of Christian deepening and provision of family life.

¬the oaths that Marco and Lady Chantall make are appropriate in the marriage liturgy. His vow is not "Yes I do, Yes I do" like in the movie 😂

¬the oath spoken by Jose et al was adapted from the oath of yeniceri (the elite Ottoman army).

Btw, which since yesterday was a photo illustration of Rolan alone, I updated it in Notes 4: Images & Photos