Eirik's question was cautious, but the concern behind it was genuine.
Today was not going to be a private wedding.
The entire Imperial City would be watching.
Even the Emperor would attend personally.
For Zion to marry Callista from his own manor rather than leave from the General's Residence was more than a matter of ceremony. Everyone understood what it meant. The General's Residence was supposed to be the groom's family home, the place from which he would have to formally depart before entering the royal household.
By choosing to leave from Zion's Manor instead, Zion was making it clear that he no longer considered the General's Residence his home.
It was also a public rejection of General Helius.
If Helius refused to attend, the gossip would spread throughout the Imperial City within hours.
