Chapter 10
On the afternoon of the wedding, it was indisputable that Yuna looked the most spectacular out of anyone in attendance on the rooftop spire of St. Bevelle Palace. The summoner donned a strapless above-the-knee white dress with an attached skirt adorned with hundreds of feathers that trailed behind her as if it were floating across the floor. Everyone's eyes were fixated on the elegant bride, though no one gazed as intently as Seymour Guado himself. They were so close, much to his satisfaction, of becoming one.
As she ascended the stairs to the altar where he stood, she shyly avoided eye contact with the four Maesters who were lined up in a row and made steady concentration on the ground. All was silent except for the instruments played by the assorted Macalania creatures that comprised the temple band that Mika employed at a low cost for events.
Bride on the left and groom on the right, Maester Kelk Ronso began the opening prayer of Yevon and gave his blessing. Each Maester was required to do so for the marriage of a high-ranking Yevon official in order to give their legal approval of the union. Oddly enough, very few Yevon officials were ever married so the ceremony was rarely conducted. Seymour's lineage as a guado was the sole reason that the other Maesters bestowed their blessing on him this very day; marriage was a very important factor for Seymour's position as the leader of the guado to produce an heir. Little did they know that there would be no heir, for there was no time to waste in executing his plan to defeat Sin.
After Kinoc gave a reluctant endorsement for the young couple, it was finally Mika's turn to legally bind them. "Faithful devotees of Yevon! We are all assembled here today to bestow Yevon's blessing upon these two followers who seek to unite as one. Until your souls reduce to pyreflies and are sent to the Farplane, may you stay together through trials and hardship. Maester Seymour Guado, do you promise to protect Summoner Yuna from all of the evils of the world and to make her your priority?"
"I, Maester Seymour Guado, give my word to watch over Summoner Yuna from all danger until we are separated by death," vowed Seymour who sincerely meant his words, contrary to certain spectators' opinion of him.
Finally, Mika turned to Yuna. "Summoner Yuna: do you vow to keep your faith in Yevon strong, and your faith in Maester Seymour Guado even stronger?"
The slightest bit hesitant, the veiled Yuna agreed to the statement. "Maester Mika, I promise to never falter in my faith. I will remain faithful to Maester Seymour until we are torn apart by the spiral of death."
Seymour was a bit put off by her reluctance to answer Mika's question. Was she unsure of her faith in Yevon or her marriage to him? If it was the latter, it would put a damper on summoning the Final Aeon. He'd have to make sure to capture her affection over the course of the day.
"By the blessing of Yevon, you are now husband and wife. A kiss will seal the marriage," commanded Mika.
Seymour carefully lifted the sheer drapery that covered his bride and gently tossed it backwards so it hung from her tiara, exposing her glowing face full of youthful vigor. Her unsure eyes stared into his, but much to his relief, they did not stray. It was time to get this ordeal over and done with. He placed his hands on her petite shoulders and leaned over due to his towering height, finally sealing the deed with a kiss. He knew it was her first by the way her delicate lips nervously trembled while making contact with his. He hadn't had many himself, so he felt the slightest bit of disappointment when it ended. It was unlikely that she'd want to do it again.
As they left the altar hand-in-hand, the enormous bells housed within the palace tower created a deafening chime and cheers from the city down below echoed. He had warned Yuna at the rehearsal last night that they were to be bombarded by sphere cameras and residents of Bevelle for the next few hours.
"Regretting your decision yet?" the half-guado teased with a wry grin once they were alone in the corridor leading down into the city. "I know you still aren't one hundred percent back to health and it's going to be hours before we're in Guadosalam for the reception."
Yuna smiled for the first time that day over his remark. "I'm looking forward to it. Seeing everyone's smiling faces gives me the strength to move forward. I know I've made the right decision."
He was looking forward to it too, though he didn't admit it outright. Perhaps it was the rejection from both human and guado he faced while growing up that caused him to seek validation from other people in his adulthood. Receiving admiration and respect from the masses made him feel powerful.
