A/N: I hope that this chapter comes a lot sooner than the last one, my muse was somewhat erratic with this one (this was meant to come out on Valentine's Day). I wrote several paragraphs on my phone in advance before transferring it to my Docs, then struggled to complete that prompt and created an entirely new one. Anyways, here's Marriage!
Day 20- Marriage
A pair of doves flitted through the rays of morning sunshine, seemingly glowing in the light. The sound of bells tolling filled the chapel, and each time they rang I winced internally. I understood that they were used to announce joyous occasions, but why were they so loud? The bell, several floors above us yet was strong enough to make me wish for something to cover my ears. Pure white banners snaked around pillars along the far edge of the chapel, somehow looking more pristine than before. The light flooding in from the windows seemed to reflect the joyous occasion today, making it near impossible to not join in the celebrations.
That being said, there were some people who might not agree with me. Thankfully this was a private ceremony, so only family and close friends were allowed.
Most of the male members of the two royal families sat in the first front rows, distanced from each other and occasionally throwing glares at each other, but that was the worst of it. The war seemed to form a hesitant unity between Hoshido and Nohr, but with today's nuptial that truce would solidify. I only hoped that they wouldn't be too disagreeable.
Ryoma set his indifferent gaze at me, still looking fierce in his dark crimson robes. The argument from last week still is fresh in my mind, as well as the answer I gave him. His worries were understandable but unnecessary- this love went both ways. She wasn't playing the part of a seductress so that Nohr could have an upper hand against Hoshido. While she enjoyed seeing me flustered and unable to form a complete sentence, her intentions were born from love. I met his scowl with an indifferent look, one that Camilla taught me to wear in the presence of naysayers or cynics. I nodded curtly to him, and resumed scanning the crowd for familiar faces while I waited for the bride.
Leo met my gaze with a calculating expression, and then nodded. Being the most reasonable of Camilla's siblings it was likely he came to terms before everybody else did. It didn't stop the others from doubting or being skeptical, but it was a start.
Takumi had his arms folded across his chest, face set like stone. Though he was always suspicious of the Nohrians, his hostility towards my former family had lessened over the weeks of cooperation.
Selena and Beruka were glaring daggers at me, sending me their unspoken promise. The dresses they wore looked almost unnatural on them- a red and pale cream gown for the red-haired mercenary, and a seafoam green dress that drew out Beruka's figure. I was fairly certain that I caught Leo stealing a glance at her occasionally.
The sound of the organ playing drew my attention to the far end of the room, the tall oak doors swinging open at a tortoise's pace. The sight of Elise practically bouncing on her heels with Sakura next to her, doing a last-minute check to rid the creases in her dress, brought out a chuckle from me. The two of them proceeded down the aisle, tossing flower petals from their respective baskets. Lilac and Scarlet scattered across the ground, symbolizing the unity that was taking place in this building. The youngest princess of Nohr waved brightly at me, completely disregarding the formalities of a royal wedding- and honestly, I didn't really care. Elise wasn't a stickler for rules, and I wasn't looking to impose on her. Sakura gave a small smile, causing her face to erupt scarlet; I nodded politely to both of them. The minister, a wizened gentleman who looked as if he lived a long life but still had work to do, smiled kindly to the young princesses and gestured for them to take their seats. Sakura sat beside Ryoma in the second row from the front, and Elise chose to sit beside her.
A second later two more figures appeared in the far doorway. The warring anxiety and confidence I felt inside abruptly silenced at the sight of the lavender-haired woman. It occurred to me several seconds later that my mouth was hanging open so I closed it immediately. I was vaguely aware that Xander was escorting the bride-to-be, but my attention was focused on the woman at his side. She was, to put it simply, gorgeous.
The white satin of her sleeveless bridal gown seemed to radiate light and display her full figure, and the sunlight shining down gave her the appearance of a Goddess. Though her face was covered by a veil the way she looked at me sent my heart racing, the smirk on her face made me weak in the knees. The crisscrossing violet sashes that ran from her hips up to her chest clung to her, and she seemed to be aware of this as she made her way down the aisle. It might've been my imagination but I could've sworn she had a hint of a sway in her hips.
As if knowing where my focus was, her hips swayed slightly more.
Yep, I mused with a quiet chuckle, definitely not imagining it.
Though it took under a minute for her to arrive, the whole walk seemed to go on for ages and I desperately wanted to kiss her. She released her hold from Xander and took her spot directly across from me. Clutching the bouquet of flowers to her chest, she sent me a teasing smirk.
"Like what you see?"
The question was barely audible but I felt the tips of my ears burn pink. Such a reaction prompted her to giggle, and the sound had never sounded so angelic. Before I could think of a way to send my approval the cleric began speaking.
