Tales of Vesperia: Royal Engagement
Chapter 4: Will You Marry Me? - Part 1
The invites were sent, the decorations were being put into place and the best cooks around Zaphias were brought together to prepare the food. Within a week's worth of time, it was time for the big day in question. It was the day of Yuri and Estelle's marriage. The guests from all over Terca Lumireis were arriving to see this big event.
"Wow. I can't wait mommy!" a boy cried. His mother nodded.
"Princess Estellise...I feel so happy. I'll bet this is the day she's waited for her whole life...marrying the love of her life." the boy's mother thought, sighing afterwards. At Zaphias Castle, in the large beautiful pearl white chapel, the decorations had been finished. Flags symbolizing Dahngrest and Zaphias hung along the walls. Behind the podium up front was a table with many flower vases and candles lined up side by side. Up above was a beautiful stain glass window, shimmering in colorful lights as the sun's rays passed through the glass. Rita was checking on things going on.
"All right. Good. Good. Hey! Where's the ice sculpture? I was told you kooks were gonna have one done by today! Where is it?" Rita exclaimed. She was wearing a beautiful white and red gown stretching down to her ankles with frill trims on the end. She heard Karol sighing nearby.
"Rita? Didn't Estelle ask that you not try and go OVERBOARD today? It's not like this is such a great big deal." Karol said. Rita groaned.
"Whaddya mean it's not a big deal? It is SO! This is Estelle's wedding! And I'm gonna make sure it's PERFECT!" Rita shouted. Raven groaned.
"What Karol meant was that this ain't YOUR wedding missy. You're bossing everybody around like you were arranging your own wedding. This is for the princess, right? So just cool down." Raven said. Rita groaned, wishing that Raven didn't point out everything to her. As Rita walked off, Raven glanced at Karol, spying him in his royal outfit for the wedding. He wore a small light blue tuxedo with a white undershirt, matching color pants and a red bowtie around his neck. He carried a small pillow under his right arm.
"Looking good Karol. Those duds really make ya look the part of ring bearer." Raven said. Karol chuckled, glancing at Raven who didn't even bother changing clothes.
"Well...why haven't YOU changed Raven?" Karol asked "You'll stick out like a sore thumb." Raven smirked, crossing his arms.
"Heh. You forget that as one of Yuri's best men, I can dress however I want. Besides, if I know the folks back at Dahngrest, it's not like they're gonna dress all fancy just because its a wedding they're going to." Raven said. Karol sighed.
~ Tales of Vesperia ~
Later on that day, as the guests for the wedding began arriving, Yuri was seen entering the chapel with Flynn close at his side. Flynn wore a black tuxedo with a black bowtie around his neck as Yuri wore a white suit with a black bowtie around his neck. But as he arrived, he was struggling with the collar on his neck.
"Damn this stupid collar. I feel like I'm being choked." Yuri groaned, pulling at it with his finger. Flynn glanced on at him.
"Yuri...come on. Do you know how long it took me to get you to put that on? Don't complain. Once the wedding is over, you can take it off. I promise." Flynn said. Yuri groaned, glaring at his friend.
"I can understand ME getting all dressed up. But did ya HAVE to go and embarrass Repede?" Yuri asked. The boys looked back, seeing Repede dressed in fancy clothes as well. He wore a small white suit with red trimmings around his collar and a gold collar around his neck. One look at his clothes made the dog whine.
"What? I think Repede looks nice. Estelle thought so too." Flynn said. Yuri sighed, turning back to his pooch.
"Well Repede, let's just get this over with. Then I'll help ya get the monkey suit off. Deal?" Yuri asked. Repede gave a loud bark. As Repede strolled over, Yuri bent down to the dog's eye level.
"And Repede? If I can ask for one small favor, let Estelle pet ya if she feels like it later. This is a special occasion. All right?" Yuri whispered into Repede's ear. Repede quietly glanced at his master, giving a certain glare that he would. Yuri smirked, thanking Repede with a pat on the head. He glanced over at Karol, not spotting Rita at all.
"Hey. Where's Rita?" Yuri asked.
