Morning arrived over Northern Valenridge with the sound of bells.
Not one bell.
Hundreds.
The bells of every church in the capital began ringing together, their powerful voices echoing through the mountains and valleys surrounding the kingdom.
But above them all, one bell tower stood tallest.
The Grand Cathedral of Saint Valerius.
It was the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in Northern Valenridge, built centuries earlier by the first kings of the kingdom. Its towering stone spires touched the sky, and its massive stained-glass windows glowed like jewels under the morning sun.
Today, that cathedral had become the center of the world.
The Royal Wedding had begun.
From early morning, the capital had filled with people. Citizens crowded the great avenues leading to the cathedral. Some climbed rooftops. Others gathered around giant outdoor screens that had been installed across the city.
Because this wedding was not just a royal event.
It was a global event.
