Story: A Touch of Color in the Gray
Book 1 : Shading the black.
Date : July 25, 2021
Beta: Lucky's-Dice
Fandom : D Gray Man
Disclaimer : No, I do not own D Gray Man and I am not making any profit from this story.
Summary : After waking up in the 19th century, Ennaël took the name Eve, became the companion of Tricia Kamelott and decided to make her own opinion on the charac ... people of this new world despite her knowledge of the manga. Little by little, she became aware of the difference in social codes for women of this time and began to fear for the future, especially when Road, the twins, Allen, Tyki, The Earl, Lulubell and Skin Bolic arrived little by little.
While trying to flee the Earl, Eve meets Victor Hugo who gives her a lot of information on the holy war before dying. Eve discovers she has a strange talent for musical instruments and wonders with horror if she could be the 14th. It doesn't help that the Earl has discovered her talents and seems to be more and more interested in her.
She then argues with Tyki who fails to kill her with his Noah powers, begins a correspondence with Conan Doyles and again nearly dies of Tuberculosis. And since things always come in threes, she once again avoids dying by falling into an icy lake after having celebrated Christmas with the Noahs. Yeah, not her best year. But the next will be better!
Kof ...
And in the last chapter : Tricia and Sheryl kind of oblige Eve to marry Tyki. Ho, also, Eve is somehow the Earl's daughter now…?
French version: ...FINISHED !
English version: A moment of silence for Lyra, AxZi, Koneko, Nouilleverte and Fluffyluffy our wonderful past-Beta (... I'm going to think there is a curse)
Fanart: You can see drawings of Eve and some fanart made by readers on my Tumblr (Ennael too). Also, Elogane made a canon side-fic but in french, It's "Nuancer les sentiments"
Italic: french, important thought (or both)
Hey, guess what ? It's wedding time ! I hope you're motivated because Eve is really not X')
Good Reading !
Sunday May 1, 1887: Wedding day
Even though marriage was the main topic of my days at the mansion, somehow I was still surprised when it finally arrived. In my defense, it looked more like a distant goal than an impending event and the daily lesson routine hadn't helped that impression. But what was to happen, happened two days before the actual ceremony: everything got underway.
The reality of the matter surely dawned on me when the Earl canceled one of my afternoon lessons so that we could go to the church where the wedding would be held. It was the largest and best decorated in the area and although it was not the one in London where we usually went, it was still impressive ... more so with the Cross of the Black Order proudly enthroned below the stained glass windows. It's weird but I got so used to living with the Noahs that I forgot the fact that I was in a story and seeing the cross felt like a punch.
At least I had the answer I had asked myself over two years ago now: Yes, the Noahs were, totally on purpose, going to churches controlled by the Black Order. I had seen other places of worship since that first time and many had the simple traditional cross instead of that of the Order, so there was a difference.
But anyway, Adam had shown me the place and explained the ceremony in detail. The priest who was going to marry us, a paunchy old man with a kind smile, had told me what to do and not to do on D-day and it was with my head full of instructions that I returned to the manor all that to find out that Tricia would be arriving the next day at noon to help me get ready. The news had not helped my foul mood and if Lulu the cat had not chosen my knees to purr that evening in the small living room, I would surely have spent the night practicing magic in order to get comatose the next day. Wonder if she knew...
Tricia wasn't very… happy with me. My little revenge with the twins had turned out to be a little more damaging than expected. According to Tyki, who had indeed come to spend the night at Campbell Mansion, Tricia had literally screamed when she saw Jasdevit. Usually so calm, her cry had echoed throughout Kamelott Manor, bringing back running Sheryl and the servants. Tricia then forced the twins to wash their faces all to find out that some of their makeup was actually tattoos.
She had passed out dry.
"Don't send her that kind of surprise anymore." Made me promise Tyki before leaving. "I'm not sure she can take it and I really don't want to take care of Sheryl… Even for revenge, that's too much." He said dramatically and I rolled my eyes violently at his words. With his bullshit, I ended up married at 21, a consequence that lasted a lifetime here so taking care of your brother a little bit was nothing like it. Luckily I knew it was a humorous attempt to ease the mood between us but I was still too uncomfortable and it was with a shy wave of my hand that I let him go.
All that to say that it was with a knot in my stomach that I took to breakfast the day after the visit to the Church. Despite my small revenge, I didn't want to argue with Tricia… I liked our friendship and I wanted it to be like it was before. I had to admit it: I was afraid of confrontation.
It was therefore a pleasant surprise when the Earl told me that I had no more etiquette lessons and that he would like to show me something.
Following him oddly after breakfast, I smiled a little as we walked into his study: a lovely warm room very different from Sheryl's desk.
