Chapter Text
Terrestrius, first of his name in his family, and only son to Lord Volos of the Willowglade, did not give up easily.
No, he most certainly did not.
Not when he was working hard to help manage his father's checkbook, or when he tried his hardest to groom his horse so he had the shiniest coat, and most certainly not when pursuing someone he loved.
Lady Claudia of Katolis was different. Terry had never really taken an interest in anyone at the social seasons before, and he hadn't thought he would in his third year either . But when the woman took an unlucky tumble during her presentation to the monarchs and landed right in the middle of his arms, he felt a strong connection to her. Somehow.
In hindsight, the two were lucky to meet. Terry hadn't been able to see her very well from where he was standing in the throne room, as his youngest sister was standing on the tips of her toes so she could see all of the women dressed to the nines as they walked down the carpet (even though she was already in front of everyone). Terry hadn't moved her because he knew how excited Daisy was to begin her own social seasons, so he quietly watched from the back, content with his place.
From his vantage point, he couldn't see that Claudia had faltered, not even once, during her presentation. She had done well. Terry had hoped that his younger sister, who was already in her second season, would do as well as she had. But then Claudia had stumbled backward, ruining her chances of perfection.
Daisy had squealed and bumped into one of Terry's other sisters, eager to get away from the falling mass that was Claudia. Terry had been shoved forward by someone's elbow, catching Claudia in strong arms. It had been a reflex; he really hadn't meant to save her. But she needed help, and it would be awful if she ended up sprawled out on the floor, so Terry acted on a moment's whim.
He couldn't have known how that one moment would have changed everything.
They locked eyes--a deep emerald gaze matched with Terry's dark brown one. And suddenly, nothing else mattered. Terry felt as if he could get lost in those eyes forever. He hardly even heard the gasps and whispers around him as he gently helped her onto her feet.
Claudia had been blushing, out of embarrassment, Terry guessed. But he had been blushing out of affection. Claudia had given him a short nod and gone back to her backward walk, staring straight ahead until the doors of the throne room closed around her.
Terry hadn't had time to ask if she was okay. Thankfully, the kickoff ball allowed him to do so.
He had hoped that Claudia had been uninjured. She could have sprained her ankle, and then she wouldn't be able to dance.And then, well, she would get even fewer suitors than her prospects already allowed. (Which, wasn't any, probably, but still.)
Since it was the kickoff ball, Lord Volos had allowed Terry to mingle around the party area , in lieu of helping his blind sister, Poppy, around. Poppy was a year older than Terry and had no prospects to show, so Terry was happy to help her and talk her up to any eligible man willing to listen. She deserved her happy ending, even if she couldn't dance, sew, or perform most of the mundane hobbies girls in the social seasons had.
So there he was, on his way to join the circle of his friends that he had seen when he happened to spy Claudia with her brother a few feet away. They were watching the dancefloor, neither of them having been on it so far to Terry's knowledge. His lips drew low in a small frown as he watched Claudia look longingly at the floor. And then Terry got an idea.
He really had to check up on her, right? And she was gorgeous; how was nobody dancing with her? Alright, then. He would.
He quickly made his way over to Claudia and her brother, the latter being pulled by the former over to the refreshments table. He had stopped both of them dead in their tracks with an inquiry, and Claudia had turned around and gasped. Did she feel the same way as he did?
He asked if she was okay after the fall. Claudia admitted that, yes, she was fine, and then asked his name. Terry, he answered.
It was awkward. It was so, so awkward. But then Terry asked her to dance, and she accepted, and they entered the dance floor hand-in-hand. Maybe this was it. Perhaps he had found his match.
But now, Claudia was engaged to one of Katolis's princes. She hadn't been Terry's true love after all.
And that was okay. But there was something there , he knew it.
So he stayed close to Claudia. Even though they couldn't speak, he made sure that she would see him at least pass by.
Countess Sarruma had been a welcome distraction from Terry's attachment problems. She was pretty, with two moles on the side of her cheek and curly green hair that she liked twisting around her finger. Terry could see himself settling with her if no one else. If he was so hopelessly desperate, but he knew that wouldn't be fair. How could he marry Sarruma while his heart lay elsewhere? It wouldn't be fair to her.
So Terry watched as Claudia went on promenades and dates with Prince Callum. Fates willing, they would be together. Maybe.
***
Karim nodded to the servants holding open the doors as he slipped out of the highly decorated ballroom. He had seen Miyana leave approximately an hour before and had waited until there was a switching of the guards so their plan would remain inconspicuous. With a final gaze at his sisters, Karim turned his tail on the ball and walked quickly back to his rooms, his heart pounding.
