I still woke up late when I am supposed to be the one waking up early! A folded bathrobe is prepared underneath my feet. Wearing that, I squinted in the living room and found Hessuel getting himself ready to leave while holding a bouquet.
"Where are you going?"
He is too occupied. He turns his face to me before looking with his eyes. "I have an errand~"
I skip steps and help him fix himself, but then he requests me to hold the bouquet while he fixes his shoes. He seems lively, probably because that's what it feels when money is expected on the way.
"Where are the twins?"
"Back to school."
"Ugh, sorry, I woke up late."
He answers me with a simple smile and leaves a peck kiss on my lips before he leaves.
"Your errand?" I was giving back the bouquet but he says,
"We'll be back before lunch!"
He already closed the door without the bouquet with him. Playing my finger at the flowers, a witchy smile possesses my lips! I smell them and dance with the flowers and stumble to my dogs. My glances went to the second floor and then I caressed my wedding gown. This man has all the sweetest things in his attribute, and I am lucky to be partaker of it.
My catastrophe... and also my greatest dream. My downfall... and also my rescue.
They say that the woman should stay under the same roof as her man. I rebelled at that grotesque idea since I wished to build my own world. Yet now I understand that it should not be a tradition but a willingness to commit and love. Such a place needs to be found.
Here, with him, I will stay.
...
...
(Hessuel's POV)
"Good morning~!" I made an entrance into the sewing shop.
"Oh, Hessuel!" the seamstress greeted back from the counter. "What's good in your morning? Did she..."
"She said Yes."
"That's wonderful! I'm really happy for you!" She claps her fingers. "Did she like it?"
"She likes it more than I expected. She even wants to get married now just to wear it."
The seamstress laughs. "So when is the wedding?"
I lean one elbow on the counter and tilt my head on my shoulder. "Hmm, I am more concerned about how we will get married."
"What do you mean? Isn't she a Christian?"
"That's... one."
"Get help from those who know. Discuss it with her if possible."
"Right... You're right! Thank you so much~!" I shake her hand vigorously. She was confused about which of the two she mentioned I was pertaining to be right, but I excitedly left the shop.
"Don't forget to invite us!" she reminded me.
I need advice from those who know how to make werewolves get married and I know a prospect. I contact Ophelia first through the telegraph in the town and wait at the station. Her train arrives after a long wait, the door opens and she's standing on the way with her arms folded. "Look who's the lucky wolf."
I hug her tight as my greeting. "That's not luck, Madam~ It's the fruit of hard work," I said. She and I are the only passengers on this mysterious train, and because she was one of the creators of the werewolves' world, she or her train became another way to travel into that world.
Some werewolves ride here to find supplies in the human world. The morning turns into the night with two moons after the train made it past a tunnel. I never wanted to show my presence in this world again, the moon's blessing is the only reason I still do. We visited Lanasia's house and discussed my intentions.
"After they mate, they should solemnly covenant with the Moon Goddess through marriage to acknowledge the deity in their bond. This is the new werewolves' way. Without the covenant, their mate bond will be cut off," she explained. A paper list is given to me but I read the names listed rather than listing mine.
"Zaeramil and Sherizzah will get married, too!?"
"Yes!"
"And there's a lot on the list."
"All mated werewolves will abide by this new rule, they love the revelation since they've seen this in human tradition. If you want, I can schedule an exclusive date for you and Dandeline."
"You know what's best, Mrs. Lanasia."
Furthermore, she explains the details of the ceremony and where exactly it will take place. Inside the castle is a peaceful grove; abundant trees are planted in a line which creates an aisle in the middle, at the end of the aisle is an altar, and in front of the altar is a crystal-clear lake with a stumpy waterfall where the image of the full moon reflects even though this sacred place is inside.
The high ceiling may not be an actual sky but the drooping shimmering gold makes this place romantic... and that romantic day finally comes.
☪ ✧ ✧
I am so unsure how to wear this royal attire! I fixed the furred robe on my shoulder to my waist and looked at myself in the huge mirror. Everything on this day is like a play in theaters—exciting! Matheo is my escort today, and as he enters the dressing room again he asks if "You're ready?"
