Freeday, 22nd of Juno, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Josias had arrived along with the rest of his clansmen in front of the Archbishop's residence where Serena was. He walked besides his father and uncle as well as the other Sigumogo clan elders. The women trailed closely behind them as his aunt Pauli and his mother were holding a silver plate with the head of the boar king they had killed upon it. It was a proud statement to offer up food he had helped to hunt.

Josias himself had made sure to make himself look the most presentable. He was wearing some of the best western clothes he had in his wardrobe. A linen shirt underneath a cream-coloured doublet. He wore a white jerkin on top of his doublet while donning a gold-trimmed ulos over his clothes. He also wore a gold-trimmed talitali headcloth over his head.

As they walked, musicians filled the air with drums and sarune. To aid to the flair and fanfare, his grandfather had also suggested the use of the many royal banners and liturgical banners as they walked.

Speaking of his grandfather, Josias gave a quick glance to his grandfather as they walked. The old king was walking slower than usual as he used his priest-king staff more like a walking stick than a symbol of power. Josias' father had suggested to the king that he sit the day's ceremonies out but his grandfather would have none of it. The king stated that he would not miss his panggoaran grandchild's most important day for the world.

Not willing to argue with his grandfather's stubbornness, everyone just went along with his wishes but their worry still remained. The only thing his grandfather had relented on was the suggestion to conserve his voice and aura as much as possible.

When the entourage had reached the front of the Archbishop's home, the Elder of the Sitartang branch clan had called out to the Rapmasari in his grandfather's stead. The Rapmasari and Sinatua clans had already prepared themselves in front of the house for Josias' arrival. When they called out to the Rapmasari, Elder Rihar had answered with a call to his granddaughter.

From inside the Archbishop's rumabolon, there emerged Serena. Josias' eyes widened and his heart skipped a bit when he saw his bride come out. Josias was always the first to sing Serena's praises and he could sing to no end of her beauty. But today was different. Even he had been rendered speechless.

Her already beautiful face being further enhanced by make up, her hair tied in a beautiful bun with a golden bejeweled hairpiece, not to mention her beautifully intricate and elegant clothes. Every inch of her was perfect and picturesque. More so than the usual. Far more. Truly a look befitting that of a true princess.

Josias' uncle had gently shut Josias' gaping mouth which caught him a little by surprise. It would appear his gawking was far too obvious. His father could only laugh at his expense.

A few more back and forth exchanges happened between the elders of the parboru and paranak sides. After the short ceremonial exchanges, the Archbishop had invited the Sigumogo inside where they would feast for the marsibuhabuhai celebrations.

When he entered the house, everyone took their seats in a large circle as the plate of boar meat was put in the middle. The meat had been prepared both as panggag (roast) as well as the traditional blooded sangsang. Johannes had helped to bring a large basket of rice for the day's breakfast feast. Being an official in-law of the Sigumogo, Johannes now had to participate as the parhobas within the traditional rites.

Johannes sat across from his bride next to his parents while Serena sat next to her father and adoptive grandfather, Elder Rihar.

The Ephorus had stood up and led everyone in prayer before the feast commenced. With an 'amen', the feast started with Josias and Serena first taking food on their plates, then followed by the elders all the way through to the youngest.

Everyone was happily eating and chatting away except for Josias and Serena. Josias spent most of his time ogling his new bride rather than focusing on his plate. Serena noticed this but continued to eat while a luminescent blush formed on her face.

"Boy, you look like you're seeing Serena for the first time the way you're looking at her." Josias' father slapped his back and playfully massaged him while laughing. "Relax, son! It's just a ceremony, ain't nothing really is going to change."

"I'm glad my son-in-law shows such infatuation towards my daughter. It leaves me feeling quite the comfort knowing she's in good hands." The Ephorus smiled as he saw Josias and gave him a thumbs up.

Josias could only give a sheepish smile as he nodded to the Archbishop's statement. For some reason, Josias didn't feel as talkative as usual. All he wanted to do was enjoy Serena's seemingly distant view across from him.

"By the looks you're giving my niece, I'm fearing for her safety tonight, bahahahahah!! We're going to be expecting a new heir soon!" Lord Mardomu said before his wife elbowed his sides harshly.

