It was a day before the wedding and Hitomi was in a frantic rush to make everything just perfect. Though Van tried to assure her that his royal servants and committee's would take care of everything she just smiled and brushed everything aside. Just recently Merle contacted them and Van's mind was set at ease with the knowledge that Merle would make it...well, almost. Hitomi walked across her room and opened the door to her clothes closet and longingly gazed at her wedding dress. Wistfully she sighed and wished her mom could be there. It just wasn't the same with out family. She heard the soft click of the bedroom door closing and she whirled around closing the doors of the closet at the same time. Van stood the middle of the room with his arms folded over his chest and an eyebrow quirked in surprise.
"Hi Van!" Hitomi greeted, "what are you doing here?"
Van smiled and walked over to the closet and leaned against it, facing
Hitomi.
"What's in there?" he asked.
"Oh nothing you needn't concern yourself with till tomorrow..." she explained playfully.
"Your wedding dress?" he asked dubiously.
"Yeah... but, you can't see it till tomorrow!" she quickly exclaimed as he tried to open the closet.
"Who says?" he asked
"Me, it's a tradition we have on Earth... you can't see the bride in
her gown till the ceremony." she
"Well we have a different tradition here," he explained with
a straight face.
"Oh really..." she commented sarcastically. Van walked closer and cupped
her face in his hands.
"Yes, really..." he breathed, and then lowering his face to hers he kissed her. After a moment they broke away and she smiled.
"Well, Fanelian tradition or not, your not going to see the dress." Hitomi pouted and walked away, "and you're also going to give the bride some rest. It's almost tomorrow and I don't want to be yawning all day over lack of sleep." Van shrugged and walked away.
"If you say so." he commented and walked to the door, "Good night, Hitomi."
She walked over to meet him and gave him a quick peck on the lips,
"Good night Van." she said cheerfully and he walked out. Changing fairly
quickly into a long shirt that reached to her mid thighs, she went to bed.
Then lying awake for a while her mind raced but then she giggled at the
thought of their wedding night and the most attractive sleep ware that
she had was a long t-shirt. But, then again everyone has strange fetishes,
maybe a strange foreign t-shirt might turn Van on. Nahhh, she thought,
dismissed the thought out of her mind and fell into a light sleep.
...."?"...
Hitomi bleary blinked the sleep from her eyes and arose to the sound
of maid calling her.
"I'm awake," she rasped, "what do you need?"
"It's time to prepare for the wedding Milady," the maid said softly.
Hitomi hopped out of bed and let the maids attend to her.
The wedding room was filling up with many royal dignitaries from all
over Gaea. Even Allen and Millerna where there, representing Austria, and
supporting their long time friends. Van pulled sharply on his black gloves
and peeked through the door to see who had arrived, many familiar faces
were spotted but none of whom he cared to talk to at the moment. His apprehension
was getting the better of him and the many layers of clothes his wedding
outfit summed up to didn't help he felt like he was in a boiler room. He
walked over to a near open window to look outside, catch or a cool breeze
or, maybe to spot Merle. As if on cue she and another person where quickly
walking up the road to the castle. Van squinted and made out the figures
of a cat...man.
...cat man?!... he thought and made note to antagonize, no question
the cat man later of his true intentions. Suddenly one of the royal advisors
tapped him on the shoulder.
"Highness, your bride is ready...should we start the ceremony?" the
advisor asked.
Van smiled and said "yes". The advisor bowed and left. Van then walked back over to the door and wait for his cue to begin.
Hitomi felt like a pincushion after her hair had been fixed in a Fanelian/Earth fashion. The maid braided a single braid along the top of her head, giving a head ban kind of look while where small white flowers that resembled baby's breath inside of it. The dress was long, white (by her request), and silky. The dress fit snuggly against her body and stretched out at the end to a 20-foot train. Just the thought of walking around in it baffled her but for Van she was willing to do anything. The procession of her, her maids, and bridesmaids (Millerna, and Celena, Merle hadn't arrived yet) started to leave the room when she stopped by her bed and quickly took out the pendent and put it around her neck. Walking up the hall to the Church where the ceremony would begin Merle appeared out of nowhere and joined the procession. Carefully Hitomi hugged her and smiled.
