When I opened the door, I found Nico waiting outside. "_, are you ready?" I'd been invited to a banquet and so I was getting ready to visit Stein. "Yes! Oh, hang on a minute." As I was about to leave my room, I remembered the dress I'd made and turned back to pick it up. After all that effort, I should take it with me.

"That's the dress you just finished making, isn't it?" Nico looked down at the dress in my hands, his expression curious. "Yes, it is." I wonder if I should wear this to the banquet? Nico raised his head to meet my gaze, and smiled suddenly as if he'd guessed what I was thinking. "I'm sure King Byron will love it." "I hope so." It'd sure make me happy if he thinks I look good in it. I held the dress tightly as I imagined his appreciative expression, and my heart sped up a little.


That evening, we finally arrived at Stein. There was still a bit of time before the banquet, so I visited King Byron's study to greet him. "Ahh, yes." Byron stared at my dress as he spoke, his voice deep and sonorous. "It's the season for marriage in Wysteria, isn't it?" Byron had taken in interest in Wysteria's customs recently, and now he smiled as he gazed at me. "Such a season seems suited to the custom of making dresses." "Yes, it does." I smiled at him as I glanced down at my own dress. "Women in Wysteria often wear their own dresses to their weddings." "I see."

I looked up to meet his intense gaze, and a moment later I heard Nico's voice from behind me. "Clara made the dress she's wearing, you know. Isn't she amazing, Al?" "You always say the most pointless things." Nico's gaze moved away from Albert and settled on Byron instead. "She's beautiful, isn't she, King Byron?" Byron met Nico's gaze steadily for a moment, and then turned his gaze back to me, as if contemplating Nico's comment in full seriousness.

I swallowed hard, my pulse speeding up under that intense scrutiny. When he looks at me like that- it makes me wish there was nobody else in the room but us. At last Byron let out of soft, sighing breath, his expression relaxing a little. "Yes, she is." Byron's words seemed to echo over loud in my ears. I knew it was a good idea to bring this dress with me. "See, even King Byron thinks so!" "Well then, I agree with His Majesty." I couldn't help but giggle at their conversation.


The banquet was an enjoyable evening, where I shared conversations with dignitaries from several countries. As I returned to my room, I thought over all the things we'd discussed, feeling like I'd learned a lot. I was just finished brushing my hair before bed, when I heard a sudden soft knock at my door. Don't tell me- I opened the door to find exactly the person I'd hoped to find standing there. "King Byron." "Good evening."

We decided to sit down in my chamber and talk for a while, and I poured tea for us both. As I was sipping my tea, Byron said something unexpected, and I raised my gaze in surprise. "I'm sorry?" "I should have some free time tomorrow. Why don't we go out somewhere for a while?" It was the last thing I'd expected him to say, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling broadly. "I'd like that."

He's always so busy, I never expected him to be able to make extra time for me during this trip! Byron narrowed his eye just slightly for a moment as he gazed down at me. "Anyway, get some sleep." He put down his teacup and stood up for the chair he'd been sitting in. As I watched him, he turned to looked down at me again, and smiled suddenly. "Your dress really suited you." "Oh- thank you!" I blinked with surprised at the sudden compliment, but Byron was already leaving the room.

That was unexpected. I smiled delightedly to myself as I played his words over again in my mind.


The next morning, I got myself ready and then stepped outside the castle. Byron was waiting for me there, and he turned at the sound of my footsteps. "Did you sleep well?" Byron smiled slightly as he spoke, and I gave him a bright smile in return. "I did." Although after that sweet compliment last night, I ended up having a few dreams about you. Byron's expression relaxed into a broader smile, and for a moment we stood there gazing at each other. A moment later, he mounted his house and then reached out to lift me up in front of him.

"Let's go."

At last we arrived at a large mansion near a lake, and Byron took me out onto the balcony to show me the view. Nico told me that this place used to belong to a noble family. I wonder what happened? As I gazed down at the still, deserted lake, Byron spoke quietly beside me. "This is the most beautiful time of the year." "I agree, it looks really lovely." I nodded, breathing deep of the fresh air, and then glancing up at him again.