As the newly married couple left the palace and ventured into the city, they were escorted by six armed guards in order to keep the citizens at bay who crowded the streets. There were several sphere cameras out and about and Yuna decided to entertain the first one she saw, much to Seymour's annoyance. If she kept this up, they'd never reach Guadosalam before nightfall.
"You're the reporter from Luca!" Yuna recalled with excitement.
"Shaami, M'Lady. I'm so honored that you remember me!" The reporter clad in yellow with an orange skirt cheerfully introduced herself. "Since we're based in Luca, we hardly get any personal attention at events in Bevelle." It was true. She would be the last reporter whom Seymour would give his valuable time to. Yuna was clearly inexperienced in the spotlight of public attention. "Would you mind giving the viewers in Luca a few words?"
Of course, the kindhearted Yuna agreed and waved her wrist-length white glove at the camera with childlike.
"Are you going to continue your journey to defeat Sin?" asked Shaami who wasted no time in conducting an interview. This was particularly why Seymour was so selective about entertaining media outlets; everyone wanted an interview for their cut of money from their employer.
"Yes, I've just prayed to the final aeon here in Bevelle and I'll be continuing my journey to Zanarkand," smiled the beautiful bride as she excitedly talked into the microphone.
"That's wonderful to hear, Lady Yuna! So soon? Are you not taking a holiday with Maester Seymour now that you're married?" inquired the cheerful reporter.
Yuna nervously looked at Seymour, not expecting the interview to throw such direct questions her way. Sphere reporters had a tendency to pry into personal matters. All of their questions were prewritten and they had an agenda to follow in order to achieve their desired ratings. The problem was, the general public was not aware of the fact that it was simply a political arrangement between the two and it would be risky to break the news on live sphere.
Seymour decided to step in and answer the inquiry for his wife. "Unfortunately, Lady Shaami, there is no time to waste with Sin becoming more aggressive each passing day. Lady Yuna and I have agreed that bringing the Calm is our top priority."
He then gave Shaami a respectful prayer of Yevon and ushered Yuna away. "We must utilize our time wisely," he advised while scoping out the surrounding reporters. "It sounds impolite, but once you gain status, you come to realize that time is too vital to waste. Your guardians are waiting for you in Guadosalam."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting to be asked such questions. Should I just… let you do all of the talking?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.
"Everyone expects you to have a voice, especially now that we're married, Yuna. I know you don't speak without thinking first. Just give ambiguous answers if you're unsure of what to say." Though Seymour knew that ambiguous answers could be interpreted however the tabloids wanted, he was there for damage control if the situation were to get out of hand.
The newlyweds were soon bombarded by the main Bevelle sphere reporters who were eager to conduct a full interview. After a basic interview about the wedding and their future plans, questions shifted to the subject of Sin's attack on Bevelle, which Seymour took the opportunity to embellish the details. If the people of Spira wanted a love story, they were going to get one - even if the facts were exaggerated.
"Lady Yuna even performed a Sending after coming to her senses again," Seymour beamed with pride as he recalled the story.
Yuna immediately interjected for the first time in minutes, as Seymour's prideful boasting conflicted with her humble nature. "Well, I was only doing my duty as a summoner. I couldn't have done it if you didn't help me."
Excellent. She had taken the bait and the journalists were eating it up as he predicted. "A dual sending." reiterated the male journalist, who appeared rather impressed by the idea. "M'lord and Lady seem to work well together. Are you considering defeating Sin together, like Yunalesca and Lord Zaon a thousand years ago?"
Seymour fought the urge to answer 'yes' to the question because Yuna never gave him a solid answer. Instead, he would let his bride give the response.
"It's possible," she admitted with a smile. "But whether I go to Zanarkand with my guardians or with Maester Seymour, it makes no difference as long as I bring the Calm." She used Seymour's vagueness tactic quite well. He was impressed, though the uncertainty of her decision about the matter was going to drive him mad.
