The Lady Is Mine-Chapter 194: Epilogue

The morning of Jenna’s wedding tasted like warm sunlight and sweet memories— Lilies bloomed along with roses. Wedding bells rang in the hearts of everyone gathered.

One of those rare days the world behaved itself long enough to pretend it wasn’t cruel.

Jenna’s merchant house, small and stubbornly nostalgic, buzzed with a quiet excitement. Not the loud, sprawling kind that chokes people. The tender kind that makes rooms feel warm.

It was a tiny wedding. Immediate family, no strangers, no extra chairs or guests. Just the people who had bled, healed, broken, and rebuilt themselves alongside Jenna.

People who had gone through the storm and didn’t pretend they were too strong to be unscathed. They had scars and it was what defined them.

Henri and Mabel were already settled. Mabel held their chubby, half-asleep daughter. Henri looked entirely too proud for a man who had barely slept, but fatherhood had done something strange to him.

At intervals he reached for his daughter’s small hand covering them with his own. Then he would peck Mabel’s cheek.

Beth came next, her son clinging to her hip, her husband juggling bags of food like an overworked circus performer. Beth glowed differently. Marriage had suited her. Motherhood, even more.

And then there were Harriet and Bruno, arguably the most excited humans within a three-mile radius. They had taken over the kitchen like two cheerful tyrants. Harriet practically barrelled in carrying trays, Bruno right behind her with drinks. The two of them gave life to the wedding. One they waited each day that passed to arrive soon. And it did.

Left for the duo, they wanted a loud wedding. The Earl and his Lady deserved better but since it wasn’t in their place. Harriet and Bruno made do with that they were given.

Upstairs, in the only calm room left in the house at the moment, Kali stood behind Jenna, tightening the final button on the simple vintage lace dress.

The dress fell just above Jenna’s knees. Her flower crown, freshly handpicked by Kali rested on Jenna’s hair like something from a forgotten fairytale. A little wild, a little romantic, just the way Jenna wanted it.

Kali stepped back, with her arms crossed on her chest. "Last chance to run," she teased. "No second thoughts? No regrets? You sure Rhane is the one you want?"

She raised her hands, "I know...I know...he is my brother...but...are you sure?"

Jenna met her eyes through the mirror with a smile. "My only mistake," she said softly, "was not choosing him first. And earlier."

Kali swallowed, with a smirk. "Alright then. Let’s go give you away...don’t say I didn’t warn you." she taunted with a smile.

Jenna inhaled deeply. It was finally here. The day she’d only dreamt of. She wanted this wedding to be as simple as her love for Rhane. Simple and sincere. Maybe if she was the young girl she used to be, it’d have been loud but Jenna had understood so many things these past few years of her life.

And there was always more to love in simplicity. The sincerity reached the heart. Just lik sunlight spilled through the windows like it, too, had been invited.

"Ready." Jenna nodded to Kali.

Downstairs, Rhane and Percy stood near the makeshift altar that had been had set up in the backyard. The altar wasn’t lavish, just white cloth, wildflowers, and the stubborn dignity of Master Brown.

A man who love his daughter with everything left in him. And decided to be the official for the wedding. If he was going to trust another man with his daughter then he was going to do it himself.

Rhane wore the same shirt Jenna had tailored for him. Neatly ironed and fitting his body. He rubbed his palm nervously waiting for his woman. He was going to have Jenna as his wife today.

When Jenna stepped into view, everything fell into silence and everyone gathered stood up.

Rhane held his breath when he saw Jenna. He looked like he’d just remembered how to breathe and then promptly forgot again.

"Good saints! That is my wife?" He muttered, blowing hot air.

Percy, meanwhile, pretended to be relaxed. He failed at it spectacularly. His eyes couldn’t leave the woman beside Jenna. Kali was wearing a dress!

As Master Brown prepared himself to begin the ceremony, Rhane leaned closer to Percy, whispering without taking his eyes off Jenna.

"About my sister," he muttered, "You know... this is your chance to run. I’ll tell her I threatened you. She’ll believe it."

Percy didn’t even blink. "I’m not running," he said simply. "I’m in love with her."

Rhane turned to stare at him fully, "It’s a pity, then," he sighed. "I’m sure my sister threatened you already but this is your only chance."

"She did," Percy admitted with foolish smile. He blushed when Kali winked at him.

"And you still stayed?"

Percy shrugged. "She’s worth it."

Rhane shook his head with the exhaustion and mostly pity for the young man who doesn’t know what he was getting into. "May the heavens help you."

Finally Jenna and Kali reached them.

Kali took Jenna’s hand placed it on Rhane’s palm before going to stand behind her. The young woman kept flashing Percy a wink.

Master Brown cleared his throat, "Family and friends....the day we’ve all been waiting for has arrived."

"It should me there!" Beth commented getting others to laugh at her joke.

Jenna bit her lips to hold her laughter.

"But I forgive them...since Jenna helped with my son."

Brown glared at the young woman, before he continued. "Our son- I mean...today." the man stopped.

"As the traditions demand I should say the expected ceremonial words but....it won’t be for Jenna and Rhane. I watched these two hold onto each other despite every scar, heartbreak, every hard-won joy. Regardless of it all...their love blossomed more than it ever was. If anyone deserves each other...it’s Jenna and Rhane."

Jenna took Rhane’s hands, their fingers intertwining with ease.

"You found your way back to each other," Master Brown said quietly. "That alone is a kind of miracle. Even I, have nothing else to add to it."

Mabel sniffed loudly. Henri handed her a napkin without breaking eye contact with the ceremony.

"Till forever...till your life....till afterlife." Master Brown made a hand gesture, "By the vows spoken today, I declare you husband and wife. Lord and Lady Rhane Henderick."

Jenna moved closer to Rhane, wrapping herself up in his embrace. "We are married Rhane....we are married."

Harriet was the first to scream and clap with excitement before others followed. Even the children began crying when they heard a thunderous clap and laugh.

Percy glanced toward the side where Kali leaned against a post with her arms folded. Even in a dress, she still had aura of a warrior. They had decided not to get married same day as Jenna. Just so they would give the new couple their spotlight. And even yet, Percy couldn’t take his eyes off his woman.

"Congratulations Lady Jenna." Bruno jumped up in excitement.

Harriet hit the young boy. "We are in the presence of nobles..you act with dignity...and not like this."

Bruno ignored the girl and continued with his screaming. Harriet finally joined him. They had been so excited when Jenna decided to celebrate with her own family instead of the noisy kind that befitting for a lady. And Rhane had agreed in his words.

’I want whatever my woman wants. I am marrying Jenna and not people.’

The gentle chaos of a family that had been broken in all the same places and still chose to gather, to celebrate, to heal.

It was imperfect. Small. A little messy. But perfect for them. Just the way Jenna had imagine and even better.

And as Jenna looked around, her hand in Rhane’s, she realized something...This, this tiny, stubborn, fiercely-loving circle

was all she had ever needed.

And all she would ever choose.

With everyone cheering and rejoicing, Rhane leaned towards Brown and asked. "Have you heard anything concerning Nikolai’s death?"

Master Brown snapped his finger, "About Nikolai..." he looked around first then whispered to Rhane. "He was...." his voice trailed.