"Here." He smiled as he handed me a book he had retrieved from his drawer. "I think it's very much in line with your ideas while giving other interesting points of view."
" Florence Nightingale's Cassandra ?" I read in surprise before looking up at him. "Wasn't Florence Nightingale a nurse?" I asked, the information coming out of my lips without really remembering where I had heard it. "I didn't know she had written a novel, I never heard of it." And that was really curious because over the last couple of years Tyki had gotten into the habit of bringing the latest bestsellers back to the mansion for us to discuss.
"She never published it, you'll understand why when you read it, but she gave me a copy due to our old friendship and the book reminded me of you when I reread it recently." He smiled sweetly before his lips took on a more hesitant curve. "Maybe it will help with more personal matters as well."
Oh.
Was he talking about Tricia ?
Obviously he knew about our quarrels… Tyki's letters, twins, and tales hadn't really hidden our argument. It warmed my heart that he was trying to mend our friendship and I couldn't help but give him a beaming smile in response.
"Also, I wanted to give you your wedding present." He said happily, all solemn atmosphere vanished, taking my hand to place a large brass key on my palm. "I have transferred to your name a charming little house in France which I think you would like." He chirped and it was with a little pat on the shoulder and a beaming smile that he accepted my embarrassed thanks. "Why don't you take the rest of the morning to read a bit? The next few days are going to be hectic, I'm afraid." He added as he sat down at his desk to work and I settled into one of the comfy chairs by the fireplace.
And he was only too right unfortunately… I was barely halfway through the book and… Yes, about the book, I understood why she had never published it, her visions on the place of the woman were deeply avangardist and endangered the place of the man. It was strange to think that Adam was friends with a woman like that and that he had found her ideas relevant enough to read, think about them and give me her book. It's like he's telling me, in a way, that I wasn't alone in my thoughts, that I wasn't wrong with Tricia. Maybe I was reading too much in his gesture, but suddenly I felt like I had found a shoulder to lean on. Even with Tyki I didn't dare discuss my revolutionary visions too much, not because he wouldn't accept them but rather because he was rather indifferent to them and I didn't want to bore him.
Uh, anyway, all that to say that I was barely halfway through the book when Mahulda (my inevitable shadow this past month) came to warn us that the Kamelott family had arrived at the mansion. Taking a deep breath, I closed the book and left Adam's heartwarming study to follow him downstairs. We had barely arrived in the lobby when the entire Kamelott family poured out the doors, Adam welcoming them with a big smile as I imitated my older sister and silently stood behind him.
"Eve." Tyki greeted casually before a disapproving look from Sheryl pierced him and he gave me a hand kiss while rolling his eyes.
Smiling slightly at his idiocy, I had to fight to keep it on my lips when Tricia approached me, Sheryl already deeply engaged in a conversation with Adam now that greetings were over.
"Eve!" Road shouted, throwing herself at me before her mother could open her lips. "I missed you! It's been so long!"
"Glad to see you too, Road." I smile, hugging the girl back. And it was true. Road had been as much a constant as Tricia over the past two years and unlike Tyki who liked to be away from the mansion for a long time, I had never left Road for too long. In fact, with all of Tricia's naps, I was even wondering if Road wasn't the person I had spent the most time with…
"Hello Eve." Tricia finally spoke in a neutral voice and I returned her greeting in the same tone, my fingers digging lightly into Road's shoulders. "Let's go into the small living room, we have a lot of things we need to discuss." She added as she walked over, Lucie, Road and I behind her. What followed was a very long discussion, barely interrupted by a light meal taken directly on the spot, about the wedding. The tone was sustained and terribly neutral on both sides as if we were afraid of relaunching the little war that had intervened in our letters. It was difficult though.
Terribly difficult.
Of course, there were some things that didn't really matter, like the choice of ladies-in-waiting. I really didn't have anyone to propose to, so I didn't care to know that my first lady of honor would be Lucie then my second Tricia and finally four other young ladies of the nobility that I had never even met. Tricia was annoyed because usually married women (like her) or widowed (like Lucie) should not be bridesmaids but besides the fact that I did not know anyone, anyone else would have noticed my way of acting that there was a problem with the so-called younger daughter of Duke Campbell. Tricia had therefore decided to bend the rules a little to take charge of my marriage and make sure that it goes otherwise, in good conditions. All those things that I should have done as a bride like invitations, choosing the dresses for the bridesmaids, planning the reception had been organized by her and now all that remained was to sort the gifts of weddings, to check my knowledge of the nobles to come and to make sure that I had not forgotten one of the many traditions that I should follow to the letter.
The ribboned white gloves that I was supposed to send to each bridesmaid the day before the wedding were already packed and ready to go, the ring was also in Lucie's hands and the gifts for the guests were neatly waiting in a box.
