Hand in hand, the prince and maiden walked, having but one heart between them. Their path was not smooth, their ways were not perfect, but they weathered the storm of life together. Now knowing what the other truly wanted and how they felt the same, life was changed forever for Pixal and Zane.
Once they were reunited, the first thing to be done was to speak to Cyrus Borg, lord of the estate. Though ill, he was more than willing to speak to the prince, and especially when he learned of the intention of the meeting.
When Zane met him, he was greeted warmly, with a firm handshake and a smile. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"As it is to meet you, Lord Borg." The three sat, with Pixal on the side with Zane, and Cyrus smiled wider.
"Pixal, my dear, good morning."
"Good morning, Father. Do you need anything?"
"No, no. Thank you, my dear." Cyrus turned to Zane. "What is your business here, your Highness?"
"Please, there is no need for formalities. I am Zane." Zane bowed his head, and then locked eyes with Pixal. The two shared a smile. "There is some explanation to be had beforehand. Pixal, would you like to deliver the news?"
Pixal nodded, slightly anxious. "Father, you know of the festival that occurred recently. I had the honor of meeting Zane there." Zane took her hand, and his cool and calm soothed her nerves. "We spent the festival days together."
"Your daughter is an extraordinary woman," Zane said to Cyrus with a smile. "I have never met anyone like her."
Cyrus smiled. "She is incredible, is she not? I would say she is my finest creation, but perhaps her mother deserves the credit more than I do."
As Pixal ducked her head in embarrassment, Zane smiled. "A fine lady, indeed. In fact, I came to ask for your permission to court her."
"Is that so? I see the festival did its job well."
Pixal smiled self-consciously. "Yes, although I was somewhat averse to the idea for a little while."
"You are not any longer?"
"Not at all. Zane is nothing but kind to me; certainly kinder than Stepmother, or Begonia and Columbine. He has proven that he cares."
At this, Cyrus frowned in concern. "Kinder than your stepmother and sisters? What do you mean, Pixal?"
"I will explain later, Father. Right now it is not an urgent concern."
"Very well." Cyrus smiled again and turned to Zane. "If you marry my daughter, I will trust that you will care for her. You will not cast her away, or force her into anything. Can you promise me these things?"
"I promise. Though it is new, I love your daughter. I would do anything to bring her happiness."
"Pixal, are you willing to this? Is this something you want as much as he does?"
"Yes. I think… I love Zane, too." She squeezed Zane's hand.
Cyrus nodded. "Then you have my blessing. You may court Pixal." Cyrus took his daughter's hand. "I wish for nothing but the best for you."
"The best she shall have," Zane affirmed. "She will want for nothing, not even love."
"Then go on your way knowing that I approve. I trust that Pixal will be staying here until the wedding?"
"Father!" Pixal protested, face red. Zane only laughed.
After the matter with Cyrus was settled, there was yet more to be done. Eventually Pixal would need to be introduced to the king, but that could not happen first. Of urgent importance was the matter of the Borg household losing its only remaining member of the staff, if that could be how it was described.
Once he was well, Cyrus decided that he was going to cancel his next trip due to Pixal's betrothal, happy to spend time with his daughter and loath to leave, his depression finally having passed. As he went about his business at home however, he slowly became aware of the nature of Pixal's days, and was filled with righteous indignation. In anger, he immediately found that his wife had bought finery for herself and her daughters instead of hiring a staff, with Pixal working day in and day out to serve them instead. Cyrus promptly ended this, and sold many of the three women's things to create a substantial dowry for Pixal, ignoring their anger at his actions.
Once she was freed from her work, Pixal found she has copious time, much of which she spent with Zane, getting to know each other better. The seeds of affection between them, having been sown during the festival, were nurtured in such care and grew, encompassing them both as the weeks passed. During one of these days, Pixal admitted to Zane a secret as they were within a hidden garden in the capital city.
The pair sat happily together, watching the birds and insects flit about the flowers. A comfortable silence hung between them. Lost in thought, Pixal took out her hairclip and turned it over in her hand, examining the engraving and following its lines with her thumbnail.
"What are you thinking about?" Zane asked her.
After a moment, she glanced at him. "This hairclip." She smiled at it. "It is a strange thought; I would not be here today without it."
"Because it proved you were Pansy?"
"That is not the only reason." She put the clip in his hand. "What do you see, Zane?"
