The crowd of joyous onlookers roared and cheered as Sion and Nezumi made their way down the winding path from the castle to the coach that was waiting for them.

Cries of "All hail the king and the king's consort" echoed around them as the chant was picked up by more and more people. Flower petals rained down over their heads, falling gently in their hair. Sion waved at the crowd as he passed, a huge smile on his face, eyes gleaming with excitement. Nezumi ignored all of them. His focus was completely on his task of getting to the coach so he could spend some alone time with his mate. If he was being honest with himself the wedding hadn't been that bad. Compared to Sion's birthdays and his coronation, the wedding at least had some highlights.

Ever since Nezumi had decided to remain as a human, he had resigned himself to follow all the stupid human rules and traditions. This included the whole mess of planning and attending a wedding. Plays never truly highlighted the frustration that came with such ceremonies. He didn't quite understand what its purpose was. Of course, one good thing that came out of it was Sion's wedding clothes.

Nezumi never knew Sion could look so good. Sion always looked good, but this was an entirely different level. He wore a light blue robe with gold trim that shimmered like snowflakes and grey pants. Somehow the outfit managed to embody Sion's excitable and beautify personality without compromising it to the typical royal stuffiness. To add to his charm he had a light red cloak that covered his slim shoulders and trailed on the ground behind him. Then to finish it off he wore a thin gold crown that stuck out of his fluffy white hair like a palace in the snow. His outfit was in stark contrast to Nezumi's, which was a robe of dark blue and purple with dark greyish pants. Nezumi's hair was ornated with small silver ornaments that held it up in an element knot and tingled softly whenever he moved. Nezumi had refused to let anyone else do up his hair or put on his makeup. As an actor, he knew the best ways to do it. He also knew the way that would please Sion the most. The only thing that Nezumi wished was that they were able to see each other's outfits before the ceremony began. It would have prepared him for the long torturous road ahead.

At the start of the wedding, Nezumi and Sion were to walk down two separate aisles until they met at the large decorated stage in the middle. The music swelled as Nezumi started down his aisle, his feet making no sound on the soft velvet carpet below. On each side of him, a row of gaurs marched, escorting him towards the stage. The journey wasn't bad at first; it felt like a play to Nezumi. He was merely an actor, amusing an adoring audience who watched him walk in awe. Then, as he got closer, he saw Sion. His eyes locked on his mate as he took in his appearance. Sion, noticing him as well, blushed slightly. Nezumi's heart pounded as his rat instincts started awakening again.

Sion looked too good standing there but he was too far away. Nezumi wanted his mate by his side. Sion should be in Nezumi's arms. No one should be able to see Sion looking that good but Nezumi. They needed to be alone. They needed to get away.

If Nezumi hadn't sworn to himself that he would attempt to adjust to human culture, he would have charged down the aisle and snatched Sion up, hissing and striking down anyone who got in his way. He would have scurried away to Sion's chambers and have his own two-person ceremony to cement Sion's position as his mate. As it was, he fought against his instincts with all his might and continued the pain shakenly slow crawl towards his beloved. Nezumi swore that if they were going any slower, they'd be standing still. He wondered if it was a form of punishment to see your mate but not be able to get to him.

When the long painful journey was at an end and Sion was finally grasping hands with Nezumi at the altar, the dark-haired man found it wasn't all that bad. The man marrying them droned on and on about something and then random people got up to speak. Nezumi wasn't paying attention. He was too busy holding Sion's hands and taking all of him in. Now that he Sion was with him, his rat instincts were squeaking its approval. Sion seemed to be conflicted. On one had the white-haired man seemed to understand it was his duty to listen to the speakers. On the other hand he clearly just wanted to stare at Nezumi. Nezumi was pleased that he did his own make-up. He wanted Sion's full attention. Finally after what felt like forever the man announced.

"Your highness, you may now kiss your consort."

