He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 181

< The Fruit of Love >

“Congratulations, Queen Carolina!”

“The weather is so nice, it seems even the heavens are blessing this marriage, haha.”

“Princess Maria, congratulations!”

At the very front of the crowd stood the Duke of Rutland and the Duke of Devonshire, the highest-ranking nobles in England.

Behind them were English nobles and high-ranking officials who had often visited the Kingdom of Naples for diplomatic and trade matters.

The Queen had been upset more than once by the arrogant and condescending attitude of the English nobles.

However, today, their words and actions were so polite that no such feelings could be detected at all.

It was evident in the way they made a point of visiting the bridal waiting room to offer their respectful greetings, and above all, in how they were trying to please Queen Carolina.

“They are such a well-matched couple. Moreover, if the Earl of Sanderson has chosen the partner, what more needs to be said? Considering the strong relationship between our two countries, today is truly a joyous occasion. Hahaha-”

The short, stout noble who was flattering her right behind the Duke of Rutland was the agricultural trade official who used to nitpick every grain deal with England from Sicily.

Last year, he visited Naples and was full of bluster, but now he was a completely different person, constantly watching the Queen’s every move and bowing obsequiously.

‘······.’

Even without Prince Carlo’s words, the Queen had been personally experiencing Tae-oh’s immense power and influence for the past few days.

Even if she had married a prince of the English royal family, it would have been difficult to expect such a sight.

Queen Carolina was completely satisfied.

“Thank you all. Since our princess will be living here in England, she will need a lot of attention from all of you.

I hope you will take good care of our princess even when I am gone.”

At the Queen’s words, the English nobles rushed to emphasize their ties with the Kingdom of Naples and volunteered to become the princess’s patrons.

“Oh, Queen. Is there any doubt? I will be her patron and take care of her in every way.”

“Of course, of course. We must take good care of her. After all, I have a strong connection with the Kingdom of Naples, don’t I? I will take the lead, I will! Hehehe-”

As the English nobles, with their markedly lowered posture, retreated after showering her with flattery, smiles bloomed on the faces of the Crown Prince and the Neapolitan ministers beside the Queen.

Prince Carlo said, as if to say, “See?”

“Mother? What did I tell you? Everyone is trying to get on the Earl of Sanderson’s good side, aren’t they?”

Queen Carolina nodded with a satisfied smile at the Crown Prince’s words.

“Yes, it really is so. I didn’t know Lord Sanderson was this influential.”

At that moment, an attendant entered the waiting room and announced that King George’s carriage had arrived at the cathedral.

“Your Majesty! The King and Queen of England have arrived!”

“Oh, really!”

Queen Carolina and the Crown Prince, along with the ministers, hurried out to greet King George.

*

As King George and Queen Charlotte entered the cathedral under the strict escort of adjutants, all the guests who were seated rose to welcome the British royal couple.

Among them were the Duke of David Manners, who had almost been killed by Gavin Murray, his son the Marquess of Granby Manners, Earl Burns, Townsend, the leader of Runners [a group of messengers or informants], Admiral Matthew Bentham, Duchess Marcia Price, Sir Grady Morrison and his wife Eva Morrison, Earl Maxwell and Sir Crispin Maxwell, Captain John Jervis and Lucy, Sir Louis Palmer and Ashley, and Deputy Hughes.

On one side, James Watt and Bolton, Mr. Osborne from Manchester, Sir Colin Peterson and his wife, and Justice of the Peace Sir Samuel Culp were also seated.

And from far away Jamaica, Mr. Spencer, Sir Jonathan Butler, Sir Leonard Evans and his wife Elisa Evans, and Principal Skipio Marshall were also seen, and Duke Leo Edwards, who had met an acquaintance from Jamaica and greeted him happily, was also present with his wife Laura, gracing the occasion.

King George, with a benevolent smile, nodded to the greetings he heard from here and there as he headed to his prepared seat. When he saw Queen Carolina, he offered warm words of congratulations, and he stood and exchanged pleasantries with Queen Charlotte for a long time.

Soon, the wedding ceremony was held under the leadership of the Archbishop of the Cathedral, and Tae-oh, wearing a splendid formal suit made with great care by Gilbert White, the tailor, for several months, waited for Princess Maria on the platform.

♬♪~♪♬~♪~

After a while, Princess Maria, her face covered with a white veil embroidered with pearls, holding a bouquet made of roses and lilies, slowly walked towards the platform with beautiful and reverent music.

The long, flowing blue wedding dress reflected the sunlight streaming through the cathedral windows, creating an even more mysterious atmosphere.