"Huh? Oh. She went to check on Estelle. She'll be coming back as soon as its Estelle's time I guess." Karol said. Just then, the guests started to arrive, entering the chapel.
"Yuri...I guess it'll be time soon. The guests are already starting to arrive." Karol said. Yuri and Flynn watched as people from Zaphias were the first to begin arriving, being shown to their seats by Judith, wearing a beautiful gold dress and Krityan hair pins in her hair.
"There you are. Thanks for coming." Judith said. Among the people entering included Hanks and Yuri's friends from the lower quarter, Sodia, Witcher and the twins Hisca and Chastel Aiheap. Sodia paused to glance at Yuri, quickly noticed by Flynn.
"Sodia...now is not the time to think about arresting Yuri. So please...try and put your past aggresions towards Yuri out of your mind." Flynn said. Sodia groaned, agreeing to Flynn's plea. To avoid fights breaking out, all guests were asked to check in their weapons at the castle doors, stored in a safe place nearby. Judith joined Yuri at his side in greeting the guests as they arrived.
"Well, that should be the guests from Zaphias, right?" Yuri asked. Judith nodded, looking at a sheet of paper in her hand. Later on, the next guests to arrive were the people and mayor of Halure, the mages of Aspio, Teagle's family and some of the few guild members from Dahngrest.
"Looks like folk from Dahngrest are starting to show." Raven said, just noticing Harry arrive. Raven happened to glance at Karol, looking on amongst the guests as if he was looking for something.
"Hmm? What's up Karol?" Yuri asked. Karol sighed.
"Oh. It's nothing. I know I gave an invite to Nan at Nordopolica, but I guess she, Tison nor Clint are gonna bother to show. I should've known." Karol said. But just then, Yuri noticed a young girl walking in and stopping in front of Karol.
"Ex...Excuse me. This is...where the wedding will take place, right?" a girl's voice asked. Karol looked on and gasped, seeing Nan standing before him. Surprisingly, she was dressed in a small white dress with a pendant shaped like her boomerang blade around her neck. Karol started to blush as he quickly tried to snap out of it.
"N...Nan! I didn't think you'd come! Are the boss or Tison here?" Karol asked. Nan shook her head, saying Tison refused to come and Clint didn't even wanna be bothered. She was the only person from the Hunting Blades to arrive.
"Well, it's good to see you anyway. Thanks for coming." Karol said. Nan nodded.
"Th...Thanks. I hope I look okay." Nan said. Karol blushed, talking on with Nan as Yuri watched more guests arrive. He soon saw Kaufman arrive.
"Heh. We meet again Mr. Yuri Lowell. How's our groom to be?" Kaufman asked. Yuri smirked, saying he was doing just fine. Kaufman glanced over at Yuri's outfit.
"I never thought I would see the day that YOU, of all people, would wear a monkey suit like that." Kaufman said. Yuri huffed, looking on with a smug look on his face as he pointed to Flynn.
"Yeah? Well thank this guy for making me wear it." Yuri said. Flynn groaned, turning away as Kaufman walked on. Suddenly, after Kaufman, Yuri saw someone waving their invite tauntingly in his face.
"Excuse us. But we received an invite for this? I hope you'll let us come." a girl's voice said. Yuri looked down and saw Gauche and Droite.
"Huh? Wait. Why are YOU here?" Yuri asked. Gauche huffed, saying the "old man" invited them. Raven smirked, personally showing the girls to their seats. Yuri sighed, crossing his arms.
"Well, we sure have a colorful cast of guests, don't we?" Yuri asked. Flynn nodded, never expecting some of the guests. But the next would be the biggest surprise of all. Yuri and the others gasped as, entering in a red and gold suit, was Duke Pantarei.
"D...Duke? Wh...When did...Why are you here?" Yuri asked.
"Is this not the wedding of Yuri Lowell and Estellise? Hmph. Perhaps I am at the wrong location." Duke said in a cold tone. Yuri quickly shook his head.
"No...no. You're in the right spot. But...why did you come? I thought you wanted nothing to do with humanity." Yuri said. Duke remained silent, walking a few steps forward before stopping and glancing at Yuri.
