Authors Note1: Hey everyone, sorry for the wait, I took a small break from writing, that is the reason why it comes today. Hope you will forgive me.^^
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"Mmmh..Bell...that tickles..." Ryuu couldn´t help but giggle from the feeling.
It was the second day after they had discovered that Ryuu was pregnant. Bell couldn't help it, as soon as they were in bed, he caressed her stomach tenderly.
"B-But Ms. Teasanare said that skinship is important."
"Yes, and I love that you do that...but it tickles."
"So...you want me to stop?"
Ryuu giggled again and blushed lightly without knowing why. "No." She turned her head to Bell and they kissed.
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But she had to admit, Bell was beyond sweet the last two days. He wanted to do everything for her, helped her with the smallest tasks. And whenever possible...and no one was around them...Bell carressed Ryuu´s stomach lovingly, he was so happy about becoming a father. They had done the math, at the time their child would be born, Bell would be nine-teen years old and Ryuu twenty-six...quite young for their races, but both didn´t cared and were happy.
"Bell my love, I couldn´t love you more for what you are doing...but I am not made of glass you know?"
"But..."
"It´s okay, dearest." Ryuu kissed him smiling on the cheek.
But Bell wasn´t the only one, Astrea, Hestia and Haruhime tried to take away any task that Ryuu had to do in the Mansion, telling her to rest. For now she could stop them from taking away everything.
In the pub Mama Mia told her she could wear clothes that would it make it easier for her, but since her uniform wasn't really tight Ryuu used it for the time being. She would work another form of part time now.
Instead of three days full time, Ryuu worked five days but only until the first adventurers came in at the afternoon.
"But Mama Mia I-"
"I said no, don´t overdo it little elf." Which meant as much as. "I´m worried about you and your child, Ryuu...so please take it easy okay?"
But...Syr was the worst of them all ...
"Ryuu are you tired? Do you want to sit down? A glass of water? Shall Chloe massage your feet?"
"Oy, I heard that, Nya!"
"Is your uniform too tight?"
"Syr..." Ryuu had smiled. "I´m okay...thank you for everything but I am okay."
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Ryuu rolled carefully onto her back, away from Bell´s hands. "Bell my love, I think it´s time to ge-...what are you doing now?"
Bell leaned down to Ryuu´s stomach and kissed it gently, Ryuu couldn´t help but giggle from the tickling.
"I promise you Ryuu, I will kiss your stomach every day if possible."
Oh Bell...
"Bell...come here."
Ryuu gave up and cuddled for a while more with Bell, smiling happily.
So much for that I will be the one that gets cuddly.
Their behavior was not surprising, but that they already decided on a name was. From time to time they had talked about what would happen when Ryuu got pregnant. Except for Syr and maybe Astrea, there was no person that knew Ryuu better than Bell, so the idea about the name for their daughter came from him. When she heard his suggestion, she started crying...of joy. The name he said touched her deeply and Ryuu nodded. For now they would keep the name a secret until the day their daughter was born.
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Finally half an hour later they were able to get out of the bed, the next step was a light shower in the bathroom. After Haruhime gave them her advice, Bell wanted to practice every morning on washing and massaging Ryuu, it was maybe a bit embarassing but both enjoyed the skinship without any lewd intent.
"Bell?" Ryuu leaned forward on the small stool while he gently scrubbed her back with a sponge.
"Yes?"
"Is something bothering you?"
He sighed lightly. "I can´t hide anything from you." She heard him chuckle.
"I just had this feeling."
"Well...to be honest something is."
"Tell me...please..." She couldnt help but purr comfortably as he put the sponge aside and used his hands to wash her body softly.
"I thought about us...you...me...our child...our family."
Since she knew Bell´s nature, Ryuu had a guess what he meant. "You are frightened right?"
"Yes...I...have the feeling...no that is wrong...I want to become stronger...so that I can protect you and our child...protect Orario...protect everyone...I...somehow I feel unstatisfied."
Ryuu frowned. "Unstatisfied...with...me?"
