The bells rang.
Subaru stood still.
His hands trembled at his sides, hidden beneath the long sleeves of his ceremonial coat. He dug his nails into his palms, grounding himself, forcing his breaths to stay even. The thick scent of incense and flowers filled the grand hall, but to him, it was suffocating.
In front of him stood five brides. Five women, each in an immaculate white gown, each bound to him by duty, not love.
The priest's voice droned on, but Subaru barely heard him. His mind drifted. To Emilia, standing at the far left, her amethyst eyes downcast, her fingers clutching the fabric of her dress as if it were the only thing keeping her standing. She hadn't looked at him since the ceremony began."Emilia…" Subaru whispered.
She flinched. Just slightly.
Then she inhaled, straightened her shoulders, and forced out a shaky breath. "It's okay, Subaru," she murmured. "We… we have to do this, right?"
She was trying to comfort him.
That only made it worse.
A quiet sigh beside her. Crusch. Her posture was perfect, her green eyes unwavering. She was a soldier accepting her fate, not a bride standing before her husband."This is for the kingdom," she said, voice even, steady. "For stability."
Subaru exhaled through his nose. "That doesn't mean it's right."
Crusch didn't argue. She couldn't.
Because she didn't believe it was right either.
Anastasia's gaze was calculating, as always. A polite smile on her lips, but it was empty, a mask of business-like indifference."Well, don't we all look miserable," she mused, tilting her head slightly. "This ain't exactly what little girls dream of, huh?"
Subaru turned to her, studying her face. "You're taking this well."
She chuckled, but it was hollow. "Ain't no point fussin' over what you can't change."
That was Anastasia. Always pragmatic. Always calculating.
But even she couldn't hide the flicker of something in her violet eyes.
Something that said she hated this just as much as the rest of them.
Felt… Felt looked like she wanted to punch someone. Her hands were clenched into fists, her golden eyes burning with defiance."This is bullshit," Felt muttered under her breath.
Subaru turned, and she was glaring at the floor, arms crossed, nails digging into her sleeves.
She looked like she was about to bolt.
"I didn't sign up for this," she growled. "None of us did."
Subaru swallowed. "I know."
Her golden eyes met his, sharp, burning. "Then why are we letting them do this to us?"
He had no answer.
And Priscilla—Priscilla was smirking. She was the only one who looked entertained, as if this whole farce was some elaborate joke meant for her amusement.A soft chuckle broke the tension.
"Oh, come now, Peasant," Priscilla drawled, fingers lazily toying with the fabric of her gown. "You should feel honored. Most men would kill for a harem of this caliber."
Subaru turned to her, his exhaustion plain in his face. "Do you even care?"
She smirked. "Care? No. Find it amusing? Absolutely."
Of course.
Of course, she found this entertaining.
Subaru swallowed hard.
"…Natsuki Subaru," the priest's voice cut through his daze. "Do you take these women as your lawful wives?"
Silence.
A heavy, unbearable silence.
Subaru's fingers twitched. His throat felt tight. He wanted to scream. To laugh. To run.
Instead, his lips moved. "I… do."
The words barely made a sound, but they sealed his fate.
One by one, the brides gave their vows.
Emilia hesitated. Just for a moment. But then she spoke, voice soft, trembling. "I do."
Crusch was firm. "I do."
Anastasia's smile never faltered. "I do."
Felt gritted her teeth. "Tch… I do."
And Priscilla… she laughed. "How amusing. I do."
A quiet horror settled in Subaru's gut.
The priest finished his blessings, but there were no cheers, no applause. Just a series of empty words, binding them together.
Subaru turned his head, catching Emilia's eyes for the first time that day. A silent plea, an apology, something unspoken passed between them. Then she looked away.
And just like that, it was done.
Five wives. One man.
None of them happy.