Chapter 9

　　The Imperial Chapel, where Brillin and Hafen had married a year ago, was decorated even more splendidly than before. An enormous number of flowers—lilies, their buds shyly closed and poised to burst into bloom—adorned the entire space. Even before they had opened, their elegant fragrance filled the air.

　　Brillin, her own smile more graceful than the scent of the flowers, greeted her Sister. "Tina, you’re finally home."

　　Astina bounced over to her and gave her a careful hug, sticking her bottom out to avoid Brillin’s belly. Brillin burst out laughing at her Sister’s adorable caution. Delighted by the sound, Astina looked around the chapel in awe. "Sister, what is all this?"

　　"Do you like it?"

　　"It’s so beautiful! Are these all lilies?"

　　"That’s right," Brillin replied, her expression proud. "Your favorite."

　　She had even enlisted the help of mages to coax the out-of-season lilies to bloom in time for the wedding. Amidst their splendor, Astina would welcome her happiest day.

　　Astina gently stroked a nearby bud. "I love lilies so much. They resemble you."

　　"They resemble me?" Brillin laughed, but Astina was completely serious.

　　As she earnestly explained just how the flowers resembled her Sister, Hafen nodded in solemn agreement. "The Duchess is right, my Empress. Their subtle yet splendid, noble, and pure elegance is just like you."

　　"Right? See! His Majesty says so, too!"

　　"Alright, alright, that’s enough," Brillin said, her cheeks flushing as she waved them off. "The palace staff will gossip."

　　Hafen, however, only doubled down. "I should make the lily the national flower of Dresden."

　　"Your Majesty, you stop it too."

　　"Then you should stop as well and come rest," Hafen said, smoothly changing the subject and offering Brillin his hand.

　　She had been on her feet all day, insisting she had to oversee the preparations. Though his expression was playful, his eyes were filled with concern for the wife who, just yesterday, had barely been able to eat.

　　Brillin reluctantly tore her gaze from the unfinished ceiling decorations and took his hand. She extended her other hand to her Sister. Astina linked arms with her, and the three of them began to walk side by side.

　　"How did things go in the Kingdom of Gail?" Brillin asked.

　　"It’s all settled. Theo will be here soon."

　　"Settled? You found the mages?"

　　"We found them, but the king was a complete idiot," Astina reported, chattering on about the events that had transpired.

　　Brillin fumed at the king’s audacity but brightened at the news of recruiting Eonora. "Well done. Now that it’s going to be a duchy, you’ll need a merchant guild."

　　"A duchy?" Astina asked, surprised.

　　"We’ve decided to elevate the Berhi county to a duchy. It’s His Majesty’s wedding gift."

　　"Then… I’m going to be Duchess Berhi?"

　　"That’s right."

　　"Will that be okay? I don’t even know how to be a countess, let alone a duchess."

　　"Just keep doing what you’re doing, Tina. You’re doing wonderfully."

　　Brillin patted her Sister’s back reassuringly. With her Sister’s encouragement, Astina felt she could pluck the stars from the sky. She nodded with newfound determination.

　　"I’ll do my best! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

　　"I’m counting on you, Duchess," Hafen replied with a wink.

　　Astina and Brillin burst into laughter at his playful tone. As if drawn by the happy sound, Theo, having just arrived from the Magic Tower, appeared.

　　"What amusing story are you all discussing?"

　　"Theo!" Astina exclaimed, linking her free arm with his.

　　The four of them walked together to the main palace’s reception room.

　　They spoke of the Berhi elevation, of the lily-adorned chapel, and of the wedding now less than a fortnight away. After a long while of relaxed conversation, Hafen leaned toward Theo, chuckling. "Look at you, grinning from ear to ear. You’re elated, aren’t you? Well, after waiting a year for this wedding, I suppose you would be."

　　"You should look in a mirror," Theo retorted good-naturedly. "Aren’t you elated, too?"

　　"Of course I am," Hafen declared proudly, his own smile permanently fixed in place. "So happy it’s almost scary."

　　Their gazes simultaneously drifted to Astina and Brillin.

　　"It’s all thanks to them," Theo said softly.

　　"Indeed," Hafen agreed. "We were lucky."

　　"Extremely lucky."

　　What would have become of them if they hadn’t met the monster of Berhi Castle? They might have died miserably under the scorn of their families, or become lonely, bitter creatures consumed by their own demons. The two men whose fates had been rewritten by a monster’s salvation clinked their glasses. It was a night of gratitude and profound joy.

