The horn of the ship echoed through the ocean as it sailed onwards with the quiet ambient waves of ocean passing by. It sure was a quiet evening
On the upper deck of the ship was a certain man staring at the ocean with a long look on his face, all riddled with thoughts. His jet black hair swayed with the wind as the cold breeze of the ocean swirled through.
Yet, he was unfazed.
He'd fancy a smoke right about now, but he ran out ever since they boarded from Enchancia
"You're not escaping me that easily"
Suddenly, a smile broke out on his face upon hearing such a familiar feminine voice from a distance. He turned around, and the sight of a beautiful auburn haired young woman in her white sundress was what came to his sight
"If you think jumping on that sea would make me stop coming for you, you're sadly mistakened" she came closer to him and pinched his cheek "I'd jump and swim that sea, just so you know"
The man laughed hearing this. She was his lover.
"What are you doing here so late, Cedric?" she reached out her hand to his cheek
"I just wanted some fresh air is all" Cedric answered
She stood next to him and inhaled the wonderful breeze of the ocean with her eyes closed
"Now I see what you mean" her lips curve into a smile
A round of silence soon followed between them with nothing but the sound of the waves echoing from the background. It gives off a nostalgic atmosphere
The young woman grabbed on to Cedric's arm and embraced it. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they watched the lights up ahead
"Look how far we've come" she said in a sentimental manner as she let out a sigh of relief with that smile never leaving her face. "I can't wait to see the Armadillo has in store for us~"
"Do you have regrets?" he asked out of nowhere
"Nope. None." she answered without hesitation
She turned to him "What about you?"
"Do you have regrets?" she asked this time, still with the smile on her face "Even a little bit?"
With a serious look on his face, he pursed his lips as he looked away.
"In my heart, I know it was wrong to take you." he began, with hints of guilt in his voice "You're a much decorated young woman with a bright future to ahead of you"
She tilted her head, listening attentively to her lover's words
"And all the things we've went through.. the storm and the shipwreck.." he stopped midway
Cedric hesitated, as he raised his head up and looked into her eyes time "It's like the universe's warning of me something that was not meant to be… telling me to put you back"
The man stared at the ground for a split second and shook his head sideways "But still I just can't do it.. I refuse to do it" he hesitated
She caressed his cheek and smiled. Cedric held it, leading her hand to his lips and gave her palm a soft kiss
"I know it's selfish.." he said, holding both of her hands and staring deeply into her eyes "But I dream the universe is wrong.."
"And you're mine to keep, Sofia."
Sofia let out a sigh of relief as she presses her head unto her lover's chest
"I'd give anything just to be with you, Cedric. Anything." she hummed in a soft and somber manner "And if the Universe would frown upon our union, then let us bask the despair in each other's arms"
Cedric wrapped her tight. With his eyes closed, he savored the warmth and love coming from the love of his life.
"I'd never let you experience despair" he whispered to her ear "I'd do anything to give you a better life. That's how precious you are to me"
With her face snuggled by his coat, Sofia merely hummed a sigh of relief with her voice muffled from his chest
"I love you" he whispered unto her once more, holding her tighter
"I love you most.." she responded without hesitation
"It's a beautiful night" he said, staring at the stars up above and the shining moonlight
"It is." she uttered, admiring them as well
He then took off his coat and put it on her bare shoulders
Suddenly, a certain elderly man came up to the deck and approached the couple. It was Captain Dunn, the captain of the ship
"I'd hate to interrupt lad, but there's trouble"
Cedric turned to him "What's going on?"
"Unlike Enchancia, Armadillo has a rather strict immigration policy. Once we reach there, I'd reckon they'd start askin' questions and whatnot" Captain Dunn began
"Now I know you've lived in that place before." The elderly man turned to Sofia with uncertainty "but the lady however"
"I understand." Cedric responded. He looked at the surroundings and noticed the lights were getting closer and closer
"We are at international waters." He said
"We are." Captain Dunn answered
"Wed us."
Suddenly, Sofia's eyes widened hearing that as she looked at Cedric in a surprised manner.
"You mean right here?" Captain Dunn asked
Cedric nodded "I want you to be our witness. I give you permission. That would make her a citizen as well"
He held her hand and looked at Sofia "That's not why I'm doing it" he looked directly into her eyes with no hint of deception whatsoever. She smiled in response.