The problems had arisen when we began to review the course of the ceremony itself. The "I want it" was expected and even though it wasn't true, I had made up my mind to say it over a month ago now. No, it was the second part of the oral contract that I had trouble swallowing.
It would seem that at that time, the bride had to answer the priest's second question with "I promise honor and obedience to my husband"
Suffice to say that it immediately put a bad taste in my mouth. Especially when Tricia had started explaining to me what it meant to her with a fervor and a tone of voice that implied that she was directly quoting someone: "These words are an essential part of marital duty. After all, a man's love is authority and a woman's is obedience. " She said and it took all my self-control not to start an argument again. Instead, I let her keep going without saying anything, preferring to drink my tea in silence. It was just words, I could say them. I wasn't even a believer, it's not like this marriage had any value to me so I might as well do whatever they wanted so they would leave me alone afterwards. It was no use arguing with my "family" just to be proud of not having said three words.
But all the same ...
Clenching my jaw, I remained passive for the rest of the sermon, mentally making a list of everything I really didn't want to do and would do anyway because the alternative wasn't something I wanted to live.
Honestly, it was a small price for what I got and avoided in return ...
And I had tried, I swear I had tried! But no matter how hard I question myself, put myself in Tricia's shoes, imagine her life, her education, traditions, religion... I just couldn't understand how we could defend this difference in rights between human beings simply because of physical differences at birth.
"Questions?" Tricia finally asked and I blinked, nodding negatively.
"It was very clear, thank you." I answered flatly and Tricia seemed to hesitate for a second but finally she didn't say anything and we went our separate ways.
"Eeeeve." Road crooned curiously, her little fingers wrapping around my arm as I made my way to my room. "Did you and mother have a fight?"
Glancing at her, I sighed. "Not really, we just have very... different opinions on marriage."
"Again? But it's been over a month! Usually you give up a lot faster." Road wondered, and she wasn't wrong. Whenever I've had a difference with Tricia over the past few years, it hasn't even had time to last the conversation or at worst the day that I let it go and moved on. Mainly, it was because our arguments were always on difficult questions like the duty of the wife or the education of the children and that I did not want to impose my views as a woman of the 21st century. I was the crazy one with the disturbing opinions and Tricia was already very kind to listen to them and even think about them sometimes. So usually I would just slip in a word or two every now and then, trying to provoke her thoughts and immediately backed away if angry words began to ring.
But now… "The problem is, it's different this time, her decisions directly impacted my life." I said sadly and Road then asked me why I wasn't more angry with Sheryl or the Duke who had had the final say in my adoption and marriage. "I didn't expect anything from them. But Tricia knows me, she's like my big sister, I have told her more secrets and feelings than anyone else." I was explaining. "I guess I'm disappointed… I wished she would have supported me in my choices instead of sweeping all my fears out of hand and doing 'what's best for me'."
"You should tell her, you know." Road replied after a few seconds of thinking. "It's always you who says communication is the key to a good relationship. I don't think mother realized how she hurt you. It's every girl's dream to get married to a handsome and noble guy and you went from bourgeois to daughter of Duke, it's almost a miracle. From her point of view, you make a spoiled child. "
"I… hadn't thought of it like that." I answered looking at Road with wide eyes. "Being her companion was perfect for me, I never wanted to get married..."
"I know." Road replied, shrugging her shoulders. "But you have to admit that you are the exception. Think about it okay? It would be sad if you stayed mad."
Road's words followed my thoughts the next day through the frantic final preparations for the wedding. They looped around in my head the next night as well. But it must be said, even without my disagreement with Tricia, I doubt I could have slept well. It was the day before my wedding after all and I was definitely feeling very, very lonely. The Campbell mansion was even more in the countryside than that of the Kamelotts and not a single sound pierced the silence of the night, making it even more oppressive. Usually it only took a few seconds to fall asleep and I didn't have time to be afraid. But every now and then sleeplessness would tickle my feet and keep me awake tossing and turning in my bed.
It was no surprise that it had come to visit me this evening.
Unsurprisingly, of course, but very annoying. The next day would be long and undoubtedly taxing mentally and physically. So I needed this sleep. But obviously the more you think about it, the more anxious you become and the more anxious you are, the less you get there. So it was with an angry grim that I pushed my blankets back, grabbed a dressing gown, and strode barefoot down the hall with all the stealth I was capable of. It couldn't have been extraordinary with the Noahs but luckily for me the majority of them were in the other wing of the mansion. Only Adam, Lucie and I had a room in the family wing and Merlin, it should have tipped me about my new status when I arrived here the first time. Wow, I felt like the auction was a century ago… At the same time, it wasn't surprising-...
