Chapter 21 — The Wedding of Steam and Starlight
The bells of London Cathedral of Innovation rang across the city, their chimes mingling with the hiss of steam and the hum of machinery. From the rooftops to the harbors, banners of blue and silver rippled in the morning wind — the colors of the Royal House of Windsor.
It was the day of the Grand Union, a wedding not only of hearts, but of nations.
For this day, the empire's skies were filled with floating lanterns and small airships decorated in silk ribbons. From the streets to the royal boulevards, the people gathered, cheering and singing hymns of progress and love.
At the heart of it all stood Edward Windsor, dressed in a uniform of white and steel-gray, the symbol of the new age embroidered in gold thread — a gear intertwined with a rose.
Beside him stood Princess Ekaterina Volkovna of Russia, her gown shimmering like frost beneath the morning sun.
Today, their marriage would seal an alliance between Britain and Russia, binding two empires under the ideals of peace, innovation, and mutual prosperity.
💐 The Procession of Progress
The ceremony began with the arrival of royal delegates:
From France, the Minister of Culture brought a gift of crystal lenses.
From the Ottoman Regency, engineers presented intricate clockwork jewelry.
From Japan, a delegation carried scrolls of art and a prototype of a compact steam engine.
The world was watching — not out of envy, but wonder.
As Edward walked down the aisle, the cathedral's massive stained-glass windows reflected scenes from his reign: the founding of the Church of Innovation, the rise of new industries, the peaceful unification of Europe.
Each step he took echoed not just within the hall, but across history itself.
The high priest of the Church of Innovation — now more scholar than cleric — raised his voice:
"By the will of progress and the unity of creation, we bind not only two souls, but two visions for the future — that mankind may forever march toward light."
When Edward and Ekaterina joined hands, the air itself seemed to shimmer.
"I vow," Edward said softly, "to build a world where no boundary can halt knowledge — nor love."
"And I," Ekaterina replied, her eyes bright as dawn, "to stand beside you, not as a shadow of the past, but as a partner in the world we shape together."
As they kissed, the cathedral bells rang, and outside, the engines of a hundred airships roared in celebration.
🎉 The Festival of Light
The wedding feast turned London into a festival ground. Bridges were draped in flowers; the Thames glittered under floating lanterns; and mechanical birds — creations of young inventors — sang across the skies.
Children danced with ribbons; vendors sold sweets shaped like tiny gears; and from the royal airship above the city, fireworks of blue fire and golden sparks erupted, painting the night with wonder.
Charlotte leaned close to Annabelle as they watched from the balcony. "He really managed it, didn't he?"
Annabelle smiled softly. "A wedding that feels like a new era. Typical Edward."
Below them, Edward and Ekaterina greeted ambassadors and inventors alike. There were no swords at their sides — only quills, blueprints, and handshakes.
Peace, for once, felt tangible.
🌙 A Toast to Tomorrow
As night deepened, Edward stood on the palace balcony beside his new wife. The moonlight glowed softly over London, its skyline crowned with towers of glass and steel.
"Do you think it will last?" Ekaterina asked quietly.
Edward took her hand. "It must. Because this time, we're building peace like we build machines — with care, precision, and love."
She smiled. "Then may our empire never run out of steam."
They laughed quietly together as fireworks painted the heavens once more.
[System Notification]Diplomatic Relations: Improved with Russia, France, Japan.World Peace Index: Stable.Public Sentiment: Overjoyed.Event Log: "The Grand Wedding of Innovation" successfully completed.
And thus, under the glow of invention and affection, a new era of cooperation began — one where progress was not a weapon, but a promise.
End of Chapter 21.