For You, for Me (3)

How much time had passed?

Morning sunlight fell across Linea's face through the attic window. She opened her eyes; they were still wet.

A dream…

She had dreamed something strange.

Theorad and Ashley were walking hand in hand. Delighted to see them, Linea had run after them, but she could never draw closer. However hard she ran, her feet seemed fixed to the same spot.

The two moved farther away, talking and laughing together. Linea tried to call out, but no words came. They looked happy enough without her.

She couldn't find the courage to step between them. In the dream, Theorad seemed unlikely to welcome someone who arrived uninvited.

“…”

Staring ahead, Linea slowly sat up and rested against the headboard. She exhaled, cold and unsteady. Her silver hair spilled over her shoulders, catching the morning light.

She waited for her racing heart to settle.

“Theorad…”

She knew he wouldn't abandon her. He would never order her back to the Great Forest. Hadn't he forgiven her earlier wrongs? That had shown her once again how precious he was to her.

But…

What troubled her was the pity she sensed in his kindness.

Was it right to use his compassion as a shield so she could stay near him? Could she truly be happy while longing for a love that might never be returned?

She bit her lip. Tears blurred the sunlit window.

Knock, knock.

Linea hurriedly wiped her eyes. Havid's voice came from the other side of her door.

“Are you there?”

She couldn't answer. If she opened her mouth, he would hear the tears she was trying so desperately to hide.

Perhaps he understood. Havid knew what she was going through and did not press her for a reply.

“As you know, the ceremony begins at noon. If you don't want to attend, no one will force you. The master and the young lady will—”

“I…”

Linea gripped the blanket.

“I'll decide for myself.”

There was a short pause outside. Then Havid turned and walked away without another word. He felt for her, but she had made it clear she didn't want to discuss the matter.

---

Noon. The chapel hall.

Theorad stood before the assembled guests, trying to straighten his unfamiliar formal tailcoat with hands that wouldn't stop trembling. Every seat seemed occupied. Every pair of eyes made him more nervous.

“Havid. Do I look strange?”

The head butler, who would officiate the ceremony, couldn't help laughing. Theorad was tall and handsome, and the tailcoat suited him perfectly. There was nothing wrong with his appearance.

“There's nothing strange about you. Now, prepare to welcome the bride.”

“W-wait a moment. I'm not ready—”

“Let the bride enter!”

At Havid's call, the attendants stationed by the chapel entrance began opening its great doors.

“Havid…!”

Theorad protested, but the old butler only smiled.

“You can hardly leave your bride standing outside. And you have more important things to do than scold me.”

Theorad swallowed his retort. The man had a point.

He drew a steadying breath and turned.

Ashley entered from the brightness beyond the doors, holding a bouquet and walking beside her father.

A veil framed her face, and her white wedding dress moved softly with her steps. She wore a shy smile.

“Ah…”

Theorad forgot what he'd meant to say.

She was so lovely that the thought came unbidden: if an angel descended to earth without its wings, it would look like Ashley standing here.

He couldn't stare at her forever. Gathering what little composure he had left, Theorad bowed to Count Leonberg as they approached.

“Your Excellency.”

The count stopped a step away, looking solemn.

“I trust you enough to give you my daughter, but there are some things you must remember. Whatever happens in your marriage, never make her cry. And if trouble arises that you cannot resolve alone, don't place unreasonable burdens on her.”

“Father.”

Ashley gave him a reproachful look. Leonberg stopped lecturing, sighed in embarrassment, and extended his hand.

“Just take good care of my daughter, son-in-law.”

“I will. And I hope we will get along well, Father-in-law.”

Theorad clasped his hand firmly. Leonberg felt the young man's determination in that grip and found himself unexpectedly moved.

So he finally calls me Father-in-law.

He had never imagined hearing that from the earnest, rather guileless boy he'd known for years. Time had passed so quickly.