"No, of course not. I mean...I have the feeling that I don´t do enough. After training or going to the dungeon...how do I say this..." Lost in thoughts Bell scrubbed her back and waist. "My muscles feel like I don´t use them enough...fighting the monsters feels...to easy? Does that make sense?"
Gently, Ryuu pulled Bell´s hands in front of her, so that he was hugging her from behind and put on hand over her heart, the other on her stomach.
"Bell...I think I can understand you...you are very strong...for me...for us...you are already a hero, but I can understand your wish...so please hear my wish too okay?"
"Tell me." He snuggled softly against her from behind.
"All I wish...don´t risk anything okay? Come back to us...thats all I want."
"I promise you, I will always come back."
"That´s enough for me."
Bell gently kissed her neck and moved to wash her front with his hands.
"Do you want to go into the dungeon today?"
"Yes...Unless you need my help."
"No, go and ease your heart my love."
"I love you...Ryuu."
"And I love you...Bell."
They kissed each other filled with love, while Bell continued his practice, like Amid told him, he was very careful with Ryuu´s sensitive body parts.
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A while later the Familia´s sat at the breakfast table.
"Master Bell? There is something I wanted to talk to you about." Lily took a sip of her tea.
"Oh? What is it Lily?"
"I have noticed something recently and had a talk with someone I know from the Loki Familia to confirm my guess."
"I´m all ears."
"We have a bit of a problem in the party, your high level reduces the excelia we get from monsters."
"Huh?" Not only Bell looked confused now.
"Apparently it is known by the stronger Familia´s for a long time, when a member of the party has a level that is way higher than the rest, they don´t earn much Excelia. Otherwise it would be very easy with a strong member to help the others level up faster."
"This is the first time I heard of this."
"And it isn´t the only problem we will have."
"Oh?"
"You are level seven master Bell, the second strongest adventurer in all of Orario...but the problem is with our current party you can´t make use of your strength or test your limits. For now we are not able to go onto the Floors that would fit you, and I guess that you too don´t earn much Excelia."
"Hmmm...that is indeed a problem...I didn´t thought about that."
What Lily said about Bell was right, ever since he had leveled up his stats had hardly increased, not one had reached the fifty.
"Now is the question, what shall we d-.." Lily was interrupted as they heard a light gong...someone was at the maingate.
"I will go and look." Ryuu got up and waved to calm the others that wanted to jump up the moment she did something. "Everything is okay, I´m not made of sugar."
But shortly after...
"Ahm Bell...there is someone waiting for you...someone who wants to talk to you..."
"Ryuu?"
"You should...see for yourself..."
Every person in the room got curious as Bell got up and walked to the door, silently they sneaked after him and looked out of the door, to see who waited for him at the gate.
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"No way..."
"What?!"
"Is that him?"
"What is he doing here?"
"Is that the Em-..."
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A huge burly man waited for Bell in front of the maingate, he was over a head taller than Bell and extremely muscular, on his back he carried two longswords, crosswise.
"Bell Cranel, I wanted to talk to you." Ottar came straight to the point.
"Mr. Emperor sir...ahm...about what?" Bell was taken by surprise, he never expected that man to visit him.
"Just call me Ottar, I wanted to ask you to fight me."
"Excuse me?"
"It isn´t explained easily. You are the strongest adventurer in Orario."
After you...
"I always look for strong opponents to train my skill, also there is something I would like to show you, something you have to be aware of."
"That sounds important."
"It is important, you have to be aware of...what you are now."
"Ahm...I don´t think I understand that."
"It is easier showed than explained, so what do you say?"
Somehow...I have the feeling he is the right person to talk about...that...
"Okay I guess...when?"
"Now?"
"That is a bit sudden..." Bell was aware of the stares in his back...and that gaze in front of him. "..but..."
He nodded.
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Having a trainings match with Ottar the Emperor was nothing that Bell ever expected to have one day. Especially not in the inner courtyard of the mansion.
Incredible...
That thought came to Bell and all of his Familia members as he fought against Ottar. He was by far the most strongest opponent that Bell had ever faced.
He was way stronger than Bell, tougher, had more experience and many more things, Bell´s only advantage was his speed. But Ottar didn´t want to crush Bell, he wanted to have a training fight with the only adventurer in the city that was at least a bit of a challenge.
