"I'm done. Are you happy now?" Gilbert tossed aside the last of the invitations (light pink, with a floral print and faintly smelling of perfume-courtesy of Sharon) he had to painstakingly write out by hand and then wrap up in a (what else?) white ribbon. Gilbert still couldn't believe it. How did he end up in these pitiful situations so often? He tried being considerate and nice and help other people, and look where there had gotten him. Engaged. Hadn't Break once said being too nice would prove disadvantageous to him? He should have sucked up his pride and taken the guy's advice.

Oz didn't look up from where he was sprawled on the sofa, looking at catalogues for wedding. "Don't sound so bitter Gil it doesn't suit you. And it's a happy occasion so suck it up~"

"First it was the lady who was involved with that Cult. Now I'm Engaged to a Chain who looks at least ten years younger than me." Gilbert ploughed on, determined to list out his woes. "What's next? I expect Vince or Break will turn out to be secretly in love me."

"Er…" Feeling that Gil had hit too close to home with Vincent, Oz decided to change the subject. "Which do you think would look better Gil, gold or dark blue ribbons to tie in your hair to match the white theme? Little details help a lot you know~" Eh, I sound like Sharon-chan…

"Oz are you even listening?"

"Don't be so mopey Gil. If anything it should be me who should be worried." Oz chewed his lip, frowning. "You're my valet for life, but now your top priority is going to be with Alice…I'm kind of jealous…" The blond got up to put back the catalogues onto the table, purposefully keeping his back to Gil.

"What? No…Oz!" Gilbert walked quickly to where Oz was, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "You think I'll abandon you for the stupid rabbit?" Seeing Oz wasn't talking back-was he trembling?!- Gilbert desperately pressed on. "Ev-even if you don't think this whole marriage thing is a joke, I swear I'll break this engagement now whatever my family and the Rainsworths say!"

"Unfft…Gil…"

"Oz…"

"Gil...you really are stupiddd!" Oz smirked widely at the crestfallen expression on the raven when he realised Oz had played with his feelings again. "Didn't I tell you that I refused to let you out of my service after I got out of the Abyss? I'm sure I can squeeze in between you and Alice on the bed~"

"What."

Oz was debating whether to squish Gilbert's cheeks or just ruffle up his hair and call him Seaweed Head to annoy Gil further but his eye fell upon the room's clock instead. "Gil we're late! Break said that Sharon-chan said you had to try on your dress this afternoon, in case of any last minute alterations! Hurry!" Oz grabbed Gilbert's hand, yanking him towards the door.

"Do I have to? Wait, a dress? You mean a suit, right?" Gilbert said incredulously, as he was tugged along, trying to remove his hand from Oz's grip and failing. "I can walk Oz…"

"No. A Dress. You know, the item of clothing Sharon forced you and Break into that time for the Cross Dressing Contest? But don't worry it's a different dress, and this time you don't need to put on fake boobs. Or maybe you do. Let's see, this is the place Sharon-chan told us to meet…" With Gilbert left speechless by Oz's words and incapable of doing anything more than breathing (seriously he was making choking sounds and had gone white in the face) Oz had no choice but to knock on the door and poke his head inside. What lay before his eyes was a room haphazardly covered in clothing strewn across every available surface with Sharon and Alice in the centre of the mess. Surprisingly, Alice wasn't putting up much of a resistance besides looking a bit pouty.

"This suit suits you very much Alice-san, you look so dashing now! Let me just tuck in this rose in your breast pocket and adjust the buttons here…" Sharon hummed. Alice was always very pretty in Sharon's eyes (even though in Alice's normal state of dress her hair had many tangles due to the brunette saying she had no idea what a brush was; Sharon could still feel the horror). "Ah Oz-sama, Gilbert-san! Please take a seat, I'm almost done with Alice-san."

"…" Huh, the stupid rabbit looks almost like a proper lady dressed like that. Although she is in a suit. Gilbert frowned, as he sat down ignoring the knowing looks and nudges Oz was giving him. The suit fitted her well, making her look more mature than usual. Not to mention, the monochrome colours of the suit neatly highlighted Alice's purple eyes.

