A/N: Well, here's the final chapter of Novoselic's New Monarchy! This chapter is connected to the "Wedding" theme, and takes place before the events of "Naegiri Chase Chapter Three". Also, I'm going to be taking another posting break while I write up more of the Gaidenverse timeline. Please read and review, and enjoy.

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Novoselic's New Monarchy!

Chapter Seven: A Novoselic Wedding!

Gundham and Sonia stood at the airport, staring at the airplane that had just landed as its engine whirred to a halt. Two airport employees hurriedly pushed a portable staircase in front of the airplane's door before it opened and a young couple walked down the stairs.

The man had spiky brown hair , green eyes and wore a tuxedo and dress shoes. Meanwhile the woman had purple eyes, lavender hair that was tied back into a simple ponytail, and wore a shimmering purple dress with matching heels.

"Makoto! Kyoko!" Sonia greeted as she curtsied while Gundham merely nodded and bowed.

Makoto and Kyoko smiled and returned the respective gestures of respect before Kyoko greeted "Salutations, Princess Sonia…or should I say Queen Sonia?"

"I'm afraid that until our pact is complete, our titles will not change. Princess Sonia is still Princess, and I am still Gundham Tanaka."

The others sweatdropped before Sonia smiled and told them "And please, just call us by our first names. You saved our lives, and by extension, our entire country. You've earned the right to call us by our given names."

Makoto smiled and replied "Thank you, Sonia."

Sonia smiled before she cocked her head and asked "By the way…didn't you have a daughter a few years ago? Where is she?"

Makoto replied "Yeah, her name's Kiki. She's about four now, so we left her in the care of her babysitters."

Sonia pouted as Gundham smiled in amusement and explained "Sonia was looking forward to seeing your daughter in attendance, so she's a little disappointed that she's not here to see with her own eyes."

Kyoko smiled understandingly and suggested "I see…in that case why don't you and your other classmates come to Kiki's fifth birthday party to meet her? I'm sure she'd love the extra guests."

Sonia's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed "Oh really?! That sounds amazing! We'll be sure to get her the best gifts our country can offer! Oh, but first, we must get you to the castle so the wedding and coronation may commence!"

As Sonia eagerly pulled Kyoko along by the wrist, Gundham and Makoto followed leisurely behind their respective significant others.

"Let us hope Teruteru can control himself at your daughter's festivities. We both know he'll pursue anything in a skirt if given the chance."

Makoto scratched his cheek nervously as he admitted "Yeah, I still remember when he came onto my mom before my wedding. But I'm sure even he won't pull anything in front of a five-year-old."

"Let us hope so…" Gundham stated before he and Makoto wordlessly continued to follow Sonia and Kyoko to the Novoselic Castle, eager for the ceremony to commence.

XXX

Makoto and Kyoko sat sandwiched in the middle of the other members of the 77th Class. Makoto shared a smile with Hajime as Kyoko shared one with Mahiru while the surviving Hope's Peak alumni waited for the ceremony to commence. At last Sonia and Gundham walked down the aisle, hands intertwined as they walked between Makoto and Kyoko on their way to the thrones where Albus stood, holding a tome in one hand as two tiaras sat on a nearby podium.

"Friends of Novoselic, we are gathered here today for the purpose of recognizing the first royal union of the reborn monarchy of Novoselic. Princess Sonia Nevermind, and Gundham Tanaka of Japan will join in holy matrimony and share their love for each other, and the people of Novoselic as they become Queen and King of Novoselic. Princess Sonia, your vows."

Sonia nodded and squeezed Gundham's hands as she tearfully told him "Gundham…when I came to Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Princess, I was but a sheltered girl who wanted to be friends with my peers. But I was afraid due to the difference in cultures that I would stand out and appear eccentric. But they I met you, and you taught me that being eccentric wasn't a bad thing, and to be myself no matter what."

"And even once we came back from the influence of despair…you never once held my crimes against me. You held my hand through it all as I faced my people and began my overdue atonement for betraying my people. And for standing by my side…I will forever love you, Gundham Tanaka."