"I'm so glad your here. I was worried you wouldn't make it in time." she chided.
"Well Garr and I nearly ran the entire way here!" she exclaimed.
"Garr?" Hitomi asked and smiled.
Merle blushed and gave a small smile, "I'll introduce and explain to you later. You've got a wedding!"
"True..." Hitomi answered then continued to walk. "Merle,...here...please hold this..." Hitomi handed Merle the wedding ring for later. Her knees where shaking and she wished she could have a more private wedding, but of course she had to marry a King! She giggled at her good fortune and stopped in front of the doors to the church. She took in a deep breath; the maids lifted the veil over her face. Merle gave a quick squeeze to Hitomi's white-gloved hand and walked in front of her. The doors opened and Hitomi looked down and prayed to whatever deity out there to give her strength. Music played softly in the background and the bride's maids started across the floor first. First Millerna, next Celena, and then lastly, the maid of honor, Merle. After they all reached the alter the music cue began and a maid softly whispered in her ear, "it's time." Hitomi walked in front of the doorway and faced the crowd; the entire room stood up and held their breath, truly amazed at how beautiful she was. Taking one foot she stepped forward and began her slow assent down the aisle.
Just one step at a time,
And your closer to destiny
I knew where to glance
There'll always be a chance for me
With someone I could live for
Nowhere else I'd rather be
Hitomi stopped at the alter and joined her place beside Van. She glanced at him for a moment to see him utterly speechless, if it weren't for the intensity of the occasion she more than likely would've laughed but she's was too near weeping from joy to think about it. Van looked very handsome with his "kingly attire" he had black pants, a shiny silver breastplate (signifying he was also a soldier), and maroon colored cape with gold trim. Lastly his crown gave off a very commanding presence. Hitomi felt weak in the knee's just from looking at him, and wondered how other people saw him. The priest then proceeded to bless the two of them and then they turned to face each other. Hitomi and Van's eyes locked in on each other and neither of them heard anything that the priest was sawing till he paused for the vows.
Is your love strong enough?
Like a rock by the sea
Am I asking too much?
Is your love strong enough?
Van look a simple golden ring from a servant next to him and slipped it onto Hitomi's finger.
Just one beat of your heart
And stranger the fantasy
"With this ring I thee wed" he spoke clearly for the room to hear. Then he brushed his hand against hers while he took it away and chills ran down Hitomi's spine. The priest then spoke again and paused, Hitomi took the ring from Merle and held Van's hand. Then put the ring on his hand.
I knew from the start
There had to be a place for me
"With this ring I thee wed" she spoke softly but loud enough for the room. It faintly echoed across the hall then stopped giving the impression of something final, and set in time.
Someone I could die for
There's no way I could ever leave
"I now pronounce you husband and wife" the priest announced and the entire room held their breath as Van lifted Hitomi's veil, Hitomi noticed that his hands where slightly shaking and she smiled sweetly. The distance between them closed, he leaned over to her and they kissed.
Is your love strong enough?
Like a rock by the sea
Am I asking too much?
Is your love strong enough?
The crowd burst into cheers, and sounds of women weeping were also faintly heard. Then they broke the kiss and turned around to face the crowd. Hitomi then noticed the crowd was once again pausing, waiting for something else to happen; Hitomi glanced over to Van in puzzlement. A small squire stood next to him holding something. Van leaned over and picked it up, then faced Hitomi.
"Turn and face me" he breathed so only she could hear and she turned. In his hands he held a thin golden crown, lightly he placed it on her head, shifting it a little so it would balance. Finally they turned back to the crowd and Van slipped his arm around Hitomi's waist.
"May I present, my wife and Queen of Fanelia, Hitomi Fanel."