He had just left the annual mock ball held every year by a duke or duchess. It was an affair that his sister Khessa positively loathed attending. The servants and generals who weren't part of the aristocracy would switch places with the nobles for a night, in which they would have the time of their lives dancing and twirling around in the dresswear that had been provided for them. The true royals and nobles , on the other hand, would be relegated to wear shabbier clothing made for those who served rather than enjoyed the festivities. Karim didn't think much of the ball, but it was a fantastic excuse for him to get married.
Miyana was no doubt waiting for him in the castle gardens, where they would be met by the Sunfire High Priest, Pharos. Deeply loyal to Khessa and the kingdom, Pharos was Khessa's right-hand assistant on any matter that included Lux Aurea, or the Sunfire kingdom as a whole's, wellbeing. He didn't advise her on political issues or those regarding the social season, but he was still an invaluable aid. He was also a wonderful gift-giver as well , as Khessa had been wearing the set of citrine jewelry he had gotten her for her birthday everywhere.
But enough thoughts about Pharos. Karim needed to hurry down to his room and change into his best clothing. To keep the ceremony as small as possible and as not to raise any suspicion, the prince of the Sunfire elves hadn't commissioned any wedding clothing for himself. Instead, he had settled on a flowing white shirt accented with his family's crest in red, with golden pants and his nicest boots. It was his best outfit aside from ceremonial garb.
Katolis Castle had been redesigned three hundred years ago with the social seasons in mind, giving each royal family their own space , as well as having floors dedicated to the nobles that attended every year. The result was a sprawling building with plenty of stairs and hallways adjacent to the castle with drawing rooms and bedrooms for each family. However, since Karim was a prince, he resided in the actual castle itself and not the space designated for the nobles. His bedroom was on the fifth floor along with his sisters', purposely placed on the same level as General Amaya's room for Janai.
As he turned a corner and walked at a brisk pace up the two flights of stairs to his quarters, he nodded at every guard in the hallway. Well, those who weren't lucky enough to get the night off , at least . There still needed to be some protection for the aristocracy. Finally, he made it to his room, amongst the hallways filled with red and gold carpets and old suits of armor that would be useless against any sort of attack.
He gave a brief smile to the guards who opened his chamber doors, narrowing his eyes down at the floor as he walked inside. Once the doors were closed, he sprung into action.
Rifling through a drawer for his pants, he stretched a hand out to open the large mahogany wardrobe that had been set out for him. He almost missed Lux Aurea's quiet golden charm--everything he owned there was sheathed in gold. It was almost strange not seeing anything sparkle at all times.
Finding the pair of pants he wanted, Karim threw them onto the bed and gathered the shirt from his wardrobe, closing both it and the drawer once he was done . Slipping the Sunfire servant's robes off of himself, he dressed in the more delicate items of clothing, jumping to get his boots through the holes in his pants. He really should have taken them off first. He sighed and opened his wardrobe again, finding the boots he wanted.
Once he was sure he had completely finished dressing and had made sure that his appearance was still fresh for his soon-to-be wife, Karim sighed as he mentally prepared himself for his wedding. In short of an hour, he would be married to the love of his life until the day one of them died. His heart pounding with the feeling of passion, he smiled and walked over to the headboard of his bed and pressed one of the rough, granite-colored stones above it. Karim stepped back from the bed and allowed the wall to swing open, which he climbed through and pressed the same stone for it to close once again.
He snapped and a small flame erupted from his hand to sit on his palm. He had discussed how best to escape to the gardens with Miyana multiple times before his clever fiancée had suggested a secret passageway. The only problem was that Karim didn't know of any secret passageways in Katolis Castle, but it wasn't hard to find them if Prince Ezran told you how to do so.
Karim liked Ezran enough for the boy to speak to him whenever they were in the same room together, which would now become more frequent as Amaya and Janai were engaged. Once Miyana had expressed her secret tunnel idea, Karim had gone off and managed to bring the passageways up carefully in a conversation with the young prince, who giddily explained how to find them. Not every room had the passageways, but thankfully Karim's did so he didn't have to search for them. Miyana had managed to find a passageway along one of the halls behind a suit of armor where she could get outside to the gardens.
Karim slowly stood up, using his open hand to brace himself on the dusty, cracked wall of the tunnel. He held his palm full of fire out in front of him and coughed lightly as the dust from the door settled, and started making his way through.
Crack .
