Alexandrine Seine.

ㅤ “Dearly beloved,” he began, his voice deep and resonant, carrying effortlessly across the gilded expanse of the Hofburg Ceremony Hall, “we gather here today in this historic place of beauty and tradition to witness and celebrate one of life’s greatest moments.” ㅤ

ㅤ Guests exchanged glances—some in awe, some blinking away the burning in their eyes. Someone pressed a hand to their heart, another reached instinctively for the hand of the person beside them. ㅤ

ㅤ As she stepped forward, the parquet floor reflected her silhouette, stretching her presence forward toward the altar where Nelson stood waiting. Her footsteps were soundless, but the hall reverberated with the orchestra’s swelling crescendo. ㅤ

ㅤ Up in the balcony, the 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮 played the haunting notes of 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 unfurled through the space. ㅤ open.spotify.com/track/7zwdL…

ㅤ who stared at her with that emotionally devastating best-friend look—the same one that had made Keara cry during the pre-wedding ceremony, the night before. “Lex, stop it,” Keara warned with a shaky laugh. “I swear, if you start crying again, I’m done.” ㅤ

ㅤ She exhaled. Her heart drummed in her throat. “Don’t cry! Don’t cry!” she told them urgently while laughing, trying to regain control. She didn't want to be carried away by emotion again, especially when she caught Alex, ㅤ

ㅤ Vienna glowed in the soft warmth of late afternoon, the sky folding into a muted rose-gold haze as the city prepared for the wedding of the year. ㅤ

ㅤ They handed it to the bride and the groom. They accepted them together, hands touching the same wooden symbol. Nelson and Keara bowed slightly to both sets of parents. Keara helped place one duck on the ceremonial table, Nelson placed the other beside it. ㅤ

ㅤ Applause washed through the room. Then Son Ha Jeon stepped forward—upright, dignified despite his age, with a presence that silenced the hall. His voice carried wisdom and the subtle authority of a man who once led a nation. ㅤ

ㅤ Then he faced Nelson next. “Nelson, you are a man of integrity. And today, I am entrusting you with my daughter—not to own her, but to walk with her, side by side. May you both build a home filled with kindness and resilience.” ㅤ

ㅤ The moment the door opened and someone peeked in. It's one staff member from the organizer. Alex immediately wiped her tears with the back of her hand, pretending nothing had happened. Keara and Alex exchanged one last look, a quiet promise lingering between them. ㅤ

ㅤ She was led into the changing suite—warm, softly lit, a sanctuary compared to the winter-touched ceremonial hall. The heater hummed gently, and for a blissful moment, she allowed herself to thaw completely. Hanging neatly on a gold rack was her customized 𝘲𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘰. ㅤ

ㅤ But something had shifted inside her. Her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺. One ceremony had ended. Another awaited. ㅤ