"I'll have you know that by doing so… you are officially revoking your citizenship Enchancia" Captain Dunn brought up "That also includes her current status as a member of the Royal Family"
"Enchancia don't matter to me anymore, it is no longer my home." Sofia responded in a serious tone."I officially revoke my status and my affiliations to anyone from that place"
"We're never coming back, Captain. Armadillo is our home now" Cedric added as he put his arms around Sofia's shoulder. And just like that, her mood changed and she turned to him with a smile
Captain Dunn hesitated. He's never done this before. But upon noticing the bride's overwhelmed expression, he knew he couldn't refuse
"Alright. Let's begin."
Cedric then took Sofia's hand and got on his knees
"Sofia, I know I don't have much. But for now this is all I can promise you. I will give you and our family in the future a better life and I swear on my word that I will always make you happy. And I will love you always."
Overwhelmed, Sofia didn't even speak a word and just nodded her head in delight
He then pulled out a ring from his pocket and carefully slid it unto her finger. It was something he bought from Dunwiddie before they eloped. But unfortunately, it didn't fit
He tried again, and it was the same outcome
"If you may, lad. Try this." Captain Dunn took out a ring from his pocket and gave it to Cedric
"It belonged to my wife, Sarah. I'm sure she'd be honored" the old man smiled, with a sad and tearful look on his face.
The man eagerly took it and nodded at the elderly man. He slid it unto her finger – and this time, it fit perfectly.
Sofia admired the ring on her finger as she turned to the Captain "Thank you" she said sincerely
Captain Dunn gave a nod of respect "Shall we start the ceremony?"
Cedric stood up on his feet "Let's begin, Captain"
And so, the couple stood across and facing each other with Captain Dunn as the witness. It was decided – right on the dock of the ship they are currently on, is where they will be wedded
"With the honor bested upon me as witness, I hereby pronounce my presence and arrange the union of these two in holy matrimony" Captain Dunn announced "Join your right hands and declare your consent before the law and God above"
Cedric held both of her hands and looked into her eyes with a serious look on his face "I, Cedric, take you, Sofia, to be my wife from this day forward. I give you my word to be good to you in good times and bad… in sickness and in health… I will love and honor you with every day in my life"
Sofia smiled hearing this, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. It was her turn
"I, Sofia, take you, Cedric, to be my husband from this day forward. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and bad. In sickness and in health, to love you and honor you all the times in my life"
Captain Dunn nodded "And with the power bested upon me.. all legal by the laws of Enchancia and Armadillo. I now pronounce you husband and wife.."
He turned to Cedric and tapped his shoulder "You may now kiss the bride"
A smile finally broke out on his face as he reached out for his bride's cheek and they kissed right before the witness with the moon and the stars up above illuminating their union and reflecting on the sea below. Captain Dunn couldn't help but smile seeing how beautiful it was
The solemn sound of the waves added the wonderful atmosphere of their matrimony, with the cold breeze of the evening wind.
Their kiss lasted long, and Sofia didn't want it to end. This moment is better than any grand and lavish wedding a princess would have. Her dreams have finally come true and she officially belonged to the man she truly loves
His name echoed in her thoughts, as a tear finally rolled down on her cheek, remembering the journey they've had together throughout the years
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"Woahh… Mister Ceedric!"
"Mister.. Cedric. Was I saying it wrong before?"
"Thank you for bringing me back… Mister Cedric the Great~"
"I sure have gotten taller, don't you think so too, Mister Cedric?"
"Will you come with me to the ball, Cedric? I'd be more comfortable with you."
"But I don't love him! They keep telling me what's best for me… but I know what's best for me. And I choose you as what's best for me, Cedric"
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"I knew you'd come for me, Cedric. Take me away from here please. I'd go anywhere with you~"
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Sofia returned to her senses when Cedric finally pulled away, Captain Dunn clapped his hands in merriment. Cedric's gaze however stayed on his wife and so was hers
"Thank you.." she sniffled, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes "For fulfilling my dreams.."
"You always wanted to be married on a ship?" he asked her in curiosity, chuckling "Choose another dream."
"I always wanted to be married to Cedric~" she smiled at him playfully "From my dreamy Royal Sorcerer to my handsome Husband. A perfect ending indeed"
"No. It's a perfect beginning, Honey" he whispered softly as his hands sneaked to her waist "Come here.."
