By the time Gakupo and Kaito went down to the cave claimed by the seamstresses at ground level, IA was already trying out an elaborate white and pale pink outfit. Her hair and ears were covered by a silken robe and hood, so radiant and pristine that it was hard to believe it was merely cloth and not a spell of some kind. The delicate fabric of her flower-shaped skirt had been embroidered with intricate patterns that could only be seen from certain angles. Then, the thin threads shone like fresh dew in the light. It was quite a sight to behold, and Kaito couldn't help but wonder about the origin of all this luxury. The cavern was modestly furnished with some ancient-looking tables, benches and cupboards, but had nothing in the way of looms or vats of tincture. Clearly, the fabric had been woven and treated somewhere else. He had always thought the old tales about the majestic fae court were greatly exaggerated to arouse the greed of humans and stir anti-fae sentiment, but apparently there was some truth to it after all. The piles of treasure from the day before were another obvious clue, although he had neglected to think about the implications at the time.
He was still pondering the subject when the fae seamstresses ushered Gakupo behind a screen set up in a corner of the cave. The girls took upon themselves to help their future king change with more enthusiasm than Kaito would've liked, eyeing one another and smiling meaningfully. Kaito looked away, feigning indifference. On the other side of the room, IA was practicing some dance moves in front of a big bronze mirror. Considering how restrictive her outfit seemed at first glance, it was an impressive feat. IA noticed his gaze and regaled him with a rude hand gesture and a smile, without missing a beat.
I wish I could smash your head against that damned mirror, Kaito thought, then immediately felt surprised at his own fury. He quickly directed his eyes towards the opening of the cave, just in time to see his father and Yuki walking in his direction. His father looked much better, freshly shaven and sporting a crisp dark blue suit. With Yuki in her beautiful kimono, they looked like a father and daughter on their way to a ceremony at the nearest temple.
"Dad!" Kaito called out, and then immediately felt silent. Now that the moment had come, he felt completely unable to form coherent sentences. Still, he walked towards the pair to meet them outside the cave. IA wasn't going to get more ammunition to make fun of him, if he could avoid it.
"Good day, Kaito," Yuki said as pleasantly as always.
"Son." Mr. Fuuga's face was a stoic mask. "Yuki just told me how you spent the past few days."
For most of Kaito's life, his father had been constantly warm and kind, never raising his voice in anger. But now he had twice heard him speak in that calm, terribly disappointed tone, as worn down as a rock constantly submerged in a stream. And it was his fault. Kaito felt so ashamed that his innards seemed to twist into ribbons. He immediately bowed and apologized profusely.
"She said that the two of you had a talk...That she admired your determination," his father continued as if he had heard nothing. "But you didn't even let me know what you were going to do. Are those the actions of a man that believes in his own words?"
Kaito opened his mouth and closed it, eyes still glued to the ground.
A few painful seconds passed before he felt a hand land softly on top of his head. "Show me that determination on your face. Tell me you'll be happy with this choice." Now, there was anger in that voice, but worry as well and a bit of fear.
The hand went away and Kaito straightened up slowly. His father was right once again. The legacy of the ogre wasn't going to do him any good if he lacked a strong will. It's not enough to find my own answers, I have to believe in them. So, he met his father's gaze and said as evenly as he could, "I'm sorry I didn't let you know. But I want this. I'll be happy."
Mr. Fuuga nodded. His expression softened, although it didn't quite return to his usual gentle smile. It was only natural; his concerns weren't going to disappear so easily. "I hope so. Ah, we are inconveniencing everyone by going on like this." He glanced behind Kaito as he spoke.
His son turned around apathetically. Not only was IA staring at them, as he feared, there was a full bouquet of fae at the door, Gakupo included. He was not, as Kaito promptly observed, wearing a wedding dress, just an ornate tunic similar to IA's dress and a pair of loose pants.
"Is something wrong?" IA asked in a sweet tone.
"No, no. Please go back inside, miss, we didn't mean to interrupt," Mr. Fuuga replied. He patted his son's shoulder and continued in a lower tone. "We should have a long chat over tea, after your friend is done here. I haven't had the opportunity to really speak with him."
"Hmm..." That was a good point. Besides, it would help his father understand why Gakupo was more than worth all this trouble. Kaito eyed the door and saw that all of the fae were already going back inside, some more reluctantly than others. "I guess we can sit inside and wait."
"Actually, if I may interrupt-" Yuki suddenly stepped forward. "I'd like to examine Kaito, to make sure everything is in order after the procedure."