"I see a hairclip," Zane said, not understanding. "Should I see something else?"
"In a moment."
Pixal smiled and spoke the trigger words. The clip began to glow, and Zane watched in surprise and fascination as she commanded it to pick a flower and bringing back to them. When the apparition laid the flower in her hand, it disappeared. She lifted the flower to her nose and sniffed it, inhaling the fragrance.
"The clip is magical," Zane said in awe. "You enchanted it? You are a mage, Pixal?"
"No, but I am learning to become one," Pixal said, looking up from her flower. "My father gave me the enchanted clip; once I learned to use it, it sparked my interest."
"Every day I learn something more about you," he remarked, amazement still clear in his voice. "There are not many mages in this kingdom, let alone the world."
"Perhaps one day I shall join their number," she said with a smile.
Zane took her hand and returned the hairclip to her protective grasp. "Do you know any more spells?"
"Only a few, most of which are only charms. I suppose I will have more time to practice them in the future."
"Indeed; as long as you still have time to spend with me." He brushed a lock of her fair hair from her face, where it had fallen after the clip's removal.
"Of course. I will always make time for you."
"I will do the same for you. No matter where life may take us."
"If my memory serves correct, it will take us to a place of high standing," she said with a smile.
"Such as you deserve, then. You are a princess in all but name already."
Having no response, Pixal simple smiled at him. They came together slowly, embracing gently in the garden, their innocent affection hidden from prying eyes. Secretly, Pixal enjoyed the knowledge that for that moment, they were together without any expectation, being accepted as she was. Unbeknownst to her, Zane thought the same, the warm feeling of being loved spreading throughout him at the thought of her trust. Time moved inexorably forward, but in that moment it ceased to pass for them.
After weeks turned to months, the day came when Pixal was to be introduced to the king, so that he might announce their betrothal, wherein their wedding might be scheduled. She was nervous, and constantly smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles from her skirt, which belonged to the purple dress she had worn the day she met Zane. Zane took her hand comfortingly, instilling a modicum of peace in her. Nevertheless, when it was time, she took Zane's arm instead and they entered the throne room, where his father was holding court.
The pair walked through the throne room and approached the king, and every eye fell upon them with interest. When they reached the dais, Pixal curtsied as Zane bowed.
King Julien smiled when they neared him. As was tradition, he stood and approached them, bowing at the edge of the dais. When they were face to face, he spoke.
"My son, I take it this is the lady of whom you have spoken?"
Zane smiled at Pixal reassuringly. "Father, this is Lady Pixal Borg, daughter of Lord Cyrus Borg."
Pixal curtsied again. "It is an honor to meet you, your Majesty."
King Julien smiled and took her hand, seemingly breaking tradition after all. "On the contrary. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Borg. It is clear Zane has become quite taken with you, and for good reason."
"You flatter me." She smiled nervously.
"Father, do you remember our conversation from before the festival?" Zane asked.
"I do indeed. You were quite adamant that none of the nobility would be fitting for the role."
Zane reddened ever so slightly in embarrassment, even as Pixal's smile turned to be amused. "I was somewhat mistaken. Lady Borg is more than qualified."
"I trust your judgement," Julien said. He turned to Pixal. "I welcome you, Pixal. I look forward to knowing you. Take good care of my son as you enter our family."
She bowed her head graciously. "I shall do my best, your Majesty. He is more than competent himself."
"As all of us men should be, yet we are lost without the women in our lives." With that, King Julien led the two up to the dais, where they stood with him.
When they were ready, the king cleared his throat. "My people, all of you know that my son, Prince Zane, is of the age to marry. There has been plenty if rumors and speculation since the events if the festival earlier this month. Now, I am pleased to present wonderful news!" He put a hand on Zane's back. "My son has chosen his bride, whom you may meet today."
A murmur swept through the throne room. Zane stood tall, and Pixal copied his stance. King Julien looked at them with a smile, and then back at the assembly.
"As of this day, I announce that Prince Zane of the Central Commonwealth is betrothed to Lady Pixal Borg, daughter of Lord Cyrus Borg, and shall be married within the season."
Applause swept through the assembly, and everyone seemed to be cheerful at the announcement. Pixal took the opportunity to curtsy to them, attempting to portray herself graciously. The king seemed to be approving, which boosted her confidence.
