"And of course, we're not too far from the Barbary coasts to the south.", Esmeralda sighed. "This kingdom and a few others often would be the first to be hit.".
Guido nodded, "Indeed, but this is a new age of advancements and such...After all, we are now in the 1770s. I think the age of Barbary piracy is coming to an end.", and Esmeralda replied, "I do hope you're right. Thank goodness you aren't cut too bad, Guido...I couldn't bear it if I lost you...", resting her head on his shoulder with a sigh.
"Hey, look at me, Emma, sure, being the captain of the navy now, since the old captain is very injured, probably going to retire sure enough, has lots of perks, but it has dangers as well, I can't lie, but I love sailing, you know that, and besides, I feel like I'm free when I'm at the wheel...seeing the changes of the ocean, the sounds of the waves, and the motions of the ship underneath my feet...", Guido sighed wistfully before smiling, "But of course, nothing compares to you, my beautiful angel. Coming home to you, seeing familiar faces in the palace, and feeling like I'm content...through there is something missing...".
Esmeralda raised an eyebrow, "Something missing?", and Guido smiled softly, "Yes.", before pulling out his pocket watch from his singed jacket, "The crew noticed me looking at this all day today after the battle, and when I told them, let's say that they became better in good spirits, wishing me good fortune.".
"Why are they wishing you good fortune?", Esmeralda asked in confusion, and Guido smiled, "Because of this.", opening up his pocket watch, where on the front inside, is a small net-like pouch, and in it is a ring, a beautiful emerald gemstone with two small purple gemstones at each side, on a pure silver band.
Guido pulled it out of the pouch, and he kneeled, "Esmeralda, daughter of Mira and Alexander, would you marry me, a humble adopted son of Ariel and Eric, and be my wife forever and ever?".
Esmeralda smiled for a moment before she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him right on the lips, the two locking like that for quite a number of moments before she finally broke the kiss, "Guido... I would very much want to marry you and have you as my husband forever.".
Guido's eyes sparkled happily as he wrapped his arms around her, standing up, and kissed her passionately, and Esmeralda moaned as she kissed him back, stroking his neck, and then his chest, causing Guido to groan, feeling the heat rush down there.
"Emma.", Guido pulled back, whispering, "I wish I would take you right here, right now, but this is almost toeing the line.", and Esmeralda blinked blissfully before gasping as she realized that Guido is not wearing his shirt, thanks to her nursing his cuts and such...
Esmeralda gave a huff of frustration, "God, you're driving me crazy, Guido!", and Guido chuckled warmly, "I know, my beautiful angel.", gently slipping her new ring into her finger, kissing her palm tenderly before replacing his shirt.
"Maybe we could talk to Dad and Tazio about making the wedding less formal since we...ah, are slightly less royal in a way.", Guido replied.
"Oh, you know them... they'll all go for a full royal one.", Esmerelda chuckled as Guido shook his head, "Our mothers certainly would make sure that it would be one...".
Esmeralda laughed warmly, "Too right.", taking his hand warmly, "Come on, dinner's waiting for us by now. The family would be wondering about what became of us.".
Guido smiled, "Alright, then.", squeezing her hand, and whispered to her, "I love you, Esmeralda.", and Esmeralda blushed happily, "I love you too, Guido.", kissing his cheek, and then they left the room, one of the guest bedrooms, heading for the dining hall.
"Looks like Guido proposed.", Ariel chuckled as she stood on the balcony, obviously hearing the engagement commotion from there as Eric walked up to her. "It seems so... amazing... so many children... so many offspring even after all these years...", she started to tear up.
Eric wrapped his arms around her gently and kissed her on the temple, "Yes, it seems like only yesterday that we were here on your first week of being human, and now, look at us...You're just as beautiful as the day I saw you on the island, Ariel.".
Ariel gave a small smile as she took a deep breath, "Really feels like age is starting to really catch up with us... with every year passing... so many we've known forever are gone... and our children are all grown...".
"We're still going though, Ariel... we've still got quite a few more years to live; to enjoy the twilight of life... and especially our love.", Eric kissed her cheek this time.
Ariel looked at him tenderly, "I love you, Eric.", and Eric smiled, "I love you too, Ariel.", as Ariel kissed his cheek, and they enjoyed the quiet atmosphere while listening to the faint happy commotion from the windows of the dining hall.
Indeed, Ariel and Mira was intent to make Guido and Esmeralda's wedding incredibly beautiful. The royal barge was, once again, sailing on the waters about five months later, and on Esmeralda's 18th birthday too.
"You know you didn't have to go to all this length, we would've been fine with something small." Guido chuckled as he watched the sea with Ariel and Mira standing to his sides; Esmeralda was being taken care by some of the other girls.
"We know, but we just wanted to do it. It's your special day after all, shouldn't have to feel like it's not something spectacular.", Ariel said as she placed one of her hands on his.