♬~♬~♪♪~

As the candlelight illuminating the cathedral brightly shone on Princess Maria’s beautiful face, revealed as she lifted her veil, everyone gasped in admiration.

As Tae-oh gently took the hand of Princess Maria, who had approached him, and led her to the front of the platform, everything around them seemed to disappear, and only the love between the two filled the vast cathedral.

Soon, the Archbishop’s solemn ceremony began.

“In the name of God, we have gathered in this sacred cathedral. The two of you standing before us now seek to vow your love and devotion before God and promise to continue it forever.

······ Earl, will you pledge to love and protect this woman standing beside you now, and to share all the good and bad, happiness and misfortune?

······ Let us all offer blessings and prayers before God for these two, that a path of brilliant happiness may unfold before them.”

After the long ceremony, as the two made their eternal vows according to the ritual, the cathedral seemed to be filled with congratulatory shouts and applause.

♬♩~♬~♪♪~♫~♩

Ding- Ding-

In time with the music, a magnificent and clear bell rang out, as if to announce the union of the two to the world.

And in one corner of the cathedral, Charlie Bailey was pouring all his heart into capturing the beautiful wedding scene on paper.

*

As they came out of the cathedral after the wedding, an amazing sight unfolded before their eyes.

A flower path made by the hands of countless citizens was beautifully adorning the front of the cathedral.

Without anyone telling them to, the citizens of London, who had heard the news and rushed over, were lined up outside the cathedral with various flowers, waiting for the Tae-oh couple.

The nobles and government officials who had just come out of the cathedral were amazed, covering their mouths at the sight of the endless crowd.

– Oh my, what is all this?

– Amazing, isn’t it? Did all these people gather after hearing about the Earl of Sanderson’s wedding?

– Yes, I think so. It seems all the citizens of London have come out to celebrate the Earl of Sanderson’s wedding.

– My goodness- it’s really amazing!

The nobles who attended the wedding could not close their mouths at the sight they had never seen before.

All the nobles knew that he had been building free schools for the education of poor children with the large sums of money he had earned through his business, and that he had been donating huge sums to the city hospital every year.

However, when they actually saw the huge number of people gathering and sincerely supporting and celebrating Tae-oh’s marriage, they felt a new sense of fear rather than joy or satisfaction.

In neighboring France, priests and nobles were being beaten to death and beheaded by angry mobs, yet here was a nobleman who was so loved by the common people.

It seemed to prove that the rumor that putting one’s name on the list of donors to the Theo School could save one’s life even if a popular uprising broke out was not without reason.

The nobles, who had directly witnessed the people’s fervent support for Tae-oh, trembled with great fear.

There were more than a few nobles who were impatient to donate to Theo School as early as tomorrow.

– Ah! The Earl is coming out!

– Where, where?

– Look over there!

As Tae-oh and Princess Maria appeared, a thunderous roar and shouts of congratulations erupted from the crowd like exploding firecrackers.

– Congratulations, Earl of Sanderson!

– May God bless the Earl and his wife!

– Long live Lord Sanderson! Long live!

– Long live the Earl!

– Long live the Countess!

When someone shouted Tae-oh’s name and title, people cheered and shouted “hurrah.”

– Long live Earl Theo Sanderson!

– Long live Earl Sanderson!

And as King George walked out behind Tae-oh, it was followed by cheers for the King this time.

– It’s His Majesty the King!

– Long live His Majesty the King! Long live!

– May you live long and prosper! Long live!

– Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live!

The voices of so many citizens shouting at once echoed loudly around the cathedral.

King George, seemingly deeply moved by the sight of the citizens cheering loudly for him, raised his hand high and waved.

Tae-oh and Princess Maria did not take a carriage but walked down. It was to walk the flower path created by the citizens out of gratitude.

– Congratulations, Earl!

– Countess, you are so beautiful!

– Congratulations on your wedding!

At that moment, a boy with a bright face, who looked to be in his mid-teens, ran out to Princess Maria with a bouquet of flowers.

“Oh my, Herace!”

The princess looked at the boy with a surprised face.

The soldiers standing next to her with spears immediately blocked him, but the princess gestured to them, indicating that it was okay.

The boy was a student named ‘Herace Wilden’ who had taken Latin lessons from the princess at Theo School.

He was the best student at Theo School, and the princess remembered him because he looked a lot like Tae-oh.

“Teacher! I will never forget how well you taught us for the past few months. I was so grateful at the time. And congratulations on your wedding!”

It would have been embarrassing to be in a place where so many people were watching, but Herace delivered the flowers bravely.

Princess Maria was moved.

“Thank you, thank you so much. I will cherish these flowers. You must become a great person, Herace….”

