Chapter Thirteen : Wedding Dress
"Here she is," Judith opened the door, allowing the princess and the mage into the room. Taking a seat next to Christina's bed, Estelle looked at Judith. "This is the girl I was telling you about on the way here, Estelle."
"Those injuries are serious," Rita observed, standing behind Estelle. "Yeah, stating the obvious, but it's amazing she's recovered this much. I assume that she's under sedation, Judith?"
Judith nodded in response. "The doctors did what they could, but medicine is obviously a long way away from having the capabilities of your healing artes."
"My healing artes haven't been too affected by the conversion to mana," Estelle explained. "Rita said that because my healing artes were channeled through an internal algorithm inside of my bloodline, I'm not suffering from the same issue as everyone else who relied solely on their bodhi blastia."
"Still, this might be a good time to try out the Methodism Theorem we were working on," Rita's eyes lit up. "I mean, regular gels and life bottles haven't been working on her, right? It couldn't hurt to try!"
"Are there any risks?" Judith inquired, concern evident in her tone.
"Of course not!" Rita waved her hand to dismiss the notion of danger. "It's all natural!"
"Maybe later we can try shoving tree-bark down your throat if it doesn't work," Judith teased. "That's all natural, too."
"It'll be fine," Estelle reassured Judith. "I won't let anything bad happen, not on my watch."
"You do what you can," Judith smiled.
Folding her hands together, Estelle's spell commands were indecipherable to the Krityan as a new, sensational energy filled the room. Rita placed her hands on Estelle's shoulders, closing her eyes as if to help the concentration of energy and formulas being manifested into a glyph that appeared in front of Estelle. Judith tilted her head when she heard an unfamiliar incantation emerge from Estelle's lips: "Strands of embrace, give name to the luminosity that begat this majestic land. Revitalize!" The glyph then dispersed as the gathered energy then entered Christina's body as it became aglow with the light Estelle had conjured, her wounds closing rapidly.
"Wow," Judith blinked a few times, making her way to Christina's side as she examined the young girl's body.
"Man, creating formulas to increase metabolism to this point is hard work!" Rita exclaimed, taking a seat on the floor, exhausted.
"What do you mean?" Judith asked, turning to look at Rita.
"It wouldn't work unless her body already had the capability to heal itself," Rita explained, attempting to find a comfortable position against the wall. "The way the Methodism Theorem works is that it just uses what's already there and reinforces it with the energies around you. If she didn't already have the will to live, that arte would have no foundation to work itself on."
"Thank goodness," Estelle gave a sigh of relief. "I don't think I could have lived with myself if I had disappointed you, Judith."
"This coming from the woman who could stand face-to-face with Origin without flinching," Rita sighed.
"It's a completely different situation!" Estelle retorted. "Judith is my friend! It's harder to face your friends with something like this," her voice trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought.
Judith couldn't hold back her gentle laughter. "You two must be exhausted," she said between chuckles, "Why don't you go downstairs and I'll be down shortly to prepare something for you to eat before you head off?"
"Sounds good to me," Rita stood up and patted Estelle's shoulder. "Let's go."
Judith watched as the door shut behind them, and turned back to Christina. "I figured their noise wouldn't let you go back to sleep," she said.
Christina opened her eyes, a bit sheepishly. "How did you know I was awake?"
"I'm no scientist, but when she mentioned your metabolism being sped up I figured the sedative would also wear off that much quicker."
"I'm hungry," Christina propped herself up so that she could lean against the wall. "You grew up around scientists, didn't you?" Christina's eyes narrowed. "None of the current Kritya are scientists, and you were present at Mount Temza when it was destroyed."
"Is that really the tone you should take with someone who just arranged to have your life saved?" Judith deflected, but she didn't entirely mind this line of questioning.
"You're right," Christina then turned her gaze to the window. "I've been ungrateful."
"My father was Hermes, the engineer behind the Hermes-grade blastia," Judith continued as she ignored Christina's statement. "So you're right – surface-dwellers really are to blame." The older Krityan pulled her knee up and hugged it with her arm. "But as you can see, they're capable of something great, too. Without those two surface-dwellers, you may have never been able to walk normally again."
"I've been conceited," Christina stated. "I've always been thinking of just myself, putting myself higher than everyone else because I was too afraid of being looked down on. But either way, I'd always be alone." She turned back to face Judith. "People are people – we share the same feelings with or without having the Circle."
Judith patted Christina's head, proud of the young woman. "Now maybe you'll finally have people who call you 'Chrissy', right?"