"I was...a bit surprised to see that humans had truly willingly given up the gift of blastia to save this world from the Adephagos. Perhaps...I merely wanted to see what humans reactions were...to this sort of event." Duke said. He continued on to his seat, surprising Judith as he passed her. Yuri and Flynn quietly glanced at one another.
~ Tales of Vesperia ~
Within half an hour, all of the guests arrived and were seated in the chapel, with the Krityans arriving last. Yuri stood up front with Karol, Raven, Flynn and Repede as the Elder waited as well. Chatter began between each side as they were possibly talking about each side. Ioder watched nearby, reserved a special seat up front.
"I sure hope this works. The people of Dahngrest and Zaphias might wanna tear each other's heads off if things go wrong." Karol muttered. Yuri nodded, having caught a glance at them himself. Suddenly, they heard organ music being played, playing "Here Comes the Bride". Yuri and everyone looked down the aisle, seeing Estelle gracefully entering the chapel. Yuri gasped.
"Estelle..." Yuri muttered.
"Lady Estellise..." Flynn muttered. Estelle was dressed in a beautiful light pink wedding gown with a tiara on her head and a veil around the back of her head. She wore light pink gloves around her hands, carrying a boquet of flowers in her hands. Behind her, carrying her tram, was Rita as Patty led the way by scattering flower petals down the aisle.
"Oh my. Look at Lady Estellise." a royal muttered.
"Wow. So that's the princess?" a guildmate asked. Estelle remained silent as she continued on, stopping when she knew she was by Yuri's side. Rita then hurried to Judith's side on the other side of the stand. Estelle and Yuri looked on at each other.
"Yuri...I'm so excited. I...I feel speechless." Estelle whispered. Yuri smirked.
"Well, just remember your lines for what's ahead. You can't exactly be the one silent as a mouse here." Yuri whispered. Estelle quietly looked at Repede, giggling softly at his outfit. Nearby, LeBlanc and his men stood by, observing the wedding. As all fell silent, the Krityan elder cleared his throat.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bind together these two lovers in holy matrimony." the elder announced. Among the guests, Hanks watched with a smirk at Yuri standing by Estelle's side.
"Yuri...we're so proud of you. If only your parents could see you now..." Hanks thought. As the elder continued with his speech, Karol stood patiently nearby with the wedding rings on the pillow in his hands. He was constantly noticing Nan quietly looking at him, who would quickly turn away at the first sign of being noticed.
"I...I can't help but think...Karol looks kind of cute like that." Nan thought, blushing from cheek to cheek. Judith was seen having a telepathic chat with Ba'ul, waiting outside the castle.
"Yes Ba'ul. It's going great so far. I'll tell you all about it when its over. Be patient." Judith whispered. Soon, it was time for the rings. Karol approached Yuri and Estelle, presenting the rings as Yuri took them and slipped one on Estelle's finger. Estelle almost started to cry.
"Whoa. Not yet Estelle. Save the water works until AFTER the "I Do" part." Yuri whispered. Estelle quickly wiped the tears from her eyes as they turned back to the elder.
"Do you, Yuri Lowell, take Princess Estellise to be your lawfully wedded wife for as long as you both shall live?" the elder asked. Yuri smirked, turning to Estelle and holding her hands.
"I do." Yuri said, making Estelle lightly gasp.
"And do you, Princess Estellise, take Yuri to be your lawfully wedded husband for as long as you both shall live?" the elder asked. Estelle started to sniffle, beginning to cry again.
"I...I do." Estelle muttered. Yuri smirked, as did Flynn. Rita couldn't help but shed a tear also. Everyone looked on quietly, amazed to see a man from the guilds and the princess of Zaphias about to be binded in matrimony. Some even began believing that this was a true sign that Zaphias wanted peace with Dahngrest. Duke quietly looked on amongst the crowd.
"Before I pronounce thee, are there any among you who oppose to these two being wed? Then speak now or forever hold your peace." the elder asked. All was silent as no one said a word. Yuri smirked.