Mahiru sniffled in joy as Albus nodded and asked "Gundham, your vows if you please." He then stood on his toes and whispered in the breeder's ear "And remember, formal speech."

Gundham resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he took a deep breath and squeezed Sonia's hands as he spoke in the most loving voice he could muster "Princess Sonia…because of the…path I walked in life, I believed that I was destined for solitude, with only my pets to keep me company. But you…"

At that instant, Gundham's hamsters jumped out of his jacket, wearing matching tuxedos as they nodded in encouragement, giving Gundham the courage he needed to continue his vows.

"You accepted me with all my…eccentricities. You accepted me for who I am, and for that, I will never stop loving you. Standing by your side as you rebuilt Novoselic was the least I could do to repay you. And I hope you will let me continue to repay your kindness as I fulfill my sacred vows to love and cherish you as your husband…my beloved Princess Sonia."

Kazuichi sniffled as Albus smiled and lead the engaged royals to their thrones before they sat down. Albus then took the two tiaras and placed the tome where they sat before he returned to stand directly in front of the sitting Sonia and Gundham.

"Princess Sonia, do you vow to defend the people of Novoselic against all enemies foreign and domestic, to provide for the common welfare of the people and defend their rights and liberties from being curtailed?"

"I do."

"Gundham Tanaka, do you vow to defend the people of Novoselic against all enemies foreign and domestic, to provide for the common welfare of the people and defend their rights and liberties from being curtailed?"

"I do."

As Sonia and Gundham bowed their heads, Albus placed the crowns on each of their heads as he pronounced "Then in accordance with Novoselic traditions, I hereby dub thee Queen Sonia nevermind and King Gundham Tanaka of Novoselic!"

As Sonia and Gundham stood up and turned to face each other, the wrapped their arms around the other and leaned in until their lips met in a soft kiss. Their classmates, Makoto, and Kyoko all burst into thunderous applause as they separated, their cheeks flushed pink as loving smiles stretched across their faces.

"Your parents would be proud of you, Queen Nevermind." Albus told Sonia, who cried tears of joy as Albus told Gundham "And King Tanaka, welcome to the Novoselic Royal Family."

"It is an honor." Gundham replied as he nodded before he and Sonia turned to face the cheering crowd.

XXX

After the wedding, the wedding party gathered into the courtyard for a relatively humble reception. Several tables had been set up as the chefs brought plates of the finest Novoselic cuisine and goblets of the finest wine available to the rebuilt island nation. The wedding cake meanwhile sat inside the castle refrigerator, stored to preserve it as it was made of the finest Novoselic chocolate.

In the meantime, Sonia and Gundham had temporarily parted ways to mingle amongst their friends, with Sonia currently speaking with Kyoko and Makoto.

"I must thank you once more for saving our lives!" Sonia exclaimed "Were it not for you, this day never would have happened. I only wish we could have acted to prevent the Final Killing Game and save the Future Foundation."

Kyoko nodded "Perhaps, but if you had, then there's no guarantee that the Future Foundation wouldn't have just sentenced you to death anyway, especially when you consider how tough Munakata was on Makoto." Both Naegis grimaced as just how harshly Makoto had been treated during his brief trial before Kyoko continued "Anyways, I'd argue that you came at just the opportune time."

Makoto smiled and nodded as he agreed "Yeah, if you and the others hadn't come when you did, then Mikan wouldn't have been there to revive Kyoko from her coma, and she very well could have died. Whatever debt you think you owe us, you've already repaid it when you brought her back to me!"

Kyoko smiled as she agreed with her husband "Indeed, we should also thank Seiko Kimura for creating the antagonist in the first place. She really was a miracle worker; it's amazing that my pregnancy ended up being so healthy."