The announcement having been made, Pixal and Zane were able to leave the dais, but not after some final words from the king, explaining to his court what was going to happen. Thus, their lives were thrown into a whirlwind of activity.
Time moved forward to the delight of nearly everyone, and none more so than Pixal and Zane as their wedding day finally came, not more than a month after their announcement.
On that day, Pixal stood before a mirror, trepidation filling every fiber of her. She wore an exquisite white gown, crafted by the royal seamstress out of perfect silk, and jewelry the king had said belonged to his late wife, the queen. In her hair was her hairclip, despite its plainness, and upon her feet were a pair of glass slippers– a gift from faraway Queen Vania of Shintaro, meant to give good luck in her stead due to inescapable work in her home kingdom. All in all, Pixal was a picture of perfection, so unlike her previous life. She wondered how Zane felt, knowing the crowd of guests was already waiting.
Mere minutes later, Pixal found herself outside the castle chapel, hand on her father's arm for the last time. His eyes were glistening with tears that had yet to fall, but he smiled and told her that she was beautiful anyway.
The chapel doors opened, and they started down the aisle. Every eye was upon them as they ascended the platform, where King Julien awaited them with his minister's book, Prince Zane at his side. Zane was the only one on whom Pixal focused, even as she smiled at him. In return, he smiled back, his reserved and regal air broken by the clear affection in his gaze. He looked more regal than ever in his white wedding suit, his silver crown shining in the light and highlighting his features, princely in every part.
At last, Pixal came to face him. She parted from her father, who kissed her cheek and turned, taking up a place behind them. Then, she turned and faced Zane, who took her hands in his, gentle as ever as he held them.
The first part of the ceremony passed more quickly than either realized, the momentous feeling taking them far away from reality as his father's words disappeared into obscurity. All too suddenly, however, the king stopped speaking. It was time for the vows, and for Zane to recite his.
"I, Zane, take you, Pixal, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."
He and Pixal shared a smile as she prepared for hers.
"I, Pixal, take you, Zane, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."
King Julien smiled upon them as they spoke. After their vows, they met his gaze. With their focus once more on him, he spoke more.
"Pixal, in taking Prince Zane to be your husband, you also take on the responsibility he holds to the people of the Commonwealth, to become the princess. In whatever you do, you will serve them, as their defender and their leader, and support your husband's decisions. You will be loyal to them, as they are to you, and loyal to Zane as his wife. Do you swear to uphold these values?"
"I swear," she said, as they had practiced.
"Very well." The king took a tiara from a cushion atop the altar and placed it on her head, its simple wrought silver shining in the light. Then he held out a cushion, on which rested two silver bands, each inlaid with precious stones. "Now you may exchange the rings."
Gently, Zane took Pixal's ring from the cushion. He took her hand and placed the ring on her finger, before kissing her hand. "With this ring, I bind you as my wife."
Pixal took Zane's ring with just as much care, and placed it on his hand with a smile, brushing her thumb against the back of his hand. "With this ring, I bind you as my husband."
The final moments came at last, exciting joy in the pair as the king recited the final words.
"Zane and Pixal, since you have consented together in holy matrimony and pledged yourselves to each other by your solemn vows and by the giving of rings, declared before these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife." King Julien closed his book. "Prince Zane, you may now kiss the bride."
Pixal and Zane looked into each other's eyes, shattered ice meeting faceted emerald. They smiled, and he placed a hand upon her cheek. Then ever so gently, the kiss came, and with it the sealing of their vows.
As the two were bound together, their audience applauded them, the many people celebrating. When at last they parted, the newlyweds paid little heed to the celebration, already missing the connection they had felt in that moment. They remained close, lingering.
"Today, I pronounce you Zane and Pixal Julien, Prince and Princess of the Central Commonwealth!"
This time, Pixal drew her new husband into another kiss, brief and tender, as the crowd's applause turned to cheering. Under the cacophony, she whispered to him.
"I love you, Zane."
"I love you too, Pixal."
"We are compatible?"
"We are indeed."
At last, the prince and his princess were united, never to part again. What had once been a search was now a destination, for the two were hand in hand, sharing in one heart and life. Whatever the future held, they weathered it together.
The End.
The end of the story has finally come! However, there will be an epilogue, tying this story into the AU a little more, so stay on the look out for that (it should be up today or tomorrow). At that point I will write a longer note, but for now, thank you for reading!