The part that most excited him was the idea that having the wedding in the capital would mean their marriage would be witnessed by all the nobles, helping Maria establish herself within aristocratic circles. If they could get the king to attend, the wedding would be even more prestigious.

Given how much favor Simon currently held with the king, the king’s attendance seemed almost guaranteed.

Luis also offered to let Simon use his mother’s family estate for the reception. Luis was set to inherit his mother’s title, and with no other male members in the family, the estate had naturally fallen to him. He didn’t live there often, so lending...