"Eve?" A whisper, quite audible in the empty hallway, came to my ears and I turned my head to see Adam in the doorway of his room.
"I can't sleep." I answered immediately, suddenly feeling guilty without really knowing why. Merlin, I felt like a kid again, lost as I was, in a nightgown, barefoot and caught in the act.
"It's no wonder." Smiled Adam and I smiled back at him without thinking about it. "Why don't we have a hot chocolate in the living room?" He offered and I followed him immediately. I had no other idea but to occupy my mind when I left my room and… I didn't want to be alone tonight. Usually, loneliness didn't bother me as long as I had my books, but tonight… Suffice to say that I wasn't going to spit on Adam's company… even if it wasn't the father with whom I would really like to be a few hours away from my wedding.
Still, even if he wasn't my Papa, he most certainly behaved like that that night. He made every effort to make me comfortable, suffocating me under the plush blankets and plush pillows (so much so that I wondered if Road or the twins had told him about the blanket fort episode) and drinking too sweet hot chocolate and telling fantastic stories. It was incredibly heartwarming and I quickly forgot my worries as all my attention was focused on the mystery of the redbeard treasure he was telling me. At one point, Lulu the cat even joins us, slipping through the gap in the door before curling up in my arms, leading me to mechanically stroke her, eyelids heavy.
All of this must have helped relax me somehow because it was Road's hand on my shoulder that woke me up the next morning. I was still lying in the living room and Adam was snoring softly in the seat across from me, Lulu curled up in his lap. I felt surprisingly well rested and calm and praised Adam for giving me those few moments, especially when it all went down to hell a minute after waking up.
Me who thought I had finished all the preparations the day before, I was far from the account ... woke up at 6:10 am (10 because Tricia could not find me in my room and had walked the whole manor at the end of her rope before Road found me in the living room) It took two hours of intense preparations, to let myself bathe (to my disgust that they wouldn't let me do it alone), hair and makeup by Mahulda and a small team of shock maids before Tricia accepts that I put on my dress and its too many petticoats. When I was finally dressed to the Marquise's satisfaction, it was almost 9am and I only dreamed of tearing off my too tight corset and throwing up on Tricia's pretty shoes.
Fortunately, I hold back, Road's words from the night before twisting and turning in my head ... So much so that I risked being late on Tricia's too tight schedule to hold her alone in the room and pour what I had on the heart.
"Ho, Eve…" She whispered, that wall of coldness and politeness that we had built between us suddenly collapsing as she stretched out her arms to embrace me in one of her rare physical impulses. "I wasn't thinking… I know you said that… but I thought… I just want your happiness, you know? And I'm sure Tyki can bring you that." She said before profusely apologizing.
It wasn't the indivisible acquiescence I had hoped for, but it was still far better than I had feared. Tricia didn't understand my wishes but she had done all of this for me and when she understood that it had hurt me she had been kind enough to apologize.
Suddenly, I collapsed in her arms, letting my head rest on her shoulders, my weight already greater than hers plus the much too heavy of the multiple petticoats and dresses. It was only out of sheer will on my part that I didn't burst into tears and only because I didn't want to go through an hour of heavy makeup again. I was incredibly relieved and all littleness had left me, leaving only a deep weariness. I was already fed up with this marriage and it hadn't even really started. But hey, it's not by hiding under the blankets that it would disappear so...
"I wouldn't want to let Tyki alone in front of the altar, let's go." I finally responded by letting go of Tricia with a confidence I didn't quite feel.
A marriage in the 19th century, noble what is more, it was quite a story. It started with a traditional breakfast with family and close friends. Which here meant the whole Kamelott family, the whole Belle family and the two remaining members of the Campbells. To this were added, of course, the other bridesmaids (whom I had therefore met for the first time) as well as the groomsmen (and seeing Tyki's fixed smile, he already knew them and was not happy with the choice of his brother.)
At one point Adam called us all cheerfully into the living room where professional photography equipment was set up and a photographer, perhaps from the same practice where Tyki, Allen, and I had been two years earlier, took a family picture.
Obviously Tyki and I were seated in the center, Adam seated to my left, Road on his lap and Lulubell standing behind him sternly. On the other side of Tyki, Tricia was sitting beaming, Sheryl standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder and the twins standing behind us looking strangely serious.
In a way, it was the only thing I had expected of the day. I didn't have many photos from those two years at the mansion, barely enough to realize Road and the twins' real growth spurt and this would be the first of the whole family together. Me included. And it must be said, it clenched my heart a little to feel integrated.
