Once we signed the written oath and were blessed by the archbishop, the ceremony was over. As we waited for the reception to begin, the four of us got a little time to talk alone.
“It ended okay...” Miss Maria whispered, moved. I nodded back.
Since the ceremony was finished, I was officially “Lucia Clementi.” It didn’t feel real yet, but the new silver bracelet on my wrist told me that I had a new family.
“I’m just kinda bummed that you guys use bracelets instead of rings,” Miss Maria sighed as she looked down at her own bracelet. She said that rings were used in her original world, so I understood why she would feel a bit bothered by the cultural difference.
“Is the ring I gave you not good enough?”
Apparently, His Majesty had given her a ring as well, just like in her world. When he pointed that out, she went bright red, trying to make excuses, “No, I don’t mean... Look, I’m just from a different culture, you know!”
It was so adorable, even King Edoardo was grinning.
“Next is our big debut, right? Once we show off the fact that Banfield’s Queen is a Sacred Maiden, I’ll be all ready to go home!”
“Is it selfish of me to wish that you would feel worse about leaving me?” His Majesty sighed. “What do you think, Celestino?”
“Er... No, um...” Sir Celes was obviously flustered, being spoken to by the King.
“Don’t you feel bad putting him on the spot like that? Remember who you are, Ed. You’re the King!”
“I know, but I’d like to be treated just as Edoardo when no one else is around,” His Majesty replied, looking around the empty waiting room.
Seeing the lonely look in His Majesty’s eyes, I thought back to what Sir Celes had told me a bit before he left. Whatever our ranks are, we’re all the same humans. Sir Celes must know what he means by wanting to be seen as “Edoardo” more than anyone.
“You’re right. I think it’s natural to want her to feel as strongly for you as you do for her,” Sir Celes said with a troubled smile.
“Right? It just feels like I’m the only one in love.”
“Oh, no, I do love you. I wouldn’t marry you otherwise, even if it’s only in name.”
“Only in name...” His Majesty drooped disappointedly at Miss Maria’s finishing blow.
“Wa— No, I mean, I’m going home, right? We won’t be living together, so it doesn’t really feel real, right? And...”
“Only...in name...”
“I’m sorry, Ed! I really, really do love you! Cheer up!”
Just as Miss Maria clung to His Majesty’s arm, someone knocked on the door, signaling the beginning of the wedding reception.
✦ ✦ ✦
The hall we were taken to was a different one than the one attacked by the rocs. As Miss Maria and His Majesty entered ahead of us, they were met with applause and cheers of joy. Seeing this, I recoiled from all the pressure, but Sir Celes gently touched my back to reassure me. With his comforting touch, I straightened myself up. It’ll be fine. Sir Celes, Miss Maria, and everyone else is here. There’s nothing to be afraid of!
The moment we stepped inside, we were assailed by a rush of important people. One of them was Headmaster Di Vaio. His deep red robe and mild face were just as I remembered.
“It’s good to see you, Miss Lucia.”
“You as well, Headmaster.”
“I’m sorry for all that you had to go through. Not only did we have to depend on you, but we made you suffer as well. Allow me to apologize for doing something so outrageous to an innocent girl. I hear you’re headed to Blanca after this. I’ve sent some crystals and magical tools ahead for you.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t have...”
“If it bothers you, just think of it as a wedding gift from an old man. I wish for your happiness, Miss Lucia. Sir Dragonslayer, take care of her.”
“Of course, Headmaster.”
After exchanging pleasantries with Headmaster Di Vaio, we parted. The rest of the guests were all nobility, so he and the King of Dal Canto were the only ones I knew. Sir Agliardi was there as well, but I couldn’t see the vice-commander anywhere. Being a noble himself, I expected him to be here as well to represent the knights.
“Um, where is Sir Astorga?” I whispered to Sir Celes.
“He resigned and went home to Calderara before joining a monastery of his own volition,” he whispered back, a sad smile on his face. “He wouldn’t come today.”
I had wanted to thank him for saving me, so I was disappointed that he was no longer in the capital.
“We can drop by Calderara after we visit Hasawes,” he offered.
“Yes, please!”
It would be nice if we could see him, but even if we couldn’t, I wanted to pass on my thanks at the very least. If the vice-commander hadn’t saved me back then, I never would have reunited with Sir Celes.
Once we had greeted everyone, he suggested that we go see His Majesty and Miss Maria next. I gladly agreed, exhausted from talking to all the nobles. However, it seemed that we weren’t joining them for a chat.
“You both are so lucky,” His Majesty teased with a smile after Sir Celes announced that we were leaving.
“I’m sorry, but everyone is waiting.” Sir Celes gave him a troubled smile back.
“Waaaaah... I wanna go with Luciaaaaaa...”
“I’m sorry, Maria. We can go once the banquet is over, so can you just hold on until then? It’s hard for me too.”
“Aww, okaaaay. See you later, Lucia.”
“I’m sorry, Mi— Mari. I’ll be waiting for you.”
She reluctantly let go of our entwined hands as we said goodbye. I understood that the King and Queen couldn’t leave, but was it really alright for us to go?
“We’ve got somewhere else to be, so this was the plan from the beginning,” Sir Celes told me as we left the hall.
Where are we going?