* * *

　　On the wedding day, the entire Imperial Palace was blanketed in lilies. A massive rainbow arched over the chapel, and throughout the ceremony, a magical shower of petals rained down, a surprise gift from the mages of the Magic Tower. Amidst the fervent congratulations of those who cherished them, Astina and Theo became husband and wife. The bride was spirited, the groom was moved to tears, and the bride’s Sister dabbed at her own.

　　After the festive ceremony, a grand reception followed. As the sun set and night fell, a spectacular display of fireworks lit up the night sky. While all eyes were on the heavens, the light of a transportation circle flickered unseen and died in a quiet corner of the garden.

　　The night deepened. In the bridal chamber, personally decorated by Brillin, Astina waited for Theo. Her cheeks were flushed, perhaps from the wine she’d sipped at the reception. She sat on the edge of the bed, then lay down, then rolled over, hugging a pillow, vibrating with a kaleidoscope of anticipation. Just as the "blanket boat" she was folding was nearly complete, Theo entered.

　　He let out a soft laugh at the sight of the neatly folded linens. "What were you doing?"

　　"Uhh, nothing!" Astina stammered, quickly unfolding her creation.

　　Theo chuckled and extinguished the magic stone lamp, plunging the room into soft moonlight that silvered his hair. He knelt before Astina, who was nervously fiddling with the edge of the blanket. Gently taking it from her grasp, he pressed a kiss to her palm.

　　"Tina, are you too tired?" he asked, his voice a low murmur.

　　A pleasant, clean scent of soap washed over her. His light blue eyes, which she had always found beautiful, now held a heat that was both thrilling and dangerous. Far from sleepy, her mind was buzzing, wide awake. Her heart hammered in her ears, her throat, her fingertips.

　　Theo rose and drew closer. Believing he was about to kiss her, Astina squeezed her eyes shut. But his lips, which had been aimed for hers, veered to land on her cheek. They traced a path to her ear, and she flinched, her shoulders tensing. He gently nipped her earlobe before letting go, then took a long, slow breath as if inhaling her very scent.

　　"I won’t let you run away tonight," he whispered.

　　She forced her eyelids open to find his eyes inches from hers. Startled, she tried to pull back, but the motion only sent her tumbling onto her back on the bed. In a fluid movement, Theo was over her, caging her between his arms. His heart was threatening to burst from his chest, too. A fiery heat coiled through him, making his vision swim. He was barely restraining a desire so potent it made his hands ache, all to keep from frightening her.

　　After a moment of charged eye contact, Astina averted her gaze and muttered poutily, "I’m not running away."

　　"A fine resolution," Theo replied lightly, trying to ease her tension.

　　Her eyes darted around before settling on him again. His robe, thrown on after a shower, had fallen open, revealing a glimpse of his chest. Her gaze lingered there, then her expression hardened with determination. "I want to touch it, too."

　　"…Pardon?"

　　Her hand came to rest on his chest. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and her eyes widened at the powerful thrum of his heartbeat against her palm. The sensation was firm, smooth, and utterly new. When she first touched him, her hand had been warmer, but as she explored, his skin grew hotter beneath her touch. It felt as if she were holding his very life force.

　　"I understand now," she said, her face alight with innocent discovery.

　　Normally, he would have kindly explained that her understanding and his were likely quite different, but Theo had no such restraint left. He let out a ragged breath, his voice a low rumble as he called her name. "Aaa… Tina."

　　She should have asked why, but this time, it was Astina whose mind went blank. A universe of stars exploded around her.

* * *

　　Theo opened his eyes to sunlight tickling his face. The autumn morning streamed through the window he’d left open. Using his magic, he drew the curtains and pulled the blanket higher over Astina’s shoulders as she slept soundly beside him. Watching her even, gentle breaths, he felt a sudden heat rise in his throat. He’d never known it was possible to cry from sheer happiness.

　　Pressing a careful kiss to her forehead, he felt a desperate, fierce longing for this precious gift. Everyone holds a monster deep inside their heart. Who you love determines what you become. My star, who shone all the brighter when the rest of the world grew dark. I love you.

　　"I love you, Astina," he whispered.

　　At his soft confession, her eyelids fluttered open. His face was reflected in her star-like eyes.

　　"I love you too, Theo."