章 330: The Royal Wedding
It was well into summer before wedding preparations could be completed. News of the union was met with varying degrees of excitement. Some believed that the princess marrying a commoner was shocking (of course those people had no idea about the background of the Emperor), while others saw it as a sign that the Royal chose her mate based on his character over his title.
By the time of the wedding, the scholarly scientist was generally accepted as a suitable match for the courageous princess. Not that the couple cared what the world thought, they were far too busy in the throes of young love.
Ahead of the festivities, gifts arrived from every part of the globe. Presents included a baby white tiger, eggs encrusted with precious jewels and even a magical item or two. The nymphs sent a small terrarium of magically cultivated plants with a self-watering spring. Wai had delivered it herself from the great river, startling more than one of the guards who were stationed at the bridge.
The mermaids sent a precious pearl in recognition of the princess and her fiancé. The servant who was helping sort the gifts read the tag aloud to Mairwen, "It is from Darya and the Merfolk." The servant opened the box and showed the shimmery pearl to the princess. "To the bride for her wedding night. May this bring you extra joy in your new union. And please tell your father I said hello. I am still disappointed that he has not responded to any of my communications. I am sure with your encouragement..."
"Stop!" Devrim stood in the doorway of the room with his face pale as a ghost. "Don't read any more of that…"
Rushing from the doorway, Devrim snatched the note and chucked it in the fireplace. He scooped up the hinged box that held the opalescent orb.
"Did either of you touch this?" The Emperor asked quickly. Mairwen and the servant both shook their heads as they gawked at the Emperor's panicked expression. Ignoring their shock, Devrim snapped the box shut. "Hanna!"
The Fate appeared. Her cherubic grin faded as she saw the box and burning note in the fire.
"From the merfolk—a gift from Darya," he explained as he held out the package toward her. "Is it as dangerous as…"
"Worse," Hanna confirmed, her colorless eyes streaking with iridescent lightning. "While the other pearl controlled the observer's pleasure, this one can control passion."
"Can you take it to the…"
"Storehouse? Absolutely. And I will have a not so polite discussion with Darya about boundaries. That lady does not know when to stop." Hanna clasped the container and disappeared with it.
Devrim looked back at the ladies. "Do not open anything else from the Merfolk. Aurora handles all of that correspondence for a reason. Also, if there are any more magical gifts, set them aside so Hanna can look them over. Can't be too careful!"
Fortunately, the pearl ended up being the only questionable gift. The Merfolk had not included any other aphrodisiacs, and the gnomes sent treasure as a wedding present but nothing else. There was a great sigh of relief when everything was sorted.
At last the appointed day arrived. Nobility from all over the land came to witness the blessed event. The largest of the grand ballrooms had been made over to accommodate the large crowd, and even then, some would have to settle for only standing and watching from the balconies above.
Hours before the ceremony began, Renat waited by the front gate in his wedding vestments. His clothing was covered by a servant's cloak with the hood pulled up, as he did not want to be recognized by the incoming horde.
The cloak was too warm for the summer day, and Renat was beginning to regret his choice of attire when he finally spotted his query. Moving perpendicular to the tide of people, the scientist grabbed onto the arm of an older gentleman.
The man, heavily wrinkled from all his smiling while selling his wares, looked startled until he recognized the man under the hood. "Renat!"
"Sh!" the scientist hushed him. "Follow me, father."
Making a serpentine path out of the crowd, Renat led Abod and the rest of his family toward one of the palace gardens. The guards, who had been guiding the guests to the proper places, took one look at the scientist and bowed their heads slightly before letting them pass. The respect was noted by the older man.
When the group of twelve finally made it to a secluded courtyard, they were at last able to talk. "Did you see how Renat just parted those soldiers just like a hot knife through butter. One of them even called him 'Sir'!" Abod patted his son on the back.
Renat pushed the hood off of his head and rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "It is not that big of a deal. It is good to see you, father." He shook arms with the old man.
Renat proceeded to hug his mother, Emese. "How are you?" He asked.
Emese's eyes were weak, and squinting happily at her son, they almost disappeared completely beneath her long, shadowy lashes. "My son is about to marry. How could I be anything but ecstatic?"
Draping a caring arm around the woman, he kissed her cheek. "You left the rehearsal so quickly last night that we did not have a chance to speak. I wished you had stayed at the palace for the night so we could spend more time together."
