Wow, this chapter took me a hot minute to put out! If anyone is keeping up with this story, I apologize for the lengthy wait for this update! I've had a lot going on lately! Anyway, without further ado, here is my latest chapter!
Kara stared at her reflection in the mirror as Yulie finished pinning her veil on her hair, which had been pulled back in an updo. "There we go! You have got to be the most beautiful bride I've ever seen," Yulie said cheerfully, placing her hands on Kara's shoulders and looking into the mirror with her. Kara examined herself in the mirror again with Yulie looking over her shoulder. Her wedding dress had straps that hung off her shoulders, with a sweetheart neckline, was a brilliant white with elegant lace butterflies overlaying the smooth white material on her torso. The top half of her dress hugged her torso before flaring into a ball gown at her hips, where the lace butterfly pattern dropped onto the skirt briefly before tapering off, giving the illusion that they were flying away. Her veil followed the same delicate butterfly motif, trailing down to the floor behind her.
It was strange, seeing herself as a bride, but knowing she was about to walk down the aisle to Caesar felt so right. Yulie handed her a bouquet of flowers, before asking, "Well? Are you ready for this?" "More ready than I've ever been for anything," she responded, "it still feels too good to be true." "If anyone deserves this, it's definitely you and Caesar, after all you've been through." Still looking in the mirror at her and Yulie's reflections, she smiled at her dear friend and maid of honor today. It only seemed natural for Yulie to stand with her in her wedding. She had witnessed her and Caesar's relationship develop throughout their travels, and had raised a few eyebrows at them during the earlier parts of their adventures, detecting Kara's feelings for Caesar before she could even admit them to herself.
Overwhelmed with appreciation for her friend, Kara turned and wrapped Yulie in a hug. "Thank you," she said, "I'm so glad you're here." "Of course, Kara," Yulie replied, "you know how much I adore you and Caesar. You guys can't get rid of me." Kara chuckled before pulling Miu, who would also be standing with her as a bridesmaid, into the hug. "Both of you. I don't know where I'd be without either of you. I'm so glad you're in my life." "We are both quite fond of you, Kara," Miu responded, "and I'm so excited to work with you as Countess of Greede. I know our nations will continue to prosper together."
Before Kara could even take a moment to process the new role she was about to assume, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Yulie immediately asking who it was. Eldore's voice sounded on the other side, and she allowed him in. He entered the room, stopping in front of Kara before saying, "Wow, don't you look stunning?" Kara thanked him before Yulie chimed in by saying, "Do we know how to get our girl ready to get married, or what?" "That you certainly do," Eldore answered with a chuckle.
"If you're here, that means it's time. We should get out there," Miu said before turning to Yulie. As the two left, Miu looked at Kara and squeezed her hand reassuringly before leaving. Nothing felt more right than marrying Caesar, but still, Kara couldn't help getting nervous as her nuptials grew closer. She was wondering if Caesar was feeling the same.
Eldore gave her a knowing glance before smiling at her and offering her his arm. "Well, let's get you to Caesar, shall we?" "Yes, let's," Kara replied, taking his arm. "I have to say, I never thought I'd ever see you or Caesar so nervous," Eldore remarked coyly. Kara chuckled at that and said, "I don't even know why I'm so nervous, nothing's ever felt more right. But I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one feeling this way." "You know," Eldore remarked, smirking at her, "Caesar said the same thing when wondering why he felt so nervous. He said he had never been more sure of anything in his life. Then upon reflecting on his nerves once more he just chuckled and said that you just still have that effect on him." "Yeah, that sure sounds like him," Kara said, blushing with a fond look on her face.
Eldore stopped them in their tracks for a moment to look at her. "My gods, I don't think I've ever seen two people more in love," he commented. "Is it that obvious?" Kara said with a light tone. "I guess I never was too good at hiding my feelings, especially with Caesar. And when you get a second chance at life, you have no interest in hiding them anymore." Eldore hummed in understanding and continued walking, guiding. Kara with his arm. "You know," he said, "such happiness really suits you. You really do deserve a life of happiness and contentment with Caesar, despite what you may believe sometimes. We are all quite fond of you."
"Why Eldore, are you becoming a big old softie on me?" Kara said, giggling. "Don't get used to it, I have a reputation, you know." Kara laughed as they stopped in front of the entrance to the Numenshrine. She and Caesar thought about getting married in Greede; it was their city, after all, but something about it didn't seem right without Father Yggdra there. Plus, Faria was as beautiful a place as any to get married. Kara felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest as she anticipated walking down the path and meeting Caesar at the end. She was shaking a bit, and was suddenly incredibly grateful she had Eldore's arm for support. Eldore likely felt her nervousness, because he strengthened his hold on her arm. "I got you, Kara. Now, let's get you to your husband, shall we?" As they walked into the Numenshrine, she saw Caesar waiting for her at the end, and nothing else but him existed in that moment.