Bell did his best and he wasn´t just loosing, he landed a few good hits...but something was strange. Ottar was a level eight adventurer and he didn´t hold back...much. Bell was still confused over the growth of his body...his new strength and other things. They fought for half an hour with an intensity and speed that would leave an level six adventurer exhausted on the ground...but Bell was only down on one knee, panting heavily but still able to fight.
"That is enough." Ottar took a step back and lowered his swords.
"Huuu...that was...intense." Bell wiped his forehead and looked up to Ottar, who´s facial expression never changed.
"A good fight." Ottar nodded. "So, I guess you noticed it in our fight?"
"Yeah...I started to get a feeling...of the...difference?"
"I had that too, in the past. Just like you Bell Cranel, I came from dirt and grime, refused to accept my place in the world and fought my way up to the top. You have the heart of a true warrior. You have that feeling like me, if you can´t back up again...that will the end for the girls you want to protect, right? You ask yourself the question...is that all I can do? Like you I know the taste of defeat and failure, and like for you all they are is stepping stones on the way to become stronger. Becoming a hero doesn´t mean winning every single battle, it is what you achieve in your lifetime."
"I felt a change everytime I leveled up...but this time..." Bell opened and closed his hands while looking at them. "It feels different."
Ottar´s words touched something in Bell.
"The difference between level six and level seven is...big. You will most likely have this feeling until you test out what you really are capable of."
"What do you mean?"
"Go into the dungeon, alone. Normally you shouldn´t go down to the 37th Floor and below alone, even a level six would have problems with that, but you are different now. To ease your mind you have to test your limits, take equipment like potions with you, but go alone. That is my advice to you Bell Cranel, I thank you for the training and hope to face you again, good day. When you go, always think about what you want to achieve, never give up. You and I are different, your training must be more intense than anyone else's."
With these words Ottar left...he was a bit strange in Bell´s eyes.
Going into the dungeon alone, hm...
Something in Bell yearned for it to do that, he wanted to test his limits ... and overcome them. For his love, his child and all the people he cared about.
After the training Bell showered for a while, thinking for himself until Ryuu joined him to listen to his thoughts, while she scrubbed his hair. She wasn´t the only one that was amazed by that training fight.
"Maybe it will be better if you try it...just be careful okay?" Ryuu gently pushed her upper body against Bell´s back and hugged him, she was careful not to touch him with her stomach.
"I will...I have to do that...I feel it."
After the shower Bell talked to his Familia. For the next time they would try to raise their status and level if possible, and Bell would try to go into the dungeon alone.
But...
That they would wait until the end of the week, after all they had a wedding to prepare and everyone was excited enough already.
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Haaaaaaa...I´m so nervous...
Ryuu´s heart was pounding as she walked up the stairs in the pub, followed by her goddess. Syr had told her that the dress was ready and she should try it on, in case they had to make changes.
"Are you nervous, Ryuu?"
"Yes."
Astrea giggled.
The others were not allowed in Ryuu´s old room, they had to wait for the day of the wedding to see the dress.
"Haaaa...my heart won´t stop pounding..."
Astrea chuckled. "Ha...to have the chance to see you like this...I´m happy."
But the goddess was also excited...and slightly nervous. The human girl Syr seemed to really like her, sometimes she even...flirted...with Astrea. Complimented her beauty and was so daring as to complement her body. But whenever Astrea wanted to ask Syr something, the girl got really shy and blushed.
I wonder...is that girl Syr swinging..."that" way?
When they arrived at the door to Ryuu´s old room, Ryuu took a deep breath and knocked.
Slowly the door opened and Syr waited on the other side, eyes closed and bowed forward. "Welcome dear customers, I will be your aide today in our establishment, may I take your coats?"
Syr acted like this was a classy boutique.
"Syr?"
"Ehehehe." The gray haired girl giggled. "I´m sorry Ryuu, I wanted to try that once."
A bit more relaxed now, Ryuu and Astrea went into the room, Syr closed the door behind them and unnoticed to the two, looked at Astrea with hungry eyes from behind...and licked her lips.
