I always thought that happiness came in the form of a girl with silver hair and blue eyes.

It was just a stupid wish, but I held strongly onto that wish and I was too young and too stubborn. I thought that because I was a prince, then everything would be alright. I thought that because I've known her since we were children, then nothing would oppose the idea.

My naïve side grew attached to such childish dream and before I knew it, fate began playing its hand.

A Tale from Thelua

[3] something that matters

For such a renowned person in the kingdom, his marriage was held differently from how he imagined in his childhood. Not that it bothered him. He just realized how thoughtful his fiancée was.

It wasn't the decoration or the food, nor was it the guests. It just that his marriage wasn't held privately. It was impossible to do that even if he wished so. The union between the two who represented two different countries wasn't something to be expected in the first place. So, when it occurred, he knew he had to go with the flow.

A marriage in early spring. Many said it brought happiness and virtue. Many said it was in the favour of the Sun God. Many said spring was the season of slow romance and happiness; a perfect season to start a relationship and discover each other.

To him, none of those mattered.

"But, Natsu, a marriage is meaningless when you marry someone you don't love."

"You'll come to like her," Gray said suddenly. "She's more beautiful than the portrait showed."

Natsu shrugged. "It's not about the look."

"I heard she is wise."

"Wisdom comes from experience and vast knowledge, not exactly from something you read and remember. She's not even older than me."

His knight sighed. "You know well this is not something you can call off."

"I'm not trying to do that," he murmured. "Not like I can do that."

"You did that, and God knows what will happen to this country," Gray mocked.

Of course. It was, after all, a marriage to secure the peace. Feliose and Thelua could never become one. This was an attempt to merge it. To, at least, brought the two countries into a long peaceful state. He knew well how heavy the responsibility was. He couldn't afford of being selfish. After all, it was his duty.

Gray looked at the sky. "My lord, it's time."

Natsu glanced to the sky, noticing the appearance of moon in the daytime before exiting the room he rested in and meeting his bride at the end of the staircase. The loud cheer could be heard when they stood across each other, as well as the song playing in the background. He didn't know that his marriage would be this merry. Because all this time, he would think of having his marriage held privately, quietly, somewhere with less crowds and subtler.

He bowed, and she curtsied. They stared at each other silently before he offered his hand and she grabbed his. Together, they descended the stairs and walked into the path of showering rose petals and serene prayers.

Her profile showed nothing. Only the thinnest smile while her eyes pronounced something of the opposite. Natsu wondered if he had the same expression as the one she had. His thought distracted him from the sermon read by the priest; that one thought of two boys playing knights and a girl with short silver hair and sapphire eyes who was busy making a garland.

"But if we married, we would be the happiest couple, Natsu. A perfect one."

Natsu didn't hear the cue of kissing the hand of his bride, but he managed. When he was back from his reverie, his field of view was full of the sight of a slender neck and golden locks that caressed his cheek. Something soft was pressed to his temple and all went still for a moment. Ah, it's almost the end of the ceremony.

His hand was linked with his bride's, golden rings touching, and he bend on his knees followed by her. A small, thin smile was directed at him, coming from his bride whose eyes crying silently before it disappeared behind the pale lids. The priest showered them with flower petals; a sign that marked the end of the ceremony.

He closed the space between them, his nose gently touching hers.

He thought, then, as they kissed; even if his heart didn't tremble when they linked hands, even if the heaven didn't open its door when his lips touched hers, if it was this woman who walked along the aisle together with him shared the same destiny, then nothing mattered.

Some years ago, somewhere in spring, he dreamt of taking the hand of this silver haired girl and led her way through the aisle. Some years ago, he believed that they would be the happiest couple. Some years ago, he swore he wouldn't give his life to anyone beside her.

Now, none of those mattered anymore.