"Oh, of course! I'd appreciate that," Mr. Fuuga replied.
"Good. Let's go to your room."
It took Kaito a second to realize Yuki meant the ground-floor bedroom he had been given what seemed ages ago. She was already a few steps ahead when he reacted. "I- I'll tell Gakupo to come finds us!"
"Tell him to come directly to my chambers for tea." Yuki said without turning her head.
Kaito stared quizzically at Yuki's small figure at this, but his father followed her without any real reaction to her words. After some hesitation, Kaito shrugged and poked his head into the seamstresses' workspace. Once he was done relaying the message, he returned outside and trotted after the other two.
"It seems like fae don't mind the groom and bride seeing each other before the wedding," Mr. Fuuga commented in a marginally lighter tone as soon as Kaito reached his side.
"Er, yeah."
"I wonder if we are the first humans to attend a fae court wedding," his father said, pensive. He stopped on his tracks and eyed his son with a rueful smile. "Well, not quite human now, to be precise. Is there a term for this?" He gestured vaguely with one hand, not quite pointing in his son's direction.
"No idea."
"I don't think there's a specific term for this sort of induced transformation," Yuki interjected. "Though I'm sure this was already attempted in the past. Humans used to mingle with youkai much more often before the birth of the machines. Ah, here we are."
The bedroom was unchanged, except for a royal blue suitcase resting over the bed. Its plastic hard shell glittered in the light of the crystal above as if to draw more attention to how out of place it looked in the fae hideout. Before Kaito had a chance to ask, Mr. Fuuga tapped it with a hand and said, "I went into town to get us some things. It's been a while since I bought you clothes, but I think I got the proper sizes."
"Thank you." That explained Mr. Fuuga's neat appearance. "Hm, Yuki, do I need to lie down or something?" Mr. Fuuga sat down on the bench and Yuki stepped forward.
"No, no, that's fine. Oh, but please take off the jacket and roll up your sleeves." The snow woman took one of Kaito's hands and observed his clawed fingers up close. Her fingers were as gelid and uncomfortable to the touch as usual. "How do you feel?"
"Pretty good." At least physically. "I have more energy than usual, that's for sure. I feel more agile too."
"Good, good." Yuki let go of his hand and walked around him. Then, she stood up on her tiptoes and grabbed a lock of his hair. "Do you specifically meant to grow your hair like that?"
"No? I mean…Can I choose?"
Yuki made a little sound and rubbed her chin, pensive. "You can alter your appearance to some extent now. Prima should give you some pointers." She then gave him a little pat on the arm. "Don't worry too much about it for now. Have you experienced any outbursts?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you suddenly feel angry for no reason?"
"I wouldn't say for no reason," Kaito said, aiming for a joking tone. But neither Yuki nor his father smiled. "Sure, there was a couple times today I lost my temper for a moment, but can you really blame me?"
Yuki sighed. "I suppose you're right." She turned towards Kaito's father. "I think his body is still settling into this new state. So far he seems to be adjusting well, but you should keep an eye on him for a few days."
"I'll certainly do that, thank you."
"And you Kaito, even if you are nimbler now, be careful. You don't know your new physical limits."
"Ok." Truthfully, Kaito found this advice both patronizing and irritating. Did she think he was going to imitate IA's flashy acrobatics? And what did she expect out of him if there was any trouble at the opening of the door to the New Arcadia? But he kept his thoughts to himself and agreed to her advice.
"Well then. You should change into fresh clothes so we can head up. I'll wait outside." Yuki flashed another of her deceptively innocent smiles and exited the cavern.
"Pick something warm. Her tea room is a bit chilly," Mr. Fuuga advised as he followed her steps.
"No surprises there," Kaito muttered under his breath. Why Yuki felt the need to drag them all the way up there, he still didn't know. He ruffled through the contents of the suitcase absently, until a random thought formulated inside his head.
Maybe she wants to talk somewhere Prima can't hear us.
Kaito stared into space with a fuzzy blue scarf hanging limply from his hands. Could that be the case? Yuki had already admitted that the two had their differences. Perhaps she was afraid of Prima's influence over IA, and wanted a pawn of her own. And who could be a better pawn than the new Oberon?
"I'll keep an eye on you," Kaito promised the small figure by the lake. He changed quickly into a set of jeans, shirt and a warm white coat and headed outside.
