By Zephyria It was said that Hugh Benson had met with the Duke separately for today.
Because the Duke Widrow was the only adult he could consider as a parent in place of his deceased parents, he wanted to marry me, even if it was a simple ceremony, before leaving the Duchy. He said he decided to marry me because, even if I didn’t have intercourse with Hugh, his love for me seemed true.
Marriage.
I was overjoyed at the thought of becoming a family with Hugh, even if we couldn’t have children.
So, I told him several times that I could do anything he wanted and that I desired him every moment. To my words, “I’ll do anything you ask from now on, just tell me how,” Hugh laughed a lot. And he promised me he would do just that.
I practiced putting rings on with Hugh Benson several times. So, I came to know very well what my wedding ring looked like and what procedures I would go through to get married today. Even so, my heart pounded like it did right after a kiss.
Inside the Carriage heading to the Temple.
Duke Widrow, sitting opposite us, seemed quite anxious. She lent us white clothes and allowed us to pick newly bloomed flowers from the garden of Duke Widrow’s castle. Thanks to her, we were dressed in clean white clothes with newly bloomed flowers in our chest pockets. But the Duke kept asking if there was anything else she could do and if this was truly enough, sounding regretful.
She asked the question she had asked seven times before.
“Are you really not inviting anyone?”
“Yes. Well, it feels a bit redundant… I already told you.”
“You’re saying it’s enough with just me? But…”
“It’s sufficient.”
“Honestly, you’re so peculiar. As if I’ve done anything for you.”
“Still.”
Hugh had his hair neatly combed back to show his entire face today. I also combed my short hair several times. I had actually considered parting it to one side, but Hugh had shaken his head with a laugh, saying it wouldn’t suit me, so I didn’t.
The Temple in Duke Widrow’s Duchy was modest.
Most of the people of Withrow were more focused on the work they accomplished with their own hands rather than relying on an unseen god. For the citizens of Withrow, the Temple was merely a place to rent for the cheapest weddings and funerals.
Among them, the small chapel, slightly set apart from the main building, which could barely hold thirty people, had a particularly simple appearance. Instead of Magic Lamps, a few candles were lit, casting a dim interior where the only shining figures were me and Hugh, dressed in white. We stood solemnly below the altar.
There were only four people in the Temple. Duke Widrow, the Priest, Hugh, and me.
Duke Widrow seemed very familiar with the Temple’s altar. How many Knights had she officiated for like this? Every time she squinted with a pleased smile, the accompanying scar added a sense of warmth.
“Elvin Brooks, and Hugh Benson. It feels like just yesterday you two stormed into Withrow with your youthful faces, vowing to protect it, and now here you are, holding hands and envisioning the future. Everyone who knows the brave Sir Brooks and the wise Lord Benson will wish for your happiness. Including me, who is sad to lose two Knights to a neighboring territory at once.”
Hugh and I both laughed at the playful congratulatory remarks. Looking down at us from her high position, she gently urged us to make our vows in a very affectionate voice.
“Elvin Brooks. Do you swear to love only Hugh Benson for the rest of your life?”
“On all the Divinity and honor I possess, I will live my future life for Hugh Benson.”
“Hugh Benson. Do you swear to love only Elvin Brooks for the rest of your life?”
“On all the Divinity and honor I possess, I will live my future life for Elvin Brooks.”
“I decree, in the name of Felice Widrow, the happiness of Elvin Brooks and Hugh Benson, the two most honorable Knights I know. From now on, you two shall protect, support, and love each other as you always have.”
The aging Priest standing beside us, waiting for his turn to bless, nodded with a gentle smile. I looked at the Duke, then the Priest, and then Hugh in turn. When Hugh Benson met my eyes, he chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, much like he often did during our Academy days.
Duke Widrow made way for the Priest. The Priest ascended the steps with a calm expression.
He placed a golden plate on a low shelf on the altar. Then, he poured holy water onto the plate from a very white ceramic pitcher. The clear water that filled the plate shimmered with a divine light, reflecting the golden plate and the candlelight. A sweet Divinity gently filled the space.
The Priest opened his mouth in a calm voice. A faint Divinity lingered at the end of his words.
“As a servant of the First Goddess, I shall convey her blessing. By sharing and drinking this holy water, Groom Elvin Brooks and Groom Hugh Benson shall be bound as one body for the rest of their lives, rejoicing together in joy and grieving together in sorrow, living out their days.”