"King Byron, would it be alright if I went for a short walk while you're working?" I know he still has work left to do, and I'd rather give him some time alone so he can finish it faster. Byron turned his gaze back to the lake, nodding in response. "Of course."

Nico accompanied me as I went for a short walk in the forest near the lake. "Be careful where you step, _- the ground's really uneven." "I will!" It really is lovely out here, so quiet and peaceful. I was enjoying just getting away from things and relaxing, when suddenly something made me stop.

"What the-"


Byron was glancing over a document as he walked down the corridor, when all of a sudden he raised his head, his expression serious and thoughtful. "Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" Albert was walking a step behind Byron, carrying a small stack of ledgers. "No." Byron turned his gaze towards the window, and narrowed his eye slightly. When he spoke, his voice was soft, barely audible. "Maybe I'll go take a look." "Hmm?" Albert frowned a little in confusion as Byron glanced back at him.

"We're going out." Byron and Albert left the mansion in search of _.

"How on earth can she have gone so far?" Byron glanced back at Albert briefly, but said nothing. As they continued to walk through the forest, they finally heard voices somewhere ahead of them. They followed the sound until at last they could see figures up ahead, standing between the trees.

"What's that?" Nico said, turning as if sensing their presence, and a moment later _ turned to look as well. "King Byron?" "Yes." Byron's gaze moved past Clara to the elderly couple standing in front of her. "What's wrong?"


After we said goodbye to the old couple I'd met in the woods, the four of us walked slowly back to the mansion together. "They told me that they take care of that little church, deep in the forest." As we walked I explained to Byron what Id been talking about with the old couple. "They said that in the olden days, there used to be lots of people who wanted to have a quiet wedding there, but that not many people come anymore. It seems a real shame."

"Is that so?" Byron narrowed his eye a little as he listened to my explanation. I mean, it's so quiet, and the atmosphere here is just lovely. A short silence fell between us, and the only sounds was our footsteps and the rustling of the leaves overhead. I heard the sound of someone stepping on a twig behind us, and then Nico spoke in a sudden rush. "Hey, I just had a great idea!"

"I'm sure it's a completely pointless idea, like usual." Nico ignored Albert's grumbling and continued to speak cheerfully. "The two of you should have one there!" Both Byron and I turned back to look at Nico at the same time. "What do you mean, 'have one'?" I asked. He doesn't really mean what I think he means, does he? Byron was completely silent at my side, and when I glanced up at him I saw that he was staring at Nico, his eye slightly narrowed.


Nico's 'great idea' was that Byron and I should have a fake wedding ceremony, and that we should hold it at the little church in the middle of the forest. "I know you're already engaged and all, but you're never going to have a change to have a normal wedding, are you?" Nico smiled at me as he poured a cup of tea for me. "This is a great opportunity, why not take advantage of it? I mean, you told me yourself that you'd like to wear a wedding dress." "I know what I said, but Nico-" I took the cup of tea from him and turned my gaze to the window.

It's not like the king of Stein can just have a nice quiet wedding like that.

I sipped my tea, and then realized Nico was staring right at me. He spoke again, as if he'd guessed what I was thinking about. "It's okay, really. The people of Stein don't know what King Byron looks like. It'll just be a quiet ceremony for the two of you, and no one will even know." "Nico." Albert stood off to one side, frowning as he interrupted Nico. "Why must you always be so selfish-" "C'mon Albert, you're just being obstinate again." Nico glanced back at him, and laughed softly as he turned his gaze on me once more.

"What do you think, _?" "Well, I..." Byron was sitting on the sofa next to me, quietly sipping his own tea, and I turned to look at him. He sat silent, listening to the three of us go back and forth, and I wasn't quite sure if he was amused or exasperated. His gaze flickered to me for a moment, as if noticing my gaze, and then he began to speak. "You should do what you want to do." "King Byron..." Are you really going to leave it up to me?

I considered his words, and then turned my gaze back to meet Nico's. "I think it would make me happy to stand in that couples church and exchange our vows." Nico's face brightened immediately at my words. "Then it's settled! I'll make the arrangements right away." Albert folded his arms across his chest, giving an loud sigh as he spoke. "Tomorrow is the ball."

Oh damn, I forgot about that.

