"She asked you to WHAT?!" the flame-haired sorceress was nearly shouting at her traveling companion.
"She asked me to marry her," Gourry replied while cowering at the other end of the table. "Lina, why are you so mad?"
"Mad? I'm not mad, Jellyfish!" Lina paused for a deep breath to calm down before gesturing toward the door. "Are you willing to give up adventuring for... her?"
"Oh, I won't be giving up adventure any time soon." Gourry had gathered enough courage to rise to his feet and carefully approach her. "I'll be fighting for the temple now."
"Fighting? What's a temple need a swordsman for?"
"I dunno. Protecting the temple from bad guys, I guess," he replied with a smile. "Maybe some bodyguard work. What does it matter, anyway? I'll be working, and I'll be near Sylphiel."
Lina winced as she felt a twinge in her stomach for the umpteenth time that day. Gourry noticed and immediately became concerned. "Lina? Are you okay? Should I call a priestess?"
He started to put his hand on her forehead, but she suddenly stepped back, slapping his hand away. "Don't touch me!"
He withdrew his hand with a puzzled look on his face. "Lina, did I do something wrong?"
"No! I… I'm… just concerned that Sylphiel might walk in and get the wrong idea, that's all!" she replied nervously.
"Oh, okay Lina." As always, Gourry accepted without having to understand. "But should I call a priestess?"
"No, I'm fine," she lied. She managed a small smile. "Thanks anyway."
"Okay. So, are you coming to the wedding? There'll be plenty of food."
Lina gritted her teeth. "Yeah. Sure. Wouldn't miss it for anything." Another twinge nearly caused her to lose her breakfast, so she excused herself and ran from the room.
Gourry stared after her with a puzzled expression. Maybe it's that time of the month…
The white and red flags atop the Seyruun temple joyfully announced the presence of a wedding ceremony. Flowers of every color dotted the lush green grass of the courtyard. Tall trees stood proud, much like the citizens of Seyruun.
"It's always a pleasure to see two young people make this commitment, to take this important step, in front of friends, family and Ceiphied." began High Priest Balthar. "To pledge their hearts and souls to each other." He paused for a moment before allowing a slight smile. "It's especially a pleasure when I have the privilege of performing the ceremony."
An appreciative chuckle rose from the gathering. Everyone loved High Priest Balthar. He made ceremonies less nerve-wracking for people by his use of humor in the ceremonies he presided over. Not enough to make it a comedy routine, just enough to keep people at ease.
Only one person didn't enjoy the humor. Or rather, couldn't. She sat stone-faced in her seat in the third row, eyes firmly locked on the clasped hands in her lap. She felt a gentle tap on her right arm and turned her head toward the source.
"Lina-san, are you okay?" came Amelia's concerned voice.
Lina Inverse nodded dumbly, then returned her eyes to her hands.
Amelia studied her friend for a moment longer before a male voice next to her interrupted. "She had her chance. She blew it."
Amelia turned to Zelgadis. "How can you say that? All of us knew how they felt about each other."
The chimera looked at her with moderate disbelief. "Can you imagine Gourry thinking to ask anyone to marry him?"
"No, I guess not," Amelia was forced to admit.
"Quiet. They're starting to exchange vows," came Filia's admonishing voice. Zelgadis and Amelia turned to see the dragon girl's stern expression, and quickly quieted down. Filia returned her gaze to the couple in front of the priest, gave Val's egg an affectionate pat, and murmured, "It's so beautiful…"
"Okay," began the priest, "before I being, I need to ask if there is anyone who has any objections to this wedding." He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry, this place is sweltering. Could someone please open a window or two?"
"Yeah. Please?" Gourry tugged at his collar while Sylphiel giggled into her bouquet.
There was a wave of chuckles as an usher ran to open the windows.
Amelia elbowed Lina in the ribs. "Lina-san? Shouldn't you say something?" She elbowed her again. "Lina-san?"
