Tonight, the fox is off the hounds

Overall the wedding hadn’t taken a ton of preparations, or rather, more that by some miracle they were able to pull it all off in a relatively short amount of time. There had been so much that went into the planning, of both the ceremony and the reception afterwards. Thanks to the fact that for the first time in the last few years, Lucien had gotten the household up to a mostly full staff, they’d had all hands on deck for the planning.

They did their best to keep the ceremony relatively lowkey. After all, Lucien wasn’t about to make it a huge public spectacle when so much of that public hadn’t been there to help him in his time of need when the LaRues had attacked his family, killed most of them, held him and his sister captive and basically ruled over their estates for a few years. No, they only invited those near and dear, maybe some friends of those near and dear and Lucien’s work colleagues.

The ceremony wasn’t lengthy and the decorations tasteful but not overdone. Lucien had always been practical minded. Sure he had wealth from his family name, but he wasn’t one to live a lavish lifestyle just for the sake of living a lavish lifestyle. He would much rather use money to help people than just make himself more comfortable.

They had hand written vows that they read to each other. Lucien teared up trying to read his. He’d planned to have it memorised but in the moment he found himself speechless and had to rely on his notes. When the service was over, they left moved to the reception area where things livened up more. After the happy couple was announced, they made their way around, table to table, greeting guests as they went.

Lucien was starving and eager to get through this part of things, but appreciative of all their friends that had come out to help them celebrate this most happy of occasions. As they walked around, Lucien smiled and nodded and made small talk, at a brief break Lucien kissed his new wife’s cheek. Their child was back home with the nanny, and his mind kept wandering there. He was obviously too small and finicky to try and sit through the entire event, but he did find it hard to be away from their child.

I’m starving, I hope the food’s not all gone before we get there. He said with a grin, and then proceeded to greet the next guest.

Despite of once being a quite talented bard, today Maeve was a bit at loss with words. Butterflies danced in her stomach as her brain was swarmed with the emotion of finally being married with Lucien. It was something that they had desired for months, but had agreed to wait until the baby was born in order to not have extra stressors plus the Dubois fiasco who had haunted them both for part of the pregnancy.

She wore elegant yet not too over the top dress and moved from a table to another, greeting guests with her husband while people enjoyed food. One would think that by now she’d be starving but admittedly she wasn’t particularly hungry.

“My stomach is now absolutely closed, must be the nerves” she admitted in a low voice. “Good sort of excitement but I am still processing all of this"

Something about waiting in line for a lengthy period, really irritated people, but not Rene. Most around him were paired, chatting drivel and numbing small talk that he found himself switching off. Well. Equations could be relaxing for some people. Him specifically. His own way of escaping the buzzing noise around him until the pair behind cleared their throat to encourage him a step or two forward.

His attention snapped back to reality as eventually he neared the head of the line. Only the Rivaini pair who were finishing up were before him. Pulling his hands from the pockets of his waistcoat, Rene tilted his head to the bride and groom, respectively. [color=#44b8ff]“Finally. You make an honest man of him.”[/color] Reaching to shake Lucian’s hand, Rene focused on Maeve. [color=#44b8ff]“Gorgeous. Took him too long, but then he never was good at speaking up. Good job at not making a complete fool of yourself, Luci.”[/color]

Lucien grinned at the commend about Maeve making an honest man out of him. He was glad that Rene was able to attend, especially since Claude was also attending. He appreciated the man more than words could express. Things hadn’t been easy with the LaRues took everything from his family, killing most and torturing himself and his sister Alina.

He’d escaped, only to find out many he thought would be allies, simply accused him of not playing the game well enough. Not Rene though, he wasn’t like many of the asshole nobles that plagued Orlais. Then when Rene commented about doing a good job, Lucien laughed and agreed.

Honestly, I felt like my face turned about fifty shades of red when I had to pull out my notes for the vows. I don’t know how this one puts up with me sometimes, but I guess she’s officially and legally stuck with me now. He said as he kissed Maeve on the cheek.

Maeve laughed and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips “Bold of you to assume that I did that, why would I want an honest man when an scoundrel Is way more fun?” she said playfully “I know but what matters is that he did, even if it took him a bit longer” she said with a warm smile “I am so glad of that you could came, I couldn’t imagine a party without you”


“Maybe you are the one stuck with me” she said with a bit of laughter “I have to admit that a petty part of myself is extremely happy to see all these ladies a bit jealous of that I landed the most desired single noble in Orlais” she said with a grin. She knew some people loathed that Maeve wasn’t a noble and it amused her endelessly.

There had been a discussion, but now was not the moment for Rene to dwell on his past failure, not when his friends were enjoying a well deserved victory and perfect day. The men had experienced their fair share of trouble and cost at the expense of the Game, both had fallen from grace but had forged a strong alliance in their return. The Dumont’s had almost returned to their full strength. The Beauvais, a reliable partner and ally.