Sion shifted his full attention to Nezumi, a gleam in his eyes. Nezumi started uncertainly back at him. When the man said kiss, he didn't specify where. Did the man mean on the cheek, neck, head? There were so many places to kiss Sion. It might not matter but knowing humans there was probably a rule about it. The man's face twisted in concern at Nezumi's hesitation. Around the room, a low confused murmuring started. Sion started at Nezumi frowning slightly before understanding filled his eyes. Smiling slightly he puckered his lips. Nezumi almost rolled his eyes. Of course, he should have seen that coming. Sometimes he forgot how much humans obsessed over mouth kissing.

Nezumi leaned forward and kissed his mate on the mouth. Around them, everyone roared their approval. Nezumi ignored them, enjoying the kiss. As a human, kissing on the mouth was surprisingly pleasant. Nezumi regretted not trying harder to overcome his rat instincts. If he knew how amazing Sion's lips felt he would have claimed them sooner. He had gotten pretty good at mouth kissing. He only tensed up a little when he felt Sion's lips. As long as he knew that the kiss was coming, he was fine. Of course, Sion had learned the hard way that kissing Nezumi on the mouth when he wasn't expecting it led to bad outcomes. Nezumi still remembered when Sion got the brilliant idea of waking the dark-haired man with a mouth kiss, only to be kneed hard in the stomach. He had curled in a ball for a half-hour while Nezumi made him some soothing tea to help the pain. He had sworn it was a romantic gesture though Nezumi couldn't imagine a situation where that would apply.

After they kissed at the altar the wedding apparently finished. Nezumi had hoped to be able to take Sion somewhere private but apparently, that wasn't. The second the ceremony was done, they had to spend the next hour listening o guests congratulating them. After that, there was the feast. This also turned out not that bad. They spent a large amount of it dancing which meant that Nezumi could ignore all of them and concentrate on Sion. When they weren't dancing, they sat together and enjoyed the food. Nezumi had to admit there was something nice about sitting next to his mate and proudly showing him off the other humans. They may adore Sion from afar but none of them were his mate. The worse part of the dinner was that Sion had to stand in the middle of the room and give a barbarically stuffy speech that sounded nothing like him.

After that finished, they finally headed towards the coach. Sion had explained beforehand that they were going to take time off from work to enjoy each other's company. This would mean that Nezumi could have Sion to himself for a month.

"All hail the king and the king's consort" the cry rang out again louder this time. Nezumi closed his eyes for a second. He had done everything he was supposed to do, now he just wanted it to end. Why couldn't they walk faster? He could see the coach. They were seconds away from it. As they approached it, they were waylaid by the Queen. Sion stopped moving and bowed to his mother. Nezumi reluctantly followed.

"I wish you many days of peace and prosperity." She said, her eyes gleaming as she gazed upon her son. She turned to Nezumi and her eyes lost some of its gleams. "And you, I wish you happiness and health." Nezumi nodded back curtly. He didn't like the woman very much nor did he expect that she liked him back. It was her who pushed off their marriage for almost two years.

When they got back from the Fairy Circle, Sion had explained everything. The Queen had suggested that they hold of the wedding until Nezumi's name was cleared. Apparently seeing Sion alive wasn't enough. It took time for Sion to prove that Nezumi had no connections to Maphodora. When that was finished the Queen suddenly decided to step down. Sion's coronation took an exceptionally long time to plan and it was a long and painful ceremony. Then, after all that, the Queen decided she would help Sion have a proper wedding. Under her guidance, the wedding took months to prepare, since she kept adding things to it. Nezumi was never sure if she was trying to sabotage it or not. She might just be a stickler for rules, or she might dislike him. In the end, it didn't matter. They were still married.

"Thank you, mother." Sion bowed. "We shall step into our future together with your blessings." To Nezumi's relief, the Queen stepped aside. He was about to press forward when Sir Williams stepped in their way.

"My King." He bowed low. "May your future hold fortune for you and your consort." The knight looked up, his eyes were full of love and respect. Nezumi was also satisfied to see that a small flicker of fear still remained in them. After almost two years, the knight had not fully recovered from Sion's rage.