Mira then spoke, "And it's my daughter's birthday as well, so why not make it even better than to get married?", and Guido laughed softly, "Fair point. Thank you...", and Ariel smiled warmly, kissing him on the cheek affectionately.
A horn bellowed out, and Eric walked out of the doors, joining them, smiling warmly, "Almost time.", taking Ariel's arm in his, "You look good, son. Just breathe.".
Guido breathed deeply, nodding as Ariel and Eric then headed down the aisle, with the audience bowing their heads in respect to them as they took seats at the front, and Mira patted his arm, "She's going to be a wonderful sight, I promise you, Guido.".
Guido smiled at her gratefully, and another horn bellowed out two times, and then Bascus sang the wedding hymn, vocalizing slowly and deep, as Mira left him, going around the audience to sit at the front, two seats over from Ariel.
Watching the doors, Guido's heart nervously became a battering ram against his chest, trying to breathe deeply, and at another bellow of the horn, the doors opened, revealing Tazio, and there, at his side, escorted by him, is Esmeralda...
In a gorgeous ivory dress with straps, modest yet with flair as there's a train, chapel-length in the back, having a crown of silver, attached to a veil, Esmeralda truly looks so gorgeous which nearly stole Guido's breath away as he couldn't take his eyes off her.
Guido quickly recovered before he could make himself look embarrassed, but he really couldn't help but be stunned by Esmeralda. He watched as she approached and soon was let go by Tazio before she took her place opposite of him. "Sorry if they went a bit all out...", Esmeralda blushed as she whispered. "Our family wanted me to have the best for today.".
Guido whispered, "I think I can forgive them this time...You're truly gorgeous, Esmeralda...", and Esmeralda gave a small, blushing smile at him as they walked down the aisle together, and made it to the podium, where the priest is waiting.
"And you have cleaned up nicely.", Esmeralda whispered back to him as they were up front as he chuckled. "Just save it for a few minutes alright, let's just get through this and we can then truly enjoy things.", Guido said back as the priest cleared his throat for them to stop.
The priest gave them an amused, appraising look for a moment before taking a deep breath and announced, "We are all gathered here on this lovely day, to witness a spectacular sight of those two before me to become husband and wife. If anyone dares object to this, speak now or hold your peace.".
A moment of silence passed, and the priest then cleared his throat, "Then we begin with the vows. If you please face each other.", and the couple turned to face each other, and the priest continued, "Prince Guido, please share your vow.", with a warm smile and nod.
"Esmerelda... I've known you almost my whole life and you can say the same about me... but one thing that I didn't realize during those early years was how much I would come to truly love you, for feelings to grow from simple close friends to a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Esmerelda, you are the most beautiful woman in the world, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our years together as your husband... I love you so much.", Guido strongly announced.
Esmeralda gave a brilliant smile as her tears swelled, hearing the genuine sincerity and devoted love in his vow, and Guido smiled at her lovingly as he squeezed her hands ever so tenderly, understanding how she's feeling.
The priest was nearly choked up, but managed to clear his throat, turning his attention on Esmeralda, "Princess Esmeralda, please share your vow.".
"Guido... you are the most magnificent man that I know. Courageous and gentle at the same time, and certainly the type of man I dreamed of at a young age that I hoped would be the one I could call my soulmate. And I was right... we've known each other for so long and for quite some time, we knew we were the right ones for each other. I love you, Guido.", Esmeralda firmly and clearly announced.
Guido's eyes brightened, feeling her hands squeeze his hands back, and Esmeralda's tears broke away, and Guido let go of one hand, gently and lovingly wiping the tears away, and she beamed happily at him.
The priest choked up momentarily and clearing his throat to regain his composure before taking a deep breath and spoke firmly, "The rings, please.", and Guido smiled, taking the rings out of his pocket, giving the groom's ring to Esmeralda as he held the bride's ring.
"Prince Guido, do you take this woman, Princess Esmeralda, to be your wife, to be there for her through highs and lows, to share in tribulations and joys, and to love her as long as you live, to the end of your days?", the priest asked clearly.
Guido smiled brightly as he slipped the ring into her finger, proclaiming strongly and clearly, "I do.", and Esmeralda smiled happily, her heart swelling up in joy and love.
"Princess Esmeralda, do you take this man, Prince Guido, to be your husband, to be there for him through highs and lows, to share in tribulations and joys, and to love him as long as you live, to the end of your days?", the priest asked as Esmeralda nodded.
"I do.", she smiled. Esmeralda gently slipped the groom's ring into Guido's finger, and they shared loving looks as they squeezed their hands together.
The priest then announced, "Then before the eyes of God and Poseidon, vested by me, witnessed by all of Tirulia and Atlantica, I then pronounce you, Prince Guido and Princess Esmeralda, as husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.".
Guido leaned forward to kiss her on the lips while she wrapped her arms around him and let him take the lead as their lips met and the crowd erupted into an applause.
