The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 137

137. James’s Wedding Feast

The morning sun shone brightly, and Aquitaine was as peaceful as ever.

Since John’s elevation to the Duchy of Aquitaine, he had faced many challenges. However, he skillfully used both incentives and disincentives [the carrot and the stick] to manage the existing nobles and maintain stability.

This meant Aquitaine was peaceful enough for John’s son to have a comfortable wedding.

“My lord, what do you think of the formal attire His Grace has given you?”

“Oh… it’s truly wonderful. I understand why Father passed down this attire.”

A man was dressed in splendid formal attire, its value comparable to a king’s ransom.

The man’s name was James.

He was wearing a Byzantine-style formal attire that his father, Prince John, had worn decades ago. This wedding-specific attire was a gift from Marguerite, Prince John’s eldest sister-in-law.

Of course, John passed down not only the attire but also his handsome looks to James.

It seemed that through a series of fortunate events, the Angevin family was blessed with handsome and beautiful people. After all, Henry II and Eleanor were considered the most handsome man and the most beautiful woman in Europe, respectively.

Indeed, appearance matters.

Even a single smile from James, enhanced by his handsome face and the luxurious, handmade Byzantine-style attire, was enough to make the maids’ hearts flutter.

However, James was more preoccupied with the wedding that would take place in a few hours than with his good looks.

‘What was Father thinking when he wore this attire?’

James had been contemplating marriage since his engagement to Adelaide five years ago.

James knew that unlike his grandmother Eleanor, who had married twice, his marriage would be a lifelong commitment.

How could he even consider infidelity with a wise and beautiful wife like Adelaide? Moreover, he suspected his great-uncle might actually kill him if he succumbed to temptation.

‘I’m nervous… I wonder if she is too?’

As the day approached, James felt increasingly nervous. But he had to maintain a composed facade. Although he didn’t yet hold a title, he was the proud son of John and Mary.

So, James showed no signs of nervousness in front of the servants. He was the groom who was to be married in a grand ceremony today.

Marriage.

James felt a sense of unease. It was the moment he truly became an adult.

Of course, there was an age of adulthood in medieval Europe, and he was already treated as an adult. But he understood that true adulthood came with marriage and becoming the head of a household.

A position of responsibility.

Although he didn’t yet have children, James understood the weight of being a head of household. He knew how much effort his father, John, had put into protecting his family and territories.

As James put on the accessories for the wedding mass, he pretended to be nonchalant while grappling with complex thoughts.

“The princes have arrived.”

“Let them in.”

The door opened, and James’s brothers entered.

James thought his younger brothers were also quite handsome, though perhaps not quite as much as him. And since none of them were half-brothers, he knew his father was a noble man, unlike his grandfather.

“James, brother.”

“James, big brother~”

Although he still felt a surge of excitement, James spoke to his brothers with a solemn expression, befitting the eldest son.

Honestly, he couldn’t think of anything else to say, but he wanted to show off a little as the one getting married.

“You little ones, your brother is getting married now.”

“Wow… marriage.”

“Big brother’s wedding!”

The eldest’s wedding was an exciting event for the younger siblings.

James, the first of the three Angevin brothers to get married, was naturally the object of envy.

The second son, Charles, and the youngest, Louis, looked at James with sparkling eyes.

“I’m so jealous, brother.”

“Big brother, I want to get married too.”

They envied him with all their might.

“Charles, Louis. What are you envious of? You already have beautiful fiancées.”

“Still… Sister-in-law Adelaide is beautiful~”

Charles grumbled.

From James’s perspective, Adelaide was a very beautiful woman, but his brothers’ fiancées were equally lovely, so James chuckled.

“Big brother, I’m scared of her!”

And the youngest, Louis, cried out for a different reason.

James simply found his brothers’ reactions endearing.

‘They are such cute brothers.’

Since childhood, his father had emphasized the importance of brotherly friendship.

Since he had declared ‘eldest son inheritance’ to the clergy and nobles and established a firm succession structure, there was no need for them to fight over inheritance.

‘I need to aim higher with this wedding mass.’

James thought.

To maintain this good relationship, he had to become stronger.

He had to have enough power to prevent his younger brothers from developing other ambitions.

He knew why his great-uncles had started a civil war.

“My lord, it’s time to go to the cathedral.”

“I understand. Sir Peter.”

James still couldn’t let his guard down.

Because it was just the beginning.

* * *

―1200 Aquitaine, Bordeaux Cathedral―

On a day when the sunlight shone as if God was celebrating the birth of a new couple,

a sacred wedding mass was about to take place.

In a little while, I will enter the chapel for the wedding mass. It still feels surreal.

“Aquitaine’s Prince James is entering!”

Even at this moment, as I watch my son James dismount his white horse and greet the people with his handsome face,

I can only manage an “Ah.”

“What’s with the ‘Ah’ again? Are you spacing out?”

Of course, I’m spacing out! My eldest son is about to become a groom. I can’t help but space out. I’d probably feel the same even if it were one of the other children getting married.

James.

I owe my son many apologies.

When he was born, I couldn’t give him proper attention because of the Crusades and other matters. And as he grew up, I couldn’t properly play the role of a father because I was busy making a living as the lord of Ireland and Mortain.

Considering how important parental involvement is during a child’s formative years, I often feel I can’t express how sorry I am.

Eldest son.

It’s also the wedding day of my beloved son, who will marry Richard’s daughter and become my successor.

And because it was a wedding mass held at this monumental time in 1200, I prepared it with great care.