Hidden under a blanket was a big clothes rack in the middle of the room.
"So you two...are you ready?"
Syr chuckled as she saw how nervous Ryuu was.
"Oh Ryuu...that the day would come when I see you in a wedding dress...I´m so moved..."
And that the day may come when I see Astrea on a bed without clothes, lying under me...
Freya just couldn´t fight her nature...
"So...without further ado...tadaaa!"
She pulled on a line and the blanket fell down.
"Oh my...oh my!" Astrea was amazed by the sight in front of her.
Ryuu didn´t react at all...she was stunned, but she didn´t had to react, Syr could see everything she needed to see with her eyes.
"Syr...I..."
"Hm?"
"I...don´t know...what to say..."
"Do you like it?"
"No...I love it..." Ryuu´s eyes were glued to the dress in front of her.
I will...wear this...
Ryuu was fascinated...it was just beautiful.
"Syr...I don´t know...I...it´s just...beautiful..."
"Ms. Syr...it is absolutely perfect...never have I seen such a wonderful dress in my life."
"Awww...you two flatter me."
"No I´m serious!"
"Yes, I can´t describe with words how gorgeous this dress is."
"Ehehe...stop it you two."
Don´t stop...tell me more how much you love it.
And they did, when Astrea and Ryuu walked around the dress and looked at it from all sides, only more praises came.
"Ehehehe...you two make me blush...now Ryuu, you have to try it on."
"Mhm."
There was no place to cover herself and it wouldn´t make sense anyway, since Ryuu needed Astrea´s and Syr´s help to put on the dress. Only lightly blushing, Ryuu stripped down until she wore only her panties and started the procedure to put on the dress.
The more she put on the dress, the more Astrea got tears into her eyes.
"Ryuu...*Hic*...you look so...*Hic*...gorgeous..."
"Hmmm hmmm hmmm..." Syr walked around Ryuu and looked at her from all angles. "We...might have a problem..."
"Problem?" Ryuu turned lightly to look at herself in the big mirror in the corner.
"Yep...here." Syr pointed to Ryuu´s chest.
"Huh?" Ryuu looked down at herself. "Oh..."
"Yeah...too tight...*sigh*...Ryuu you have grown again...I can´t believe you..."
"I-I c-can´t do anything against th-that! Amid told me that m-might happen!"
"Then it is good that your pregnancy is not yet further advanced...or we would have a real problem."
"My pregnancy..." Ryuu´s hand wandered to her stomach, stroking it softly.
That happened often every day, whenever Ryuu was reminded that she was pregnant...which happened alot.
"Okay...lady Astrea?"
"Y-Yes?" Astrea was still enchanted by Ryuu´s look.
"Do you see anything else that looks not right?"
"No...your work looks perfect for me."
"Hmm...okay. Ryuu we have to take it off, carefully."
Slowly and very carefully, more because of Ryuu than for the dress, they undressed her.
"So Ryuu...please raise your arms and stand still." Syr handled with a tape measure.
"Okay..." It was embarassing standing nearly naked in front of Syr and her goddess.
Carefully Syr put the band around Ryuu´s chest. "Now lower your arms...hmm hmmm hm...seventy-five...centimeters...okay I have it."
Seventy-five? Wow...that is quite big for an elf...I´m proud of you, Ryuu. Astrea chuckled.
Syr let out a recognizing whistle. "Seventy-five...wow Ryuu you really have grown. Congratulation."
"Th-Thats only because I-I´m p-pregnant!"
"Mhmh...sure...and your last growing spurt? I still have the theory that your body grew because you are in love...because Mr. Bell really likes that part of you."
"R-Ryuu is that true?" Astrea looked surprised.
"M-Mother I..n-no it´s...it can´t be..."
"Hmmm...you suuuuuure?" Syr put down the tape and softly grabbed Ryuu´s breasts from behind. "These two here tell me another story...wow...they really became big and soft..."
She gave her a soft grope that let Ryuu squeak.
"Ah S-Syr...that tickles...p-please be gentle..."