"Oh. Thanks everyone. Your "speechless silence" makes it all convincing." Yuri teased. Some people lightly chuckled at Yuri's joke. Yuri smirked, saying he was kidding, before turning with Estelle back to the elder. But just as he was about to prounce them married, they heard a knight posted at the chapel doors cry in agony. Some of the guests gasped.
"Wh...What the?" Flynn gasped. Everyone quickly turned back to watch as the doors to the chapel were blasted clear off their hinges in a giant explosion. The guests screamed as Yuri ducked down with Estelle, avoiding the doors as they crashed behind the podium.
"G..Gah! Who...Who DARES disturb this wedding? Show yourself!" Rita screamed. As the smoke began to clear from the doorway, a shadow was seen slowly walking up the aisle. And appearing from the large cloud of smoke was someone that made Yuri gasp. It was Zagi, staggering in with two mechanical arms on his body. His hair was a mess from their last battle, also having a large tear in his suit.
"Oh no...not him." Yuri muttered. Zagi laughed insanely, eyeing Yuri with a twisted gaze in his eyes.
"Yuri Lowell! At last...after all this time searching...I finally FOUND you!" Zagi yelled. He laughed as Yuri saw both his daggers in his hands. But soon after, Zagi looked behind him.
"HEY! He's in here!" Zagi cried. As he turned his gaze back to Yuri, more surprising faces appeared behind him. Next behind Zagi was Magistrate Ragou, wearing the same black robes in which he perished in.
"There you are! You're the ruffian that tried to KILL me!" Ragou exclaimed. The guests gasped, turning to Yuri, who looked on in shock. But the shock only continued as next to appear was Cumore. He was dressed in his knightly armor.
"Yuri Lowell...so here you are you beast. This time...This time you will PAY for what you did to me!" Cumore cried, drawing his sword. But it would not stop as Barbos suddenly appeared next.
"Heh heh heh. Well, well...look who's still alive. Thought for SURE you would've been sent to the gates of hell alongside us punk." Barbos said. He was dressed in his garments from after his battle at Ghasfarost, marked with multiple tears and wears across his suit. He carried a large menacing version of his blastia enfused blade in his left hand. But then, as if it would not get worse, Raven gasped as he saw Yeager soon arriving as well.
"N...No! What's going on here?" Raven asked. Yeager snickered, clapping his hands. He carried his large weapon on his back as he was seen in the same garments as to their fight at Zaude.
"Bravo everyone. Bravo. How wunderbar it is to see you all again, ja? Hope you don't mind us...ehh...crashing the party." Yeager said. Gauche and Droite gasped.
"Y...Yeager?" the girls asked. Yuri groaned.
"How...How are you all HERE? How could you all be alive? You all perished during the events with the Adephagos!" Yuri exclaimed. Suddenly, there was a menacing laughter, almost quickly paralyzing Estelle with fear. Zagi and the others stepped aside to let in Commandant Alexei, chuckling as he strolled into the chapel. He wore a scruffed suit of armor, similar to the one he died in atop Zaude. With Alexei present, they were all noticed to be wearing strange grey collars around their necks and stared on with cold dead stares in their eyes.
"N...No! Co...Commandant Alexei! That's impossible! You should be dead!" Flynn exclaimed. Alexei laughed.
"You would like to believe that, wouldn't you? No. We are all very much indeed ALIVE. And since we're here...we'd thought we would drop in and spoil your little festivities." Alexei said with a sneer. Duke quietly looked on at them.
"This cannot be. These beings...I sense death within their breathing words. But...how?" Duke thought. Alexei suddenly drew a False Dein Nomos from behind his cape, raising it in the air.
"Oh no. This can't be good!" Yuri thought. Alexei laughed.
"Now...Yuri Lowell, Princess Estellise...and all those who DARE to associate themselves with you...it is time for your judgment according to the vengeful souls of hell. Your lives of peace and prosperity end here. It is time...to DIE!" Alexei cried. Zagi laughed as he and the others came charging towards Yuri and the others. The other guests began screaming in fear and hurried out of the way as the villains attacked.
TO BE CONTINUED...