Yuki was crouching next to the quiet waters of the underwater lake. She gingerly touched the liquid and white vines of frost raced across the surface. A sheet of ice began to form, wide enough for the three of them to stand on. It grew thick as a mattress, then rose slowly from the water. Yuki moved her arm in an arch and the ice followed it, then landed on the ground next to and Kaito's feet. Yuki jumped with unexpected agility on top of her creation and sat down. As if watching a time-lapsed video of growing grass, snow seemed to sprout all around her, covering the top of the ice. It rippled and shifted, taking the shape of a simple palanquin.
At this point, Kaito realized his mouth was hanging open. On the contrary, his father nonchalantly climbed onto the snow palanquin and knelt next to the snow woman. "I thought you might appreciate a more expedient method of travel, instead of taking the long route through the tunnels," Yuki explained in an amicable tone.
"…Sure, thanks." Kaito hopped on and sat cross-legged facing his father. At once, Yuki sang a single sweet note and the white palanquin rose like a crystal swan. It moved upwards tracing a big spiral, closer and closer to the afternoon sun. I have to admit, this is an amazing way to travel, Kaito thought. He reached out and let his fingers brush against the vines hanging from the opening of the cavern ceiling. A moment later the green, fluttering curtains were gone, replaced by the pleasant scenery of the surface. The palanquin keep climbing up, sticking as close to the mountain as possible, until it reached the icy overlook.
"It's a shame I can take you two for a proper flight across the mountains," Yuki lamented after her tiny feet touched the floor of the overlook.
Kaito jumped down and helped his father descend. "It sure is. I had no idea snow women could do that sort of thing."
"It's always better to keep some tricks up your sleeve" Yuki answered lightly. "You should keep it in mind as well: Unless the situation calls for it, don't expend too much of your power. Particularly when you visit human territory."
The small figure crossed the doorway to her cold domain, but Kaito remained in place for a second. The way Yuki was talking, it sounded like she expected Kaito to develop more abilities than just improved mobility and strength. He racked his brains, trying to think what it could be, but mountains ogres didn't have any other extraordinary characteristics, as far as he knew.
"Come along, son." Mr. Fuuga placed a hand on his shoulder. "She'll leave us behind."
"I'm a terrible host for asking this of you, but as you might guess, I have some trouble with hot things."
"It's not a problem."
Surprisingly enough, Yuki had a rustic but rather normal-looking kitchen as part of her section of the hideout. There was a primitive oven, a place to hang a kettle and roast things over a fire, a long stone counter and many baskets to hold ingredients. While sat reading in the tea room, Kaito and Yuki started to prepare an eclectic mix of snacks and beverages. The snow woman stood as far as she could from the kettle, mixing vegetables and spices into different pastes. Kaito placed cups and spoons on a couple of trays and then poured nuts and strips of dried fruit into bowls. Following Yuki's instructions, he took a puffy loaf of bread wrapped in cloth from a shelf and began to cut it into slices.
"I bet you're wondering why does Prima have a retinue of servants for this sort of thing and I don't," Yuki commented with a little giggle.
That had been in fact the question in Kaito's mind, but it was against his nature to ask so bluntly.
"The deep dwellers like it warm and cozy underground. I wouldn't want to force them to climb all the way up here just for me."
"That's very kind of you."
"Not really, it's just reasonable. Most of the time I don't need to bother with the oven or pots anyway. Besides, why would I want resentful servants? That sounds like a recipe for trouble."
"Makes sense." At that point, Kaito decided to ask a question that had been festering at the back of his mind since he saw his father and the snow woman together earlier that day. "Um, I was wondering, er, was my father angry at you for doing this to me?" He rubbed one of his horns.
"Maybe a little? I look too much like a little girl in his eyes, I believe. That makes it harder for him to place the burden of responsibility on my shoulders."
"I should've expected that." In fact, Kaito was beginning to wonder if Yuki's appearance was spurring Mr. Fuuga's paternal instincts. After all, she was (on the surface) a small girl living in isolation from even other fae, without any relatives or caretakers. A man as kind as his father was bound to feel at least a bit protective.
"I couldn't see it before because I haven't been part of a family in such a long time. But now I understand his dissatisfaction. It was your choice to take, but he deserved to know what you were planning to do."
Kaito distractedly poked the loaf of bread, and his finger cracked the rich brown surface. "Yeah, he deserved to know." The young man turned to look at the kitchen's door, picturing his father sitting by the low table. His oldest connection to the world, and yet Kaito's heart and mind had wandered away enthralled by the possibilities of romantic love, no matter the consequences. "I chose my feelings over his so easily..."