Cedric took his wife's lips once more and carried her onto the air. He then spun her around the dock with Captain Dunn entertained with the whole thing. Their giggles and laughter echoed through the quiet ship and seemed to have brought joy and color to the dark ocean surrounding them
And so, the evening had come to a conclusion. Two lovers finally joined in matrimony despite the odds the world has given them. A perfect ending and a perfect beginning at the same time.
Tale as old as time – a story of a union frowned by the world, yet written by destiny. For Cedric and Sofia, True Love loves truly overcomes anything.
And so… they lived Happily Ever After.
~ D~
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"Grandpa, I'm riding a horse!"
Colby cheered, currently on a pony that was galloping through of an open field
"There goes my little cowboy… ha-ha" Cedric cheered in joy as he ran alongside his grandson. Despite his old age, he still managed to keep up
The pony finally stopped after a few while of galloping which Cedric did the same. He panted and caught his breath with that activity he just did
Colby hopped off from the pony and went to him "Are you okay, grandpa?"
"I'm fine, boy. I'm not as active as I used to be" he stood up straight and took off his hat and put it on his grandson's head
The little boy embraced his leg and giggled at him. Cedric chuckled and carried him up to his arms
"Now let's find your parents" he uttered as he went outside of the horse coral and went to the fields of the farm while carrying his grandson
From a distance, a certain man on horseback approached them
"Good Evenin', Boss" Cole, the top farmhand approached them carrying the sack of hays on his horse's saddle "The hay harvest was abundant as usual. Should we ship them to the city today?"
"Make it tomorrow, not like the bundles aren't going anywhere." The old man uttered "Also, prepare the horses. I have to go sign some documents down at the office tomorrow."
"Alright, sir" Cole tipped his hat before running the other direction. Cedric walked to the fields up ahead and the workers greeted him each by each
"What's a hay, grandpa?" Colby asked in curiosity
"It's what horses feed on, boy" Cedric responded, as they stopped midway atop of a hill "That's something you'd have to learn about farm life."
He looked up ahead and the beautiful sight of the entire ranch. "All of this is gonna be yours one day, after all"
"Can I eat hay too? It sounds delicious" the little boy went on "My pony, Mickey, told me it was delicious"
Cedric laughed at this "Hah- you sure do take after your grandmother with these silly animal stuff"
"Talkin' about me, I see" suddenly, an elderly woman appeared between them. Over the years, her auburn hair had turned gray and there were wrinkles here and there. But she still had that look on her.
"Grandma, we we're just talkin' about you!" Colby cheered in delight
"Oh yeah, about what?"
"Grandpa said you used to talk to animals and stuff!"
"Oh really?" Sofia turned to her husband and raised her grey eyebrow "What else has Grandpa been telling you?"
"That you are the prettiest woman he had ever seen"
The elderly woman smiled upon hearing this as she turned to her husband with sincerity
"Well ain't that nice of grandpa" she uttered, giving Cedric a playful leer
"Go run along to your Pa now, dear boy. We'll ride ponies later" Cedric said, pushing his grandson gently
"Okay. See you later grandpa and grandma!" Colby dashed through the grass and went straight to the party up ahead
Now all alone, Cedric put his arms around his wife and stared at the view from where they were at. Their family and friends were having the time of their lives and enjoying each other's company down below at the party
"Some life we had, huh?"
Sofia turned to her husband and hummed "The best~"
She leaned her head on his shoulder as they watched the sunset. It was as beautiful as ever
"Happy Anniversary, My Dear" Cedric kissed his wife in her forehead as Sofia indulged in his warmth "I love you always"
"I'm glad you still remembered.." Sofia playfully jested, making Cedric chuckle
"How could I? You remind me every day!" he bit back
Sofia giggled in response. A moment of silence followed as Sofia found herself staring at her husband.
Throughout the years, Cedric had grown old. His wrinkles enveloped his face and the once white strands on his hair now took over the whole thing
But despite this, those dreamy brown eyes that she fell in love with remains. And it still never fails to make her weak on her knees
"Happy Anniversary to you as well, My Love. You should know already by now how much I love you" Sofia said in a passionate manner, nuzzling his neck passionately, making Cedric giggle
She held on tight, as they watched the sunset in each other's arms.
"And thank you for this life you've given me."