Pure, unashamed fluff. You have been warned. Just a sweet story of Seth's thoughts on a certain cliche wedding day. I hope you enjoy, and as always, please leave a review :)

Words: 757
Characters: Seth, Eirika, others
Time: A few months after the events of Sacred Stones.
Genre: Romance

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to Nintendo. Not me.

The whole of Renais was there to watch, either to support the new marriage or hiss curses at the indecency of the bond. There were many people holding each opinion, and they were all making their views heard, for the din was so loud that Seth could hardly hear the royal musicians that were mere yards away from him in the open courtyard.

Low fences had been set up all around the outdoor garden, painted white for the occasion, and behind these fences were the townspeople from every corner of Renais. The wedding was open for any person who wanted to come. A few soldiers had to be stationed there to keep the peace, but overall, the group was calm, if a little disgruntled. Inside the fence were the personal guests, mostly neighboring royals.

But there were also civilians and warriors from the days of fighting Grado and the dragons. Seth's eyes alighted on L'Arachel and Innes, Gerik and Marisa, Lute and Kyle, Ross and Amelia, even little Myrrh and her guardian Saleh. Eirika had not forgotten a single friend. It was odd to see nobles in golden, gauzy gowns next to mercenaries in their cleanest yet still shabby shirts. But all were as comfortable as the oldest of friends. War forges unbreakable companionships, if nothing else, Seth thought.

At his back were the castle walls, covered in vines and green lichen, and to his left was a gate that had been hand-decorated by Tana to resemble a rainstorm of flowers. All around him, he heard nothing but vague, disconnected bits of conversation as he waited, his mind wandering and wondering.

He knew what people would be saying – the people that didn't know him or the princess, at least. They would be raging about how he was no more than a simple knight, a commoner, not fit to marry a queen.

However, some spoke differently – some called the love a miracle, a blessing, and a story for all generations. It was the joining of the queen and her loyal knight to repair the kingdom they both held so dear. No matter what people thought, to Seth, it was all the same. They were beginning to realize that he and Eirika would truly be wed. Whether or not they approved carried no importance.

And then, all at once, the chatter and ramblings rushed into an awed, sweeping silence. For a moment, Seth could not understand why. It took him only a second to discover that every person's eyes were fixed on the palace's flower-covered gate, and so he hurriedly turned to look as well, his mind painfully yet peacefully blank. The beauty of the evening, the waterfall of lilies and roses, and the majesty of the mountains suddenly became nothing, paling in sheer insignificance to the woman who had just emerged from the vines, pushing a few flowers out of the way with one of her gentle hands, the other one supported loosely by her brother's arm.

She smiled cautiously at the creative drapery. Her long, sapphire-colored hair flowed like a river to her waist, smooth and shining in the gentle breeze and pastel light. She was holding herself taller, somehow, than she usually did; her air of confidence and poise uninhibited by the tiny, almost shy smile gracing her features. The gown she wore trailed to ground like a hundred snow-white petals, layered lightly by a sheer veil and deep blue sash. Each piece of jewelry was carefully selected to match her hair and eyes. To Seth, she looked like a goddess, her beauty unrivaled by anything he could possibly have imagined. Her eyes sparkled at him and no one else.

When Ephraim released Eirika's arm, kissed her cheek, and nodded at Seth, the look in the younger man's eyes was one of equal appraisal and approval. But Ephraim's wordless message was outclassed by the silent, powerful love that glittered in Eirika's gaze, brighter and clearer than ever before. She took three slow steps towards him and clasped his hand in anticipation. Soon they would turn to their people as King and Queen of Renais.

But Seth had eyes and thoughts only for Eirika. Hiding a smile from the crowd, he squeezed her hand gently, prepared for any of the criticism and dissatisfaction that would be sure to fly from the mouths of a portion of their people. None of it mattered. For he had Eirika by his side, her hand in his like a symbol of peace throughout his world.