‘Still, I chose the right place.’

A grand cathedral in the medieval Gothic style.

This is the Bordeaux Cathedral where my mother Eleanor and the French monarch Louis had their wedding mass long ago.

In other words,

it’s a good place to showcase the Angevin family for propaganda purposes. The splendid wedding mass held here can symbolically demonstrate that our English (Angevin) royal family has already surpassed the Capetian royal family.

Many dignitaries gathered to celebrate my son’s wedding in this magnificent cathedral.

“Princess Adelaide is arriving.”

I whispered softly in Mary’s ear.

“Wow… not as beautiful as you, but she’s a good match for our son.”

Adelaide, my niece and newly welcomed daughter-in-law, was very beautiful. Of course, not as beautiful as my wife.

“I agree. Adelaide is the type to quietly get things done.”

Of course, I wouldn’t value her so much if she were only beautiful. My daughter-in-law possesses the most essential quality of an eldest daughter-in-law: ‘social skills’.

‘Despite her young age, she is building orphanages in Normandy according to my wishes, spreading Angevin culture widely, and promoting good governance among the people.’

The princess in romance fantasy novels is often portrayed as an arrogant villainess who only believes in her bloodline, but in medieval Europe, a princess held a position of political power. She had to set an example as a noble lady and be skilled at dealing with superiors and subordinates.

Why did Marie Antoinette fall from grace? She failed to integrate into the court of the Bourbon royal family and, with her innocent demeanor, became an ‘incompetent villainess’ who was used and abandoned by others.

Richard himself escorted his precious daughter to the cathedral.

“Wow….”

As people admired Adelaide’s beauty,

‘John, I trust you and send my daughter to marry. But… if she ever sheds tears… you know the consequences.’

I remembered what my brother Richard had said last time.

* * *

―Bordeaux Cathedral Chapel―

The wedding mass, where my son James and daughter-in-law looked at the same cross, contemplated the same future, and now returned to the embrace of Aquitaine, was naturally held in the Catholic tradition.

“Now, let’s go and preach the word of the Lord.”

“To the ends of Samaria, Amen.”

With Archbishop Lothaire’s closing remarks,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace~”

With the end of the unaccompanied Gregorian chant, the long but engaging wedding mass concluded.

For some reason, I held my wife’s hand tightly and said,

“Mary.”

“John, our son has finally become a head of household.”

“That’s right….”

Our eldest son, who was once so small and cute, has now received the Lord’s blessing and become an ‘adult’. Time truly flies.

My father, who came to see his grandson James’s wedding mass, said with a warm expression,

“Congratulations, son. You have a daughter-in-law now too.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Now you will have a hard time too.”

“Yes?”

Seeing my father suddenly curse me with a benevolent look, I began to suspect he was becoming senile.

―Slap.

It was Queen Eleanor who slapped her father’s back in front of everyone.

“What is this old man saying?”

“What am I saying? I’m telling you what a father who has experienced it first knows. Honestly, you know it too. Our daughters-in-law were too special and scary.”

―Slap.

“Is this old man crazy?”

My mother slapped my father’s back again.

“People are watching.”

“Do you have any more reputation to lose?”

My father is being scolded even in his old age.

Still, considering the end of Henry II in the original history, who was betrayed by his sons and suffered a tragic ending, Henry II is fortunate now.

The end of the wedding is the wedding feast.

With so many people gathered, showcasing the wealth of Aquitaine, I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Chicken, pork, beef, wine, and beer.

Of course, I also have strict financial limitations, so I spent a considerable amount, to the point where I’ll have to cut back for a while. But I don’t regret it at all.

“Eat, drink, and enjoy! You Angevins, get as drunk as you want today!”

―Thank you, Lord.

―You will be blessed.”

I felt good seeing the satisfied faces of the people of the territory.

“Wow, John, you’re amazing. You’ve been working so hard and saving up, and you saved it all for this feast?”

“Of course.”

Money is saved to be used at times like this.

* * *

James’s wedding mass celebration lasted for 3 days.

“With the marriage, Anjou has become complete once again. Now it’s your era.”

“Henry, shouldn’t we go back now? We need to manage Britain well so that the children are comfortable.”

“I understand… let’s do that.”

My father and mother returned discreetly. Brother Richard remained because I had to go somewhere with him.

“Is it today?”

“Yes, brother.”

I hadn’t been idle for 7 years.

Honestly, in my original plan, the Mongol problem was something my son would solve after I died, so I had postponed it. [Promised myself for later.]

But this world doesn’t always go the way you want it to.

Out of the blue, Temujin converted to Christianity and took over the Central Plains faster than in the original history. I felt the fear that the buffer zone, Islam, might collapse at any moment.

A situation where I could face a world war-level sectarian conflict with the Holy Mongol Empire unprepared.

I can’t just relax and rely on my brother Richard’s shoulder, saying, “I’m Safe John, ensuring the peace of Europe~”

You always have to be prepared. In the worst-case scenario, I’m contemplating a death match with the Mongolians, betting on the suzerainty of Christianity.

While managing the internal affairs of the Aquitaine territory for 7 years, I invested heavily in planning for the future.

―Bang.

―Clang.

―Tssss.

“Crown Prince, what do you think? Was it worth preparing for 7 years to this extent?”

“John, to reveal this to me without hesitation, you are indeed my beloved brother.”

I responded to my brother, maintaining a respectful distance.

“I am the first vassal serving the Duke of Normandy.”