When the knights had woken next to the Fairy Circle it was to find a seething Sion waiting for them. For a man who had been a small bunny minutes ago, he sure had a lot of pent up anger. He raged against them, chastising them for not believing Nezumi and for almost hanging him. Nezumi wondered if Sion had consumed ever storm, they had ever walked through in order to release a hurricane upon the cowering men. Sion seethed and raged all the way back to the castle, occasionally breaking into mini rants as his anger flared. Back at the castle, Sion unleashed another storm before firing the knight who hit Nezumi while he was in jail, along with the men who had dragged Nezumi out of the forest. He didn't fire Sir. Williams, instead he demoting him to guard until he could gain Sion's trust back. It took until after the coronation before Sir Williams was re-knighted.

"Thank you, Sir Williams." Sion nodded fondly. "I'm leaving the castle and the kingdom is yours and mother's care until I return. Keep my people safe." The Knight bowed again and stepped away. Nezumi didn't bother moving, assuming someone else was going to waylay them. He was proven right as Cinderella came flying at them, catching both of them in a hug.

"Congratulations." She whispered. "I'm so happy for both of you." Nezumi made a sound of acknowledgment as Sion beamed.

Although Nezumi still found Cinderella naive and bothersome, he had learned to tolerate her to the point of almost fondness. That and there was also the fact he owed her. She may have sent Sir William after them, but none of that would ever have happened if Nezumi had just made up his mind in the first place. He was aware that, until Cinderella had a mate of her own, he would always be in debt. Once he explained this to Sion, the prince had eagerly provided names of all the nobles who could be a good match for her. Nezumi had observed the men until Cinderella found someone who would make her happy.

"Thanks, Cinderella," Sion muttered gratefully. Cinderella pulled away and hurried back to her finances side. They were to be wedded a year later and Nezumi hoped he didn't need to attend that wedding.

After she left Nezumi waited balefully for the next roadblock. Surprisingly enough no one else approached them and Sion pulled him into the coach. He waved at the people gathered there before closing the door. The coachmen yelled "Heya" and the coach rumbled away, followed by more loud cheers.

"Well." Sion settled down next to Nezumi. "That's over." He smiled gently at the dark-haired man. "Thank you for putting up with all that. I know those types of ceremonies aren't fun."

"It's fine," he sighed wearily. "I knew what I was getting into when I stayed a human." He eyed Sion. "So tell me are we officially mates yet or is there more?"

Sion laughed. "We're mates don't worry."

"Great." Nezumi straightened up his energy returning. "Now that we're officially mates in the human sense, we need to make it official in the rat sense as well."

"What like a rat ceremony." Sion snorted. Nezumi smirked at him. After a few seconds, Sion's eyes widened and his cheeks glowed red.

"Oh, that's what you mean." Sion looked out the window where he could still see people waving at them. He quickly closed the currents before turning back to Nezumi. The dark-haired man and wrapped his arms around him.

"We don't want an audience," Sion muttered. Nezumi hummed in agreement and pulled Sion closer. They were finally alone.

It was frustrating that when Nezumi longed for the timelessness of being a rat, the universe always chose the wrong time to fulfill that desire. Although they had a month to themselves at a summer mansion far from humans, it both felt like an eternity in paradise and a blink of an eye. They spent long hours locked up in the library or walking around the forestry area. Other than the house serves there were no other humans. Nezumi loved it. Then he blinked and Sion was waiting in the coach for him.

"That can't have been a month," Nezumi growled sitting down next to Sion as the coach lurched forward.

"It was." Sion laughed. "Now we have to go back to society and their rules." He looked over at Nezumi. "Are you going to be alight?"

"I'll be fine. Besides, I do missing acting."

"You're going to become extremely popular now that you're both Eve and married to the king."

"Don't remind me." Nezumi groaned. "We need to plant more Coral Roses when we get back. I want enough Sleeping Beauty powder to take out the whole theater if I need to."