"Eheheh...you got quite the rack Ryuu...I´m so proud of you *sniff*."
Oh...so Ms. Syr really swings "that" way...Astrea wasn´t sure how to react to that scene in front of her eyes...especially when Syr´s eyes flashed for a moment to Astrea...and not to her face...
Syr carefully let go of Ryuu, who covered her chest with a bright red face. "Now I got a good feeling about the size, I will adjust the dress in time, after all we want to see Mr. Bell´s face when he sees you."
"Syr...I...how can I thank you?"
"Ryuu you don´t need to thank me...I love you more than you know."
Love? Astrea looked a bit worried. Ryuu you have Bell...
"You are my best friend, I want to see you happy, and how beautiful you can become."
"Syr..." Ryuu stepped to Syr and took her hands, slowly he lowered them and put them on her stomach.
"Ryuu?"
"Syr...without you...the life that is growing in me wouldn´t be possible...I have so much to thank you for..."
Visibly moved, Syr had a few tears in her eyes and she hugged Ryuu lovingly. "Ryuu...you don´t have to."
Why...do I see flowers...around them? Astrea looked curious as her half naked daughter hugged her "best friend".
"So lady Astrea, I see you in the morning of the wedding and Ryuu in the evening before...or do you both will sleep here the last night?"
Why is she looking so hopeful in my direction...
"I´m thinking about it...I never slept in a pub."
"Oh you will love it! We will have a ladies night with Chloe, Runoa and Ahnya, maybe even Mama Mia! We have a small party for Ryuu, playing cards like poker all night...it will be unforgettable! Of course without alcohol."
"Hmm...when Mama Mia gives her okay...I say yes."
"I will ask her immediately!" Giggling, Syr ran out of the room.
"She really likes you, Ryuu."
"Yes...and I like her, without Syr I wouldn´t be here."
"Ryuu...can it be that...Ms. Syr swings..."that" way?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ryuu looked at her goddess confused.
"No no...it´s okay."
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Over the years Astrea would grow really fond of Syr. It wasn´t only because what she had done for Ryuu, she was a really lovely, honest girl, sometimes a bit teasing but still charming. But whatever Syr tried over the years, the highest thing she ever got from Astrea was a motherly kiss on the forehead.
Of course Astrea didn´t knew who Syr really was...and that this light kiss only kindled her fire even more. Immortal gods needed a hobby after all...or two...or more.
It was a tradition in the village where Bell grew up, that a couple that was about to marry, was forbidden to see each other in the night before the wedding. That was why Ryuu and Astrea slept at the pub and would go to the church directly from there. Bell spent the time with the Familia, especially Hestia.
They had fun in the evening before, but both couldn´t sleep well. For one part because they missed the other...and they were so excited.
Ryuu´s little "bachelorette party" was pretty fun for them, even though they only plaid card games and ate light snacks. Everyone was shocked when Astrea actually won against Syr in poker.
"No way!"
"I can´t believe it, Nya!"
"Meow! Thats a first!"
"Syr...lost?"
None of them had ever beat Syr in a game, they thought it was just impossible.
Syr looked more surprised than shocked.
"Ehehe...that was fun, also..." She glanced shyly up to Astrea and her cheeks got red. "As long as it is l-lady A-Astrea...I...I d-don´t mind..."
The other girls were even more surprised, they never had seen Syr blushing and fidgeting like that.
Come on Astrea...fall for me... Syr´s bashful glance was that of a pure maiden...freshly in love.
"Oh ahm..*cough*..a-another round?" Astrea was used to clingy behaviour of mortals...especially from Alise in the past...but never...that. She would need a long time to find out how to deal with Syr.
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"Brother...your weapon can´t become any sharper, you know?" Welf grinned to himself as he watched Bell.
"Oh ahm...y-you´re right..." Bell put down the Hestia Knife, he had cleaned, oiled and sharpened the blade for hours now.
"Are you that excited?"
"M-Me?! E-Excited?! No! You´re w-wrong!"
"Bell...you are shreeking again."
"Hiii..." Bell took Fairy´s Dawn into his hand and cleaned the blade...for the third time this evening.