His mother shook her head vigorously. "The palace is no place for the likes of us. Your younger siblings might have torn the castle to shreds with their antics. Anyway, we were quite comfortable at the inn. The Empress even found out where we decided to stay and sent us a warm breakfast this morning. So thoughtful!" Emese beamed at the ruler's kindness.
Renat welcomed each of his seven sisters, his four-year-old brother, and finally his elder brother, Amaki. As the eldest sibling, Amaki always seemed like he had the world on his shoulders, but today he wore an amiable smile.
"This is a far cry from setting the house on fire," Amaki remarked as he surveyed the beautiful courtyard.
"It was the barn, and to be fair, I did set a structure at the palace on fire too. Everyone needs a hobby." Renat responded easily, easing the tension that was beginning to build.
Amaki laughed, "I am glad to see you have owned your awkwardness. Your confidence will be needed in a place like this."
The men's father broke in with a crinkled grin, "I am very proud of you, Renat. I know we were hard on you growing up. We just did not want to see your scientific dreams crushed by the world. But wow did you prove us wrong! I mean, who would have thought that the young inventor who joined the army as a cook's helper would end up here?"
"I knew," the elder brother said. He looked meaningfully at the groom. "I know you thought we always believed we were too good for you, but the opposite was true. You were meant to do great things. Just don't let this be the end. Make it another beginning."
"Thank you, brother," Renat was touched by the kind words, "I will."
The sun was high over head, and Renat realized he still had many things that needed to be done.
"I must get back, but I will take you two," he pointed to his two oldest sisters, "to get get dressed in your attendants' gowns. Amaki, you come with me to meet the other men—uh males—who will be standing with me."
The scientist called out, and a servant appeared. The thin young woman would take care of all the family's needs and lead them to their designated spot for the ceremony.
"Please, honored guests, let me take you to a sitting room with refreshments until the ceremony begins," the servant offered.
Renat bid his family farewell. "Don't leave so quickly this time. I better see you at the reception," he told his mother as he squeezed her hand gently.
"We won't and you will," she promised with a determined nod.
Renat walked off with his three eldest siblings toward a side entrance of the Castle Valiant. The two girls giggled behind him, enjoying all the sights and sounds that they had been too rushed to appreciate the night before. The scientist was very pleased to see them so happy. He dropped them off at the bridal suite, carefully covering his eyes so he might not sneak a peek.
"Can't even keep away for one morning?" Brinn teased as she caught sight of the young man.
"I am just dropping off my sisters," Renat assured her.
Brinn kicked at the air after him. "You've done your job, now move along!"
Renat stuck out his tongue slightly at the lady. "Careful how you order me around! I may sneak some sneezing powder in your reception dinner. We could always use more entertainment!"
He hurried off before Brinn could retaliate with any of her magic. 'Better to quit while I'm ahead.' The young man noticed his brother's concerned face as he came in stride.
"Who was that you just threatened?" Amaki asked quietly.
"You mean Brinn? She is the princess of the elven kingdom and King Ithel's sister." Renat shrugged like he was talking about the weather.
Amaki nearly dropped to the floor in shock. "So you casually threaten royalty, invent and create weapons that make you a battle hero, study with the foremost scholars in the world, and have managed to capture the heart of a princess…"
"I suppose," Renat could not argue.
"Is there anything you cannot do?" The older brother asked with no small amount of wonder.
Renat gave a depreciating shrug and a small grin. "Plenty." He laid a hand on his brother's arm. "I cannot do the one thing I was born to do. In fact, I have always envied your particular skill in that area."
"You mean keeping the family shop?" Amaki could see where this was going.
Renat nodded. "Yeah, you remember the one day I tried to run it? I sold six necklaces and lost a small fortune on each!"
"I remember," the older brother suppressed a chuckle. It was where the phrase 'sell like a Renat' had been born in their town.
"That was when I knew that I would never be able to sell wares like you and father. I joined the army within the week and left so father would have one less mouth to feed." The brothers were silent for a moment. The sudden transition had been a difficult time for everyone.
Then a smile bloomed on Amaki's face. "It was the best decision you ever made. For look where it got you!" The older brother pointed as they reached the groom's suite of rooms to prepare. "Now, onto your next beginning, preferably without losing a fortune this time. Let's get you married!"
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット