[A perfectly healthy relationship]
**********
The child made the mistake of being allergic to pollen. The groom wanted small children to throw flowers at people during the wedding. Wolt chose this kid because he looked like a tiny Zen. The other one was a mini Wolt clone.
Darq and Ubir walked up to us and greeted the pair right before Wolt swung his whip at the cowering child.
"Nice whip!" Darq quickly jumped in between Wolt and the child.
"Oh, you like it? It was an engagement gift from my beloved honey badger. It has a special coating that makes fluids slide right off. I've used it several times already, and it's quite ergonomic."
He cracked his whip a few times, causing Ubir to sweat and Darq to laugh nervously. Zen nudged Wolt to signal him to shut the hell up.
"I named it Conversation. A fitting name, don't you think?" He displayed the whip by stretching it taut between both hands.
"Don't be shy, babe. We have nothing to hide from the world! You have been sent from the heavens to complete me." Wolt declared with his eyes closed and arms raised to the sky.
"Woah, nice ring! Can I take a closer look? I need to go and pick out a ring eventually." Darq expertly changed the subject from fervent violence to jewelry shopping.
He held out his hand to request to view the ring, and Zen complied.
"Thank you for the compliment. I had it custom made for Zen at the Capitol," said Wolt with his nose up in the air, "it was one of my many engagement gifts to him," he said with a wink.
Zen gingerly held out his left hand for Darq to examine. Darq reached for Zen's hand—
SLAP!
—Wolt suddenly slapped his hand away.
"Oops, didn't mean to do that!" Wolt quickly said as he snaked his other arm around Zen's waist. Wolt tilted his head and smiled with his eyes closed.
Wolt's hostage leaned into him and let out a nervous laugh, "hahaha...Wolt is a bit clumsy at times; please forgive him."
Yikes.
"It's alright. I should have asked Zen for his permission." Dark awkwardly responded as he scratched the back of his head, "I mean, asked you for permission," he quickly corrected.
"That's right, you wouldn't want people to touch your personal belongings without your consent, right?" said Wolt.
My right eyebrow raised subconsciously at the exchange.
"I bought him his wedding suit as well. He looks absolutely stunning in the white suit. I might have to kill a few people at my wedding who dare to stare at my love." Wolt chuckled as he ran his hand through Zen's tousled hair.
"Wolt, I would like to have a beautiful wedding to celebrate our union. Not a massacre or execution, if that's ok with you, of course." Wolt's victim said with a pitiful smile.
"Oh, of course, my dearest. Maybe I'll have anyone staring's eyes gouged out. During the reception, of course. My black suit will absorb the blood nicely but, blood is notoriously hard to clean off white fabric," Wolt said, and Sheraton nodded in agreement.
"I would like to frame your suit and keep it forever. I already ordered a special case that will also preserve scent," Wolt added.
I've wondered as to why Wolt was so possessive of Zen. I get that Zen was nice and cute, but that couldn't possibly explain the insane levels of jealousy. Usually, it was because of some bullshit childhood story, but it didn't sound like it from their origin story. I've never seen anyone casually threaten manslaughter against people that dare to look at their fiancee.
**********
The purifying magic stones ensured that the air was breathable for the outdoor wedding. We no longer had to take hits from canned air.
It was a Spring wedding in the early afternoon. Rays of sunlight behind fluffy white clouds blanketed the guests with a gentle warmth. Spread down the aisle were white flower petals, all the way to the altar where the groom was impatiently waiting.
On either side of the aisle, guests sat in chairs dressed in white silk set up on the grass. I sat in the front row next to Sheraton and Ubir. Darq went back to the North weeks ago, so he could not make the wedding.
Zen's adoptive family and Wolt's extended family filled the rest of the front row seats. It was nice that Wolt didn't discriminate against commoners, or my crew wouldn't have been able to sit with me.
The music started, and small children dispersed flower petals all over the place. The wind blew the petals into my hair and face. My eyes have been watering this whole time, and now my nose ran like crazy. Not because of the holy matrimony, but because of the damn pollen. My Earth apricot allergy transformed into a pollen allergy when I transmigrated.
Wolt dressed in a long forest green tailcoat adorned with gold. He had a sash across his shoulder like a beauty pageant candidate.
[The Duke celebrating his Duchess's final day of freedom]
My lackeys and I turned around to watch Zen walk down the aisle by himself. Shame that Darq wasn't here. He's probably the only one that could escort Zen down the aisle without getting murdered.
No one made a sound, probably for fear of death. Some guests even had tears in their eyes as they trembled with happiness for the couple.
All eyes were on Zen as he walked down the white aisle. His gold-trimmed white coat matched the beautifully embroidered veil covering his blushing face. The priest began the ceremony once Zen reached the altar. On the altar sat the West Duchess Tiara. The emerald at the heart of the tiara matched Wolt's bright green eyes. He gently moved the veil from his bride's face and rested the tiara on his silky brown hair.
My heart broke as I watched the blushing couple recite their vows to one another.
I've never walked down the aisle despite being married.
We planned on having a wedding ceremony when we had enough money, but it never happened. And now it never will.
Because I killed us.
Without notice, my tears rolled down my face and blemished the fabric of my dress.
If only I could turn back time. I wanted nothing more than to be home and in the safety of his warmth. We never had the chance to solemnly vow to be together before we were parted by death. Looking back at our time together, I knew now that I was fooling myself. I've always wanted to wear an ivory vintage dress. A daughter, mother, and grandmother would have worn this delicate heirloom.
It's all my fault for putting it off.
Someone placed their hand on mine; I opened my eyes, and a blurry Sheraton faced me.
"Stop it. Your hand will get all wet," I shook her hand off mine.
She laid her hand down again, but this time she slipped her fingers between mine and firmly held my hand.
Her calloused fingers interlocked with mine calmed my racing mind and heart.
Luis held my hand like this whenever I was upset.
**********
After a grueling three hours ceremony, I stood up with Ubir's help. After their vows, Wolt cracked his engagement whip at the audience. He challenged anyone who dared to oppose their holy matrimony to a duel. It would end in the opposing party's execution no matter who won, so the crowd dared not even breathe when this happened.
After terrifying the audience, Wolt serenaded Zen with a plastic bad-flute, then followed with a two-hour monologue about their fateful meeting and journey that left me with a potential blood clot in my legs.
"HEY!" a harsh familiar voice rang out.
Urgh. Why is he here?
Someone grabbed my left arm and pulled my body backward before I could respond.
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