Neither Bell nor Welf new how to throw a party for someone who would marry the next day.
"Haaaa...I´m so nervous..."
"That´s not really hard to see."
"Little Welf! Don´t tease my cute little Bell like that!" Hestia hugged Bell´s head protective. "My little boy is going to become a man tomorrow..."
"Lady Hestia...Master Bell is already a man, you know he and Ms. L-"
"Lalalala I can´t hear you! My cute little Bell would never do something like that!" Hestia covered her ears with her hands.
"Master Bell is going to be a father, lady Hestia! Of course he did! We could even hear them!"
"LALALALALA!"
"Ahm...could we please not talk about that..."
The four of them sat together in the living room, the others were in their rooms. It was just a small little party, at first Haruhime and Fina were also with them, but Fina got tired early so they went to sleep.
"Lady Hestia, it´s your turn."
"Hmmm..."
Lily and Hestia played some sort of board game against each other, far complexer than chess, it was called "Monsters, Mortals and Gods". It was more or less the story about how the gods came down from the heaven. Hestia could see through any bluff from Lily...but Lily was by far the better player. And since they had to use dice to decide the winner of a fight, gods liked that game because of the random factor.
"Little supporter...could it be that you have an unusually large number of Al´miraj in your army?"
"Just your imagination."
"Aha..."
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"Bell I must say your equipment is in top condition."
"You think so?"
"Well yeah, you cleaned and took care of it the whole week...and today especially."
"Is that so..."
"Ahahaha! Oh brother...why are you so nervous? You two had your pledge already."
"But...doing it in a church...that is something else..."
"Well if you say so."
"Welf...you will get lady Hephaistos and Ms. Tsubaki tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, we will meet you at the church."
Hephaistos and Tsubaki had a special job at the wedding. Hephaistos would marry the two of them, since the custom forbid it that the god of a child did it, except it was with another child from the same familia. Tsubaki would act as a witness of her goddess.
Also Hestia and Welf would act as witness for Bell. Syr and Astrea for Ryuu. It had to be a god and a mortal for each part.
The church they would use, was built for that use in the past.
"Take that! The surface has fallen to my armies, ha! Kneel before the monster-queen Lily!"
"Ah! You fiend!"
It was a pretty long evening.
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Late in the night Bell laid on the couch in the living room and looked through the window up to the moon. He decided to sleep here instead of in their bed, without Ryuu he didn´t want to sleep in it.
"Ryuu..."
In the pub Ryuu looked up to the moon through the window of the guest room. Since they had much to do tomorrow, Syr also slept in the pub in Ryuu´s old room. Like that Ryuu and Astrea shared the big double bed in the guest room. For some reason that Ryuu didn´t got, Astrea didn´t want to sleep in one bed with Syr, even if it was a double bed.
"I won´t sleep well like that, Ryuu."
"Huh?"
Ryuu rememberred that Syr had looked a bit sad as they told her they would change rooms.
Syr would never do something cruel to her...or is she just afraid that Syr would steal the blanket in her sleep?
Sometimes it was a blessing that Ryuu was so innocent.
Unnoticed by them, Syr was still awake in her bed and pouted that Astrea had not accepted any of her advances.
I will get you someday, Astrea!
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It was a beautiful day with perfect weather. Not too hot, only a few clouds and a soft wind.
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Everyone was in the church already, near the altar, Bell waited in a white suit. Hephaistos had put on a special suit, she had worn it once at a Denatus and Tsubaki had persuaded her to put it on again.
Tsubaki herself wore an elegant kimono and waited behind her goddess. All the other people had put on their best clothes and waited. The Takemikazuchi Familia used their best far-eastern Kimonos, it looked really good. Miach wore a simple robe and his children dresses, Naza had covered her silver arm, like always. The women of the Hestia Familia used their best dresses, Welf a special outfit that was the best he owned. Everyone was there...except for Ryuu, Astrea and Syr.
Calm down Bell...calm down...dear gods...I'd rather fight ten minotaurs than waiting...
Never before in his life was he that nervous.
I only wish my grandfather could have seen this.
His eyes wandered over the crowd, Hestia and Welf were standing behind him.