"There, done! You can go and change now Alice-san." Sharon could not resist giving Alice a quick hug, oblivious to the strangled sigh of relief Alice gave out. Alice looked so beautiful like this, more suited to the role of the knight than the princess, ready to ride out and save her love from the wicked witch-Sharon thought wryly of Break as the witch. Clearly Emily was his familiar. Although Xerx-Nii-san was pretty as a woman too... "Goodbye Alice-san!" she called as she waved at the rabbit's rapidly retreating back, wiping a tear or two away before turning to Gil and Oz.

"Now Gilbert-san, please stand up and lift your arms up so I can check whether the measurements for the dress are correct." To be honest, it was a shame she hadn't gotten Oz involved in the marriage commitment too. Truly, it was a tragic love triangle like the one at the end of Lady Sylvie and Her Mongrels Volume VI.

"Why do I have to wear a dress?" Gilbert said, knowing this was his last chance to save his pride.

Sharon shook her head in disbelief. Honestly, Gilbert could be a bit clueless at times. "Well obviously the man wears the suit while the woman wears the dress right Gilbert-san?" she replied, comparing the measurements against the ones for the dress. Yes, they suited the ones she had taken last time perfectly~

"Now Gilbert-san you can try on these." Sharon cheerfully handed the raven the neatly wrapped package that had been resting innocently on the table among the clutter. She gave him a gentle push towards the makeshift changing room when she saw Gilbert's expression. "In the meantime Oz-sama, are the preparations going fine? I've been so busy with Alice-san I haven't been properly overseeing the other parts."

"Everything is going well Sharon-chan~ All the letters have been prepared and the messengers have been sent, so people should definitely know by today."

"That's good. Who is Gilbert-sama inviting?"

"Just a few people: Uncle Oscar, Vincent, Ada, and the rest of the Nightray family."

Sharon nodded, thinking. "Well some of Pandora's staff is attending, as well as Reim-san, Break, Grandmother and me so it should be a joyous occasion."

"You're right Sharon-chan. I wonder what's taking Gil so long though? The last time he did it only took a few minutes plus the time me and Break took to drag him out…" Maybe Gil's making a break for it using Raven?

A muffled crash came from within the changing room.

"Gil you alright?" Oz stood up ready to barge into the changing room in case Gil really was trying to squeeze his way out through a convenient window or something.

"…I'm coming out."

The door flew open, and there Gilbert was in full bridal glory: The long full white lacy dress (Gil could only feel marginally grateful there was no slit in the side), with white stockings and shoes, holding a bouquet in his hands. To top it off, a veil covered his head, which did nothing to hide Gilbert's embarrassment.

"…"

"STOP STARING AT ME LIKE THAT!"

"But you're so attractive Gil~" Oz sweetly said, even as he continued prodding and poking and generally touching Gil all over while the raven just stood there helpless. Sharon would have been doing the same too if not for the sake of decency, so she simply contented herself with the thought that there would definitely be photos taken at the wedding.

"...Gilbert-sama..?"

The trio froze, as they realised that they hadn't been alone for some time. Echo was standing at the door, her expression unsure as she watched the scenario.

"Eko-chan..!" Oz flew towards her, gently leading her to Sharon and Gil, both nodding to greet her. "What brings you here Eko-chan?"

"It is Echo. I have come to bring Gilbert-sama a message from Vincent-sama." Echo fished out a letter from within her sleeves and handed it to Gilbert making no comment about the raven's current state of dress.

"I see…thank you Echo. Will you be going back to Vincent now?"

"No I will not. Vincent-sama has ordered Echo to remain at Pandora since the wedding is tomorrow."

"What does the letter say Gilbert-san?" Sharon enquired.

"It says…"

"…"

"Gil?"

"…"

"Gil are you okay?"

"…Vincent-sama was acting rather strange while he was writing it."

"Oz…I think I'm going to…" Gilbert collapsed into the chair, which Echo noted in her journal: 4.23pm Gilbert-sama in drag collapses in a chair after reading Vincent-sama's letter.

"Oz…"

"Gilbert-san, you really don't look well! Do you wish for me to call for a Pandora doctor?"

"Gil don't strain yourself." Oz hovered beside Gil, brushing back the raven's silky bangs to feel his temperature. It felt normal…

"Oz."

"It's alright Gil I'm here. What's wrong?"

"…Is it possible to get a restraining order from your own brother?"


AN: The wedding is the next chapter~