Makoto smiled before a flash of curiosity shone in his eyes and he asked "By the way, I'm curious…have you and Gudnham talked about…you know…"

Sonia and Kyoko giggled at Makoto's embarrassed blush before Sonia nodded and explained "The people are of course expecting us to produce an heir to the throne…such has been the expectation of every King and Queen before us. But Gundham and I want to take some time to get used to being King and Queen and balancing our personal lives with our responsibilities of governing. We want to be ready to be parents when we finally do welcome a little prince or princess into Novoselic."

Kyoko nodded approvingly as she advised "That's perfectly reasonable. Makoto and I didn't start trying for Kiki right after we got married. We won't go into details, but we both had some early marital issues that we needed to work out first. Like you, we just weren't ready to be parents right off the bat. There's no shame in taking some time to grow as adults before trying for children."

Sonia nodded gratefully and replied "Thank you for your advice, Kyoko." She stood up and announced "Well, I think I'll go find Gundham now…we still ahven't had our first married dance yet."

Makoto and Kyoko smiled in fond remembrance of their first engagement dance and their first married dance before Makoto replied "Sure, go have fun with Gundham. And give my compliments to the chef; this food is delicious!"

Kyoko and Sonia giggled before the Novoselic Queen curtsied and bid farewell "Very well; thank you again for your advice, and we hope you enjoy your stay in Novoselic."

She then turned around and began walking through the courtyard in search of her king and husband.

XXX

"Hey, congrats on marrying Miss…er, Queen Sonia! Sorry, just habit, ya know?"

Kazuichi gave an embarrassed smile as Gundham raised a curious eyebrow and asked "You've certainly matured, Kazuichi. I expected grumbling jealousy throughout the entire ceremony, yet instead you've shown nothing buy happiness for us." Gundham smiled as he concluded "I've misjudged you."

Kazuichi rubbed the back of his neck as he admitted "I…can't really blame you for that, considering how much I pursued Queen Sonia when I was a teenager. But I did some growing up after the Final Killing Game and realized that she was happy with you. Besides, she appreciates me as her friend, so that's all I need. Plus…even I gotta admit you two look really cute together."

"Th…thank you…" Gundham stuttered before he recomposed himself and asked "So, what's next for you in the…romantic arts now that Sonia is officially off the market?"

"Uh…funny story about that…I actually started dating this girl…"

"Oh?" Gundham smile din amusement as he asked "Kazuichi Soda has found a girl other than Sonia Nevermind?"

"Y…yeah…we work together at Hope's Peak. She has a bit of a pottymouth, so sometimes her filter slips, but she's a really good inventor and we have a lot of fun building machines together. She's…" Kazuichi blushed as he admitted "…a lot of fun to be around…"

"Well, I'm glad you've found someone to share your heart with." Gundham held out his hand and finished "I wish you the best of luck with your new girlfriend, Kazuichi."

Kazuichi smiled as the two former rivals shook hands, now friends in every sense of the word as he replied "And good luck to you with Queen Sonia and running Novoselic, Your Majesty."

"Pardon me…" Sonia greeted as she smiled at her husband and friend before she continued "I would like to dance with my husband, if it's not too much of an inconvenience Kazuichi. Also, I wish to extend my congratulations to you on finding love!"

Kazuichi blushed as he stammered "Th…thanks…and sure, he's all yours, Queen Sonia!"

Kazuichi walked back to his table awkwardly as Sonia took Gundham by the hand and lead him to the center of the courtyard. The other guests turned in their seats and watched with happy smiles as Gundham placed a nervous hand on her waist while she placed a matching hand on his shoulder. With a nod of approval from Sonia and a nearby Albus, Gundham took the first step in leading Sonia into a simple, yet majestic waltz.

"I love you, Gundham…" Sonia sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Gundham smiled as he leaned his head down to press a gentle kiss atop her head as he whispered "I love you too…my beloved Queen Sonia."

Sonia let out another happy sigh as she closed her eyes, allowing Gundham to lead her in their romantic dance.

Gundham…I'm so happy to be your Queen, my King!

Sonia…I know little about politics or running a country, but this Overlord of Ice is willing to learn…as long as I have you to stand by my side, my beloved Queen!