Chapter 202: Raphael & Laila’s Wedding
It was Raphael and Laila’s wedding celebration. Eleanor had a rather busier day than usual.
In the morning, after dropping Freya at school, she rushed to Heron House, where the local registration office
was located. Teresa, Maya, Lily and a few other Heimdall employees were already there, representing Laila’s side
of the family. On the other side, Dominic Blanc, Juliette Blanc, and a few other senior members of the Blanc Clan
stood in for Raphael.
They received serial number two for the day. After the first group exited the marriage suite, their party was
called in. Under the guidance of the staff, everyone took their seats while Laila and Raphael stood before the
marriage desk.
The room, though modest in size, held an elegant air... clean cream walls, delicate white roses in crystal vases,
and rows of cushioned chairs arranged on either side of a simple oak table at the front.
A registrar, dressed formally in a navy blazer with the city crest on the pocket, stood waiting behind the desk.
Behind him, the official Union Jack and Manchester's city flag stood proudly on polished brass poles. A small
digital screen displayed the date and the words:
"Marriage Ceremony - Laila Monroe & Raphael Blanc"
Laila wore a graceful ivory midi dress that complemented her beauty. Her long hair was loosely pinned back, a
few wisps falling softly around her composed face.
Raphael was dressed in a finely cut charcoal suit, his silver cufflinks catching the light as he adjusted his collar.
He stole a glance at Laila from tto time, a quiet affection in his eyes.
The registrar smiled gently. "Shall we begin?"
Both bride and groom nodded in affirmation.
"This is a legal marriage ceremony under the laws of England and Wales," the registrar began. "Today, two
people stand before witnesses to make a commitment to each other, witnessed and recorded here at Heron
House, Manchester."
She gestured to both sides. "Are you both ready to proceed?"
"Yes," Laila answered, her voice clear and unwavering.
"lI am," Raphael replied, softer, but just as sure.
The registrar continued, "Please repeat after me... I, Raphael Blanc, take you, Laila Monroe, to be my legally
wedded wife."
Raphael turned slightly toward Laila, his gaze steady.
"I, Raphael Blanc, take you, Laila Monroe, to be my legally wedded wife."
Then it was Laila’s turn, she repeated after the registrar, "I, Laila Monroe, take you, Raphael Blanc, to be my
legally wedded husband."
The registrar smiled again. "Do you, Raphael, promise to love, support, and stand by Laila through all of life's
seasons?"
"l do."
"And Laila, do you promise to love, support, and stand by Raphael through all of life's seasons?"
"l do."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThey signed the official marriage schedule, the thick pen gliding over their names, Laila Monroe and Raphael
Blanc... inked into permanence. Eleanor and Dominic stepped forward to sign as witnesses, each leaving a
deliberate, elegant signature.
The registrar lifted the signed document with ceremonial care. "By the powers vested inby the Registrar
General, | now declare you husband and wife under the law. Congratulations."
The room filled with gentle applause.
Juliette approached with a perfectly folded silk handkerchief in hand. "Welcto the family, Laila Blanc," she
said with a subtle, graceful nod.
Laila smiled... a calm, quiet smile. The kind that spoke of storms weathered and peace finally found. She placed
her palm over her heart, then bowed to Juliette with the proper werewolf respect due to Raphael's mother.
"Thank you, Mother."
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After the official marriage ceremony ended, the party moved to Hawksmoor Manchester at Deansgate. Juliette
Blanc had booked the entire restaurant for an intimate lunch celebration.
The restaurant served its renowned British steaks and fresh seafood, along with a variety of side dishes carefully
selected by Juliette in advance.
For nearly two hours, the gathering enjoyed good food, quiet laughter, and warm conversation among close
friends and family.
After the celebration, Eleanor and her group returned to Heimdall Tower to tackle their piled-up work, while the
Blanc Clan headed back to their ancestral home... bringing the newly wedded bride and groom with them.
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The Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa had been transformed into a fortress of elegance by Clan Blanc for the night's
grand event. Its sandstone walls, illuminated by a hundred golden lanterns, seemed to hold their breath in
anticipation of the gathering. Since all the guests would be from the supernatural world, Clan Blanc’s own event
management company took full control... releasing all human staff and remodelling the venue to suit their
traditions.