The whole affair was a good appetizer of the real pain that was going to be the day. Not too stiff yet because of the low number of people outside the family but very busy despite everything and when it came to the second tradition, the coaches to go to church, I already wanted to leave and hide in the library. I hadn't yet been able to speak to Tyki (he was also as busy as I was) but considering the number of times I had seen his gaze deviate to the window, I couldn't be the only one craving freedom.
For the coaches, there was a very particular order that had to be absolutely respected and I found myself waiting patiently next to Adam for everyone to get into their cab before embarking on the last one with my 'father'. Perhaps sensing my state of nerves, Adam was quick to start a topic of conversation very, very far from the wedding (Spanish traditions if you had to know…) and it was more or less relaxed that I arrived at the church.
"Ready?" Adam smiled as the cab slowly pulled to a halt in front of the empty steps. Only the bridesmaids and best man were there, Sheryl extremely rigid next to Lucie (forced to be together as first boy and maid of honor) as Tricia happily talked to the second best man. (A little jealousy? Or possessiveness knowing Sheryl…)
"No." I answered honestly, refraining from running a hand through my tight hairstyle. Seeming lost at my overly honest answer, Adam suddenly looked worried before leaning forward slightly and opening his lips. "But it's going to be fine, it's just a piece of paper." I cut him off, clearly trying to convince myself. "It's not going to change anything."
Adam looked a little doubtful but he said nothing, simply patting me on the shoulder in comfort as a servant came to open the door of the cab. Going downstairs first, Adam stretched out his hand to help me and then held out his arm to me. Hesitant for a second, I finally intertwined mine with his and gave him a grateful smile. He had done so, so much for me the last few months (and I pushed the idea that it was actually terrifying, why was he doing that ?!) that I didn't know how to thank him. But… I could already start by using all of these grueling lessons to their true worth and making this marriage go as smoothly as possible.
Resolute, I slowly climbed the steps of the church, infinitely happy that I had prevented Tricia from giving me more than flat heels, and finally made it to the door. In front of us, the groomsmen and bridesmaids positioned themselves as a couple, Sheryl and Lucie just in front of us and the door to the church opened. Over my shoulders I could see the audience stand up and oh Merlin there were so many people. I was so going to fall like an idiot during the way up the aisle, I thought, squeezing Adam's arm more firmly. In silence, the small procession reached the altar, each couple separated so that the men went to one side and the women to the other. Already at the altar, I finally met Tyki's gaze and lowered my head, embarrassed. We hadn't really been able to talk since my birthday, both of us being too busy and it was really weird to finally find him there.
Arriving in front of the priest, I positioned myself on the left as we had repeated, Adam placing himself a little behind me next to Lucie and… I waited. I have no idea if this was normal or not, but the ceremony was extremely long. I knew either way it couldn't have lasted much more than an hour but remained standing, bundled up in six layers of petticoats, listening to a half-Latin mass without doing anything other than pretending to listen, it was long.
I was just shaking my right leg slightly under my skirt to try to remove the stiffness when finally, finally, the most important part, and the moment of my next deliverance arrived. Letting Lucie take off my gloves and Adam take my hands and slip them between Tyki's fingers, I barely managed to hide my disgust. It was clearly a way of saying "I give you my daughter, she is now under your authority." It was like selling an item.
Breathing deeply, knowing that the worst time was coming soon, when literally this time I was supposed to swear obedience, I looked up to meet Tyki's eyes. The Pleasure Noah looked a little tired and especially strangely… apprehensive? Raising an eyebrow in silent request, Tyki pursed his lips lightly before glancing quickly at the priest. Confused, it didn't take long for me to understand his problem when the priest said the next sentence:
"Lord Thibert Tikyano Mikk…" He began but my head had already immediately turned to Tyki who had closed his eyelids with a look of pain clearly visible on his face. Oh Merlin, Thibert? Thibert ?! I was infinitely happy to still have my veil on my face. It didn't hide my too wide smile from Tyki, but the rest of the crowd must have been too far away to see it. "... do you agree to take in front of God, Lady Evelyne Harmonie Campbell for your wife?"
...
Evelyne Harmonie?
"...I want it." Tyki stated distinctly after a short pause.
Holding me back from turning to look at Adam and ask him why he had seen fit to change my name (though judging by Tyki… or even the twins… even Road… Now that I thought about it, everyone had a "noble" name) I stared at Tyki's chin, afraid to laugh if I looked him in the eye.
Thibert.
Pfff ...
"... ano Mikk for your husband?" The priest asked but I was still making fun of names and it took Tyki's hand to squeeze my hand to say a quick "I want it."