"That's how nature works, for better or worse."
"I'd like to think I can do a bit better than that, from now on." Kaito wrapped what was left of the loaf again in the cloth and placed it back on the shelf.
"In any case-" Yuki began to say, but then Gakupo appeared in the doorway.
"Can I help?" He asked after a quick greeting.
Kaito hesitated, unsure if Yuki wanted to add anything else to the menu. It was so far removed from what he considered an afternoon snack that he wouldn't have been surprised if the snow woman ordered Gakupo to roast meat or make soup. But Yuki smiled and shook her head.
"We're almost done. Oh, but here, carry these bowls to the table."
The endling nodded and stepped inside to follow her instructions. In the corner, the kettle started to wail.
"I'll bring these. Kaito, please bring the hot water."
Soon enough, the four disparate beings were seated around the low stone table on dark blue cushions, drinking from steaming cups of tea. Or at least three steaming cups. Kaito noted that the tea seemed to cool down rapidly once Yuki got her hands around her earthenware cup. He hid his smile behind his cup.
To his right, Mr. Fuuga let out a small cough. "So, if I understand correctly, tomorrow's ceremony is a wedding and a coronation all rolled into one?"
"All rolled into one?" Gakupo repeated a bit lost for a second, until the meaning of the words sunk in. He confirmed the older man's assertion with a nod.
"It's quite a situation to be in," Mr. Fuuga smiled kindly. "Marriage is a big deal in itself without adding more to the plate. A wife and the throne of Arcadia at once?" Mr. Fuuga exhaled and wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, maybe to avoid using more idioms Gakupo wouldn't understand.
"Yes…I never expected to become Oberon," the fae replied. "I don't feel like a king." Kaito immediately noticed how he avoided to mention IA or the marriage aspect of the equation.
"You'll have time to learn," Yuki interjected in a reassuring tone. "If the previous Oberon is waiting for us on the other side, you'll have a phenomenal teacher." She sipped her now icy tea. "If only we could recover Titania from that horrible museum... It's not right to leave to without her. Oberon would want to bury his wife properly."
The image of the girl sleeping forever inside the glass cube crossed Kaito's mind; beauty twisted into a frozen, maimed tribute to the pride of mankind. Saying it wasn't right was a gross understatement. Across him, Gakupo's saddened expression seemed to reflect his thoughts.
"Maybe there is hope for understanding between fae and human." Mr. Fuuga said after a pause. "Look at us sitting here together peacefully. Maybe one day our leaders will reach an agreement. This state of affairs can't last forever."
"Some of us can't wait for a future that may not come to pass." Yuki set her cup on the table. There was little optimism in her tone.
"I want to believe in that future, Mr. Fuuga," Gakupo said somewhat timidly. "But I worry. We have lost so many."
"Of course. I didn't mean to diminish the suffering of your kind," Kaito's father said softly.
The endling lowered his gaze. "I know." He played with a bit of fruit in his plate for a couple seconds. "If all humans were like you and Kaito, we wouldn't need New Arcadia." He lifted his head abruptly. "Did I thank you for saving IA and me?"
"Hmm, not in so many words. But it's hardly necessary, my part was minimal."
Gakupo shook his head energetically. "It wasn't minimal for us."
Mr. Fuuga smiled a little. "Then, I'm honored to have a small part in making reparations."
"Huh?" This time Gakupo simply couldn't parse the sentence, it seemed.
Kaito intervened saying, "He means that humans did bad things before to you and other fae, so we should do good things to balance things out." He mimicked a set of scales with his hands.
"Ah." Gakupo nodded in understanding. "Reparations, from repair."
"That's right." Before Kaito could stop himself, he reached out and laid his hand on top of Gakupo's. He lightly caressed the pale skin under his fingers, thinking, No reparations are sufficient, after everything humans have done to you. A moment later he remembered his father's presence and turned to look at him, not even knowing what he expected to find. But there was no censure in his expression.
"It's taken me years to learn enough English to hold a conversation," commented instead. "If only I had your skill with languages!"
"It may have to do with the way we use magic, but yes, Gakupo learns extraordinarily quickly." Yuki noted, for once looking a bit more like a proud mother than a child. "I'm sure he'll prove more than capable in his role as Oberon."
Gakupo again casted his gaze downwards, perhaps a bit embarrassed.
"I think so too," Kaito said, each word loaded with all the adoration he felt for his endling. When the fae met his gaze with a small smile, it took a measure of self-control to lean back and let his hand fall to his side, instead of reaching across the table to touch Gakupo's face.
Kaito stayed mostly quiet after that, letting the conversation flow towards the workings of the fae court and the daily life of non-humans. He was more than satisfied with seeing a glint in Gakupo's eyes when he looked at him here and there. After all, Kaito wanted his father to become more accustomed to the fae. Obligingly, Mr. Fuuga asked many questions, though some went unanswered. Gakupo had never been in the Warm Isles before the fall of the previous Titania, Yuki only in a couple of occasions. Neither really knew about the specifics of a fae monarch's day-to-day activities.
"There are some in the hideout more knowledgeable about the rites and protocols of the court," Yuki admitted. "Although a good number of Titania's retainers are gone, a couple of her advisors and ladies-in-waiting will help with the ceremony tomorrow. If you'd want, I could introduce you to them."
Mr. Fuuga's eyes widened. Apprehension mixed with curiosity and anticipation bestowed his face with a flattering youthful glow. "If it's not a bother, I'd love to speak with them!"
"I'm sure they won't mind." Kaito privately wondered about that for a second, until he realized that Yuki was going to mention their incursion into the Pale Line. That probably would get the fae into a welcoming mood.
Yuki placed a tiny white finger on the rim of her cup and traced the border. Her fingertip left a trail of frost behind it that glittered in the light of the room. "After the gate is open, we'll send some scouts to assess the situation in New Arcadia. You'll have plenty of time to speak with the courtiers while we wait for their return, I'd wager."
"Do you know anything about the dimensions of this New Arcadia?" Kaito asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Not really, though perhaps Titania's advisors might know more." Yuki then focused her attention on Gakupo. "We've been talking for quite a while. I think you should retire for the day."
Gakupo nodded and muttered something, before raising from the cushion. "Good night."
Kaito stood up quickly and rather clumsily, before he realized what he was doing. "Um, isn't a bit too early?" Please, please don't go. Not yet. I'm not ready. From the way Gakupo was looking at him, he was probably well aware of the childish thoughts going through Kaito's head.
"There's a lengthy purification ritual before the ceremony proper," Yuki explained. "Gakupo and IA need to get up well before dawn."
"Walk with me outside," Gakupo said quietly. He once more bid good night to Yuki and Kaito's father, then marched towards the gelid corridor that lead to the overlook.
"Yes! Yes, of course!" Kaito excused himself and followed the endling eagerly.
Once the tea room was out of sight, Gakupo slowed down considerably. Kaito took the opportunity to pull him into a hug and they stood there for a moment, their bodies tightly pressed together. Kaito bit his lower lip, fighting to keep quiet. He couldn't do it. Despite everything he had said before, it did matter to him, it did hurt too much to see Gakupo married to someone else. But there was nothing Kaito could do.
Gakupo's fingers slowly traced figures on his back. The only indication that he shared Kaito's agitation in any way was his twitching tail. He remained silent, waiting.
I have to let him go.
I have to.
It was like tearing out a part of his own body. And yet, he managed to lower his arms. His uneven breathing resounded loudly in the quiet, shadowy corridor. He took a small step backwards and hung his head. He heard Gakupo began to formulate a sound, but it was an unintelligible syllable, then the voice halted. The plumed tail snaked on the ground, scratching against the frosty wall.
Again, Gakupo tried to speak. "Tomorrow...you don't need to see it, if you don't want to."
"I told you I'd always be by your side," Kaito muttered. What difference did it make, anyway? He had to face reality.
Gakupo turned around abruptly, making his wings rustle. Kaito managed to catch a glimpse of his pained expression before the endling started rushing towards the end of the corridor. Perhaps he would have flown away, if the space was wide enough. As it was, he reached the outside before Kaito catched one of his hands, stopping him in his tracks. The cold glow of the blue crystals decorating the overlook contrasted with the warm tones of the late afternoon, but neither paid any attention to the scenery.
"I don't mean to make this harder for you!" Kaito exclaimed, almost choking after every word. Gakupo was still facing away from him, and that unwillingness to look his way ached so much.
"I know you don't," was the muted reply. "You'll try your best as my knight, from now on. Even if your heart breaks in the way."
"Look at me."
Gakupo turned partially, his brow furrowed.