For a few precious moments, Guido and Esmeralda felt like the only two people in the world as they kissed lovingly and deeply, and they eventually broke away for air, smiling as Leo pounced over to them, barking happily as the audience, both on the barge and in the sea, cheered for the newlywed couple.
Guido spoke softly to her, "Happy birthday, Emma.", and Esmeralda smiled brilliantly before whispering to him softly, "And you are my birthday gift, literally.". Guido grinned, laughing as he twirled her happily, and Esmeralda giggled, and then as she landed back on the floor, she looked at him lovingly before kissing him again.
The audience applauded louder as Ariel cried happily, with Eric kissing her on the temple, "It's a happy day for us all...", and Ariel nodded tearfully as Mira was comforting Tazio who was sobbing in joy, "She...she's no longer our baby girl, Mira...".
Mira kissed him on the cheek, "True, but she'll always be our daughter, along with Alexander as well...She is finally a woman, all grown up...", and Tazio sniffled, nodding in agreement at his wife's logic.
And so, the party on the barge was spent happily, with the newlyweds sharing cake, dancing for the first time as husband and wife on the deck, with Bascus and Arcadia contesting each other for the music.
Eventually, it had to end, and so the royal barge returned back to Tirulia, with the newlyweds having several goodbye hugs and some playful ribbing from each other's siblings, and headed on a local sloop, heading for Othonoi.
"Always feels weird sailing away from home...", Guido admitted as he watched the palace shrink more and more the further, they sailed away. "I know it's always to a familiar location, but... you just always get that feeling you might not see it again...".
Esmerelda patted his back. "Don't worry... even worse case, we have the charms, we'll swim back home if need be.", she reminded as he chuckled and kissed her cheek.
Guido exhaled deeply, "Do you think Lucia would have been happy for me?...", and Esmeralda replied, "I honestly don't know...But if it wasn't for her, I would never have you...to be my best friend, my soulmate, and my husband...So, I think if she had let go of everything that saw to make her miserable, she might have been proud of you, and perhaps happy as well.".
"That's what I figured...Either way, I'm glad I'm here...I love you, Esmeralda, and will always be loving you, with my heart and soul.", Guido spoke softly, and Esmeralda smiled lovingly at him, "I love you too, Guido, with my heart and soul, forever and ever.", leaning up to kiss him.
Guido held her firmly as he relished in the kiss, and Esmeralda wrapped her arms around him, deepening the kiss as she moved closer against him, shaking her hips subtly, and Guido moaned as the motions is driving him crazy...
Esmeralda whispered sensually, "Wanna head down below? I don't want to wait those few hours...", having known that her parents and his parents waited torturingly long on those trips to the island for their honeymoon, but Esmeralda...She has a feeling that Guido has a secret wish to take her on a ship while sailing...
"Well, I guess we'll have to make sure the crew stays above for sure...", Guido chuckled as she rolled her eyes, "Then give the order so we can finally sate this ache we've been having for so long!".
Guido nodded, "As my princess wishes.", with a smile, and he then gave the order to all the crew, and the crew nodded, respecting their captain's orders, as he is their comrade and friend, though they were amused yet playfully joking in quiet whispers to their crewmates, and of course, happy for their captain.
Esmeralda followed Guido down below to the captain's quarters, and as in tradition, carefully, of course, Guido picked Esmeralda up bride style, carrying her through the threshold, and the door closed, securely locked as Guido looked at Esmeralda intensely, "Please tell me that this doesn't have layers!".
Giggling, "You're in luck there, my captain.", Esmeralda spoke, "And the buttons are few.", showing her open back, "I couldn't reach the ones on the lower back, could you please?", with a sensual smile.
"Of course.", Guido smiled as he went right to work helping her with the last ones. "Surprised you could breathe with how tight this looked on you.". Esmeralda chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, it may have looked snug, but I was pretty comfortable.", she told him.
Guido nodded, "That's good to know...Mom and Mira truly went all out...", as Esmeralda took off the silver crown, as earlier, some of the staff took away the veil and train back at the palace, and she giggled softly, "They wanted me to be comfortable and beautiful at the same time...After all, they knew the best...".
"You are beautiful, Emma.", Guido spoke softly as he finally opened the last button, and Esmeralda smiled bashfully as she then slipped the gown off, and Guido widened his eyes as she turned around to reveal her nude breasts, yet still in her underwear.
Esmeralda whispered softly, "Turns out the bra did make it too snug...Luckily, the gown supported them just perfectly...", blushing as she looked at Guido, and Guido was speechless, awestruck for a moment before whispering, "I was wrong earlier...You are gorgeous...", reaching his hands up to her breasts, but stopped just before them, looking at Esmeralda for permission.
Esmeralda gave a small nod before he touched them and caused her to moan as his hands gently caressed while he had a finger rubbing against her nipple, the sensations already driving her wild.