Hugh and I received the offered plate together. We each touched the rim of the plate. As I held the edge of the not-so-large plate, Hugh’s face appeared very close. Looking into his sparkling, mischievous eyes, I couldn’t help but smile. After taking a few sips, the plate was empty.
With a respectful bow, Hugh and I joined our hands and returned the golden plate. The Priest wiped the plate twice with the sleeve of his clerical robe and set it down silently. His gaze slowly swept over both of us. His eyes were incredibly clear. As if the Goddess herself were watching from behind.
“I declare Groom Elvin Brooks and Groom Hugh Benson to be rightful spouses in the name of the First Goddess. May your future be filled only with happiness, love, and joy.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
As the Priest carefully took away the golden plate, Duke Widrow winked again with a smile.
“Then, shall we exchange rings now? If you have any words you prepared for today, say them now.”
“Ahem. I don’t. Just right away…”
“Hugh.”
I hadn’t been told about this order. So, I wasn’t prepared. However, from the moment I decided to become spouses before the Name of God, there was something I desperately wanted to say to Hugh. It was a word that would be sufficient to whisper when we were alone after the ceremony, but I couldn’t resist the urge to utter it at this very moment.
Taking a deep breath, I looked straight into Hugh’s face, his eyes reddened with surprise, and said,
“Thank you for showing me the world. My world was born and could shine because of you. Thanks to you, I learned there is something more precious than just breathing. You will continue to be a greater love than any god to me, my everything. I like you so much. Truly so much. From now on, until the day my breath ceases.”
“…”
“I love you.”
Then, Hugh, who had been biting his lower lip, let out a laugh. Looking up at me with eyes glistening with tears, he spoke between gasps, his lips trembling,
“…I too. Have liked and loved you… for a long time. Thank you… for marrying me. Let’s live well together from now on. Just like we have been, happily like this.”
“Yes. Let’s.”
Rings settled onto each of our fourth fingers. Duke Widrow clapped her hands, and the Priest also joined in with a smiling face. The kiss of vows was not a deep kiss, but a gentle press of lips, yet it was sweet enough. The hunger that felt like it would last forever disappeared, and my chest swelled tightly.
Now, I know what to call this feeling.
I was happy.
Long, deep purple curtains hung along the walls of the reception room. Perhaps because it was where the Emperor stayed. The ceiling height was greater than in other places. With Magic Lamps illuminating the surroundings, this place seemed brighter and more radiant than the Temple where we were married this morning.
Still, it was cozy and quite nice. Hugh even held my hand on the way back…
However, everyone gathered there didn’t seem to think so. Marianne, her cheeks puffed out the most among the children, repeated the words she had said forty times.
“Traitor.”
“What do you mean, traitor?”
“How could you not invite us to something like this? There are limits to being so heartless!”
“It’s not a big deal. Does getting married change anything? For me or Elvin.”
“Exactly! If it’s not a big deal, why get married without inviting anyone, like a surprise raid!”
Hugh laughed at Marianne, who was shouting indignantly. I laughed along. Strangely, I felt good every time Hugh laughed since a while ago. Just, for no reason. Though it had always been like that.
“Why are you laughing when you haven’t done anything right!”
It was inevitable that we would meet the children when we got out of Duke Widrow’s Carriage.
Blue Star had found out that Hugh and I were getting married while he was in the middle of meditation or something. Blue Star immediately summoned the Emperor and Marianne to ask what was going on. The children, with horns on their heads, waited for us to finish our wedding and return to the Duke’s castle.
Duke Widrow quickly fled, saying she had only done as requested, and Hugh and I were led by the children’s pleas to sit in the Emperor’s reception room. Marianne repeatedly huffed, “Hmph, really, hmph, really,” showing her displeasure. The other children, even if they weren’t exploding with anger, wore similar dissatisfied expressions.
Since they all whined to Hugh instead of questioning me directly, I remained quiet.
“No, it’s my wedding, why can’t I do as I please.”
“But! …We’re disappointed…”
“Ah, why be disappointed. It’s just that I… I didn’t really like weddings that were too happy and joyful.”
“Why?”
Then, Blue Star, sitting in a corner, suddenly spoke up. His pink eyebrows were also drooping. Seeing his contorted expression, Hugh’s face became even more awkward.
“Well… it’s adult matters.”
“What kind of matters?”
“That’s right. Tell us what kind of matters, and we’ll stop being angry. Today is truly a happy day, after all.”
“…Ha, you’ll regret it if you hear it. This is something even Elvin doesn’t know.”
“We will listen.”
“Why? What will we regret?”
“It’s because… the people I wanted to invite have all died.”
“…What?”