[color=#c10300]“Does it matter in the grand scheme of things, what words failed you?” [/color]he’d chuckle at Lucian. Watching the man kiss his bride caused Rene to chuckle awkwardly, turning to Maeve. [color=#c10300]“Scoundrels are fun, but he’s too honest to be one completely.”[/color] Maeve suited Lucian so well, a true partner and she certainly knew her man well. [color=#c10300]“As they should my dear. They completely ignored character over gold and a pretty title. You never needed a title to love him, but I shall take up no more of your precious time. Enjoy, and I wish you endless joy for the future.” [/color]

With a respectful nod to the happy couple, Rene would make way for the next person.

Vincent had of course seen the happy couple before the ceremony, but he hadn’t gotten a chance to properly congratulate them. After the ceremony ended he’d gone to find Rosalie. Once he’d found her and they were at the reception, he decided there was finally time to congratulate his sister and new brother-in-law.

Even though he didn’t say it out loud, he couldn’t help but wonder if this could be him and Rosalie’s fate one day. The idea of marrying her certainly didn’t terrify him. Though it was still perhaps a bit soon to be popping that question. At least, he already knew that she would be fine with just adopting if they weren’t able to have children of their own.

Hey, let’s go over and congratulate them together? He was having such a lovely time, and with the blight over for a good bit of time now, he could really relax a bit more than he had been. Though they still had to consider the whole rebuilding their ranks and such, but that was troubles for another day.

Rosalie was sipping on her wine, the soft music reaching her senses when Vincent’s voice pulled her out of her little warm bubble. She was so relaxed and having such a good time that perhaps had overindulged in a glass of wine or two extra and she nodded excitedly at the proposal. A blush covered her cheeks “Yes but don’t distract me again being so handsome or I’ll forget how to speak” she said giggling.

Once they approached Rosalie pulled the pair into an enthusiastic hug “I am so glad for you two!!! The wedding is so pretty!!!!!” she said with a cheerful voice before retreating. Normally she was more formal and less effusive excepting for her close family but the wine had lowered her inhibitions a bit.

Lucien was a bit ready for the party to be over so he could be alone with his wife and son, but that didn’t prevent him from putting on a warm cheery face as he greeted everyone that had been kind enough to come witness the two get married and partake in the festivities. As Vincent and Rosalie came over he smiled big, it was after all now his brother-in-law.

Well, we’re just happy you could make it! This one here is far happier when you’re around. He said, nudging at Vincent in jest. Though it was true, that Vincent always smiled brighter and had an extra spring in his step if Rosalie was near.

Rosalie smiled softly “Well I could say the same for Vincent, he was absolutely radiant during the ceremony by seeing his sister happy” she said as she smiled “I am absolutely happy for you two too, you deserve to have a happy ending after everything that you have gone through” she said kindly, wondering if she would ever get her happy ending with Vincent too “Any plans for the after wedding? Will you two have a trip or will stay at home after such busy years?” she hoped that they knew that she wasn't gossiping just asking to know if they would be around to visit them.
"If you stay around you have to come to our new house to visit too! I just finished the last bits of the moving so you should see it! It's not as big and it's way more humble than yours but I hope you will like it!"

“Of course I am happier with my brother around, we are twins! We can’t live without each other” she joked, an old gig that she had said with Vincent since they were kids the “twin sense”. “I am so glad to see you two here, and we’d love to visit your home! Don’t sell it short darling I am sure of that it will be delightful” she had humble origins too and while she loved luxuries she was quite down to earth too.

Vincent gave Rosalie a squeeze as she mentioned how happy he’d looked watching his sister get married. Of course, a lot of that happiness was also because of Rosalie and how happy she made him. It was just a happy day all around, and he really hoped that one day it would be him and Rosalie getting married.

Her house is amazing, but then anything better than shared barracks. He joked, as he spent more and more time with Rosalie and less and less time at the Grey Warden fortress. Thankfully with the Eluvian network, he was able to go back and forth between the two places with ease, otherwise he imagined his superiors would be a lot less all right with Vincent splitting his time.

Lucien nodded and smiled and took a moment to kiss Maeve on her cheek. It seemed they were all deliriously happy, and that was fine by him. He wanted his child to grow up in a happy home with all the love that a big family could afford. It really finally felt like they were getting their lives back in order.

I’m just glad you guys were here to share this moment with us, it really means a lot to both of us! And yes we’d definitely love to see your new place Rosalie! Then he looked around, and gave Maeve a squeeze. Well, we should go see to the other guests. He explained, there were so many to greet, it felt a bit overwhelming.

Rosalie smiled and pulled Vincent closer "Oh it's our pleasure to be here with you two in this happy day!" she said with a merry smile. "Feel free to see the other guests! we don't want to steal all of your time!" she turned to Vincent "Perhaps we could go to snack a bit? I am starving"

Lucien nodded and smiled at Rosalie warmly, the day was turning out to be quite a wonderful day, so far no real hiccoughs in their plans, knock on wood. Of course, make sure you guys grab us before you leave later. And with that Lucien put his arm around his wife and they went to talk to more guests.