Before any other sphere reporters could steal their attention, Seymour hailed their transport to Guadosalam which was standing nearby. He helped his wife into the open-top white carriage with gold trim, being careful of any loose feathers from her skirt. The vehicle was guided by two harnessed chocobos and one of Seymour's guado escorts was in control of the reins. As they began leaving Bevelle, the crowds parted ways to allow them to pass while waving and giving their blessings of Yevon. Seymour returned a few, but Yuna was absolutely elated over everyone's excitement over the couple's union. It was finally clear to him that she agreed to his proposal for solely for everyone elses' happiness rather than any affections she held for him. Could he ever make her as happy? Envy filled his heart; first she prioritized her guardians, now the entirety of Spira… he only desired their death more.
What qualities did they possess that he didn't? He was important, handsome, in good shape, and intelligent above all else. Were being weak and emotional such important characteristics in order to mean anything to Yuna? She no longer recoiled from him as she had done when she first confronted him about Jyscal. That was clearly a step forward. As he stewed in his negative thoughts, he glanced over at his bride. Her eyes were closed, as it appeared she was drained from the afternoon. It's a good thing, he thought. If she had remained awake, he would have been heavily tempted to press the issue of journeying together and that would surely put a damper on developing their relationship.
What was he to do if she declined his proposition? His usual method of control was manipulation, though using force wasn't out of the equation. He didn't train most of his life away in seclusion to remain the weak child he once was. This newfound strength had fulfilled nearly everything he wanted in order to manipulate the people of Spira; money, power, fame - and yet… the thought of Yuna submitting to him through fear seemed very immoral. Could this be what a 'conscience' was, as once explained to him by his mother?
After passing through the Thunder Plains, the young summoner awoke from the loud crashes of thunder as they neared the wooded dwellings of the guado city. "I'm so sorry! I didn't even realize that I dozed off," she said regretfully, immediately removing herself from Seymour's shoulder on which she had slept during their voyage.
After being buried deep into his subconscious, hadn't even noticed. "No worries; getting sleep was beneficial, as you are no doubt still exhausted from Sin. The guado are expecting us and they are very heavy on their traditions," he explained. "First, we must change from these Yevon clothes into traditional guado garb. Then, we must say our wedding vows once again to be recognized as married in Guadosalam."
She stifled a yawn with her gloved hand, trying her to best to look alert. "I'm ready," she replied tiredly. "Are you… alright? It seems like something's troubling you."
"I'm fine," he lied, attempting to contort his unconvincing face into a neutral glance. Once their vehicle reached the outside of Seymour's mansion, Tromell whisked the pair inside of the manor in order to prepare for the night's festivities.
"Lord Seymour, you never arrive so late. Is everything alright?" questioned the concerned retainer.
"Detained by spherecasters as usual," dismissed Seymour icily as he and Yuna entered the mansion's dressing quarters at the top left of the grand staircase. In the middle of the room stood a male and female mannequin which were clothed in their garments for that evening.
The guado never wore textiles made of white or black because they were 'void of color', which was deemed unnatural. Ironically enough, Yevon had clothed Yuna and Seymour in clothing made of that exact colored fabric for the previous ceremony. Instead, Yuna was to wear a floor-length forest green gown with sheer sleeves that draped over her hands akin to leaves and Seymour switched into a maroon two-piece suit with blue accents that matched his pulled-back hair.
After changing, the couple headed into the banquet hall downstairs where the much of the town and Yuna's guardians patiently awaited. Sticking to guado tradition, they walked side-by-side towards the ordained guado minister who was none other than Tromell.
"Lord Seymour and Lady Yuna are united under the holy union of the Godmother and Allfather," he began with a large tome in his hand. "You are blessed by the guado, and henceforth are recognized as the heirs of Guadosalam." Instead of a kiss, the guado sealed the ceremony with a touch of a forehead and intimate gripping of the shoulders. Marriage was an eternal friendship rather than simply romance.
