Thanks to Miss Maria doing all the preliminary work, preparations for my wedding to Sir Celes were going smoothly.
The dress that she had made for me was pure white. Though there were no set wedding dress colors in Banfield, Miss Maria said that they were all white in her world. The large skirt was covered in extremely extravagant lace, with even more lace and tulle flowing over that in an elegant drape.
But there was one spot of color on my white wedding dress. A big sky-blue ribbon, wrapped around my waist and decorated with flowers. The same color as Sir Celes’s eyes.
“You look great, Lucia!”
“So do you, Miss Maria!” I pointed out.
She blushed and spun around. “Really?”
Miss Maria might have been praising my dress, but she looked a thousand times prettier in her own wedding dress. She’s so cute!
“I really wanted an empire-line dress, but my attendants were all shrieking about how royals need to get married in this specific style. I wish it showed a bit more skin.”
“You’re beautiful as you are. It looks wonderful.”
While my dress was all white, Miss Maria’s was emerald green to match His Majesty’s eyes. The stretchy fabric was covered in delicate embroidery and tiny jewels, sparkling in the light. There was lace just like mine on the sleeves and hem, and it was breathtaking.
“This embroidery is the same as the stuff on your blue dress, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s an ancient pattern — think of it like a blessing.”
If my dress was like those from Miss Maria’s world, hers was from ours. Though the flowers and lace were the same, the designs were quite different.
“Look! Our dresses might be different, but our veils match!” She laughed, pointing to the lace veils on our heads.
“I can’t wear something this splendid when I’m not royalty...”
“Hey, this wedding is for us as the Sacred Maidens. It doesn’t matter who we’re marrying, because we’re the stars! Everyone in the city is waiting to see you, so just enjoy the attention!” Miss Maria chuckled again, putting a hand to her mouth. “Apparently, my collar should be closed, but I got them to leave it open a bit to show off Shiro’s stone. Isn’t it cute?”
The Drop of the Cristallo Sacro and the white crystal lay just above her delicate collarbone. She went on to pout about how they tried to cover her with heavy jewels, but her smile was gentle as she touched the stone.
“Once the ceremony is over, I’m returning home.”
“Yes...”
“But don’t worry, I’ll be back! What if you became a mom before I came back?”
I blinked, surprised. Me, a mother...?
Sir Celes and I would become family after we married... If we were husband and wife, we’d eventually become parents, huh? I’d been alone for so long. Becoming Sir Celes’s family, and having children of our own would be wonderful.
“I hope they’re like you. I wouldn’t want them to be losers like Celes.”
“I’m not having one yet.”
“If you were, I would’ve beaten the snot out of Celes. Tore him limb from limb, even! No, maybe to bits instead.”
“Please don’t tear him up!”
As we were chatting away, we heard bells ringing in the distance. Instead of the usual ringing to tell the time, the chimes were different, announcing the beginning of our wedding.
“Looks like it’s showtime!”
“Let’s go, Miss Maria,” I said, pulling her by the hand.
Instead of following my lead, she suddenly spoke up, “You’re dropping the ‘Sir’ from Celes, right? Do the same with ‘Miss.’ It’s way too formal for friends. Just call me Maria, or maybe Mari.”
“Mari?”
“Yeah. No one else can call me that, just you. It sounds nice! Please? Do it as a wedding present!” She begged, putting her hands together and giving me a wink. I couldn’t help but smile at her cute act.
“Mari.”
“Yep!”
Miss Maria reached out towards me, so I reached back, touching our fingertips together.
“Mari!”
She smiled timidly when I said her name. She looked so happy, the word just slipped from my mouth.
“...Soap!”
Of course, nothing happened. But if Miss Maria thought that Soap was a happy spell, then it was the perfect parting gift.
“Mari, I hope you become happier than anyone else.”
“Hehe, thanks. I really am happy. I’m so glad I met you, Lucia...”
And so, we each headed off towards our new families.