The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 2186

Under a canopy of stars, six ethereal white orbs descended gently from the heavens.

Each of the six grooms, as if on cue, reached out to catch the falling stars. A simple touch of a hidden switch, and voilà—a ring box tumbled into the palms of their hands.

At this moment, Swift felt a lump in his throat, his eyes brimming with emotion. His voice, rich with feeling, echoed through the crowd.

"To the beautiful couples standing before us," he began, "are you ready to place these rings upon each other's fingers—symbols of your eternal love and commitment?"

In unison, the couples declared, "We do."

The screens flanking the stage lit up with a wedding ode, and the guests recited in harmony: "Today, we bear witness to these unions, to love in equality and respect. May your paths be woven with grace and your futures bright with promise."

As the last words fell away, the exchange of rings was complete.

"With these rings, you shoulder the dreams and duties of a shared future," Swift announced, his voice now filled with pomp and ceremony. "And now, it is my honor to declare—you may kiss your brides!"

The couples kissed—a tender, lingering embrace—as the music swelled around them.

Leia, seated among the audience, watched Sean and Ophelia kissing on stage, her eyes shining with tears, her lips curling into a smile as she clapped for them.

Caden, too, had eyes glistening with emotion, his applause ongoing as he watched Romeo and Arabella wrapped up in their heartfelt kiss.

Across the venue, Derrick, Timothy, and Jeffery watched the pair, their hearts swelling with joy for their friends' happiness and yet, tinged with a sense of longing.

The couples' kisses were reluctant to end, but as the music gave way to a new tune, they began to dance on stage, lifting the energy to a crescendo.

The brides, in their trailing gowns, moved through the steps with ease, beautifully in sync with their grooms.

Applause washed over them like waves, ceaseless and thunderous.

Amidst the joy and satisfaction on the faces of the newlyweds, the elders were visibly moved, their eyes red with emotion.

As the dance concluded, Swift spoke again, "Given the sheer number of guests, it's impractical for our newlyweds to toast each table individually. So, may I suggest our bridesmaids bring the champagne onstage? Let's invite the couples' families up to raise a toast together, shall we?"

A resounding "Yes!" filled the room.

The families ascended the stage, each handed a glass. The bridesmaids poured the champagne sparingly, even when it came to the grooms, who had their regular glasses comically switched out for towering champagne flutes by their mischievous groomsmen, eliciting roars of laughter from the crowd.

Together, the couples and their families lifted their glasses in a toast to the guests, who, in turn, stood and returned the gesture, draining their glasses in unison.

"And now," Swift declared, "let the feast begin!"

As his words rang out, the banquet commenced.

The exquisite dishes had been crafted by Uriah himself, a masterful blend of flavor, presentation, and auspicious meaning. Though Uriah was advanced in years and could only directly prepare the meal for Arabella's table, the other chefs had signed non-disclosure agreements—these creations were exclusively for this wedding, unavailable at any price thereafter.

The wine, a rare collection from the Collins and McMillian families, was worth a fortune per bottle.

The large screens showcased the couples' journeys—videos and photos illustrating how each couple met and fell in love, a narrative eagerly followed by media and live stream viewers alike.

Every chosen girl shone not for beauty alone, but for the unique sparkle each brought to the world, captivating the hearts of those watching from afar.

As the evening unfolded, with international stars serenading the crowd, idol groups heating up the dance floor, famed magicians conjuring illusions, and comedians drawing laughter, the six couples enjoyed their meal amidst the festivities.