By Zephyria The end of the wedding ceremony was rather scandalous.
To be asked to kiss in front of all the men, women, old, and young, relatives and all. I was shocked when I first heard it, but when I thought of it as a rite to announce to all that this beautiful person was mine, I became as brazen as if I had a Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron mask on my face. I carefully tilted my head, and Ruben, lifting his heels, opened his lips to greet me.
I had been told to merely touch with the tip of my tongue and then immediately pull away, but the sweet breath, enough to entice both bees and butterflies, refused to let me go. I only pulled back when the sound of a child’s laughter seeped between our lips. The hands we held were damp with desire.
Above us, brilliant fireworks burst.
My head and my heart pounded. I couldn’t tell if it was the sound of my heart stirring or the sound of the fireworks. Theodore’s booming voice barely roused my dazed mind.
“By this, I declare to heaven and earth that the marriage of His Majesty Rubel Anti Searon and Her Majesty Mikael Hart Searon is solemnized! I sincerely congratulate Their Majesties on their marriage!”
Waaah, once again, thunderous cheers and applause echoed through the area.
Immediately, attendants dressed in clothes as yellow and fluttering as butterflies, clutching armfuls of bright fabric, leaped onto the platform as if flying. I wasn’t surprised, as I had been informed beforehand, but I was disappointed to have to let go of Ruben’s hand, which I had been holding tightly.
The dancers, mimicking the dance of flower petals, came out and wrapped Ruben in white cloth attached to long poles. Several attendants came out and quickly tore off the seams of Ruben’s clothes, stripped them off, and replaced them with new ones. It didn’t take even a quarter of an hour to have his hair styled again, all his accessories changed, and the crown placed upon his head.
Is Magic something separate? This moment felt like Magic.
Now, Ruben, with the dignity of an Emperor, held the scepter in one hand. I too stood, clad in clothes made of stiffer fabric, even wearing a Cloak. As soon as I properly supported Ruben’s free hand and took my stance, the fabric that had been obscuring my vision like a curtain from high above slid away to the sides.
The path that filled my vision was a rosy pink.
The Virgin Road I had first walked was purely white, but when had it become so densely covered with petals? The petals that brushed against my feet with every step were so soft, it felt like walking on clouds. I walked, looking at Ruben the entire time, and Ruben looked back at me every few steps. Each time I saw his face, filled with the shyness of a new bride and the excitement of a new groom, my heart fluttered, wanting to kiss him once more.
At the end of the Virgin Road stood a Carriage pulled by eight horses. It was a magnificent object, crafted entirely of gold, even the lid. Because gold is not a light metal, I caught a glimpse of several thick mats laid down to prevent the floor from being damaged.
Without time to examine it closely, I placed Ruben in the Carriage and climbed in myself, closing the door. Immediately, Ruben wrapped his arms around my neck. The eyes of the child, who had been smiling so prettily just moments before, were wet. Startled, I cupped his cheek, gently wiped away his tears with my thumb, and asked,
“Was there something that didn’t go according to plan?”
Ruben shook his head, denying it, and did not answer. My heart filled with worry, and I asked again,
“Then why are you crying? On such a joyous day.”
“…Because I’m happy.”
His choked voice made me burst into laughter.
“If you put it that way, I should be weeping uncontrollably here.”
“…No, if you cry too… if you cry…”
“Why?”
“…”
“Because you miss me?”
What could I do? I just kept laughing. Seeing Ruben, whose eyes were so wet, nod his head, I laughed heartily. I carefully dabbed the corners of Ruben’s eyes with a handkerchief. The makeup was so skillfully applied that nothing transferred. Clearing my throat, I spoke tenderly.
“When we are alone, I will show you both crying and laughing.”
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
What wouldn’t I do for you?
If tears don’t come, I can pinch my thigh or slap my own cheek, and I can squeeze out tears any number of times. Is there anything in this world more precious than Ruben’s smile? Promising once more that I would surely cry before him, Ruben smiled again.
The military band cleared the path for the golden Carriage. Behind us, a line of Carriages carrying guests followed. Since it was a path for people to walk, the procession’s speed was not fast. But that too was part of the fun. Holding Ruben’s hand tightly, I wished this moment could last forever.
With Ruben, we opened both sides of the Carriage windows wide and waved alternately to the left and right.
The people who saw our faces, without exception, clasped their hands together and murmured prayers. Most were simple wishes like, ‘Please make our family happy, please continue to lead this Empire well.’ Occasionally, people who were praying for things like ‘Please make my shop a huge success, please let me marry my neighbor Mary’ would get a smack on the back from the person next to them.
Armed Knights on horseback created space between the people. Then, servants followed behind the Knights, walking alongside and handing out snacks or commemorative coins to the people.
Some children, who rarely had the chance to see fine horses up close, begged to ride them. On such a joyous day, few adults would refuse such a wish. The Knights, with generous hearts, would let four or five children ride their warhorses while they held the reins. The children’s parents, seeing this, would place flower crowns on the Knights’ heads and give them flowers, expressing their gratitude.
By the time the street parade ended, the sun had already set.