Herace, nodding and smiling broadly, now looked at Tae-oh and said confidently.

“Earl Sanderson! I will never forget this grace you have bestowed upon us.

I will definitely become a person useful to the world that you desire! Congratulations on your wedding!”

Smiling broadly, Tae-oh stroked Herace’s head as if he were proud of him.

“Yes, yes, Herace. Thank you so much, thank you!”

Everyone watching this scene smiled and applauded.

– Wow- clap clap clap-

– Congratulations!

– May you be happy!

Tae-oh and Princess Maria beautifully decorated the finale of their wedding, walking through the flower petals that fell like snow from the hands of countless citizens.

◈ Kensington, Theo Ballroom.

After the grand wedding, a wedding reception was held at the Theo Ballroom late in the afternoon.

In the spacious hall, people danced social dances in groups to lively music, and Tae-oh and Princess Maria, the main characters of the day, also danced among them, joyfully enjoying the joy of their marriage.

♫~♬~♩~♬~♩~♪♩ ♫~

The ballroom on a warm spring evening after a long winter was gradually heating up with lively dancing and music.

In particular, there were several gentlemen who were skilled in social dancing today, so the atmosphere was further heightened as the event proceeded smoothly.

After one round of lively social dancing, everyone returned to their seats, and soon the wide stage was empty.

♬♪♫~♫♬~♩~ ♬~

In the space that had been filled with the lively music of the country dance until just now, a graceful minuet-style piece of music that stirred the heart flowed out softly.

Then smiles spread across the faces of the older nobles.

Although it was fading away, the minuet was still a dance that represented the dignity and elegance of the aristocracy, and it was a means of showing social status and refinement.

However, few nobles were skilled enough to readily enter the empty ballroom and dance to the minuet.

Moreover, the minuet that was currently playing was famous for being difficult to dance to, so no one was willing to step forward.

♬~♫~♬~♩♩~♪

The soft melody of the minuet spread throughout the ballroom as if waiting for the main characters to appear as soon as possible.

As everyone was watching each other, Tae-oh strode up to Princess Maria and suddenly held out his hand.

“Madam? Shall we dance?”

Princess Maria, who had been hesitating for a moment, smiled brightly and took Tae-oh’s hand.

As Tae-oh and Princess Maria, the main characters of the day, stepped onto the empty stage, great cheers and applause erupted.

– Wow-

– Clap clap clap-

– Whoo- Whoo-

People were watching with expectant eyes, and in particular, everyone was very interested in Princess Maria’s minuet dance, which they had never seen before.

♬~♫~♪~♬~♩~♩~

The two, holding hands, gazed into each other’s eyes and slowly began to entrust themselves to the melody of the minuet and move.

Tae-oh’s right hand gently took Princess Maria’s hand and led her, and his left hand, which wrapped around her waist, guided her delicate movements.

The music that echoed in the ballroom matched every movement as if it had been created for their dance from the beginning.

As Tae-oh reached out his hand and guided the princess’s dance as if sliding, the cello and violin added a beautiful melody that matched their movements as if they had been waiting for it.

People were mesmerized by the sight of the two creating graceful and soft movements, as if gliding on an ice rink.

♪~♬~♬~

Every time their wonderful dance moves continued, exclamations burst out of their mouths without them even realizing it.

Bowing to each other and slowly turning around again, stirring up the entire stage, the two filled the wide ballroom in that way.

Like a lyrical movie, the story of two men and women who had formed a bond as a couple unfolded beautifully through dance, and people listened intently to their story, holding their breath.

They were saddened by the sight of Tae-oh and Princess Maria moving away from each other, and relieved when they came closer again and held hands.

The enchanting dance of the two, which had captivated everyone’s hearts, ended with Tae-oh kissing Princess Maria’s hand.

– Wow- Bravo-

– Clap clap clap-

– So wonderful. Oh my-

It was a romantic and touching stage.

Like a well-prepared performance, the two people’s dance made not only themselves but also the viewers feel overwhelmed.

In the midst of enthusiastic cheers and applause, Princess Maria, slightly catching her breath and with a flushed face, said as if whispering.

“Ah… This is the first time I’ve ever danced so happily. I felt like I was out of my mind. And… thanks to you, the wounds I received back then seem to be all healed now. Hehe-”

Tae-oh’s heart was also filled with happiness as he danced, facing the princess.

It was a feeling he had never felt in his life.

Tae-oh did not want to break this feeling… this happiness…

The earnest desire to return to the 21st century had changed into a desire to live happily here until the day he closed his eyes for the last time.

Tae-oh wanted to be with his beloved wife, Maria Sanderson, forever.