Karim snapped his head upwards as the sound of someone else in the same space as he filled his ears. He instinctively clenched his hand before holding it out again to make the flame dance and grow bigger, just in case he was in a dangerous situation.
"Who's there?" he asked harshly, squinting to see in what little light there was. No answer. He held his palm out further as he continued down the tunnel, hearing nothing but the sound of his own quickened breathing and footsteps.
"I should warn you," he said. "You are dealing with one of the best mages in all of Lux Aurea. Show yourself or suffer the consequences."
Not a sound could be heard as Karim let the flame fizzle out in his hand. A moment later, he summoned a large lick of fire that shot out and scorched the ground. Not hearing anything else, he lit the flame in his palm once more and continued down , hoping that whoever or whatever was there with him had been properly scared and would leave.
He couldn't risk anyone seeing him and Miyana. It would cause a scandal amongst the Sunfire royal family, not to mention make the nobles wonder just how worthy their ruler was, even though Khessa had nothing to do with the relationship. Karim would be fine if worst came to worst--but Miyana would suffer the consequences. She would no doubt be stripped of her rank and title by his older sister, and while Khessa wouldn't execute her, thankfully, Miyana would live in shame for the rest of her life. That wasn't including how Oya, Miyana's older sister, would be affected. Khessa would most likely fire her from her job as a Six Horns general for familial relation to Miyana, and then what would she do?
Oya was married to the youngest brother of King Florian, Andreas, but thankfully no problems would arise due to her discharge from that family. Del Bar's royal family was only permitted to marry nobles from their kingdom, so they exiled Andreas when he proposed to Oya. They couldn't care less if he lived or died, so the fact that his wife was without work would certainly be amusing to them. If anything, they would applaud Khessa for firing Oya and give it a good laugh.
Karim swallowed as he kept making his way through the tunnel, keeping the fire on his hand as bright as possible without hurting his eyes. Sunfire elves weren't as easily bothered by bright lights as much as humans and the other elves, so if something or someone did see him, there would be a possibility of blinding them and making his escape before he was distinguished.
Eventually, the tunnel let out to a hedge in the gardens that was so inconspicuous that you couldn't tell that there was a passageway there at all because the branches covered it. If Karim had to guess, he would say that the tunnel had taken him underground somehow, as the gardens were on the first floor of the castle, and then spit him out somehow in the bush.Perhaps the secret passageway was enchanted.
The royal Katolian gardens were smaller than any of the other gardens in the Human Kingdoms, which is why for promenading the gardens in the village were used during the social seasons instead. You couldn't possibly fit all of the nobility into the small space.
It was a good thing that they were undersized too , because he didn't have to walk that far to find Miyana and Pharos waiting for him by the one and only fountain in the gardens. It was a nice little example of human craftsmanship, showing the Orphan Queen resting with her legs underneath her and holding a daisy. Fitting that she had mingled with Karim's bloodline in the past and now he would be married under her statue.
Pharos was dressed in his traditional wedding ceremonial outfit, a pure white dress-like piece of clothing that was supposed to fade to a shimmery red at the end of the ceremony. He smiled at Karim when he saw the prince arrive and motioned at Miyana to turn around.
Miyana was . . . Breathtaking, to say the least. She hadn't been able to get a white wedding dress as was the Sunfire custom, but the dress she had been provided with for the mock ball looked like it had been lightened as much as possible to look like one. It was a pale, pastel yellow, with a slightly darker smushed flower pattern decorating the bodice and see-through sleeves that ended almost at her elbows. The sleeves quickly gave way to long white gloves, which sat daintily on her hands as if Miyana was made to wear them. Her hair had been done up into a fancy coiled bun that rested on the back of the top of her head with two curled bangs in the front, partially pinned down by the golden yellow diamond tiara. A matching set of earrings dangled from her ears, and a necklace of the same materials decorated her throat, making her glimmer in the moonlight like some sort of magical rune.
Karim felt her breath hitch as she gave him a smile, her pretty white teeth shining. He gently took her hands as she walked over to him and gave her a short kiss on her orange-colored lips. "You're gorgeous," he whispered.
She smiled again as Pharos lightly tapped his staff on the ground. "Shall we get started?" he asked. Miyana nodded and let go of Karim's hands as Pharos put his staff down on the cobblestone sitting area around the fountain.
He then smiled at the two and took one of their hands each, and looked towards the sky. "Oh great Sun , giver of all life! Tonight we ask you to grant your blessing of love and light, of warmth and growth. We ask you to shine down upon the love of these two people. Even if we cannot see you shining."