Ruben and I, having changed clothes again, emerged into the Crystal Palace’s main hall and opened the first dance. Ruben’s elegance was such that he received much applause, even without the elaborate swirling train of a dress. I exchanged greetings once more with the guests who were enjoying the reception, watching people dance and sing in pairs.
Ruben, his face flushed more than usual, smiled brightly. The happiness etched on the child’s white cheeks soothed the beast within me. We walked, linking arms or holding hands. No one found it strange that we acted as if to flaunt the space between us.
And so, the night deepened.
The tired ones began to go to the resting rooms one by one and lie down. The number of people sitting on chairs and whispering quiet conversations grew larger than those dancing. Though Ruben and I, who were known for our stamina, were not particularly tired, Ruben, feigning shyness, leaned his head on my shoulder.
“Mika.”
“Yes.”
“…Shall we go in too?”
“Yes.”
Had the path to the bedroom ever felt this long?
I tried very hard not to let my strides become too wide.
* * *
Originally, the Tapestry hung on Ruben’s bedroom wall was generally of subdued colors. This was so the child, who startled easily due to his keen eyesight, could sleep peacefully. Also, the curtains on the windows were usually thin and flowing. Ruben would wake up quickly when the early morning sun touched his cheek.
However, the bedroom, newly decorated for the newlyweds, was different.
The Tapestries on every wall were embroidered with gold thread on red fabric, making them quite ostentatious. Not just the Tapestries. The fabrics on the large bed were also in warm, pleasant hues. The thick curtains, which seemed to prevent even a sliver of morning sun from entering the room and any sound from escaping outside, somehow made the room feel warmer.
Through the soft lamplight, which gave off a hint of sweetness on the tongue, a round table was visible.
On the tea table were clusters of grapes, wiped perfectly dry, some crackers, and cream. Crystal glasses placed next to the liquor bottle shattered the limited light, scattering it across the table.
Ruben, holding my hand, entered the bedroom and hesitated for a moment before placing one hand on the table.
“…Do you want to eat something?”
“I’m fine.”
“…You’re fine?”
“Yes.”
The child’s plump Adam’s apple bobbed significantly. Seeing Ruben’s shy demeanor, unable to look directly at me, my chest tightened. I unconsciously clenched and unclenched my fist. As Ruben hesitated for a moment and reached for a glass of liquor again, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him.
Ruben’s dark eyes trembled slightly.
But I didn’t want the child to taste liquor today. Hadn’t my parents made the same mistake? I had to try to stay clear-headed, to ensure today would not be forgotten.
But how?
The wrist of Ruben, held in my grasp, pulsed with a strong beat. Because of that, my fingertips tingled, and my mouth grew wet. How many times had I held Ruben in my arms and handled adult matters? We had ascended the same bed more than a hundred times, yet here I was, standing awkwardly at the threshold of the bedroom, feeling impatient, which was quite amusing.
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, I let out a short laugh. Then Ruben covered his face with one hand. Because of that, the tips of his ears, which had turned bright red, became more clearly visible. I looked at him slowly, then, still holding him, I pulled Ruben closer. I kissed each of his cold fingertips.
The startled child took half a step back, then stopped. When our eyes met again, Ruben buried himself in my embrace as if to melt into me. I cleared my throat and asked softly,
“Shall we go to the bed?”
“…Yes.”
We did not separate for even a moment.
Gently supporting and encircling Ruben’s lower back, I walked slowly. It was to prevent the child, who was carefully stepping backward, from falling, but the pounding of our hearts against each other was loud. Was it mine, or Ruben’s? Each time Ruben took a deep breath, his already large chest expanded, making the thin lace hanging in front sway and draw the eye.
Would a butterfly sitting on a flower petal feel this way?
With a soft ‘poof,’ Ruben sat down on the bed. I slid between his spread knees and leaned down. Gently, our lips met. The sigh that escaped his thin lips was so sweet. After stealing a few kisses on the outer part of his lips without a sound, I pulled away, and the child hesitantly leaned back.
It had been a long time since I had seen Ruben hesitate before something.
Should I grasp the golden bedpost, wrap my arms around his neck, or retreat further and lie down completely on the bed? I grabbed his white hand, which was flailing in the air, unable to decide anything, and gently bit and released the tip of his fingernail once more.
“Let’s go a little further back.”
Instead of answering with his mouth, Ruben merely nodded his head a couple of times.
I scooped Ruben up by the waist and laid him down in the middle of the bed. At the same time, the knots of the Canopy tied to the four corners of the bed were simultaneously released. It was fortunate that I could control the surrounding objects without touching them. At this moment, I felt I could not bear to be separated from Ruben for even a second.
Crawling into the space within his body, which was spread wide with arms and legs towards me, I grasped Ruben’s ankles. I carefully removed his shoes. Ruben, being of a good size, had feet that were not small either. Thanks to that, Ruben’s feet fit perfectly into my large hands.
His leather shoes, white and neat like his wedding attire, were white on the outside and red on the inside. It was a mystery how he always wore such things.
There was a time when I had fled without being able to look properly at this child’s feet. Since then, I had waited a long time for this