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-Cecilia-
The plan had evidently been forming in the new farmer’s mind ever since Cecilia had told her about the arranged marriage that Vesta had been setting up for her.
Maya and Cecilia had been chatting by the Goddess Pond when the topic of the marriage came up. The farmer had listened without interruption as Cecilia had explained, saying that she really didn’t like the idea, as she would rather find someone and fall in love naturally. At the same time, she felt guilty about rejecting Vesta’s kindness, as she was only trying to help.
She’d been surprised by Maya’s response, as the farmer had insisted that she should turn the arranged marriage down. It wasn’t as though Cecilia didn’t wanted to get married, but she wasn’t sure that anyone in her life embodied the “true love” she’d been searching for, especially not a random stranger.
In the end, the two parted ways, but Cecilia felt that the topic had not been resolved, and that their conversation ended more abruptly than when they usually talked.
A few days later, Cecilia had gone on a date with her potential suitor, and Vesta had questioned her eagerly as soon as she had walked through the door.
Matthew had been, unsurprisingly, furious. He was extremely protective of her, so any potential love interest was considered a threat in his eyes.
While Vesta and Matthew shouted at each other, Maya had entered the house. It was evident by her widening eyes that she had not expected the scene that had played out before her.
But, as Cecilia had continued to watch Maya, she saw her face darken at the mention of the date. She was clearly troubled, but was far too polite to say anything. Or perhaps their most recent discussion had made her a bit wary about criticizing the situation.
When Vesta had turned to Cecilia to ask her how compatible she felt he was with her, she realized that there might be more to her hesitation than just… not wanting to marry a stranger.
Her heart had skipped a beat when she had said she needed to think about it, and saw Maya’s face brighten. Maybe… Maya could be… “the one”?
But no. She’d only known Maya for a few months, and while she was a great friend, the two had never discussed anything remotely romantic. Well, other than the arranged marriage, if one could describe it that way.
Regardless, the conversation had ended there, and Cecilia didn’t speak with Maya until the next day.
Which was when her plan was revealed.
“If you’re not crazy about this arranged marriage, but don’t want to disappoint Vesta about not having a romantic partner, why don’t we pretend to date to buy you more time to find someone you love?”
“Wh-What do you mean?”
Maya put her hand on her shoulder. “There’s no way Vesta would insist on you pursuing some random guy if she thought that you had eyes for someone here in the Valley, right?
While Maya tended to have out-of-pocket ideas, this one was particularly far-fetched. But hadn’t she just thought that Maya could be someone she could grow to… love?
So then, she should excited to do this. It would be a chance to get closer to her, to see if they were actually compatible in a romantic sense. At the same time, wouldn’t it be hollow? Because the whole time, it wouldn’t be real. That didn’t seem like an ideal way to start a relationship that would eventually lead to marriage, did it?
A squeeze on her shoulder shook Cecilia from her thoughts. “Cecilia?” Maya murmured.
“Um… well…” Cecilia turned her gaze towards the ground, not wanting to meet the farmer’s eyes right now. She was conflicted, and she wasn’t sure how that was registering on her face. She needed to compose herself before looking at her.
Maya suddenly let go and took a sharp step back. “I-If you you’re not comfortable with it, then we don’t have to.” She laughed, but it seemed forced. “Heh. Just a silly idea. Don’t even worry about it.” Cecilia looked back up at Maya and saw she had turned her back to her. Gesturing forward, she said, “Why don’t we go hang out at the Goddess Pond? Maybe get your mind off things?” She started to move, boots crunching on the dirt path.
Cecilia followed, having to jog a bit to catch up to Maya’s quick pace. They walked side-by-side, but the usual comfortable atmosphere that accompanied their walks was absent. Cecilia knew she needed to respond, to properly articulate what she was feeling, but she couldn’t. How could she, when revealing her reasons for disliking the idea would basically amount to a confession?
The pair eventually stopped at the pond, and Cecilia stared at its serene waters, willing some of its calm energy to transfer to her. If only she could be as clear as the water about her intentions.
Maya suddenly sat on the ground, tufts of grass floating up at the sudden displacement. She looked up at Cecilia with a small smile, and gestured next to herself.
Cecilia took her up on her offer. She settled next to Maya, smoothing her dress out so that it wouldn’t wrinkle later.
“So, uh… how have the crops been recently?” Maya asked.
Cecilia frowned. This wasn’t good at all! This was her favorite spot in the world, a place where she could be comfortable and honest with her feelings. Maya’s tone didn’t sit well with her, and her attempts at changing the subject couldn’t be more obvious.
She wanted to continue to be honest and open about her feelings, and she wanted the same from Maya. Even if they didn’t feel the same, they needed to express themselves. That was how friendship worked, especially when it came to their friendship.
“Maya,” Cecilia said in soft tone, “why are you sad? Is it only because I didn’t agree with the idea? Or…?” She let the unspoken question hang in the air.
The farmer seemed to understand. “Maybe partially. But the real reason?” She sighed. “Cecilia. I love our friendship, and I never want to make you uncomfortable. I want to help you work through this whole arranged marriage thing, but it’s not for completely selfless reasons.” Maya finally made eye contact with her, her gaze seeming to pierce into Cecilia’s very soul. “I really care about you, Cecilia. As a friend, but also as someone who wants nothing more than to make you happy. You care so much and so deeply about everyone and everything around you. Vesta, Matthew, the townsfolk, heck, even the wildlife. You deserve to live your life how you want, and I’ve wished, for a long time now, that your future would have me in it.”
Cecilia gasped. So the farmer felt the same? But it sounded like she had known for far longer than Cecilia herself had. “S-So then, just to be clear, you really want to date me? As in, be an actual couple?”
Maya blushed as she nodded. “I’d love that. But only if you want that too.” She scratched her chin. “I guess the fake dating idea was kinda cowardly, but I didn’t want to pressure you into considering another relationship since you already have one to worry about.”
Cecilia smiled. “Maya. I’m so glad to hear you say that because… I never want to fake date you. This arranged marriage has made me think about the love I want. I want to get to know someone. I want to spend time with them. I want to share the good and bad times.” She took hold of Maya’s gloved hands, holding them up. “I want to hold them, and kiss them, and tell them… how I feel.” She squeezed her hands. “I want our experiences to be real. I want them to be true. And I want to share them together.”
Maya’s mouth quivered, and Cecilia could see tears forming in her eyes. “I… I want the same thing.” She sniffled.
Cecilia smiled. “So, to answer your earlier question, no, I don’t want to fake date you.” She cleared her throat. “But I do want to really date you. So, how about it? Would you like to go out with me, Maya?”
Maya nodded vigorously. “I do! With all my heart.”
Cecilia knew that this had been the right decision. She had pushed through her nerves, and she had helped Maya conquer her fears as well.
The only decision that was better was when her farmer, months later, got down on one knee, presented the Blue Feather, popped the question, and Cecilia had replied:
“Yes!”