Chapter five. Hehe...I'm back on track.
Raine: Unfortunately.
Watch it, sister! You're getting married, all thanks to me.
Raine: ...
Hah. No answer for that, huh? Let's go!
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"Sheesh, man. Stand tall; you're about to be united with a fanged, short fused, ill tempered woman from the black lagoon. Aren't you excited?" Zelos asked, clapping the resultingly disgruntled Noble on the shoulder.
"Yes," replied the Groom, somewhat flatly, straightening his suit.
Zelos snorted. "Then show it. People are going to think this is an arranged marriage, and you'd rather not be caught dead with her."
"Th...That's not it--"
"I know that, and you know that. But show some spunk, or even your Bride will fall asleep on ya'. Oh, it's time. Where are Lloyd and the kid?"
"Zelos. I am fifteen years old - you can stop calling me 'kid' now," sighed Genis, as he and the other young man mentioned approached them. "I was a 'kid' at twelve. It's been three years."
"Yeah, but you'll always be a kid to me, squirt."
"Watch it, or I'll start calling you 'Geezer.'" Genis smirked at him in what Regal found to be a very mischivous look.
Zelos gaped at him, as though the Half-Elf had just suggested a truely abominable act. "You wouldn't dare!" he exclaimed. "That implies that I am much older than I am. The girls will stop flocking to me!"
"It will do you good to get a reality-check," muttered Regal drily, though he was quite sure none of the others heard him. The three men - and Genis - took their places at the back of the area, awaiting the time at which they would walk forward, in the order: Genis, Lloyd, Zelos, and finally, himself.
This time, however, seemed to come too soon. He wasn't so sure he was completely ready to go up in front of so many, but he moved forward anyway, somewhat robotically, following after Zelos. It was a few moments before he spotted Presea walking forward, beaming. The dress she wore suited her nicely, and he could see the grin on Genis, and knew the boy agreed with him.
Next came Colette, the clumsy, soft-hearted Chosen of Sylvarant, who was positively glowing with excitement. There was a point at which Regal was afraid she was about to trip, but she managed to steady herself somehow, and kept walking on, only grinning more brightly. Nothing had ever phased young lady, and he suspected that nothing ever would.
Sheena came trailing after Colette, looking very neat and cheerful. Of the three, she was the one who walked with the most grace, and dignity, though he could see on her face that she wasn't altogether happy with wearing a dress in front of this many people. But, mused Regal, the one who would hate it most, was the one who would follow Sheena, the one who would come last.
There she was. Raine. She was beautiful, and did indeed look predictably nervous. He caught and held her gaze, offering silent reassurance as she walked forward. A smile that corrosponded to his own was starting to surface on his Bride-to-be's face, and it made him even happier to see it.
A few short minutes passed before they stood face to face - hers directed upward, and him looking just a bit downward, at her - and the Pastor of Meltokio's old Church of Martel began to speak. The next portion passed by like a wonderful dream, with their echoes of "I do," at certain times, speaking more to eachother than the Pastor.
It seemed like just a few seconds before he was sliding the ring onto her finger, to sit right by the gemmed ornament he'd adorned her hand with just three months ago. He obeyed the words, "You may kiss the Bride," without question, and with full cooperation on her part. Drawing her close, he pressed his lips to hers in the sealing of a life-long commitment from both sides.
And with this final affirmation of the promises they'd made today, Regal Bryant and Raine Sage were joined in matromony. Even as they broke off, and several younger people joined their companions in tame cheering and applause, he wrapped his arms around her in a gentle embrace. He tightened his hold as he felt her return it.
"Awww!", squealed a voice that was so unmistakably Colette's, from somewhere to the side. The newly weds pulled back, to face the congragation of people, gathered to witness the marriage between Duke and commoner. Genis and Presea met in the center, and walked back together, with the Half-Elven boy visibly fighting a blush. Lloyd and Colette paired off as well, the girl's face shining even more brightly, and finally Sheena and Zelos came together. The Summoner didn't look too thrilled, but she tolerated the red-head, giving the couple a grin as she passed.
Regal took his new wife's hand, and walked by her side after the other three pairs, a subconcious smile curving his lips. It's happened, Alicia...I've married her. You understand - I know you do. You always did...
They were passing both smiles and frowns, and he even overheard two people whispering without much discretion. "Can you believe it?" asked one girl. "A Half-Elf. He married a Half-Elf! What was he thinking? Why didn't the King stop him?"
"I know," said the man sitting next to her. They were both clearly disgusted with Regal's decision. "I always knew Duke Bryant was a little off, but I never thought he'd go this low."
"How dare he wed a Half-Elf nothing. There are so many eligible human women, and he goes with the trash of Tethe'alla."
Regal felt the Half-Elf beside him tense, and pulled her closer. He squeezed her hand affectionately, feeling corrosponding pressure on his own as she gave him a weak smile. "Ignore them," he advised her in a soft whisper, lowering his head toward her ear.
"I'll try," she replied, in the same quiet tone.
He sighed slightly, knowing that, unfortunately, they were likely to come across many more people who felt the way those two had. But he didn't care - all that mattered was how he felt about Raine, and how she felt about him.
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HAH! I didn't twist the wedding...yet...
Raine: "Yet" being the key word there, my dear. And you did have me insulted.
Yeah, well. With a pairing like you and Regal, there's obviously going to be some of that...
Raine: If you say so...
I do. Let's go!
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