Josias' father was the one to laugh the loudest at the joke while the archbishop shook his head with a chuckle. The other people had varying degrees of amusement at Lord Mardomu's comment. Josias and Serena themselves remained quiet while their blushes deepened.

Josias even caught Serena staring at him with widened eyes after hearing her uncle's comments. He quickly shook his head to insist that he wasn't going to do anything unbecoming towards her. Weirdly enough, Serena instead gave a somewhat disappointed look while nodding. Josias was catching mixed signals, but he didn't want to think about it any further.

"Kak Sere looks so pretty, right Tiur?" Julia said excitedly as she approached with her younger cousin in hand.

"Really pretty! Like an angel!" Tiur nodded.

"Aww, thank you so much my little angels!" Serena said as she pinched the cheeks of the two little ladies and kissed them. She forgot for a second that her face was full of make-up when there were kiss marks on their cheeks. "Ooop! Sorry about that, angels!"

Serena laughed as she wiped the cheeks of the two children.

"Kak Serena's even prettier than Kak Helena and Kak Maria!" The little monkey of a child Hanna chimed in with the most devious smile on her face. "Bang Josi really lucked out!"

"Oy, oy, you little monkey, what's that supposed to mean?!" Johannes called out to his younger sister in annoyance.

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"Little tigress, I don't think that's an appropriate thing for you to say about your sisters." Sadrach said as well, laughing exasperatedly at his younger sister-in-law's mischievous comments.

"Alright, Hanna, that's enough from you…" Lord Mardomu moved to grab his little daughter but Hanna had seemingly sensed this, managing to evade her father. "What in the-...! Oy! You stay right there, little monkey!"

"Blehh!! You'll never catch me alive! Mwahahahah!! I'm no longer a warrior! I'm now a villain princess!!" Hanna laughed as she started running around the house while laughing. This undoubtedly stirred the other children to become rowdy as well.

"Catch the bad girl!!" Janus got up from his mother's lap as he pointed towards the running Hanna.

It didn't take long for the scene to develop into pandemonium for the little children. Most of them even ran outside. Their mothers became exasperated just from seeing them being so active while the men laughed.

Josias saw as even his grandfather laughed while shaking his shoulders at the youngsters' energy. Though, he didn't laugh for long until his coughs started getting the better of him. It was a shame. If his grandfather was half as healthy as the other elders, he'd probably join in the fun chasing around his capricious little grandchildren as they went outside.

Soon enough, everyone had finished their meals and the blue sky was showing that it was time to move to the church.

Josias got up and approached Serena before extending his hand towards her with a smile. They were supposed to walk together to the church grounds at the head of their combined entourage. Serena took his hand and allowed him to help her up.

As she got up, Josias whispered into her ears, "You look absolutely beautiful, hasian."

Serena smiled before returning his compliment, "And you look like a pompous western noble, pfft…"

Josias chuckled, "Well, as long as my purse is as thick as those westerners, I'm content with that."

"You look great, Josi." Serena said seriously as she grabbed Josias' arm, allowing him to help her down the stairs outside the rumah bolon.

Josias and Serena stood at the front of the entourage of four clans. The Sigumogo, Hutabaru, Rapmasari, and Sinatua. As they made their way to the church, the music of the gondang drums and sarune blared on. The colourful clan banners blew in the wind adding to the atmosphere.

The road to the church had been cleared for the duration of the week of weddings so they walked to the church unabated. All the while, many of the other villagers were roaring and cheering in celebration as they passed through. Josias and Serena had plastered smiles on their faces throughout the way as they waved.

Josias wasn't faking any of the smiles at all, but he'd be lying if he said it wasn't tiring. Even for someone as socially active as him, it was a lot to do. And the day had barely even started.

When they reached the courtyard of the great church, the doors had already been opened as the main path to the altar was ladened with red carpets.

When the two of them walked down the church's aisle, the sounds of traditional music were replaced by the solemn piano of the church and the other western instruments. For today's service, Goria had requested the aid of the Rumaparau once more to provide the music. Prince Hagabeon of Rumaparau once again reprised his role as the church pianist.

The pews of the church were soon filled by the clans of the bride and groom. The other pews near the altar were seated by the great christian royals of the Halaklands. Josias and Serena took their place as they sat upon two ornate chairs prepared in front of the altar.

As the Archbishop was acting as the father of the bride, Timotheus had been chosen as the officiator of the wedding. Josias was proud to have his marriage officiated by his dear brother. He looked quite splendid in his priestly regalia, all things considered.

Once Josias and Serena – as well as the clan elders – had been seated, the church ceremony had started in earnest.

Songs and psalms had been sung, offering up praise to the Lord for His blessings. Throughout the way, Josias had his hand on top of Serena's, not wishing to let go of her. At least not for today.

The liturgy started with various prayers and readings of scriptures. Timotheus led the congregation as well in various responsorial prayers. Besides that, Josias and Serena had still followed along with the whole liturgy.

Josias and Serena enjoyed the various performances by the church choirs. It had only been a day but they had felt quite nostalgic when they saw the naposo choir performing. They were as of that day officially 'retired' from the naposo as they were to live out their lives as a married couple. As 'true, full humans' in the eyes of Halak culture.

It had been decided among the naposo that Arthur Idabagak would be chosen as their new leader replacing Johannes. Josias smiled as he saw his young friends still enjoying their time as unmarried bachelors and bachelorettes.

In all honesty, Josias did feel him and his third star companions were all getting married quickly relative to their peers. During their parents' generation, it was exceedingly common to be married before one turned twenty, but with the advent of western education, such customs were beginning to be a little relaxed.

Arthur was actually older than them, being around Timotheus' age but Johannes had led the naposo because he had been chosen by the previous leader. The previous leader was Tomas Siparadian who had also 'retired' due to his marriage to an Idabagak girl.

Specially for their wedding, Hutangali and Rumaparau had also participated in the performances with their own naposo singing. Prince Hagabeon's sister had acted as the choir's conductor while the rest of the young folk sang a hymn in the Feldonian tongue. Bunch of showoffs. But Josias had to admit, their choir was no less talented than the Gorian one. The Gorians would have to step up their game it would seem.

After the performances by the choirs, Timotheus had finally taken his time to give a short homily for the wedding. Unlike his previous homily the day before on his sister's wedding to Johannes, this one didn't contain any hidden ulterior motives. It was a short yet thoughtful retrospective look on God's love that should flow through in their lives, more so as a married couple. It was a call to loyalty based not on mere duty but on the true pure love of Christ.

Timotheus even called out to Josias in the middle of his sermon, "Anggi (little brother), make sure you grow your patience. Even if conflict appears within your midst, let it not fester and remember always that communication is paramount. This also goes for you, Serena. You know as well as I do that Josias isn't perfect. All we could ask for is for you two to have a steadfast outlook on each other. Be forgiving of one another and help each other grow."

Josias and Serena smiled as they nodded their heads.

With a prayer, Timotheus then ended his homily. Before he began the ceremonial exchange of rings and a vow, the young reverend had motioned for Serena and Josias to both get the final blessings of their parents.

The two got up as they went to their respective parents.

Josias kneeled in front of his mother and father as he asked for their blessing. His father had given him a simple word of encouragement, echoing his words earlier that day. His mother on the other hand finally broke down in tears as she embraced him. Gone was her usual stoic expression replaced by that of a proud mother.

"My son, please promise me that you'll take good care of your wife, okay? Serena is a blessing to us all. Treat her just as well if not even better than how your father takes care of me!"

"I'll devote myself to nothing else than to make her happy, ma." Josias nodded.

Josias then moved over to kneel in front of the archbishop to ask for his blessings. Archbishop Ludwig held his head and looked at him with a smile.

"Josi, I ask from the bottom of my heart to make my daughter the happiest woman alive, okay? I know you can't do it on your own, but I pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you as you become the king of your family…"

"Thank you, Amang…" Josias nodded as he gave his father-in-law the 'salim' gesture.

The couple got up from their parents as they walked up in front of the altar and the reverend priest together. Timotheus smiled as he held the agenda book in his hands to read from it.

The two held each other's hands as they faced each other in front of the altar. It was time for them to exchange their vows and become married in the eyes of God and the church. Josias couldn't help but feel his heart beat faster as the two now stood at the center of everyone's attention.

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