"You saw through that, too." Christina blushed a bit. "Yeah, nobody ever called me that before in my life except for my late parents."
"The other children will start calling you that once you start making an effort to connect with them," Judith reassured her. "Now, let's go and get you fed." She already figured out that Christina was without parents – the particulars didn't matter. Not right now, because right now Judith was her parent.
Christina happily nodded in agreement.
-.-.-
After seeing the princess and the mage off at the port settlement, Judith returned to Aurnion; immediately the children could tell that there was a bounce in her step that had been regained. Over the next three days laughter and joy returned to the household as stories of Brave Vesperia's exploits occupied their evenings during story time and the meal tables were occupied with discussions on what the days have been filled with. Judith couldn't help but be thankful that the children were mature enough to not ask questions that she found difficult to answer.
Christina hadn't touched the metal sphere in more than a week, but the change in her was quite evident. In just a few short days, the other kids were referring to her as 'big sis' as she took on more than her fair share of the duties around the household and took care of several chores, helping both Judith and Tristan out. It was like having an entirely different person around the house. It was never spoken, but it was definitely appreciated by everyone, most of all Christina herself.
"Senior," Christina tugged at Judith's arm. "The mirror is ready! Take a break from cooking and watch the coronation with the others – I'll take care of the rest of the meal preparation with Tristan, okay?"
"Why, aren't we little Ms. Taskmaster today?" Judith resigned, laying down the utensils and relinquishing control over to Christina. "You'll be able to hear it from here, too – if anything special happens, just stop what you're doing so we can all enjoy it together, all right?"
"Let us know once Flynn takes center stage," Tristan nodded. "We all want to see him again, right?"
"You're right," Judith nodded. Things didn't end up the way she wanted them to, but she was still proud of him; no matter what, while she had regrets, it was too late to look back now. Yet, even though it had been less than a week, she could look back on their time together as a make-shift family fondly – the next time they were face to face, she would work up the courage to apologize to him. If he had to end up with anyone, Estelle was a good choice. She wished them both the best of happiness they could manage, for Judith had found her own happiness here.
Taking a seat at the table so that the children could see the mirror from the floor, they all gathered together – the mirror was already displaying the center hall of the Imperial castle at the heart of Zaphias. Had it really been so long since she last stepped foot in that city? It felt like a distant memory as Judith witnessed the crowds within the hall drown out every sound with their incessant chatter. Both members of the Guilds were present as well as imperial citizens, standing below the steps to the throne room making way for the red carpet leading up to a crescent table that seated the members of the High Council.
She caught a glimpse of Flynn standing at the edge of the stage; Judith involuntarily put her right hand over her chest. Trumpets blared, silencing everyone in both rooms as they heralded the beginning of the procession. Everyone stood in awe as the Head Councilman took a stand, as Captain Sodia walked down the aisle, holding the imperial blade Dein Nomos on a red velvet pillow where it rested. Kneeling in front of the Head Councilman, Sodia raised the pillow as the elderly man took the sword with both of his hands – the Knight Captain then took her place to the side, across from Flynn. He was wearing his Commandant suit of armor adorned with gold and velvet cloth for the occasion.
The trumpets played once more as everyone turned to the entrance of the room situation below the mirror. "Man, holding this thing in place is heavy," Judith heard Rita's voice – so that's where she was. She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Rita on the balcony, holding the mirror in place with a rope. Those thoughts were interrupted as it was made apparent who the trumpets heralded; Judith caught glimpse of pink beneath the white veil that concealed the woman walking down the aisle, dressed in impeccable lacey white as the train of her gown trailed several feet behind her. The Krityan noticed the faint gold glimmer of her memento necklace placed around her neck, and also the pearls and diamonds that overlaid the laced layers of her dress – it was a wonder she could move at all, as it was heavier than any armor she ever wore.
All eyes were on her, the soon-to-be Empress with her eyes set straight forward without hesitation, locked onto the blade Dein Nomos.
Making her way in front of the High Councilman, Estelle knelt and bowed respectfully.
A speech followed – Judith paid no attention to it. Folding her hands in her lap, her eyes were splitting their focus, darting back and forth between Estelle and Flynn, uncertain the emotions that were welling up inside of her. Time seemed to stop as empty words were stated; she had no interest in the empty promises of the Empire unless Estelle or Flynn were behind those words. It was a harsh sentiment, but a true one – that much for certain Judith was certain she felt without any doubt.
Jolting her out of her reverie, Flynn made a move, taking a stand next to Estelle as he held a beautifully crafted tiara in his armored hands, their blue eyes interlocked. "This is it," he whispered to the princess.