Tyki then turned to me, his left hand still holding my right hand as he searched for the wedding rings with his other hand in his chest pocket. Embarrassed by the flowers and his gripped hand, he took a few seconds to find the envelope, his face paling so much that I even believed at one point that he had lost it. Honestly, I was ready to burst out laughing here and now, the whole ceremonial affair damned swearing with the ridiculousness of the moment. But no, luckily for family dignity, Tyki finally pulled out the carefully folded silver paper containing the wedding rings and gave it to the priest. The man took out the rings, blessed them and then gave one to Tyki.
It was indeed an "unfaithful" gold ring, as he had said to me, and a white ribbon neatly tied to the back kept it from falling apart. It would have been funny if it had crumbled between Tyki's fingers when he tried to put it on my finger but no, the ribbon held tight and soon he was slipping it into place on my ring finger as he said his vows.
"I swear to honor and support you," he said distinctly as he pulled the ribbon, untying it from the ring. There you have it, now if we tried to remove the ring there was every chance that it would unravel and we would have to solve the puzzle to put it back.
Taking the second wedding ring, I slipped it onto Tyki's ring finger, swallowing hard before saying the words I dreaded, the ones that would seal the whole thing: "I swear to honor and obey you"
And there it was. It was over.
Or almost.
"I now declare you husband and wife. You can kiss the bride." Then the priest said and I raised my head to look at Tyki with wide eyes. I had… forgotten that part.
Seeing the face of my new husband, he too had not thought of it.
Slowly he raised his right hand to my face, removing my veil, his eyes full of apologies and I only had a second to think. Letting go of his fingers still intertwined with mine, I lifted both hands to cup his face and bring him to my level… before kissing him. Behind me, the crowd made a shocked sound at my initiative and I was pretty sure I'd heard Road whistle and Jasdero yelp. But as quickly as it had happened, it was over and after blinking a few times, clearly surprised, Tyki gave an amused smile and held out his arm to me.
"It wouldn't have been so horrible to do it for real, would it?" He whispered in my ear with a small laugh as I took his arm with a satisfied smile. Not only had I not waited passively to be kissed as the priest's order implied, but in addition… I had not really kissed him.
Did I tell you that I had done theater? Well, at one of the shows my character had to kiss another. Never thought that a theatrical kiss would serve me again but ... life always holds surprises. I just had to quickly slip a thumb between our lips and remove it just as quickly once the kiss was over and it went like a letter in the mail.
After that, all that remained was to sign the marriage register (and there was just a little panic when I realized that I had no idea how to write "Evelyne Harmonie Campbell". French style? in English? Was there some old handwriting that I didn't know? In the end, I tell myself that with the power of Adam or Sheryl, we could always modify it later if I was wrong… it was their fault too, they could have told me that they had changed my name!) go out under the flower petals, distribute the pennants to the guests, smile a lot, chat a little (even though Adam was doing the majority of conversation) then finally, finally! Take a break in a cab that brought us back to the mansion.
This time I was alone with Tyki, the rest of the family and the guests in other cabs. It wasn't… much better than before though. Despite the little quacks during the ceremony, there was still too much baggage between us for us to talk as usual.
"So…" I mumbled after a few minutes of heavy silence before giving him a sly look. "Thibert?"
"Evelyne?" He countered by raising an eyebrow and I muttered not very nice things in my beard while leaning my head against the glass. I didn't know what else to say and although I saw him open his lips several times out of the corner of my eye, he didn't say anything more either and we were soon arriving at the Campbell Mansion.
The rest of the afternoon was once again a maze of events, each more exhausting than the last. While we normally should have gone on our honeymoon mid-afternoon after a late lunch, Sheryl and Tricia couldn't pass up the all-too-beautiful occasion of a Duchess's wedding and had done so, last until the evening. Indeed, despite his lack of activity in high society, Adam was widely respected for his title, his closeness to the crown, and his miraculously flourishing business (I had no doubt that an Akuma battery helped him with this.) So it was no wonder that all of Britain and even Europe were there to nurture their connections.
And so, in turn in the evening I had been introduced to hundreds of nobles of all ranks, to a few princes and princesses from here and elsewhere, to politicians salivating to see even adored artists and still others prominent figures in society. It was at such a point that despite my comfortable little heels, I wanted to throw them in a corner and collapse on my bed. My head was spinning with all this new knowledge and I knew ahead of time that I wouldn't remember anything relevant the next day.
Trying to keep the boredom out of my face, I nodded with a fake little smile at what a chubby old man was saying who, given his uniform, must have been a high ranking soldier. I had not left Tyki all night, clinging to his arm like a barnacle on his rock, being too afraid to let go and find myself in this crowd of false politeness. Luckily for once the very low expectations of women were working in my favor and I was able to just sit there and look pretty while poor Tyki struggled not to insult anyone, Sheryl huffing his neck, ready to jump at the slightest misstep.