Tonight was a double celebration. Primarily, it was the wedding reception of Raphael and Laila, but after the two
young wolves’ success in the competition for the Trial of Yggdrasil, the clan decided to merge both victories into
one night of triumph.
The main reception hall had been stripped of its usual soft, modern décor and dressed in the Blanc Clan’s
colours... deep crimson banners stitched with black thread, each bearing the crest of a rampant wolf howling at
the moon.
The banquet hall, set to host the event, glowed under a cascade of dazzling, colourful lights. At the center, long
banquet tables were laid with traditional copper plates, polished knives, and great chalices waiting to be filled.
Raphael Blanc stood by the arched
entrance with Laila, his mate and
now bride, their hands clasped. Her
gown caught the light like water over
ice, her long dark lay praided with
sven chins that J mmered when
) ’
she moved. Raphael's pale,
frost-coloured eyes swept over the
growing crowd, catching each
familiar face. His posture remained
formal, as demanded by the
: ,
patriarch’s presence. From across
the hall, his grandfather Dominic
f q 9 q
Blanc, the clan's unyielding patriarch,
watched with a gaze sharp enough to
cut stone. The content is on
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Dominic sat like a sovereign at the head table, broad-shouldered despite his age, tall and unbowed by time. He
wore the long black ceremonial coat of the alpha line, his jet-black hair gleaming beneath the lantern light. His
word was law; tonight, he was the anchor keeping the volatile tides of the clans in check.
Raphael's mother, Juliette Blanc, played the perfect hostess. Her velvet gown trailed behind her like spilled ink as
she moved gracefully between groups, greeting each guest with a measured blend of warmth and authority. Her
husband had been gone for years, but she bore the weight of her role without a hint of faltering.
The first to arrive were the Raynor
Clan of Manchester, led by their
formidable clan head, Fiona Elizabeth
Raynor. She wore an elcgantioya
navy a perfecitéiloréd and
timimhe ith silver thread that
shimmered subtly as she moved. Her
style was understated yet
commanding... high collars, fitted
gloves, and heirloom jewellery
passed down through generations. A
single pearl rested at her throat, and
on her hand gleamed the siring
of the Raynor crest. The content is on
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At her side was Eleanor Elizabeth
Raynor, the young miss and future
clan head, fulfilling her duty by
standing beside nde fi She
rerhe perfectly it d purple gown
for the occasion, paired with a
diamond necklace and earrings. She
looked strikingly beautiful, yet her
natural, emotionless expression
stood in sharp contrast to the lively
celebration, creating an invisible
distance that kept people at bay. The
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the latest chapter there!
Upon seeing them, Juliette Blanc stepped forward, placed her hand over her heart, and bowed. "Welcome, Clan
Head Raynor and Young Miss Raynor. Thank you for joining our celebration."
Raphael and Laila also stepped forward, bowing respectfully. As a subordinate clan, the Blancs naturally had to
show deference, but the Raynors had always treated them well. Besides, the three... mother, son, and daughter-
in-law... were currently working under Eleanor, which made their welcwarmer and more respectful.
Ethan had not cto the event. He was at hwith Freya, as Eleanor did not wish to expose her daughter to
the other clans attending the celebration.
More than twenty members of the Raynor Clan followed behind Fiona and Eleanor. They returned the greetings
before Juliette led them inside, guiding Fiona to the table where Dominic Blanc was seated.
Heavy-footed and boisterous, Ciaran Raynor arrived wearing a greatcoat of dark wolf fur. Ciaran, a classmate and
long-tfriend of Raphael, had always shared a good relationship with him.
"Raphael!" he roared, arms outstretched. "I heard you kidnapped your bride from Russia!"
Raphael stepped forward, smiling. "Ciaran, it's good to see you."
"Good? It's a relief!" Ciaran gripped Raphael's forearm in a bone-crushing handshake. "Among us friends... you
got married first... and to a human woman! Now we can seek our partners openly. You showed us lights!"
He turned to Laila with a broad, teasing grin. "Lady Laila," he said with a playful bow, "I heard you beat him
silly... and that was when you were still human! We'd like to see you in action again sometime."
His booming laughter carried through the hall as the Raynor youths streamed inside with smiles.
Dominic Blanc rose from his seat when Fiona approached. Bowing respectfully, he welcomed her and offered her
the chair beside him, with Eleanor seated on her other side. Juliette escorted the remaining Raynors to the table
next to theirs before returning to the entrance to receive the next guests.