I thin-
He heard the sound of a carriage pulling up.
She is here...hiii...calm down me! Calm down!
Everyone could see that Bell took deep breaths, they could understand why he was like that.
Some small special magic stone tools were set up in a corner, they produced a feint calm music.
Again the sound of the carriage...then that of a small door...and steps.
For a moment the door opened slightly and Astrea slipped inside, she wore an elegant yet simple white dress.
She whispered. "Miach, Takemikazuchi, I need your help please."
Both gods got up and walked to her, after a few moments both nodded and went to the door, each one on one side. Astrea smiled to the nervous Bell, then she slipped out of the door again.
Hestia saw a drop of sweat on Bell´s neck. Haaaa...my little Bell...I´m so proud of you...stay strong.
A few moments passed, everyone got up and faced the door, waiting.
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Knock...knock...knock...
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Three times they heard a knock from the door, Takemikazuchi and Miach nodded to the other, then they pulled open the door.
Bell´s mind went blank...and not only his.
An...angel...
Ryuu stood in the door...her the sight of her took his breath away.
She had lowered her head slightly, a transparent veil covered her face, in her hands she held a bouquet of yellow, pink and violet flowers. And then the dress...
Wonderful...absolutely beautiful...
The wedding dress was so pale green it looked almost white, it billowed in folds from her waist down. The edge of each fold was embroidered with pearls, it flattered her body, but in a pure, beautiful way. The dress went down to her ankles, the upper end was at Ryuu´s chest. Her arms were free, but around them was an almost transparent stole with a lace border and also pearls on the edge.
Around her neck was the narrow chain with the green gemstone that he already knew. In her hair was a stylized arrangement of white flowers that held the veil. Her bare feet were in slightly high-heeled white bridal shoes.
Bell heard quiet sighs and sobs from the women of the Familia´s.
Behind Ryuu waited Syr and Astrea, both held the long transparent train of her dress, so that it wouldn´t touch the ground.
Wow...
Slowly...Ryuu took the first step into the church, followed by the two women. She walked with measured steps, partly because she was not used to such heels, they tapered much more sharply than her normal ones.
The girls from the pub sighed or cried openly. The others reacted in similar ways.
Stopping for a short moment after each step, Ryuu walked over the long red carpet towards the altar.
Bell could only admire how beautiful his wife was.
Ryuu...
Thankfully no one noticed the light shaking of the bouquet, Ryuu was incredibly nervous.
Oh dear gods...everyone is looking at me...aaaah...dear gods...no miss step please...walk slowly...where is mother? Oh yes..behind me...and Syr?! Oh...she is too...Ah..Bell...you look so...manly.
She only glanced lightly upward, admiring how good Bell looked in his white suit.
Some may have noticed it, but Ryuu didn´t wore her ring. She had taken it off and gave it to Tsubaki. The tall woman had a red velvet pillow with two rings on it, Ryuu´s and...another one.
About one minute after Ryuu walked into the church, she arrived at the altar. Ryuu stopped next to Bell, glancing to him slightly, following the custom, both were not allowed to face each other completely.
Takemikazuchi and Miach closed and locked the door and returned to their seats.
Hestia stood next to Bell, Welf a few meters behind him. Syr was next to Ryuu, Astrea a few meters behind her, next to Welf.
Hephaistos´ gaze wandered first to Bell, then to Ryuu, she smiled.
"Welcome dear friends, fellow gods and children. On this wonderful day we have come together to witness the union of these two children. By my right as a goddess, and with a child of mine as a witness, I will raise you to the state of marriage."
She paused for a moment, these things shouldn´t be rushed.
"Are the witnesses present?"
Hestia nodded. "As the goddess of this child, Bell, I will be the witness."
Astrea nodded. "As the goddess of this child, Ryuu, I will be the witness."
Welf nodded. "As the fellow child of this man, Bell, I will be the witness."
Syr nodded. "As the best friend of this woman, Ryuu, I will be the witness."
Hephaistos nodded again. "All witnesses are present and agree to the wedding ceremony."
"Is anyone present who would vow against this ceremony?"