Sion laughed lightly "I can't wait to start planting things in our garden again." They hadn't been able to continue their small garden with all the planning. Now that things were settling down Sion and Nezumi could get back to work.

"We can also add these plants to our garden." Sion held out the small bag of seeds that they had collected during their stay.

"When we get back, we'll have to look it up. We don't know if some of them could be dangerous."

"True." Sion nodded. "But to be fair we sh-" He was suddenly cut off as the coach lurched to a stop. Sion toppled over with a cry and Nezumi caught him.

"What's going on?" Sion asked worriedly getting to his feet. Nezumi narrowed his eyes as he listened for any unusual sounds outside. If it was bandits, then they would go after the coachman first. That would give Nezumi enough time to get Sion to safety and fight off any bandits who noticed them. There was no way he was going to let them touch his mate. After a moment the door swung opened and their coachman looked in.

"I'm so sorry your Highnesses. One of the wheels just broke. It'll take time to fix."

Sion sighed and Nezumi relaxed.

"That's alright." Sion glanced out of the window. "We're by a port town. Let's stay there for the night and take a boat tomorrow."

While Sion went to the local noble's mansion to request a room for the night and a boat for tomorrow, Nezumi oversaw the coachman as he brought the coach to be fixed. By the time it got there the noble had sent down servants to grab their luggage. They had offered to escort Nezumi to the mansion, but he had declined. He rather travels by himself through the town than with someone who he didn't know. Nezumi hurried down one street then another. As he turned a corner, he suddenly bumped into someone.

"Oof." The person fell back clinging to their basket. Nezumi glanced down to see a little old lady on the ground. He eyed her suspiciously. He hadn't noticed her there which was unusual. Either she was extremely stealthy or magical.

"It's polite to help an old woman up you know." The woman chastised as she staggered to her feet. "Beware stranger, rudeness is often punished." Nezumi didn't answer, still watching her weirdly. The woman brushed the dirt off her skirt and turned to glare at Nezumi. She took one look at him and gasped.

"Heavens what are you? Are you a beast or a man? You have so much magic on you."

Nezumi's blood went cold. If she knew that about him then she clearly could sense magic. That wasn't good. Nezumi got into a crouch, ready to fight or flee depending on the situation.

"I was a rat but now I'm a human. I'd prefer to stay that way." He watched her ready to strike if she made any sudden moves.

"I couldn't turn you back even if I wanted to." The woman said frowning. "True love's first kiss overpowers all other magic, even if it messes with the natural order." She stared sadly at him. Nezumi's muscles relaxed as he straightened up. So she couldn't turn him back because of Sion's mouth kiss? What was it about two pairs of lips crashing together that made all other magic null and void? Nezumi made a mental note to ask Sion more questions about it when they got home.

"Oh dear." The old woman sighed. "I'm out of time. I was hoping to find a pure soul to give this too." She shifted the basket as she looked Nezumi over. "I suppose if your love is strong enough to keep you a human permanently then you'll have to do." She shoved the basket into his arms. "Farwell" And with that, she rushed around the corner,

"Hey," Nezumi yelled after her. "Don't just ditch me with this." He rushed after her but found the ally she turned into empty. In the air, remaining magic floated around like fireflies. Growling, he turned to look at the basket in his hands. It was heavy. Whatever was inside had some weight to it. Opening it up, he cautiously looked inside. There swaddled in a pale blue blanket was a human youngling, with short golden hair and pale skin. She yawned in her sleep and shivered in the cold. Nezumi stared at her in horror. Quietly closing the basket and spinning around to glare down the ally.

"Fairy!" he yelled loudly. "Get back here damn it! Take your youngling!" He knew it was pointless. In the past fairies never reappear when you yelled for them. They only came when it was convenient for them.