It seems only yesterday that they were children…

Those two little ones, who had once promised to marry, had grown into adults before he quite knew it.

I wish Wellion could have seen this.

His dear friend had died much too early. The thought brought an ache of longing, but there was no time to dwell on it. The day belonged to his beloved daughter and the son of his closest friend.

“Make my daughter happy,” Leonberg said. “And be happy yourself.”

“I'll remember that.”

If there was anyone he could trust with Ashley, it was Theorad. Leonberg gave the younger man's hand a gentle pat and stepped aside with a smile.

Theorad and Ashley faced one another. They exchanged shy, almost conspiratorial smiles.

“You're especially beautiful today,” he told her. “I can hardly look away.”

“And you're very handsome, Lord Theorad.”

She was used to seeing him dressed plainly. In his wedding clothes, he made her heart beat so fast she could barely breathe.

After a moment to steady herself, Ashley came to stand at his side. The two nodded to indicate that they were ready. Havid, smiling as warmly as anyone in the hall, began the vows.

“Now that the bride and groom have come together, we will proceed with the marriage vows. Theorad Deharem, as the groom, please raise your head and tell us whether you are ready.”

Theorad straightened his back.

“Yes. I am ready.”

“Then answer this question. Do you swear to cherish and love Ashley de Pelgaroin, your future wife, with all your heart for the rest of your life?”

“I swear it with everything I have.”

His clear answer rang through the hall. Havid turned to Ashley.

“And Ashley de Pelgaroin, as the bride, do you swear to accept your husband's love, devote yourself to him throughout your life, and show him undying love?”

“Yes. Until the end of my life, I'll look only to my husband.”

“Then let us join your vows with the exchange of wedding rings.”

Havid glanced toward the corner where Beynon waited. The knight stepped forward in a formal suit, looking rather less comfortable than when dressed in armor, though smiling nonetheless.

“Congratulations on your marriage, young master, young lady.”

Beynon bowed and opened a case holding two diamond-set rings.

Theorad took the first one and lifted Ashley's slender hand. The finger that had always borne her engagement ring was bare today. As he slipped the wedding ring into place, he spoke in a whisper meant only for her.

“Ashley, I love you. I loved you before this moment, I love you now, and that will never change.”

The words were simple. That made Ashley all the happier to hear them.

Smiling, she took the remaining ring and placed it on Theorad's finger.

“I love you too, Theorad.”

At their soft exchange, the waiting orchestra began to play. Around them, guests smiled, and Havid raised his voice, his emotions spilling into every word.

“Before all these friends and witnesses, they have pledged their love and exchanged rings in token of that pledge. In the name of Karatias, the god of light, I declare them husband and wife!”

Applause thundered through the chapel. Leonberg, seated nearby, clapped while wiping away tears.

Congratulations came from every side, but the newlyweds scarcely noticed. They had eyes only for each other.

“So now… really…”

Ashley's bouquet shook slightly in her hand. She pinched the back of her other hand as if testing whether she was dreaming, then gazed up at Theorad in wonder.

“Am I really your wife?”

He found her disbelief endearing. Tenderly moving her veil back over her shoulder, Theorad answered:

“You are. It feels like a dream to me too, but don't worry. You're awake.”

“But to think this day would actually come…”

He couldn't bear to watch the woman he loved stand there doubting her happiness.

Without warning, Theorad bent down, slipped an arm beneath Ashley's knees and another around her waist, and lifted her into his arms.

Cheers rose from the guests. Startled by the sudden embrace, she blinked up at him.

“…Theorad?”

He smiled down at her.

“If you'd like, I'll carry you like this every morning. Does it feel more real now that we're married?”

His low, affectionate voice reached her through the applause. After a moment, she rested her head against his shoulder, her face bright with joy.

“Thank you, Theorad…”

Thank you for choosing me.

Cradled in his arms as the orchestra played, Ashley smiled more happily than anyone else in the chapel.