I pursed my lips as I considered the timing. We're heading home to Wysteria the next morning, right after the ball. There's not a lot of spare time. And the ball is the actual reason I'm here, too. "So long as we're back in time, it'll be fine." Nico's voice sounded completely unconcerned as he turned his gaze to look at Byron. Byron sat silently in his chair, resting his chin on his hands. He hadn't offered his own opinion once during our conversation, and I suddenly wondered what he was thinking.

"King Byron, how do you feel about it?" I can't help it- even if it's a fake wedding, the idea of doing it makes me really happy. But I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to do. Byron's gaze met mine, and all of a sudden he smiled, his expression gentle. "I don't mind at all."

And so it was decided- we were to hold a secret wedding ceremony at the old church. But I didn't want to just let everyone else make the arrangements for me while I sat around and did nothing. I wanted to help somehow, so I asked Nico to give me something to do. He decided that it was my job to go out and pick flowers to decorate the church.

"I'm sure I remembered there being flowers around here somewhere..." As I walked through the peaceful forest, I remembered the smiles of the old couple. When we'd told them that we wanted to hold a wedding at their church, they looked so delighted. It feels good to bring happiness to other people like that. I spotted some flowers near the path, and I knelt down and began to pick them, placing them in a basket I'd brought.

My mind was focused on collecting enough flowers to decorate the church properly, when suddenly I heard a voice from just behind me. "You're rather enthusiastic." "Ahh!" I jumped in surprise, then quickly stood up to gaze at Byron. "King Byron-" Byron's gaze met mine for a moment, serious and intense, and then he leaned closer, his face moving towards mine.

His gaze dropped to the flowers in my hands, and his voice was soft when he spoke. "What is it that makes a wedding so special?" He reached out and caught hold of a single petal as it fell from my fingers. "I don't really understand." I looked up at his confused expression, trying to think of the right words to explain. "Well... part of it is the happiness of receiving blessings from the people around you. But I also think that being able to exchange vows of love with the person you love is something many people yearn for."

When I was a child, it was something I dreamed of- to find someone to speak those words of love with. Byron gazed down at me seriously, as if he was considering my words. Then all of a sudden he smiled, and there was something sweet about it. "And those feelings have nothing to do with country you come from, do they?" "No, they don't." Wanting to share happiness with your loved one has nothing to do with where you come from, what you look like, or what age you live in.

"A wedding is something many people dream of." I nodded firmly as I spoke, and Byron's smile turned into a smirk. "I see." His gaze dropped again to stare at the gathered flowers I held in my hand. Byron? Byron reached out slowly, his fingers gently stroking my wrist. "King Byron, what is it?" He stoked my hand for a moment, and then gently pulled the flowers from my grasp, dropped them in the basket at my feet. "Um?"

His fingers seemed to leave an echo of warmth where they'd touched, and I could feel my pulse speeding up. What was that all about? I looked up at him, and at last he spoke, his gaze meeting mine. "If I remember correctly..." His voice was like a sweet, breathy sigh. "...it's the ring finger on the left hand, isn't it?" Oh, Byron~

"King Byron?" My heart was pounding at the softness of his caress, and I feel him loop something around my ring finger. Did he just- Byron let go of my hand, and I raised it up towards my face to take a look. I found that he'd placed a four-leaf clover on my finder, the stem twined together to create a ring. "I just found it over there. You told me about these before." "Yes, I did."

I remembered a conversation we'd had some time ago. "It's said that if you find a four leaf clover, your wish will come true." "A four-leaf clover?" Byron gazed at me in the flickering light from the lamp. "Yes. I remember when I was younger, wishing things like I hope I find my true love soon'."

I smiled to myself as I gazed down at the four-leaf clover on my ring finger. I can't believe he remembered that. That is almost like- like an engagement ring! My heart skipped a beat at the thought, and I looked up to meet his intense gaze. "King Byron?" "Yes?" There was still that sweet tone to his voice, but as I started to speak...

Oh, dammit.

I heard the sound of Nico calling our names from somewhere behind us. "Sounds like they're looking for us." Byron turned back to look at me, and offered me his hand, the gesture entirely natural somehow. For a moment, I felt almost giddy with happiness. I giggled, and Byron asked "What is it?" "Nothing." I don't know why, but Byron's gesture seemed so natural somehow. It made me feel all happy inside.