Turning to face the people, Estelle deliberately avoided making any eye contact with the mirror hung off of the balcony above her. She was ready; she prepared this speech several days in advance, combing over each and every single word she was going to say: Residents of our world, Terca Lumireis, I hereby accept this responsibility of becoming your Empress. With your help, I will create a foundation for this world to prosper together in harmony. I am Estellise Sidos Heurassein – and I vow fulfill my duty to the best of my ability.
Opening her mouth, she stammered a bit.
"Lady Estellise," Flynn whispered.
Glancing at him, Estelle gave an apologetic smile before continuing, addressing the people watching her. "People of Terca Lumireis," she said. Not just imperial citizens, not just those who lived under the code of the Guilds, nor just anybody in between or outside; it sounded inclusive enough. However, she hesitated once more for a few seconds.
Raising her head, she forced a smile. "As your Empress, I give you my first and last order."
The room simultaneously gasped, immediately followed by indistinct murmurs.
"What is the meaning of this?" The High Councilman snapped.
Estelle continued, ignoring him. "Rather than Imperial Rule, I hereby instigate a democratic draft – the people shall work together without the divide between royalty and those who aren't. Just because I am a Child of the Full Moon doesn't give me any right to rule any of you."
"Silence her!" The High Councilman yelled, pointing to any of the imperial knights who would listen to him.
"I knew you'd make the right choice," Flynn grinned. Glancing at the Councilman, he nodded. "I'll take care of this."
"I'm sorry," Estelle apologized, "But this is what my heart wants. I can't fulfill my duty as a woman or as Empress, knowing what I would be giving up."
"There's no need to explain," Flynn responded, unsheathing his sword.
"I know," Estelle smiled, "Prince Ioder has the democratic draft in his hands – we wrote it together."
Holding the sword above his head, Flynn brought it clashing down after he tossed aside the tiara, ripping the train of Estelle's dress off. Turning around and facing the High Councilman, he was on guard. "You have a special visitor waiting for you atop the tower. Use the door behind the throne!"
"Run, Estelle!" Everyone could hear Rita barking orders despite the clamor of the room – several knights armed themselves as they made rapid movements toward the princess.
"A visitor," Estelle mused for a split second before figuring out what Flynn meant. "Thank you, Flynn – thank you for allowing me this selfishness." Her responsibilities versus her desires – Estelle knew what she had to do. With those words, the princess darted behind the table, dodging the Grand Council as she activated the doorway, shutting it behind her. Before the door completely closed, she shouted to Flynn. "You make certain to fulfill your dreams, too!"
"Look, you guys, I'm sure you want to know what happens next, but I'll have to catch you up later, all right?" Rita lifted the mirror above its perch and stared into it, making eye contact with Judith.
"Keep me posted," Judith chuckled as she gave a small wave.
The connection was then cut off.
-.-.-
The steps seemed even more endless than they usually were, as Estelle ran up the stairs after kicking off her high heels. The dress was heavy and she tossed aside her veil, finally making her way to the plateau atop of the central spire after several minutes of rushing – she couldn't help but smile as she saw who was waiting for her.
"Hey there," Yuri waved, as if he was expecting her presence.
"Sorry I'm late," Estelle bowed frantically as she finally stood in front of him, her hands folded in front of her.
"What can I do for you?" Yuri noticed that the clamor from the throne room was quite audible even from where they were, as people began spilling out of the grand castle far below them.
Estelle looked around, noticing that Yuri had come prepared as a cable was extended from one of the jagged tops of the spire toward the outskirts of the capital. Giving him a shy smile, she nodded. "I'd like for you to take me away from here," she stated eloquently as her stance was filled with a renewed confidence. "Would you please kidnap me?"
"I can't disobey orders like that," Yuri spoke with a straight face. Extending his hand toward the woman, he finally burst out laughing. "How about we start this the right way?"
"Of course!" Estelle placed her hand into Yuri's. "I want to continue my journey. With you, Yuri – there's nobody else I'd rather embark upon this route than you."
"That's what I like to hear!" With a single smooth motion, Yuri wrapped his arm around Estelle's bulky gown and grabbed a hold of her waist. "Hang on tight," he warned, as he ran toward the spire with the cable latched onto it.
"Whoa!" Estelle exclaimed, hanging on for dear life as adrenaline made its presence known throughout every extremity in her body. Yuri with his free hand took out a hook as they leapt from the corner of the ledge without rails, the hook catching onto the cable as they slid through the air, taking in the view of the city from above.
It was scary, but it was a good kind of excitement coursing through their veins.