Caesar stood nervously at the base of the Numenshrine with Leonard beside him and Yulie and Miu across from him in anticipation of Kara's walk down the path. Cisna was at the helm in front of Father Yggdra, ready to officiate their union. Caesar stood facing the Queen and the ancient tree-he was too nervous to stare at the entrance of the Numenshrine in anticipation of Kara's appearance. His time awaiting his bride, however, was shorter than he anticipated it feeling, for he felt Leonard's hand on his shoulder and said, "Caesar, it's time." Leonard gave him a smile and a reassuring glance before he turned around and took in the stunning sight before him.
In attendance had been the staff of House Drisdall, along with some of his late father's friends, Rocco, Osmund, and some more Windwalkers, along with some of Kara's old friends from when she had lived in Albana; however, despite the sea of people watching the ceremony, Kara was the only thing that existed to Caesar in that moment. To him, Kara had always been absolutely beautiful, but the sight of her now as his bride took his breath away. The way the straps of her dress hung off her shoulders, and the skirt flowed out around her as she and Eldore walked toward him made her look absolutely enchanting. But the most captivating part about her was not anything she was wearing at all, but the way she smiled at him so lovingly as their eyes met. He had told her since their first adventure that a beautiful face deserved a beautiful smile, but that she had reserved such a loving, divine smile just for him made his heart feel like it would leap out of his chest. With a gasp, Caesar let out the tears he had been trying and failing to hold back-he was in a moment of pure happiness and was taking in every moment he could of the radiant woman who was moments away from being his wife.
Eldore had finally finished walking Kara to the altar of the Numenshrine and she was now right before him, her brilliant violet eyes staring right into his gold ones, and it appeared she had shed some tears as well. Eldore released her arm and she took Caesar's hand; Eldore gave him a supportive glance and nod before going to take his place standing with him next to Leonard. As Caesar took Kara's hand, he realized she was shaking-she was just as nervous as he was. He tightened his grip on her hand and gave it a supportive squeeze. "I'm right here," he whispered to her so softly only she could hear. He heard her give a sigh of relief and squeeze his hand back. "I love you," she said in response. He smiled even wider, "I love you too," he said. As they took the final steps toward Cisna, they stopped and turned to each other, as Caesar took Kara's other hand once she handed Yulie her bouquet and continued smiling at her.
"Dearly beloved," Cisna began officiating the ceremony, but her words faded to the background as Kara continued to be all that existed to Caesar in this moment. He simply could not stop taking her in, and he instinctively reached up to gently wipe a stray tear off her face as she smiled back at him lovingly. He squeezed her hand as he took it again, before Cisna saying "Caesar," took him out of his trance. "Do you take Kara to be your wife?" She asked again so he could hear this time, smirking that she had just caught him getting lost in Kara's presence. "Absolutely I do," he answered, before taking her ring from Leonard and sliding the solid gold band that perfectly stacked on top of her engagement ring onto her finger. "Kara, do you take Caesar to be your husband?" Cisna asked her in return. "I do," she said, looking deep into his eyes and grinning as she slid his gold wedding ring onto his finger. Cisna pronounced them husband and wife, and Caesar grabbed Kara's waist and moved one hand behind her head as he dipped her and kissed her passionately. He could tell he took Kara by surprise a bit, but he couldn't contain his joy in this moment. He felt her sigh into the kiss and smile a bit. It was only when they parted that they realized all their friends were watching and cheering for the couple.
Caesar smiled as watched Kara's face reddened at their intense display of affection, and he offered her his arm and said "Shall we, Mrs. Drisdall?" The smile of complete devotion, adoration, and happiness Kara gave him in response made him absolutely melt. She took his arm and said, "We shall, Mr. Drisdall." Caesar couldn't help but give her a kiss on the cheek before they started retreating back down the aisle amongst their cheering friends. Their reception was also to be held in the Numenshrine, but Caesar just wanted a few moments alone with his bride before joining everyone at their party. He led her to a bench in a quiet part of town that was under a beautiful tree. They sat down, and Kara looked at him as he turned to face her, taking both her hands in his. "I didn't think we would get a single moment alone together today, so I decided to make one now. I just wanted to take this...to take you in. I've never seen anything more beautiful than you. You have absolutely captivated me, body and soul…I can't believe you're my wife." Kara couldn't find words to respond, and instead cupped his face in her hands and brought her lips to his in a kiss that said the words she couldn't find. She pulled away after a moment and rested her forehead against Caesar's and closing her eyes again, taking the moment in as well. "My perfect husband," Kara whispered as she tenderly stroked his cheek. Caesar smiled and sighed in utter contentment before he heard Yulie's voice exclaim, "There you are! Why am I not surprised you two lovebirds ran off somewhere to be all mushy? We're all waiting for you both at your party whenever you're ready." "Well, we can't keep the people waiting," Caesar replied, smiling at Kara before getting up and offering her his hand.