.
After waiting for ten seconds, Hephaistos continued.
.
"No one vows against it, everyone agrees and the wtinesses are present...so..."
She looked at Bell.
"Bell Cranel, do you promise to ever care for Ryuu Lyon, to love her, protect her, help her and do what you can for her, until the time comes where you leave this world?"
"I promise...for this life..." He paused and glanced to Ryuu. "And every life that may follow to this one..."
The eyes of the most people widened, Bell didn´t only promised to love Ryuu in this life...but that he would find her in the next and love her again.
Hephaistos nodded. "I heard your promise...now..."
Her gaze wandered to Ryuu, who lifted her face enough to look into the eyes of the goddess.
"Ryuu Lyon, do you promise to ever care for Bell Cranel, to love him, protect him, help him and do whatever you can for him, until the time comes where you leave this world?"
"I promise...for this life..." Ryuu also paused and glanced to Bell. "And every life that may follow to this one..."
Both had promised their eternal love for another in the presence of four gods...well five.
A smile came to Hephaistos´ lips.
"I heard your promise...now...Tsubaki."
"Yes." Slowly, with a measured step, she came forward, holding up the pillow.
Tsubaki stopped in front of her goddess and held the pillow to Bell and Ryuu. Bell was the first one to take Ryuu´s ring.
"Ryuu."
They turned to each other, now they raised their heads and faced each other directly.
Ryuu...
Bell...
"Please take this ring as a sign of our connection." Bell repeated the part from their pledge in the forest about the parts that made the ring.
"With pleasure." Ryuu raised her hand and let Bell put the ring on her finger.
After that Ryuu took the other ring from the pillow and Tsubaki stepped back.
"Bell, please take this ring as a sign of our connection. This ring is made out of three parts. The wooden part is from Alf´s Lumina, the gold is made out of Valis coins from the treasure of my Familia. The emerald is part of my pendant."
The ring looked like an intertwined pattern of gold and wood, with a small gem in the middle, flat enough not to get in the way when he wielded his weapons.
Both rings had an equal deep meaning to both of them, it was the first time that Bell saw the other ring, a small surprise from Ryuu.
More sobs came from their guests.
Carefully Ryuu put the ring on Bell´s finger.
After they had exchanged the rings, both held the hand of the other as Hephaistos stepped forward, holding a long golden ribbon in her hands. Carefully, she wrapped the gold ribbon around their hands.
"You exchanged your promised, vows and rings. By my right as the goddess of the forge and in the presence of the witnesses, I hereby bind you two with this golden oricalchum ribbon and declare you two as husband and wife...Bell."
He looked at the goddess. A ribbon made out of orichalcum, it´s color changed to gold and forged so fine that it was soft...that was a masterpiece only a god could make.
.
"You may kiss the bride now."
.
Both got nervous again and blushed heavily.
Cute...
Adorable...
Cute...
Awwwww...
Oh my...
Slowly and carefully, Bell raised the veil and laid it over Ryuu´s hair. He took Ryuu´s hands, who looked up to him bashful.
Bell...
Ryuu...
Ryuu closed her eyes and pursed her lips, Bell leaned lightly forward and also closed his eyes.
They closed the distance between them and gently...oh so gently...they kissed each other.
As they separated their lips, they heard silent claps from their guests.
"Congratulation you two, by the laws of the elves and humans you two pledged your love to each other and you are now connected forever."
Ryuu´s eyes shone as she looked into Bell´s eyes, both smiled incredibly happy.
"I love you."
"I love you."
It was a perfect day for everyone, after the ceremony had ended, all of their guests and witnesses congratulated them.
As they had promised in the past, they celebrated in the pub, that was closed for that day.
Following the custom of Bell´s village, the one who caught Ryuu´s bouquet later that day after she threw it over her shoulder was...Mikoto.
Ryuu and Bell were happy like never before...only one day in the future would make them more happy.
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Authors Note2: And there we have it, Bell and Ryuu are married ( actually the second time). What awaits the newlyweds? What awaits Bell in the dungeon? We will see.
Also don´t be confused about their daughters name, we will read it later.
So long.