Wedding

The year 1038 quietly drew to a close amid a raging blizzard. Snowflakes swirled across the sky and blanketed the earth, as if draping the turbulent year in a mourning silver shroud.

A prolonged war among the nations had produced no true victor. The armies were exhausted, and one by one, they lowered their banners and withdrew to their territories, quietly tending their wounds.

In the Kingdom of Tarraco, the elderly King Louis suddenly fell gravely ill. His fever would not break, and the court physicians were helpless. The Gallic army was thrown into disarray, its soldiers exchanging uncertain looks as panic spread through the camps, where no one was in command.

Meanwhile, merchants arriving from the eastern trade routes brought shocking news: under the command of a mysterious general, the Ghazi Empire's cavalry had routed the Great Stone Empire's army. They had not only reclaimed lost territory, but also captured a key fortress from their enemy. The victory spread like thunder across the land.

The road ahead grew ever more uncertain. With uneasy hearts, people welcomed the new and unknown year of 1039.

Hardly had the new year begun when astonishing news spread through the streets of every city like wildfire, filling every bustling tavern with chatter and becoming the talk of commoners and nobles alike—the renowned Grand Duke Wessen was to be married, with the wedding set for the spring equinox.

Many couldn't help whispering among themselves, imagining just how extravagant and magnificent the wedding of the Grand Duke Wessen, whose wealth surpassed all others, would be. A palace gleaming with gold, treasures beyond counting—perhaps even the stars in the sky would pale beside it.

The sunlight of the spring equinox streamed across the new dome and spires of German Cathedral.

Fifteen years in the making, this magnificent