Lina roughly shrugged off Amelia's elbow before returning her gaze to her hands.
"Well, then," Balthar started, "does anyone know of any reason that these two should not be together?"
He looked to his right. People were either shaking their heads or politely waiting for him to continue.
Looking to his left, he saw the princess of Seyruun elbowing a red-haired young woman, who shrugged her off. "Do we have an objection here?"
Amelia's face turned scarlet as she saw everyone in the room, including the bride and groom, staring at her. After a final glance toward the sullen sorceress, she regained her composure and said, "Forgive me, High Priest. Please continue."
"Very well." Balthar turned his attention from the audience to address the groom. "Gourry Gabriev!"
Gourry nearly jumped, startled by the sudden use of his name. "Y-yes sir!"
"Sorry son, I didn't mean to startle you. I just need to ask you a few questions."
"Oh, okay."
"Do you promise to conduct yourself in a manner that is noble and honorable and within the teachings of Ceiphied?"
Gourry never did understand this question, but he remembered the right answer. "I do."
"Good, son." The high priest cleared his throat. "'Scuse me. Do you promise to defend the honor of this woman for as long as you live?"
"I do."
"Okay, one last question and we're done with your part of the quiz: Do you promise to protect this woman for the rest of your life?"
A sudden disturbance distracted the priest. The red-haired young woman had leaped from her seat to the main aisle, and was running for the main double-doors. Princess Amelia followed her after giving the priest an apologetic look. The gathering started to murmur.
"Everyone, please calm down." Balthar used his most reassuring tone. Everyone quickly sat down again. He returned his attention to Gourry. "Do I need to repeat the question, son?" No answer. "Son?"
Gourry blinked repeatedly, lost in a foggy memory. I said I'd protect her for the rest of my life. But who…?
"Gourry-sama?"
Sylphiel's question penetrated the fog. That's it. It must have been Sylphiel.
Gourry looked at his bride, then at the priest. "I do."
High Priest Balthar smiled broadly, and Sylphiel's eyes shone as he turned his attention toward her. "Sylphiel Nels Del Rada, I need to ask you a couple of questions…"
"Lina-san?" Amelia scanned the temple courtyard, but saw no one. "Lina-san?"
Amelia started for the courtyard gates when she heard groaning to her left. As she approached the source, she found Lina curled up, leaning on the opposite side of a tree, out of sight of the main walkway. She sat under the tree where she could see her friend's face. After a moment, she quietly asked, "Why didn't you ask him, Lina?"
"Who?"
"Gourry."
"Ask him what?" Lina pouted.
Amelia allowed herself to lose some composure. "You know what I'm talking about, Lina Inverse. Or shouldn't it be Lina Gabriev?"
"Shut up."
"You've traveled with him for how long?" Recalling Zelgadis' earlier comment she added, "Do you honestly think that it would occur to him to ask you to marry him?"
"I don't care."
"Really. If you really don't care, then why have you been in a mood for the last week and a half? If you really don't care, why are you out here instead of inside enjoying the wedding?" The princess paused for a moment, then threw her hands in the air in frustration. "For that matter, why an I out here instead of inside enjoying the wedding."
"Why are you?"
"What?"
"I said, 'Why are you?'"
"I'm trying to help a good friend."
"I don't need any help. Go away."
Amelia stammered, "B-but Lina…"
Lina finally looked up at the princess with fire in her eyes. "I said get the hell away from me!"
Amelia's eyes widened, then saddened. Sometimes Justice seemed to take it on the chin.
Loud cheers erupted from the temple as Amelia got to her feet. "Okay, Lina-san, she said quietly. "I'll see you later." She then returned to the temple to rejoin the celebration.
Lina Inverse was furious. Lina Inverse felt sick. That bi…No! She couldn't use that word to describe one of her best friends. She was trying to help you! You're the one being a…What's the matter with you anyway?
Lina picked herself up off the ground and returned to her room at the palace. Tears gently flowed as she fell asleep.