He added that the lake pearls only further enhanced my beauty. “Thank goodness we made it in time.”
“Indeed.”
These pearls had been completed with Emilie’s cooperation and Gabriel’s painstaking efforts. They would surely become my precious treasures.
“Wibble, you came to see me too?” I asked the slime, who had been silent thus far.
“Gabriel was nervous, so Wibble came with him!”
“I see.” What an adorable reason for the two of them to arrive together.
“For the record, I told it not to tell you that,” Gabriel said.
“Don’t you know Wibble can’t keep secrets?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
The ceremony was fast approaching.
“Let’s go, Fran,” said Gabriel.
“Yes.”
I placed my fingertips in his outstretched hand. Together, we rode a white carriage—prepared just for this day—to the region’s only chapel.
✦ ✦ ✦
Gabriel disappeared inside, while I headed for the area in front of the chapel’s entrance. The long dress and veil made it difficult to walk, but fortunately, I had my bridesmaids, Solene and Emilie, to help me. The two of them were wearing shell-pink dresses that resembled wedding dresses—bridesmaids were meant to look similar to the bride in order to deceive evil spirits targeting her. They would accompany me down the aisle first.
“Fran, you look so beautiful.”
“Thank you, Solene.”
Emilie looked at my wedding dress, adorned with the finished lake pearls, with tears in her eyes. “Lady Francette, the pearl dress suits you perfectly!”
“It’s thanks to you that I’m able to wear it, Lady Emilie. I’m truly grateful.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
Emilie explained that the ogre duke’s territory had adopted Gabriel’s pearl-cultivation technique. Just the other day, they had succeeded in producing new aurora pearls. It was only a matter of time before they reentered the market.
The chapel bell rang, and at the same time, the doors swung open. Majestic pipe organ music filled the air as I walked inside, accompanied by Solene and Emilie. Wibble and the other slimes helped me by lifting the back of my veil and the train of my dress. Solene quietly instructed them to bounce in rhythm with the music.
Gabriel, who was waiting midway down the aisle, held out his hand to me. I thanked Solene and Emilie and parted from them. Hand in hand, Gabriel and I walked down the rest of the aisle, finally reaching the altar, where we would swear our eternal love.
“Gabriel de Griet Slime, do you take Francette de Blanchard for your lawful wife, in sickness and in health, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, to love her, to honor her, and to stand by her all the days of your life?”
“I do.” There was no hesitancy in his voice.
Next, the same question was asked of me.
“Francette de Blanchard, do you take Gabriel de Griet Slime for your lawful husband, in sickness and in health, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, to love him, to honor him, and to stand by him all the days of your life?”
“I do.”
I knew the days to come wouldn’t all be sunshine and rainbows, but I was sure that together we could overcome anything.
The priest turned to the attendees and said, “Should anyone object to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
As the chapel fell silent, I suddenly realized that both of the seats reserved for our fathers were empty. Gabriel seemed to notice too—disappointment clouded his features for a brief moment. However, his sharp, formal expression quickly returned.
No one objected to the marriage, so the ceremony ended there. Once we were outside, the attendees showered us with flower petals. Among them was a familiar face: my father. Apparently he hadn’t been able to arrive in time for the ceremony itself. His attendant, André, was standing behind him, but there was also another man with them who seemed to be around the same age as my father. Could it be...?
“Gabriel, do you know who that man is?!” I asked.
“Yes, he’s my father.”
My father gave Gabriel’s father a firm push on the back. Gabriel rushed forwards at the same time and embraced his father.
“Father, where have you been all this time?!” Gabriel exclaimed.
“I’m sorry, Gabriel... I’m truly sorry.”
Thank goodness he made it in time.
When the detective had reported that he had been unable to locate Gabriel’s father, I had written a letter to my own right away. I had known that it was an unreasonable request, but my father had a vast web of connections, so I had hoped that—if he really put his mind to it—he might be able to find this elusive man.
My father had written to me frequently with progress updates. The last letter had come a week ago, and in it, he had reported that he might have tracked down Gabriel’s father. Since they hadn’t attended the ceremony, I had given up hope, assuming that he had failed. I’d never expected that they would turn up late.
However, not everyone was sure to be happy about this reunion. I scanned the sea of guests and spotted my mother-in-law watching the father and son embrace, an exasperated look on her face. She didn’t seem angry, though, much to my relief.
“Father, welcome back,” said Gabriel.
“Thank you. Sorry I’m late for your wedding.”
“Extremely late, you mean.”
The two chuckled among themselves, their touching reunion marking the completion of our wedding at the chapel.
After that, the residents of Triste were invited to the reception party. As the theme of our wedding, they were our honored guests. I was overjoyed to see them eating to their hearts’ content and chatting excitedly.
“Look, Gabriel,” I said. “Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves.”
“Yes, it’s like a dream come true.”
This was exactly the wedding we’d been hoping for.
✦ ✦ ✦
The banquet with the residents was very lively. The children were elated to be able to eat all the sweets they wanted, while the adults enjoyed the delicious cooking and wine.
The slimes performed a celebratory dance for us. Apparently they had been practicing for quite a while, with Wibble leading the group. I couldn’t have asked for a more adorable show. Musical performers and acrobats had been invited to the reception too, and the event ended in high spirits.
The day had passed in the blink of an eye. I was soaking in the bath Constance had drawn for me and reflecting on the joyful wedding ceremony and reception. The greatest happiness, though, was the fact that I had finally become Gabriel’s wife.
Stepping out of the bath, I donned the pure-white chemise that had been prepared for this night. Wearing just this was embarrassing, so I slipped a dressing gown over it.
My husband was already waiting for me in the bedroom.
“Gabriel?” I called out to him.
“Yes?!”
Apparently I had startled him. Perhaps he had been in a daze after everything that had happened today.
It was my first time seeing him with his hair down. I reached for his hand and found it to be freezing.
“Your hand is so cold,” I said. “Are you all right?”
“I...may be nervous.”
“I see.” Having just gotten out of the bath, I was still warm. I decided to wrap my hands around his to heat them up as we talked.
“It seems that you found my father, Fran. Thank you.”
“Was I meddling too much?”
“No, not at all! Um, I’d been prepared to scold my father if I ever laid eyes on him again, but when I saw him in the flesh, my joy took precedence.”
Apparently, since leaving Triste, Gabriel’s father had led a life of abstinence, which included never drinking so much as a single drop of alcohol. He’d been working at an orphanage on the outskirts of the capital.
“He apologized to my mother as well,” Gabriel said. “She seemed oddly content when I saw her last.”
“That’s good.”
“He also promised to visit again. I’m thinking of seeing him in the capital too—will you come with me when I do?”
“Of course!” I hadn’t thought Gabriel would be so happy about reuniting with his father. It had been worth working up the courage to take action.
“So many people gave us their blessings today. It was truly touching.”
“I feel the same way.”
Years ago, when my sister’s engagement to Prince Mael had been broken, I had thought that my life was over. But that wasn’t true—Gabriel had welcomed me as his bride, and our wedding ceremony had been happier than I ever could have asked for.
Gabriel looked at me with a passionate gaze. “Fran—Francette, I will treasure you forever.”
“I’ll do everything I can for you too, Gabriel.”
We sealed our eternal vow with a kiss.
Marriage wasn’t a guarantee of a happy future; it was merely the start of a new life together. What really mattered was how a husband and wife chose to live that life. But regardless of what hardships the future had in store, I knew I could overcome anything with Gabriel at my side. And any joys that came my way, I would be able to share with him as well.
I felt strangely confident in the future. My life would surely be the happiest in the entire world.