"I'm weak. This horns, these claws, they mean nothing, they are just a cheap disguise. I'm still a dumb selfish kid, a weakling." Tears began to roll down Kaito's cheeks. "I'm trying to be strong, yes, and I'm failing. You're completely right."
"Kaito…"
"But I'm not giving up!" Kaito wiped his face furiously. "I need you to have faith in me!"
Gakupo let out something between a laugh and an intake of breath. "Have faith in you?" In a swift motion, he grabbed the sides of Kaito's head and gave him a brief kiss. After an instant of surprise, Kaito pulled Gakupo desperately towards him, pressing his face against his shoulder. One arm circled the fae's waist, the other pressed between his shoulder blades. With Kaito's newfound strength, it was an inescapable grip, even if Gakupo felt inclined to struggle. The fae didn't move.
"Kaito, how could I not have faith in you? Twice you came to me when I was trapped and hopeless. When I look at you, it's like I'm staring at the sky after wandering the tunnels in the dark. You are faith to me."
Kaito didn't reply. But gradually his breathing returned to normal and his hold on the fae loosened, until his arms dropped to his sides."You need to go rest." His voice was hoarse, but even.
"I do."
Kaito met Gakupo's gaze and stated firmly, "I'll be there by your side tomorrow."
Gakupo seemed about to say something for a moment. But then his mouth closed and curved into a small smile. He opened his wings and jumped into the air, then dove into the growing shadows of the mountains. His figure quickly disappeared into the gorge below.
Kaito stayed where he was for a while, just watching the sky grow darker.
The next day was warm, without any traces of wind. As soon as the sun rose from the horizon, the fae gathered in the hideout climbed, flew, slithered, hopped and spilled their way to the surface. Soon, the mountainous terrain was covered in shapes big and small, in fur coarse and silky, in petals, in skin soft and craggy, in fabric of many colors. They moved in small groups, or even alone, as that was the only way to travel in a human-dominated world. Their destinations converged in an unassuming clearing where a simple wooden stage stood. Over the stage, three slender tree trunks waited, tied together in the shape of a doorway by Goya's powerful claws. Nothing more was necessary. Once Titania and Oberon presided together over the fae, their combined magical energies would transform it into a portal to the New Arcadia.
Gakupo left the hideout from its eastmost exit, a cave mouth partially disguised by huge boulders. He was accompanied by Yuki, Kaito, and a small assortment of fae. He wore his elaborate wedding outfit and wielded a staff of twisted wood adorned with inlay gemstones. As he walked flanked by Kaito and Yuki, Gakupo endlessly repeated a string of words under his breath: an ancient incantation meant to gather his power for the coming ceremony.
Kaito marched almost like an automaton, carrying a banner. After a single curious look at the cushion Yuki had in her hands and the tiara resting on it, he only stared forward in silence. His father was the one to ask about it and Yuki quickly obliged. Gakupo was meant to place that crown on IA's head after they exchanged vows. At that moment, Yuki added, Prima was with IA, carrying a crown that would soon rest on her Oberon's head.
Instead of participating in the conversation, Kaito focused his attention on the curious fae walked at the head of the group. It was one of the big plant-like creatures he had glimpsed outside the audience chamber, and it was even more jaw-dropping up close. With each step, rose petals appeared floating in the air around the giraffe-like neck and head. The petals then descended ever so slowly towards the ground, immersing the others in a softly scented pink cloud. It was a gratifyingly distracting spectacle.
Despite his current mood, Kaito became even more impressed as they came closer and closer to the hearing, and the sheer number of magical beings around him under the trees became clearer. He had no idea so many fae had taken temporary residence in the hideout. And he still couldn't get used to the idea that there were undocumented types of fae in that day and age. How could they hide their existence so well in the face of modernity? If the groom had been anyone else, Kaito would've been right by his father, asking question after question and analyzing every detail of the ceremony and attendants in giddy delight. But the enthusiasm at the sights before him was tempered again and again by the low, slightly hoarse voice mumbling incantations next to him.
After what felt like a torturous long time, the clearing and the stage came into view. The mass of fae formed into two groups, letting Gakupo and his group approach the stage. Only the wing fae, Yuki and Kaito climbed the rough structure. A minute later, IA walked out from under the trees at the opposite side, flanked by Prima and a dour-looking earth fae, one of the surviving courtiers from the Warm Isles. They neared the stage and IA took her place next to Gakupo. The grim earth fae opened the ancient tome in his hands and cleared his throat. The clearing grew silent.
The ceremony was about to begin.