After the pair was officially recognized as married in Guadosalam, the mixed spectators of guado and human alike gave a thunderous round of applause and the after party commenced. Seymour's servants set up large wooden dining tables and seating in a matter of moments as chefs placed fresh traditional guado foods onto a buffet table. All lights in the hall were dimmed, save for the three massive orbs fixated on the center ceiling which looked akin to floating pyreflies.
Before dinner was served, a toast was to be made in honor of the union. It was conducted by Tromell who stood in the center of the hall before everyone with a chalice made of twisted vines filled with sacred guado wine that had been conditioned for five hundred years. "May we dine and imbibe and bask in the happiness of our Lord and Lady!" exclaimed the servant who held his chalice toward the sky as everyone followed.
While seated at a wide table constructed with Sacred wood from the Macalania Woods' fallen trees, Yuna and Seymour took a swig from the boozy ancient nectar that filled their cup, giving indication to the spectators to do the same.
The buffet covers were now lifted and the feast began. Guado cuisine largely consisted of seasoned steamed vegetables served with breads that were used to scoop the main course onto. Yuna's guardians seemed to enjoy what was served, as they were the first to finish their plates, much to the gossiping guados' surprise.
"I'm unable to conceive how the humans have cleared their plates so quickly," snorted a vine-haired female noble in disgust within Seymour's earshot.
Although the comment had caused Seymour to smirk, it seemed as though Yuna looked perturbed over the observation, as others' opinions were of utmost importance to her. "Please forgive my guardians," she immediately apologized to the guado nobility whom were seated beside Seymour on the right of the sturdy banquet table. "They've guided me on my pilgrimage for weeks without any indulgence. Please allow it on this special occasion."
"Hmph, I suppose an occasion such as this is permissible," replied the noble who still turned her nose up over the spectacle. The guado, specifically the nobility, still had a superiority complex when it came to any other race besides their own; therefore, not even the kind-hearted Yuna would be able to influence their prideful mindset.
After the reception attendees had consumed their fill of gourmet guado cookery, it was now customary for each of the guests to mingle with one another rather than participate in the human custom of dancing. Building useful connections was a major component to the tight-knit culture of the guado and improved one's status, therefore the conversation heavily consisted of past achievements and future goals. In contrast to the earlier prejudice of the guado, many of the nobles and commoners of the town were very eager to interact with Yuna's guardians and the young summoner herself. Suddenly, the Maester found himself alone as no one wished to interact with him any longer.
"Hey, Seymour," called out a casual voice among the buzz of conversation that echoed within the hall. The Son of Jecht had crept up behind Seymour away from everyone's notice and appeared on good terms, for once. But, what business did the boy have with him?
"About the other day… I, uh, owe you an apology," admitted the vibrant blonde with difficulty keeping eye contact. "I was acting like a child and I should've thanked you for saving Yuna instead of getting angry. So, sorry about that."
"No apology necessary," Seymour replied in his most polite of voices with a stone cold expression. He did not hate the boy, but he knew the infatuation the young lad had with his bride could mean trouble in the future. Still, he found the apology odd, as the teen never seemed to care for him in all of their previous interactions. "I understand that you have deep feelings for Yuna and would give your life to protect her. It must've been quite a strike to your ego when I was the one bringing her to safety." He hadn't intended to say his words so icily, but it was necessary for him to establish boundaries.
Though Seymour expected the teen to become angered, a hue of red appeared upon his tanned cheeks and it told Seymour all he needed to know. "W-well, I was only doing my job as a guardian, y'know?" he retaliated in embarrassment. "I know she was in your care until today, but..."
"You thought I was being careless," The guado Maester finished his sentence while looking away towards Yuna, who appeared to be in deep conversation with a young guado woman. "Yuna is challenging to guard and will run into danger without a moment's hesitation. I think you know that better than anyone. Do you not trust me?"
"Yuna does. And if she does, then I do too. Just remember to put her first now that you're married," commanded the Son of Jecht while casually nudging Seymour's arm. The half-Guado wasn't sure if he should be insulted by the gesture or to welcome it; no one had ever treated him so commonly in his entire life. Before he was able to react, the younger man returned to his party of guardians.