I reached out and placed my hand in his, taking care not to lose the four-leaf clover on my finger. I think it's because I'm just so happy that things feel so natural between us. Byron squeezed my hand gently, and we walked back to the mansion together, hand in hand.


That evening, back at the mansion by the lake- We'd decided to have the ceremony first thing the next morning, and Nico and I were chatting excitedly about it. "I'm really looking forward to it, aren't you, _?" "I am. Thanks for everything, Nico." I never thought I could actually have that childhood dream come true- I'm really happy and grateful.

Nico met my gaze, and I smiled up at him, still feeling a little dazed that it was actually happening. But a moment later, Nico gave a long, soft sigh, and his expression changed. When he spoke, his voice suddenly sounded serious. "You know, to be honest, I expected King Byron to say 'Do whatever you want'." "Oh?" I raised an eyebrow at him, and Nico smiled at me again. "But the truth is, King Byron-" Nico paused, and right at the moment there was a knock at the door, Byron stepped into the room.

"King Byron!" "You're still awake?" As Byron walked towards us, Nico gave me a bright smile and turned away. "Well then, I'll be off. Goodnight, _." "Goodnight Nico." I watched as he walked away, but I was still wondering what he'd been about to say. I know he was about to tell me something, and maybe it was something important.

Nico stepped out of the room, and the door fell shut behind him. I turned my gaze towards Byron, only to find him staring down at me. "King Byron, is something the matter?" I hope he hasn't been working all this time- it's awfully late. As I stood from the sofa, Byron began to speak. "No. I just wanted to talk to you for a while."

"Oh?"

I wonder if there's something in particular he wants to discuss. The lamp flickered in the dim room, elongating the shadows on the wall. As Byron stepped towards me, my heart sped up a little at how beautiful he looked in the lamplight. "You told me that getting married is a dream of yours. What comes after that?" I widened my eyes in surprise at his words. Has he been thinking about it ever since I said that?

"After that..." I could feel his gaze on me as I searched for the right words. "Well, it's not exactly 'happily ever after', is it? But I don't think people's dreams just end with the wedding." I raised my gaze to meet his, and found myself suddenly captivated by shadow of his eyelashes against his cheek. Yes, that's it. All the little things like that.

"So long as the person you love is beside you, you can continue to dream." Byron narrowed his eye at my words, and I could see him thinking them over. After a moment he gave a soft sigh, and his expression changed. "I see. Now I think I understand." He gazed down at me, and his voice was a sweet murmur. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow."


The next morning- I'd gotten up early to bake a cake, and now that it was finished, I looked up at Albert. "Thank you for helping me, Albert." Albert had gotten up just as early as I had, and in spite of his muttered grumbles. He'd worked hard alongside me to make sure the cake turned out perfectly. "I'm doing this is for His Majesty." Albert turned his face away from me, adjusting his glasses as he spoke.

At that moment the door to the room opened and Nico poked his head in to look at us. "Nico? What is it?" His expression seemed clouded somehow, and I frowned a little. Don't tell me something's happened. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Albert frowning as well as he started at Nico. I glanced up at him, but he pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Nico shut the door behind him, and then leaning against and spoke in a quiet voice. "I'm so sorry _... something urgent came up, and King Byron has to deal with it."

Oh no.

I caught my breath at Nico's words, my shoulders slumping a little. I could feel a sudden prick of tears behind my eyes, and I quickly blinked them away. It's not a real wedding, after all. I can't let them see how disappointed I feel. And Byron's the king, so it's hardly a surprise that something came up. "It's okay." I schooled my features into a smile as I nodded at him.


I walked through the forest by myself, wearing the dress that I'd prepared for the event. It's a shame we couldn't have the ceremony, but I'm happy just to come here. I slowed my step and looked down at the ring finger on my left hand. I was still wearing the four-leaf clover that Byron had shaped into a ring for me.

"King Byron..." As I murmured his name under my breath, the thicket of trees off to my left began to rustle suddenly. What's that? I turned in surprise, and at that moment I saw-

"Sorry for making you wait."