Unfortunately, I really, really wanted to go to the bathroom.
Not very glamorous to say that, but I hadn't really had the time since I woke up and it was getting late ... Fortunately I had insisted on a dress much simpler than the ones Tricia offered me or so I would have needed help to get there. Tell me about an awkward moment… Trying to erase the image from my mind, I discreetly looked around, trying to find a way to escape from here. Unfortunately, I was literally the queen of the night and couldn't see how to walk away without being noticed. Especially when I saw dozens of stares fixed on Tyki and me, dog-like looks ready to pounce on us as soon as we finished our current conversation. I was starting to despair, holding myself back from crossing my legs under my dress when I had an idea. Not far from us, a young waiter was strolling, a small oven tray in his hand and it wasn't long before I met his gaze, or rather his eye because the second was hidden behind a tuft of dirty brown hair certainly not Sheryl's approved. Giving him a discreet little sign, he trotted over to us, handing me his tray, lowering his head slightly in respect. Careful to remove my glove to pick up a small petit-four, my hand accidentally stumbled into the tray, sending the cakes flying over Tyki's costume and the hem of my dress.
"Oh, excuse me, I'm so clumsy!" I cried out falsely, startling everyone in our little group. Sheryl narrowed his eyes in my direction and I pretended not to see Lulubell's flat gaze. I hoped, at least, that it wasn't as obvious to the humans in the group.
"Ho no Duchess Campbell, I beg your pardon, I…" started to say the poor waiter and oops, I hadn't thought of him at all with my big plan, I would have to be careful that he didn't get fired.
"No it's me, I didn't have…!" I continued frantically before Tyki put his other hand on my arm as if to calm me down.
"It's nothing that a little water won't wash away, don't worry. If you'll excuse us gentlemen…" Tyki smirked before leading me to one of the back doors to the ballroom. Hesitating for only a second, I motioned for the waiter to follow us, not wanting him to be mistreated for his "mistake" while we were away and soon we were in a small private hallway away from the crowds.
"I thought it would never end! Thanks Eve." Tyki huffed, his fingers unbuttoning his jacket lightly and pulling on his collar to breathe a little. "You're improving, you know, it was even more effective as an excuse than fainting." He teased me before turning around and seeing the waiter behind us. Seeing him stiffen immediately and switch back to his "noble" mode, I hastened to walk towards the waiter with a contrite smile.
"I'm so sorry about this, but I had to get out of here. I promise it won't affect your work." I assured and the waiter blinked, surprised, his tray still in his hands.
"Uh, of course Duchess Campbell…. Thank you?" He said but before he or I could say anything more, Tyki was standing next to me, his hand on my shoulder.
"Thanks for your help, you can come back to the ballroom now." Tyki said with a smile but he looked a little tense and his words certainly didn't sound like a suggestion. The waiter seemed to hesitate for a second, his gaze flying over the many masterpieces in the hallway before bowing and swiftly turning around. Ouch, I really should have thought before doing that, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes… But in the meantime…
"You're not jealous, right?" I asked, incredulously, removing Tyki's hand from my shoulder.
"Of course not." He said, rolling his eyes before rummaging in his jacket and pulling out a cigarette. "He is not a servant of Adam."
"Really? Do you think he took advantage of the marriage for… what? Steal things?" I asked while taking the cigarette out of Tyki's hands before he could light it. "Sheryl is going to be untenable if you smell like cigarettes when you come back." I pointed it out as I tucked it away in his jacket.
"We're leaving tomorrow morning anyway, he won't remember when we come back." Tyki replied, shrugging his shoulders, but he still didn't get the cigarette out. "And maybe, for sure there are some nice things to steal here and with all the temporary staff it wouldn't be surprising if he crept in." Not being able to guess, we both dropped the topic and parted there, arguing about the stains on my dress to finally go to the bathroom in peace.
After our unfortunately too short break, the rest of the evening passed in a total blur. I don't know how many times I had to drink glasses throughout the evening and even if I only took a sip each time, not being a fan of champagne, it still had to make a lot of glasses and I felt a little tipsy. The cutting of the cake and the dancing went by in a blur, a shame because I had waited all evening to be able to taste it. I wasn't disappointed to forget the dance part though. Even though it was a bit of a shame to spoil so many lessons, I was pretty sure I had crushed my new brother-in-law's feet and preferred to be able to plead not remembering it if it came back on the table later. At least after dancing with Adam, Tyki and Sheryl, Tricia seemed to be happy with my participation and she "quietly" took me out of the room, Lucie on our heels. Discreetly, because the moment the girls framed me to take me out, I suddenly had the impression that all eyes were planted in my head and that the conversations ceased. It only lasted a second though and then the door closed behind me and the conversations could be heard resuming.