Who exactly was this mysterious boy? His scent did not match anyone else in Spira and his kind-hearted ignorance of his surroundings was almost as if he wasn't from this world. No; that couldn't be true, could it? Then again, Jecht also seemed to appear… out of nowhere. He now understood why Yuna was so taken with her young male guardian; his view of their world was a fresh take on everything they've learned in their stoic religion.
After another hour of pleasantries, most of the guests had returned home and Yuna's Legendary Guardian grew impatient. "It's getting late. We stay at the Guadosalam Inn and await Yuna in the morning," Auron ordered to the others. He then turned to Braska's daughter. "Come get us tomorrow when you're ready. Make sure to get some good rest tonight."
Yuna nodded. "I will. I'll meet you all as soon as I can. Thank you, everyone. Tonight was wonderful, even if just a distraction from our journey."
Seymour could only stay on the sidelines as a stranger as Yuna interacted with her loved ones. To feel like such an outcast felt so cold and distant… and he hated it. Getting close to everyone seemed like such a chore. He'd rather steal Yuna away from them to avoid the trouble of keeping more people close, though he didn't harbor any ill feelings towards any of them.
It was now time for Yuna and Seymour to see the remaining guests to the door. Yuna gave a prayer of Yevon as Seymour verbally thanked them. "I appreciate you all for making it to the wedding. Have a restful night's sleep." Tromell closed the double doors to the Manor from the outside and guided them all to the inn as a polite gesture. Finally, the pair was left alone.
Yuna looked up at her new husband nervously as if unsure of what was to happen next. "Do you wish your own sleeping quarters?" asked Seymour, attempting to carefully read her thoughts.
She nodded nervously, as if she were cautious of his reaction. "I would, to be quite honest, though I wouldn't mind… talking more, since we couldn't do much of that today."
"Very well. I will take you to a spare room and we can discuss whatever's on your mind." Seymour led his bride up the grand staircase of the manor into the right hall which housed three separate guest rooms. The one he led her into had a conjoining door to his own master suite. On the bed, a long and delicate lace nightgown woven from a golden fabric was laid out in anticipation of the summoner. "I had already expected to sleep separately tonight. Please change into something more comfortable while I do the same in the other room."
Within minutes, Yuna knocked on the door to Seymour's chamber that was attached to her own. Why so soon? He had just gotten into his night clothing and was busy thinking while perched on the edge of his massive four-poster bed. He opened the door to let her in while clad in a navy night robe, but he was taken aback by the tautness of her nightgown. Though it was not a revealing article of clothing, he was able to view almost every detail of her figure and he felt undeserving of such a privilege. Immediately, Seymour turned the other way and invited her inside his quarters, though it was likely not the right decision.
"You seem like something is heavily weighing on your mind," Seymour finally stated as Yuna followed him into his bedroom.
"Yes. I feel like I owe you an answer… from what we talked about the other day. You know, after the sending," she began while deciding to sit comfortably on an adjacent chair near the luxurious bed. He decided to return to his seat on the edge of his bed close by in order to hear what she was to say, though all he could think of was how wonderful she looked in the dim lighting of the room in such a form-fitting gown.
She inhaled deeply and her expression looked uneasy. "I… feel like I must continue with my guardians in the morning. We've come so far together and it wouldn't be right… to let them down. You know?"
He didn't know. "I'm sorry, Lady Yuna; I'm unaware of your feelings. I've never had the luxury of companionship as you have," he admitted honestly.
Yuna leaned forward with the same naive expression she'd always wear whenever she was unable to comprehend what he was going through. "But you're a Maester. Everyone admires you in Spira... was marriage not enough?"
No, it wasn't enough. And time was much too short to court her the way he had wanted to. "I had already told you this wasn't about marriage. I simply have the same goal of defeating Sin in the end."
