Isle of Mordred, Wales | October 22, 2005
Despite the ceremony being far from the traditional Catholic wedding Christoph had been used to, the former Drakonya Krov was all smiles as he escorted his new bride into the ballroom for the reception. Stealing a knowing glance at his Best Man, Christoph felt strangely at peace to finally be there. Engel had known his feelings for Rosa long before Christoph knew them himself, and yet even after knowing those feelings—he never really thought he would make it with her to the aisle. He thought fully that he would be stuck in a loveless marriage to Leona Layton, too yellow to kill her, but too angry to let her go.
In some ways, he was still angry that Luther Layton lived… but that was not a thought that he wanted to dwell on tonight. He did not want any memory of his previous wedding, however recent it was in his mind. More than anything, the miserable wedding incident had cemented his love for Rosaline even more. He had known he loved her after that, and had felt stuck in his new vows. He had never expected to be a divorced man, to be a man who had an affair—but those days were over now, and he felt more like himself than ever before.
After dinner, as he danced with his new bride to a flamenco similar (but not the same) as the one he danced to with Leona, he let his mind settle on her and her alone. While there were guests all around them in her home, including her and his parents, several cousins and friends, he only saw his beautiful wife glowing in the fairy lights. He felt his heart swell largely as he gripped her close to his chest. He kissed her at the end of the dance before departing the floor and heading up to the table again. He let her go for what felt like the first time since their wedding kiss and could feel the cold air where his hand had been linked with hers. He needed to let her have some time with her friends and family now, and would have time to go back to her in just a little bit.
Christoph was pleased to see his family again. After so long away, being a stranger, he felt secure enough now to invite them back into a life more peaceful but just as private. He kissed his mother on the cheek, shook his father’s hand, and looked for his brother—both the blood brother and the one he had chosen his very first year at Durmstrang, Engel.
He stole another glace at Rosaline before the second round of dances began. Christoph waltzed with his mother while Rosaline danced with her half-brother, Lorcan, who was acting very much as a stand-in for Rosaline’s father throughout the whole ordeal. He had been the one to walk her down the aisle, and Christoph had grown quite fond of his antics throughout the past year. Lorcan was okay. With the official ceremonial dances out of the way, Christoph crossed the floor to greet his wife once more, and save her from interacting with her bridesmaid, Lorin’s, date.
“May I steal Rosa for a moment?” He asked politely, but he did not wait for a response before scooping her. He grinned at her playfully as he led her towards the open bar. He asked the bartender for two whiskeys on ice, and offered one to his wife. “Mrs. Klein.” He teased. “You can thank me for saving you, later.” He joked. He clinked glasses. “To us, new beginnings, and a full life together.”
@Rosaline Bane 
