The almond was covered in a shiny coat of sugar. It was crunchy, sweet, and savory all at once.
“It’s delicious.”
“Yeah, I’ve never even tried this before, but I really like it.”
“I’m so relieved!” Marina explained that they planned to cook them all in one day, but her mother scolded her, telling them not to rush so much. “So, we started two days ago and kept messing up. We only managed to finish after midnight last night.”
“It sounds like you really cut it close.”
“Yes, I never expected it. Crow here even said we weren’t going to make it in time, so we should call for you in the middle of the night!”
“Captain Ludtink…”
“What choice did we have? It’s not like we know anything about cookin’.”
It seemed the spiky blessing nuts in the basket were something Captain Ludtink had made in a hurry. None of the other guests were touching those ones.
“I’m actually curious how you managed to make them so spiky.”
“Strange, isn’t it? All he did was dip the almonds in sugar like normal, so there was no reason for it. I don’t understand it at all.”
“How mysterious.”
“Y-You guys are gonna pay for this!”
Zara and I burst out laughing, hearing Captain Ludtink’s favorite line come out at a time like this.
“Thank you, Mell.”
“What for, Marina?”
“For teaching us about these blessing nuts.”
She told me that the guests were thrilled with the treat. They were shocked to hear the couple themselves had made them, but that only made everyone more eager to try some.
“They don’t look as nice as the ones you made, but we put our heart into them by doing the cooking ourselves. We wouldn’t have been able to see so many smiles if we simply gave our guests something we purchased. It was hard work to get it right, but a sense of accomplishment has filled my heart.”
I was just glad to hear she was satisfied. I was also proud that a traditional Fore Elf treat had put smiles on the faces of these city residents.
“Mell, Ahto, I hope you enjoy the reception.”
“Thank you, we will.”
After that, the lovely reception went by in the blink of an eye.
Captain Ludtink prepared a carriage to take us to our home outside of the city. It seemed that Amelia and Charlotte had already left with Sir Aiskoletta. I was very thankful to the great hero for looking after them.
Our carriage traveled through the silent streets of the royal capital. I could barely even see Zara inside the dim passenger car. Yet, despite the darkness, I felt strangely calm. I didn’t even want to turn on the magic stone lantern.
I let the events of the day play again in my mind. It had all felt like a dream.
“The wedding was so lovely, don’t you think, Zara?”
“Yes, it was.”
Captain Ludtink and Marina had looked so happy. It felt like an even more joyous occasion having known them since they were first engaged.
“At first, I was a little sad. I thought that Captain Ludtink might turn into a different person once he was married…”
“But it doesn’t look like he’s gonna change a lick.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
I knew we could count on Captain Ludtink to keep being the same bandit leader we were used to.
“Husbands and wives stay together for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and they share both their joys and their hardships,” Zara repeated the wedding vows to himself.
“I think they’re lovely vows,” I said. “If you’ve struggled with worries all on your own, it’s wonderful to be able to share them with someone once you’re married.”
This concept didn’t exist in Fore Elf culture. To us, weddings were a means to have children with magical energy and live a more abundant life. Women and the children they gave birth to were seen as ways of increasing the village’s workforce.
“I always thought so too, but when you really think about it, doesn’t it sound tough for two people to share everything with each other? Everyone’s emotions fluctuate in different ways. I’ve kinda started worrying that it might be too much for Crow and Marina.”
He was right—different people would see it as either a positive or a negative thing. If you were someone with a lot of concerns, sharing them with a generally unconcerned person wouldn’t be of much help, as they wouldn’t understand what you were going through.
“Most Fore Elves are given a marriage partner from the moment of their birth. But here in the royal capital, you marry the person you love. So wouldn’t it be best to marry someone you can picture sharing everything with, even a life together?”
I’d heard that some people got married early, when their feelings were at their peak, only to divorce a few years later. That probably happened because both parties weren’t on the same page with their emotions.
“I’m sure that even the royal capital has plenty of couples whose feelings and values grow apart from each other. After all, they’re different people who grew up in different environments until one day, they suddenly become a family. It’s not difficult to sympathize with. But everyone in this world makes compromises in their life. What’s most important is to forgive your partner without placing too much pressure on them. I believe that message was hidden amongst the vows they made today.”
“Forgive them…?”
“The more you forgive them, the more they’ll forgive you in return. You don’t have to force yourself to be on the same page as your partner, nor to understand everything about them. You just have to keep forgiving each other for the rest of your lives. I think that’s what it means to be husband and wife.”
“Now that I see what you mean, I totally agree. You’re amazing, Melly.”
“It’s just my own interpretation of those vows, since we don’t have them in the Fore Elf village.”
“No, it’s more than that. I think Crow and Marina are going to be able to forgive each other for the rest of their lives too.”
“Is that so? How lovely.”
The conversation stopped at that point, leaving us with nothing but the sounds of the rocking carriage. I wondered if I’d said too much. Being unable to see Zara’s face in the darkness must have made me extra talkative. But I didn’t regret it either. There was no need with someone like Zara.
Through the windows, there was nothing but the pitch-black forest outside. We would be home in no time.
“Melly…”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you’d be able to forgive me too?”
I didn’t know what he meant at first, but then I realized it went back to what we’d just discussed. That was a question I could answer right away.
“Yes, I think I would.”
“Thanks, Melly.”
I couldn’t see it in the darkness, but I could tell that Zara was smiling at me.
Captain Ludtink and Marina’s wedding had finally come and passed. I felt like I’d gained so much over the past few days as well.
In any case, may the two of them be happy together!