"Why don't you just come with us, Seymour?" she asked the question he'd wanted to avoid. The gentleness of her voice irritated him even more. "We can all defeat Sin together. I trust all of my guardians with my life, and I know… I can trust you too."
"Someone has to be sacrificed," he began. "A guardian's life must be taken in exchange to summon the Final Aeon. That is what happens once you reach Zanarkand. I would've····· willingly offered my own life in order to spare your guardians." He hadn't wanted to tell her under these circumstances, but she was leaving him little choice.
"Seymour, how do you… know this?" questioned the beautiful summoner in disbelief, furrowing her brow. "That can't be true."
"I know because I've been there before," he expanded upon his knowledge. "It is true. Anima is… my Final Aeon."
"You went to Zanarkand? Then how are you not an unsent?" she asked wide-eyed in disbelief.
Seymour cast a blank stare towards the wood planked floor of his manor, forced to remember the painful memories of childhood. "I never faced Sin. I was only a boy… losing her… I couldn't-"
"Anima," repeated Yuna. "Who is she?"
Seymour did not return eye contact. Instead, he focused his gaze onto a beautiful painting of the Farplane that stretched horizontally over an enormous unlit hearth. "She was my mother. I suppose it does no use to keep it a secret at this point. At the request of my own flesh and blood, I was to sacrifice her and defeat Sin. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. She was all I had left in this despicable world…" Though recalling these memories aloud caused the usually aloof man some emotional discomfort, he was determined to sway Yuna by any means.
Within seconds, Yuna ran over to sit beside him instinctively placing a hand on his forearm half in sympathy and half hungry for more answers. "Was she the guardian you mentioned before?"
Excellent, he thought to himself. She was succumbing to his pity tactic as planned. Seymour nodded in reply to her inquiry. "My mother and I were alone together for many years at the request of my own father. Her solution to ending my misery as a half breed was to defeat Sin and become an eternal hero. I couldn't believe the only person who loved me for what I was decided to take her own life. So, Yuna, I must beg of you: please, let me take the place of your guardians. I would gladly sacrifice my life in their stead to bring about the Calm. I have nothing left to lose."
"I…" began Yuna with a painful look in her eyes as though she were about to cause him disappointment, "I'm unsure if I can do that. It's not that I wouldn't want to spare my guardians' lives, it's that I promised Sir Auron and Tidus that I would bring them to Zanarkand."
This caused Seymour to stew in his thoughts similarly to a child about to explode into a tantrum. "You're an adult, Yuna. You have the power to make your own decisions. And you are mine," he finally managed to squeeze out what he had been intending to say. After all, she ultimately agreed to marry him. Under both Yevon and guado tradition, they were legally bound to one another.
Unable to control himself any further, the sleek half-guado put forceful hands onto his bride's pale shoulders and pressed her backwards into the plush bedding of the four-poster bed they had been perched on. His well-manicured left hand began removing her hair tie so her beautiful shoulder-length hair was released.
"Seymour?" Yuna called out to his sanity, but it had left him. He had already began undressing her upper body. The delicate lace dress with no undergarment had been slid skillfully away towards her lower half and he was quite pleased with his view. Yuna was helplessly pinned beneath him while her small, humble pink exposed breasts perked up with the cold, stale air from the musty, unused room.
"You don't have to do this," she said calmly to the man eleven years her senior. Seymour, however, ceased her talking with a gentle kiss. She didn't fight back, as both of their lips were aesthetically smooth against each other. He then began moving lower and lower - barraging her body with kisses. First, her beautiful petite shoulders and then to her right breast. It wasn't very large or impressive, but it was hers, and that was all he wanted.
He then dared to look at her face. Her emotion-filled eyes welled up with tears. He had to stop.
"Forgive me, Yuna. I am but only a man," he explained as he placed a blanket around her bare torso and left the room. He blew it. It was all over for him. All because of his stupid impulses and lack of self control. He really was nothing more than a spoiled child in the end. Hearing 'no' drove him mad more than anything in the world.