"Citizens of Hoshido and Nohr, we are gathered here today, not just to celebrate the union between man and woman, but to rejoice in the bond between the Savior of Valla, and the eldest Princess of Nohr."
Thankfully, the curse didn't affect those who spoke the name when they were within the borders. Otherwise this could've been a messy and rather quick affair.
"Not only has the former prince unified two rival kingdoms, but he has succeeded in identifying and combating the true enemy. Our land will soon be rid of this foul evil and peace shall be restored..."
The praises mixed in with the traditional speech of the ceremony became a little tedious after a few minutes, but I was hardly paying attention. My eyes were fixed on the face of the vixen before me, smiling widely. She appeared to feel the same way I was, though she was more composed than I was. But only just. I could safely guess that this ceremony was the only thing stopping her from pouncing on me and claiming me as hers.
Hers. my thoughts momentarily paused at the realization. I was about to become her husband, and she would be my wife.
A lifetime together, raising a family with love and care. A life of joy and peace, though I was sure we wouldn't be immune to areas of strife- but no family has a complete absence of arguments. I wondered if she would continue treating me like she did before-
"May I see the rings?"
I was brought back to the present as Silas rose from his spot in the first row, dressed in a silver and white suit. Sakura blushed heavily out of the corner of my gaze, eyes darting to the floor and to Silas continuously. Silas nodded to the both of us, still unable to get the grin off his face for being tasked with bearing the rings. He presented the dark crimson pillow. Carefully withdrawing the two rings with a withered hand, the clergy turned to the two of us.
"Will you take each other by the right hand?"
We did as he instructed, and I felt a warm tickle shoot up my arm as our hands connected,
"Do you, Corrin of Nohr, take Camilla as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." There was no hesitation, and Camilla's smile widened when I placed the ring on her. The priest turned to the bride. "And do you, Camilla of Nohr, take Corrin as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." Much like my promise, her words came forth immediately as she slid the ring onto my finger after the priest spoke. He blinked, then smiled. The couples that he wed were likely hyped up on the prospect of marriage and other perks, but it must've been some time since there was a genuine couple who wanted to wed solely for love.
"Then if there are no objections with the royal families," the priest looked towards the pews, but any issues they might've had didn't matter to us. And we also threatened to turn on them once if they objected, "by the power invested in me, I name you two husband and wife."
I expected some sort of magical event to occur or some visible blessing to come down from the sky, but nothing happened. I noticed Camilla finger the edge of her veil.
"May you be blessed with prosperity and peace for the rest of your days. You may kiss the-"
In a sudden blur of motion Camilla tossed her veil up, seized me by the shoulders and planted her lips on me. In reply I wrapped my arms around her middle and returned the gesture, not caring at all about the audience. Tongues finally joined in a dance of bliss and passion, her nails digging into my shoulder as she growled against my mouth. The crowd gave a round of polite applause, which fell on deaf ears.
The reception would be the last event for the day before me and Camilla would finally be alone. Despite being eager to leave for the honeymoon straight after the wedding, the two of us relented to making an appearance for the dinner party.
Of course, the anticipation that was slowly accumulating over months and months of preparation were not easy to release at once. Camilla and I were going to enjoy this the way we wanted to.
"Camilla- for goodness' sakes, get a room!" Leo called out as he stormed into the chapel. The others were outside, waiting for us to emerge so they could shower us with rice and other bits that would be difficult to remove from my hair.
"We are in a room," I managed to say between kisses, causing the happy bride to giggle at my answer before she resumed kissing me. My attention was quickly derailed as someone seized me by the hair and yanked me away. I yelped at the sudden offense, but Leo seemed fed up.
"You can enjoy your time as a couple on the honeymoon. Right now, you have a feast to attend and a speech to prepare. Get a move on!"
He emphasized his words with one last forceful tug on my hair, ruining what had taken me hours to tame and settle. I made an attempt to retort to my brother-in-law but he had already exited the building. Sighing in defeat, I turned back to Camilla, brushing her hair aside to let me see her shared dismay.
"It's alright, dearest. I suppose we'll have to wait a little longer. However," her eyes glinted with mischief, "we can make up for lost time in the carriage on the way to the feast."
A/N: The idea for their attire comes straight outta FEH; specifically their Adrift appearances.
10 chapters left… man, this has been a ride. Thanks for those who've stuck with me from the beginning, including my beta-writer and supporter SquidBaggerOfWoomyAndNgyesness, and for taking some time to read this. Still can't believe I got this far. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed Chapter 20, next up is the Honeymoon.
Thank you for reading; if you enjoyed this, how about a like and/or follow, maybe check out my other works? Didn't like it, you can tell me what I can do better. Reviews are always appreciated; from constructive criticism to expressing simple appreciation.
Write on!