Kara smiled at him as she took his hand and let him help her up, and they walked hand in hand to their party. As they walked, he watched Kara smile as Yulie gushed to her about how beautiful the ceremony was and how happy she was for her friends. As they approached the Numenshrine again, Yulie went on ahead to give them their moment. Upon entering the party, they were greeted with the smiling faces of their dear friends. Caesar led his wife to the center of the gathering as he took her other hand and and drew her in as they started dancing to the waltz the string orchestra was playing.
Time had slowed down for Caesar earlier that day when he witnessed Kara walking to the altar to him, and it slowed down again while he was dancing with her now. All he saw were her eyes gazing back into his as he spun her away, and her eyes echoed a similar sentiment to what he was feeling in that moment. Those present gazed upon the couple in admiration of this very picture of devotion.
When the dance ended, Caesar's gaze lingered on Kara's for a moment before he gently kissed the hand he had placed the ring on earlier that bound her to him forever. The rest of the evening passed in a blur, as the newlyweds spent the night celebrating their love as they danced, talked, and laughed among their dearest friends. Before they knew it, the party was winding down and their wedding was coming to an end.
Caesar offered Kara his hand, knowing that when she took it that would be the start of the rest of their lives. She took his hand, smiling at him all the while, and their friends saw them off with the most genuine and affectionate well-wishes. The couple stopped in front of their dear friends and former traveling companions. Yulie, with happy tears in her eyes, warmly embraced Kara, with Miu and Cisna joining her. Caesar watched with a smile as Kara eagerly acquiesced to her companions' requests to write them as soon as she returned from their honeymoon.
As they finished their goodbyes to Leonard and Eldore, Caesar eagerly took Kara's hand, more than ready to retreat from society for a few weeks with his beautiful wife. They were to spend this retreat in the beauty and peace of Faria, as he had always wanted to spend more time in the stunning place and he knew Kara always loved and admired the land. As a wedding present, Miu had provided them a charming estate to stay in for the duration.
Caesar eagerly pulled her along as he heard Kara giggling slightly behind him. He looked back at her beautiful smile, and was suddenly reminded of their happy childhood days when they would hold hands and run through the flowerbeds in Sinca. The sight of it warmed his heart beyond words.
When they reached their lodgings, Caesar opened the door and scooped his bride up into his arms, carrying her across the threshold. Kara yelped in surprise before laughing. He had never seen her so happy, nor could he remember feeling this light himself. "I should have expected that," she said with a smirk. "Hey, I have to spoil my bride," he said with a laugh.
Caesar carried Kara through the house and stopped to open the door to the bedroom when he felt Kara's hand gently caress his face before she closed in for a kiss. When she pulled away slowly, Caesar opened his eyes and saw Kara's were still closed, cherishing this moment. In the softest tone possible, Caesar whispered, "Shall we go to bed, Mrs. Drisdall?" Upon hearing herself called by the name that she now shared with him, Caesar had never seen her smile so wide before. He could already tell it made her happy to hear him addressing her by her new title, their shared name that declared that they had dedicated themselves to each other forever. "Yes, we shall, Mr. Drisdall," Kara replied in a sultry tone.
Still carrying Kara, Caesar brought her into the room and carefully placed her on the bed before getting into it himself and rolling so he was on top of her, propped up by his arms. He felt Kara put her arms behind his head and weave her fingers in his hair, before pulling him closer into a deep, warm kiss. "Well, Mrs. Drisdall? What should we do now?" He said with a smirk after their lips parted. "I'm all yours, my love," she whispered. Caesar felt her get goosebumps as he trailed kisses along her forehead, cheek, neck, and collarbone, before gruffly whispering in her ear, "Alright, Mrs. Drisdall, we don't have to go anywhere for a while." Kara chuckled and said, "thank gods for that."
Caesar smiled and kissed Kara once more in a way that he hoped conveyed all the happiness he was feeling in that moment. As they passed their wedding night in nuptial bliss, Caesar knew he was going to quite like having Kara all to himself for a couple weeks. By the time their honeymoon ended Caesar almost regretted that they didn't leave their room and take in the beauty of Faria as much as they did. Almost. Caesar found that he could never really regret anything about time with Kara, and he knew he could admire no greater beauty than that of his beloved wife. When the Count and Countess made their much-anticipated return to Greede, all anyone who spotted the couple could say was how well they looked.
And that's that! Genuinely not sure if this will be the last chapter or not, depends on if I get anymore ideas or inspiration, because honestly I never get sick of these two. If anyone has been keeping up with this story, I greatly appreciate you 3