Pharos raised his hands, as did Karim and Miyana. Karim couldn't help but break into a wide grin at the sight of Miyana's closed eyes and closed-lip smile as she leaned into the moonlight with her whole body. She cracked open an eye, closed her mouth, and thinned her lips so she wouldn't break into a joyful laugh, and Karim had to do the same. The love he felt for the woman he had chosen to be his partner was unmatched by any , and he felt lighter than a feather, ready to spend the rest of his life with her.
Miyana then started to unclip the necklace from around her thin neck, and Karim did the same with a pin that he had put on her garments in a hurry before leaving his room. He wasn't able to have a necklace that he could switch and give to Miyana, so all he had gotten a goldsmith to fashion was a simple golden pin with a sunset violet. He knew they were Miyana's favorite flower. The couple exchanged the gifts, the necklace settling heavy around Karim's neck as his beloved fiddled with her thin fingers to tie it. Karim used his middle and index fingers to bunch the fabric near Miyana's breast together, then tacked the pin into her dress. He could feel her heartbeat quicken through her skin as his hands lingered at her front before he reluctantly pulled away.
The two lovers then outstretched their palms towards one another, touching them in the middle, raising them high over their heads, and pressing their foreheads together. It was complete. They were married. They were in love .
As he pressed his lips to Miyana's, Karim couldn't help but wish that Sunfire elf weddings lasted for a bit longer only so that he could spend more time with Miyana in the intimate ceremony that they both shared. He felt his wife smile against his lips mid-kiss, before she broke away, grinning ear-to-ear at him.
"And with that," Pharos said, picking up his staff, "it is done . I trust you two will not be returning to the ball?"
Miyana blushed a deep red at that as she extracted her silver earrings from her earlobes, depositing them in Karim's gloved hand. It would be easier for the two of them to pretend the secret relationship they harbored had taken a turn for the worst if anyone asked, removing their complimentary earrings because Miyana couldn't switch to gold.
"No," replied Karim to Pharos, cradling the earrings as if they were about to break into a million pieces. "We'll retire now, I think." Clutching the shimmering earrings in his hand, he grabbed his now-wife bridal style, her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Thank you, Pharos," Miyana said gratefully, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "You're so kind to do this for us. We can't ever repay you."
"It was no problem at all," Pharos answered with a shake of his head . "Now, if you'd excuse me, I'd like to get back to the festivities . . ."
Karim kissed Miyana's head as she rested her head on his shoulder, watching the high priest exit the garden. Once he was gone, Karim kissed Miyana on the lips and hurried to the bush that had hidden the passageway.
***
Soren used the fine silver forks that Greta's family had been provided with for their stay to cut through his hunk of well-seasoned venison. The Katolian cooks had made it remarkably well, almost like King Harrow had told them that the meal was going to be served not just to all of the royalty and nobles of Xadia and the Human Kingdoms, but also to Soren's family and his in-laws as their engagement dinner.
They were all seated around the long wooden table that had been placed in the drawing room that Greta's family dwelt in for most of their time, everyone eating the food that had been brought out for the servants. Greta's parents were seated at the head and lower end of the table, Soren at Molly's right as the most esteemed male guest. Greta was at her father's right as the most esteemed female guest, and Soren felt like it was torture being so far away from her.
"If you think that this venison is good, you just should just see the feasts we have in Del Bar," Molly said, forcing a smile. Soren knew that it wasn't being given with malicious intent, but Del Barians didn't often smile. Molly really was trying to make a good impression, even if she was stepping out of her comfort zone.
"I'm sure the festivities there are lovely," Petra said across from Soren. "I must admit, I've never been to Del Bar for recreation. Traveled all around Katolis, yes, but hardly to the other kingdoms unless it was for the social seasons."
"All the more reason for you to enjoy yourself when you visit Lord Soren and Greta," Molly said, cutting into her food.
"And you assume that they'll reside in Del Bar?" Viren asked, putting his cup down next to the top of his plate. "Soren is the captain of the Crownguard here. He cannot just leave --"
"And Greta is well on her way to becoming the captain of Del Bar's as well," Torben countered. "It would be a waste of her time and talents if she moved here and forwent everything she's worked towards."
Viren seemed to seethe at that. "You have plenty of sons to represent your family without Greta being there. Once she marries, she will not even be part of it. Now, none of your sons seem to have any attachments--"
"Lady Tilda and I are actually going promenading tomorrow," Kauko pointed out, his right pointer finger raised.
" But ," Viren continued, "I'm sure you'll have heirs eventually. There's no reason for Lady Greta to stay there. I'm sure King Harrow would consider letting her transfer to Katolis's Crownguard." He took a self-satisfied sip of his wine. Molly and Torben shared a disgusted look with one another.