Looking confusedly over my shoulder, I followed Tricia mechanically to my room where Mahulda and the same maids as this morning were waiting for me. As Lucie and Tricia settled in a small living room, the Marquise looking tired, I let the servants help me take off the dress. After a relaxing bath, I put on a brand new nightgown that looked more like a real dress than pajamas with how much embroidered it had with pearls or lace and joined Lucie and Tricia. Mahulda then proceeded to comb my hair despite my attempts to let me do it and Tricia began to chatter at a bunch of metaphors that took me far too long to understand.
When I did though, I had to hold my jaw back from dropping to the floor because… Was Tricia talking to me about sex ?! Yes, yes, that was it and only then did I understand why everyone had looked at me when they left or why the two women were still there and I had to wear this ridiculous nightgown: It was the wedding night.
Forgive me for not having made the connection before but in the good old XXIth century, especially in my non-religious family, sex was not taboo and it was not something that was spoken with half a word and that we were reserving for the wedding night.
Except here, yes.
The wedding night was something very important. Technically, it would be the first time for the two spouses (even if in our case… ahem) and it was a way of formally concluding the marital contract. I had even read that even before, parents could attend the wedding night to verify that the marriage was well consummated. And to even think of the possibility that… Urgh.
And while I said to myself no, we had everything cleared up with Tyki, I didn't need to worry… Still, Tricia's excitement was contagious and it changed automatically, in stress at home. So much so that when Tricia had finished telling me all her advice (very bad by the way, for the most part, it was absolutely not reassuring despite her best efforts, extremely vague and half of the information was false) and Lucie clumsily gave me her arms, I was a real ball of nerves and all I wanted to do was hide in the library. Unfortunately, my two watchdogs gave me no chance and soon there was a knock on the door. Obviously it was Tyki and the two women slipped out into the hallway with one last encouraging smile from Tricia.
Merlin, that was weird.
Both of us standing face to face, we tried to start a conversation but without much success. In the end, we returned to the current problem.
"It's embarrassing… I could still use my powers to go to my room but…" Tyki finally whispered and he didn't need to continue. Even I with my human senses could still clearly hear the whispers in the hallway.
"It's okay, you can sleep here, that's... that's okay. We already had pajama parties with Road and the twins, it's no different." I smile weakly before going to bed. Except it was very different. Already there weren't three excited kids with us and two of us weren't married before that. And no matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise, it was super strange.
Folding over to the right side, praying that I didn't end up in the middle of the bed in the morning like I used to, I felt Tyki settle down on the other side without a word. Really without a word. I don't know how long we stayed like that, motionless like planks of wood, clearly awake but not daring to speak. I felt like my brain was screaming in my head and my heart was pounding so hard under the stress that I had no doubt that Tyki's superhuman senses could hear it. It was even more terrifying. Feeling him move slightly, I pressed myself a little more against the edge, afraid to touch him and provoke… what? The apocalypse ? As if it was such a drama… Ho Merlin he was moving! Damn, I had to ...
BOOM
Getting even closer to the edge, I hadn't taken into account the too slippery silk sheets and ended up crashing to the ground with a loud noise, letting out a too high-pitched sound when the blanket came falling on top of me, having ripped it off trying to keep me from falling.
Oh no. I wanted to die.
Sadly, the space was too small for me to roll under the bed and pretend nothing had happened. I lay prostrate on the floor, the blanket covering my flushed cheeks… or at least until Tyki lifts it, his head protruding slightly from the top of the bed.
"... Eve?" He asked and when I groaned without bothering to move he asked, looking a little worried: "Are you okay?"
"Wonderfully good, Thibert." I replied lightly, desperately trying to change the subject.
Fortunately, it worked. And maybe even too well, because I had barely let his hated name slip through my lips when he dropped the blanket over my face… and threw an extra pillow at me for good measure.
"Hey!?" I screamed outraged, throwing the blanket back at him blindly so I could get up, grabbing the pillow as I passed. And that's how we ended up kneeling on the bed having a pillow fight on our wedding night.
Hey, it was still a physical activity, right?
And when we finally collapsed on the bed, exhausted from the day but holding our ribs with laughter, I knew the wall of embarrassment we had built between us was finally broken.
I struggled to write this chapter soooo much! It was as fun to write as removing a strip of wax… (I don't even know why I struggled this much, I mean, I love to write around historic facts and there are plenty of old wedding historic points in this. But I don't like the finished product at all and it is surely one of those which will change well with the rewrite ... if I am not too lazy.)
Come on, the next chapter will be nicer! : D Guess wich white-haired boy is going to come see us ? :3
Think about letting a review and see yah next 25th!