"Damn it." Nezumi stared at the basket for a moment before making up his mind. He turned and stormed up the path to the noble's house. What was he going to do with a youngling? His rat instincts wanted him to take her in as his own. Now that he had a mate, obtaining younglings were the next step. Even so, he wasn't sure what the human ritual for having a youngling was. There was also the added bouse that he had no idea why the fairy had her in the first place. For all he knew she was enchanted and would turn into a frog or something dangerous. He wasn't sure if he wants to deal with more magic, especially if it could try to hurt Sion.

Slamming open the mansion door, Nezumi stomped upstairs and demanded to know where Sion was, from the first maid he found. The frightened girl led him down the hall to the last door. Without another word, he burst into the room and slammed shut the door. Sion looked up from his book on wild fungi.

"Nezumi," he put the book down, eying the basket. "What's that? Did you buy something in town" Nezumi plopped the basket on the bed and sat down.

"Nope." He pushed it towards Sion. The white-haired man gave Nezumi a curious glance before opened it. He gasped when he saw the youngling inside.

"A baby?!" He looked at Nezumi. "Why do you have a baby?"

"A fairy handed her to me before vanishing." Nezumi ran a hand through his hair. "What are we going to do with a youngling?" Sion turned his attention away from the basket to stare at Nezumi, his mouth slightly open.

"What?" Nezumi asked irritated.

"Can you say that again?" Sion asked.

"What are we going to do with a human youngling?" Nezumi repeated slightly confused. Sion's eyes widened then started to sparkle with amusement.

"You call babies younglings?" he finally giggles.

Nezumi stare at him "Yeah?" he said slowly.

"That's adorable." Sion grinned

"What do you call them?"

"Babies." Sion giggled harder. "I wish all humans called babies younglings."

"Isn't that the same thing," Nezumi asked irritated. What was up with humans and their extremely limited words? "Also what are we going to do with her?" Sion's laughter subsided.

"Aren't we going to raise her?" Sion asked uncertainly. "Or do you not want a child yet?"

"I don't care either way." Nezumi eyed the basket. "But I'm concerned she might have a spell on her. I don't want you to have to deal with any more magic."

"But I love dealing with magic!" Sion exclaimed.

"What if it turns out she's not even human?" Nezumi raised an eyebrow.

"Then we'd have to find to keep her human until she is old enough to decide what she wants." Sion shrugged simply

"So you don't mind that your child might be a frog or something."

"Nezumi I married a rat." Sion rolled his eyes. "Besides I think she fits in well with our family. Bunny Prince, Rat actor, cursed baby frog."

"She could be something more sinister," Nezumi warned.

"We'll figure it out," Sion said gently.

Nezumi watched him for a few minutes before shrugging. "Aright if you're willing to raise her then I don't mind." Even if the youngling turned into a monster that devoured humans, as long as she didn't touch Sion and perhaps Cinderella then Nezumi really didn't care.

Sion gently lifted up the youngling. "My kingdom will be very pleased to know I have an heir."

"I'm pretty sure Sir Williams will have a heart attack when he hears fairies were involved," Nezumi said dryly. Sion laughed again.

"True, but he's going to have to learn to deal with it. I'm thinking of teaching him and the rest of the castle basic magic 101. That way they won't panic every time something happens."

"Aren't magical things not supposed to happen in your kingdom?"

"I think I'm a magnet for magic. I mean look at all the things that happened around me." Sion beamed like that was the most exciting thing ever. "Now we just need to find a name for her."

Nezumi watched Sion coo at the youngling, his ire towards the fairy fading. His mate looked so soft and happy holding the youngling in his arms. Nezumi's chest swelled with pride. There was his beautiful, strong, mate holding their new youngling. He felt warmth towards h slitting family. How could he be any prouder? Stepping forward, he silently wrapped his arms around the two of them. Sion shifted into a more comfortable position and leaned into his arms. Nezumi closed his eyes, taking in his mates smell and heartbeat, as well as their new youngling's. He could hear Sion's slow breathing as well as the girl's small puffs of breath. At that moment he was gladder than ever that he remained a human. He didn't care what the future held, he would fight and provide for his mate and youngling until the end of his days.