"Perhaps there should have been a pre-engagement dinner like most other couples had," Santeri said. "That would have left room for this discussion so we wouldn't have it now."
"If I may be so bold," Greta said after she had swallowed a bite of her salad, "this is my future, so I would be grateful to have a little say in it."
Torben gave his daughter an incredulous look, which Greta shot back at him. Viren only raised an unimpressed eyebrow while Molly drummed her fingers on the wooden table, mouth drawn in a taut line.
"So," Greta said. "To solve this predicament, I've been doing some thinking of my own for a while since I got engaged. And I've decided that I would like to move to Katolis once I marry."
Molly gasped quietly while Greta's brothers all turned to look at her, different expressions of shock and surprise written on their faces. Claudia's mouth quirked upwards in a small, hidden smile. She had always liked Greta, Soren had noticed.
"You would?" Soren asked. "Really?" Greta nodded and he felt his heart soar. He wasn't opposed to moving to Del Bar , but he wouldn't be looking forward to connecting with his mother once again. He was still . . . working on his own feelings.
"I would," Greta affirmed. "It would be a big change, I know, but . . . Soren has a wonderful life here. And Lord Viren is right, Father." Viren disguised his smirk with another sip of his drink while Torben glared daggers at him before setting his eyes on his daughter. "My brothers will surely get married at some point. And if I can transfer to the Crownguard in Katolis, then I think it's worth the move. I won't be missing anything other than you all, but . . . I can make a home here."
Soren's heart practically leaped out of his chest. A home with Greta sounded wonderful . He shot her a smile, which she eagerly returned.
"If . . . that is really what you want," Molly said. "I can tell you've thought about this for a while. You must come for visits though ."
"Every year," Greta agreed. "Of course, Mother."
"There's still the issue of when we should set the wedding," Torben stammered, trying to guide the conversation back to his imposing authority. "It must be in the summer so our family in Del Bar's cities won't be slowed down by snowstorms."
"There's plenty of time to discuss that when the time comes in the next years, I think," Viren hummed.
"About that," Soren interjected. "I was thinking that we could move the wedding up a bit. To, uh, this month?"
The whole table looked at him as if he was crazy. Swords and shields. Greta blinked at him, confused while holding her empty fork.
"Why on earth would we do that?" she asked quietly, mixing around her salad. She stabbed a piece of carrot accompanied by a leaf and put it in her mouth.
"Because every day without you being my wife is torture," Soren answered. "Greta, I can't fathom waiting more than a month to be with you, and I don't even want to think about the years until our wedding. If you'll have me, I'd like to marry you now. Everyone we could want is here to celebrate--our immediate families and our friends. Just think about it?"
The dinner resumed quietly. Greta picked at her salad again, moving the pieces of feta cheese around, lost in thought. Claudia looked down at her lap, smoothing out her brown dress.
Please say yes , Soren thought. Please. Claudia needs the money.
"I hope the reason for wanting to move the wedding up isn't uncouth," Molly said, cutting into her venison, eyeing Soren dangerously. Greta blushed furiously and Soren choked on his wine.
"Mother, of course not!" Greta clamored, throwing down her fork so it made a loud clanging sound on the table. Claudia covered her grinning mouth with a hand.
"N-No, My Lady," Soren said. "I promise it's nothing of the sort. Trust me on that." He pushed his hair out of his face, trying to hide his growing flush.
"I don't know if I'm ready to get married now," Greta said, calmer. "I thought that we'd have more time. I mean, yes, I'd love to marry you, but I'm not quite sure about now."
"Then give it some thought," Soren said. "I want everyone to see what a lucky man I am to have a bride as pretty as you."
" Oh, surely Lady Danu would write about that in her pamphlet!" Claudia said, clapping her hands. "Our families would be the talk of all the nobles for the rest of the season and into the next!"
Viren, Torben, and Molly's eyes lit up at that. The three of them shared glances with one another before Viren looked at Petra, who nodded and gave him a lipped smile. Greta looked at them before her face dropped into a slight frown.
"Oh, yes, I think we most certainly would be written about in a positive light ," Molly said, her hands clasped. "Just think about all of the dinner invitations we would receive. And the vendors who would come crawling to us once they hear about the wedding."
"I'll do it," Greta blurted out, staring straight ahead at Joakim , who was seated in front of her. "I'll marry you before the season ends." She looked down at her plate and continued quietly eating her salad.
And that was that.