Oath Ring.
That was the name of the new item that was just delivered from the higher-ups to the Azur Lane base. The shipgirls had been talking about it ever since it was displayed near the main entrance. It was described as 'The deeper the love is, the greater strength it possesses', upon being gifted to others. With only one box that was present in the base, one can only wonder whether it was a prototype and who would be gifted with it.
Even Enterprise came to check out on the ring. She had always wanted to get stronger in order to fight and protect the base, that she softly muttered upon reading the description. "It has to be gifted to others, huh… What a weird item. At this rate I can only hope that someone will give it to me. "
"Do you know that giving a ring like that is equivalent to human marriage, Enterprise-sama? Both are considered as the greatest bond between two people, tied together with a ring" A very familiar voice was heard behind the Eagle Union carrier as she blushed, it was evident that Belfast overheard those words of her.
Enterprise turned around while her cheek was still reddened. "Technically it may be true but I am not sure it functions similarly. I am sure that people just use this for power, anyway. It's an equipment, which is why the base showcases that. " She tried her best to distract the conversation, marriage sure was unthinkable for them. Belfast was always the silly one who equated everything to human terms.
The maid just chuckled seeing Enterprise's reaction to her words; she was definitely all flustered from the thought of marriage. Perhaps the Grey Ghost even imagined doing so? The embarrassed Enterprise immediately left the area to return to her room, and somehow Belfast did not follow her. Even when she usually did so everywhere she went.
Later on at night, the ring was already gone from the base. None of the shipgirls seemed to be wearing the ring, as Enterprise wondered who might have acquired it. Perhaps it really was just a showcase and had been transferred to another base. 'A shame, I would want to take a look at it for the last time. I wonder whether wedding rings actually looked like that.' She thought to herself as she went to the pantry for dinner.
Enterprise walked back into her room to find that the room light already turned on. To her surprise, she found Belfast inside her room, not remembering to request for any room service at all. In fact, it seemed like Belfast was waiting for her from her relieved smile when Enterprise entered the room.
"What brings you to my room, Belfast? Were you tidying it?" Enterprise asked in curiosity, especially with how the maid had been anticipating her return. To her surprise, Belfast got on her knees as she took out a familiar-looking box.
"Enterprise, will you marry me?"
Belfast was the one that equated the Oath Ring to a wedding ring, and this time she was the one that offered the same ring to Enterprise. The Grey Ghost's cheeks immediately blushed as she was at loss of words. It really was so sudden as she was so happy in getting the ring that she wanted, from the maid that cared about her the most.
No, Belfast did not even add the honorific to her name this time. It was really from the girl that loved the Carrier with all her heart.
"I do." Enterprise took a deep breath as she tried to remain calm while saying those words.
Upon hearing those words, Belfast beamed as she immediately put the ring on Enterprise's ring finger.
Still all flustered, Enterprise glanced sideways away from her soulmate. "But I don't have anything in return to give to you…" It all happened way too sudden that the Eagle Union ace was caught off guard , unable to prepare for anything. Belfast chuckled seeing the adorable reaction as she said, "You don't have to worry, Enterprise. The box for this base is a two-ringed box." She turned the box's layer to reveal another one, in which Enterprise picked it up and held Belfast's hand to put it on her ring finger, in return. All while still blushing in total disbelief that this was happening.
Enterprise had just taken her time to catch her breath as she sat beside Belfast, admiring their paired rings as the Cruiser suddenly said, "With this, we are officially married, according to human tradition. So, how will the wedding ceremony be?"
… Wedding ceremony?
Seeing Enterprise's confused expression, Belfast started to explain the human tradition for it. When she got to the 'invitation' part, Enterprise immediately protested, "In public? Inviting everyone? I think it will be overly embarrassing." She may have thought that it would be their little secret and was unprepared for that.
"Oh, but it will be the most beautiful way to tell the entire base. Don't you think so, Enterprise?" Belfast just smiled lovingly, definitely excited to hold one.
Enterprise realised that eventually the whole base finding out would be inevitable, anyway. "Alright, let's do it in the sweetest way possible".
The next day, both Enterprise and Belfast were seen to be very busy. They kept going to the town beside the base, entering shops after shops. Enterprise was seen in the main hall mostly, while Belfast went from the printing shop to the souvenirs. The observing shipgirls could only wonder what was happening as during the evening both of them could be found in the designer's place. It was evident that both of them were planning something.
It was on a Friday morning that every dormitory door in the base had an envelope in front of the entrance.
'You are solely invited to the Royal Union of
Belfast and Enterprise
The main hall seems to be filled with people, since apparently both of them invited the entire base. Even some of the townspeople that regularly interacted with them. Excitements lingered around the air since this was the first time something like this had ever happened. As the clock ticked to midday, Vestal walked towards the middle of the stage.
"And now we shall welcome both our lovely couple to enter the room." Vestal greeted both of the shipgirls that walked from two aisles left and right, before joining each other in the middle. Both of them were beautifully dressed in two wedding gowns, each emphasizes their eye color of blue and purple. The guests looked at them in awe, both of them were definitely the most beautiful on that night.
Vestal proceeded to bring the familiar box of rings out as she gave both the brides their partner's ring. The double ring ceremony started as both of them said their vows.
Belfast said it first,
"I'm fine with simply protecting you, as well as occasionally enjoying your troubled look... But with such an important bond being formed, I've become wanting to serve you even more, as well as receiving more of your attention, Enterprise-sama. No, Enterprise.."
Followed by Enterprise's reply,
"'I carry with me the hopes and wills of the countless battlefields and goodbyes that I have experienced. Belfast, are you prepared to shoulder them all? …I see. Then let us walk together until the end of our lives.'
For which both of them stared at each other while exchanging their rings. The entire hall bursted with joy as both of them as both of them sealed their story with a wedding kiss.