Following the wedding ceremony from the temple, the Astrid couple went to the church in the capital to formally show their union to the public of the northern people.

Thousands of people gathered outside the church to witness the Astrid royal couple's balcony greetings. This tradition is practiced to recognize the authority of a recent addition to the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Astrid stands in the middle of the balcony while the important officials of the dukedom including the Pope, Wizard Master, Generals, and strongest political allies stands behind to support the tradition. It is a symbol of loyalty to the new member of the Astrid family.

Moreover, there was a change to the balcony tradition when the Duke decided to include the Duchess family. This indicates that the Monchy family has been granted a substantial amount of power and that they are under his protection. This was the first time it had ever occurred in the northern kingdom's history.

The family of the Duchess is typically not invited to balcony traditions in order to maintain the Duchess's status as a companion only and to lessen her political influence. This suggest that her title is merely a symbol with no political backing.

Even the common people understand the meaning behind of this new change. They believe their King adored her very much and held her in high esteem. They enjoy fantasizing about this kind of stories like those in novels. The love story of the Duke and Duchess of Astrid is a hot topic and their source of entertainment.

"Long live his Majesties, the Duke and Duchess of Astrid".

The people chanted and are very happy to witness the royal couple in person. Cameras operated by mana are flashing all over while the couple perform their royal hand gesture wave.

Rachel is so overwhelmed that her hands trembled due to this new experience. Sebastian felt her agitation and held her hand tightly. He then kissed her forehead and whisper in her ear.

"Don't be nervous, I am here".

Rachel tilts her head to look at Sebastian with relief in her eyes. She gives him a modest smile and says, "Thank you'.

Their subjects applaud loudly and giggle in amazement at their public displays of affection.

***

THE wedding banquet in the Astrid palace has such a vibrant atmosphere and bustling with endless babble about the royal couple's public display of affection. While waiting for the Duke and Duchess to appear, they drowned themselves with gossips and champagne.

Meanwhile, in the Duchess quarters, Lily Monchy took the hairbrush from the personal maid and brush her daughter's hair.

"My lovely daughter, you are the most beautiful bride in the empire. His Majesty regards you so well".

Lily gives her daughter a warm hug and tenderly strokes her face. Her mother started to cry, and Rachel gave her a gentle pat on the back. Lily felt her daughter's warm response and she remembered this warm feeling when Rachel was a toddler, it was the same feeling she felt before she was abducted by the dark wizard.

Rachel was three years old when she was abducted by the dark wizard for two days and when they found her, she seems to have no memory of her family. The newfound Rachel is so different before she was abducted. They thought that her change of behavior is due to the trauma she experienced from her captor. The happy, kindhearted, and sunny Rachel became cold and insolent. While growing up, they spoil her lavishly so it can compensate from their guilt.

Her abduction was kept a secret to protect her reputation. It was a very traumatic event in their life that they bury it for a long time. Lily felt so emotional that she felt the warm feeling again as if their three years old Rachel is back.

"Hush Mother do not worry. His Majesty treats me well. I will be fine here and when the time comes, I will visit you in the capital".

Lily holds her hand and gaze at her lovingly. "I know his Majesty will protect you. Your mother is just so happy that I got to see you again. This is all that matters".

Rachel smiled tenderly at her mother. She felt so guilty that she has to pretend her daughter, but she can't afford to hurt the woman in front of her. The feeling of warmth is so familiar that she mistaken Lily as if her real mother.

'I felt that this vessel had become so ingrained with my soul that I could no longer tell myself apart from the original Rachel.'

"Alright let's head to the banquet, His Majesty must have been waiting for you".

They were about to head outside when Henry and Luther came to greet her. The father and son would like to have a private moment with Rachel when the Duke barge in to interrupt the family's reunion.

"I believe it's time to take my wife, she has been away for quite some time".

Sebastian took Rachel in his arms and gave an imposing look to his in laws to back down.

Luther clenches his fists when the Duke purposely take her away. Rachel gave them an apologetic look and follow the duke with a great resentment in her heart.

"Hah, what a sly! Have you seen what he did Father? He wanted to monopolize Rachel!". Luther seethes his teeth in anger.

"Conduct yourself properly Luther. We are in his Majesty's territory. Rachel is now the Duchess of Astrid".

Henry is more logical than his son. He can't let his emotion to jeopardize her daughter's position. She has already been through a lot, and he will protect her position at all costs. He will never allow the Carlyle family to dishonor her ever again.

Lily took her husband's hand and gave it a tender kiss while expressing her pride in his actions while Luther left his parents in a foul mood because he felt his anger was not acknowledged.