"I think."
He fixes my attire to its proper clothing. "It's chivalrous if the man arrives first at the rendezvous."
"It's fine. Her gown is complicated to wear, she surely will take her time."
"Not with enchantment."
"... Oooh... holy dog."
I rush to the staircase where we should meet, leaving Matheo behind whilst he laughs. I almost forgot that Dandeline can switch dresses in a snap of her magic! Thankfully, I panicked for nothing. I arrived first at the staircase, I remained on my spot while waiting for her to come out to the other side of the staircase in front of my place.
I fix myself again before Matheo catches up. There are wolves waiting on the first floor, too. They are just random guests who wish to witness the wedding. "It's amazing, isn't it?" Matheo opens a conversation. "Before, I was only asking you if you like this woman. Now, I'm escorting you to marry her."
I guess it's custom, and wonderful, to recall how we started up to how we ended up in this present during this kind of occasion. To sum it all up, I am grateful that I didn't give her up.
"Apparently, this isn't your first time as a father but your first time as a husband. Do you mind if I give you some advice?"
"No, I won't decline advice from the experienced."
"Very well! You know, as a husband, you can complain but you can't or should not stop doing your responsibilities."
I react with a half-expressed laugh.
"Relationships are the balance of romance and responsibility! Most people think that it is all about the spark, the butterflies in your stomach, or that excited feeling you have when you're meeting that person. Once you live together, those sparks will fade. Everything will feel normal. You won't be excited about your dates anymore." He whispers, "Even your fifth sex will not be as pleasurable as the first.
"The responsibilities will be more visible later on. And the lack of commitment is a common mistake of those in a relationship, most probably, they are only after the spark. Those feelings expire once tasted, but do you know what stays? The happiness you feel with that person will stay. That person will stay as your solace and peace. If you think this person will stay as your strength through thick and thin..."
She finally comes out with her escorts, standing out in her regal gown.
"... then you have found your greatest definition of Relationship."
That person is there, standing on the other side of the staircase, staring at her beautiful eyes. My healing. The only one who believes in me. Ever since I saw her wearing a gown while we were convincing my father 5 years ago, I have worked hard to see her wear that again. All the money I've lost is worth it! She widens her eyes at me, and that warning made me look up, blinking several times.
Right, I am marrying a woman who believes in the bad luck of a crying groom. "I'll take note of that, Mr. Matheo," I said.
The presence of the bride and groom automatically starts the wedding. We were supposed to meet at the center of the staircase but I walked right up to her, kissed her hand and assisted her steps because she might stumble. We are the center of all attention while we slowly step down the staircase together, but she has got all my attention.
She's so angelic I wanna kneel down and praise her! But my self-repression still caused me to miss a step and almost stumble! She holds my arm tight to keep me standing, and she laughs only at the accident—definitely having a great day!
The path to the sacred grove is paved. The witnesses and guests follow the bride-groom march behind. All those who follow are the only ones who can enter the sacred grove. The deity has been at the altar when we arrive. I kneel down on the altar with Dandeline before the presence of the deity. Our holding hands are laid on the table.
The Moon Goddess blesses our bite mark with an unfailing connection. Here we declare our vows to one another:
"I, Hessuel, the sole pureblood silver wolf living at the present time, accept Dandeline as my mate."
"I, Dandeline, the moon's most trusted human-werewolf hybrid, accept Hessuel as my mate."
Then we were instructed to put our open hands on the table; my left hand is under Dandeline's right hand and my right hand is on top, covering the palm of her hand. The deity blesses, "Man, you have presented to me this woman whom you covenant to love, sustain, and be faithful with 'til the end of infinity. Woman, you accepted to give your hand to this man whom you covenanted to love, care, and be faithful with 'til the end of infinity.
"This vow shall be your guide, this shall remind you of the core purpose of your marriage, and this will save you from any contrary traditions. Until you break this vow, everything your hands do together shall prosper in the land. And this blessing shall continue onto your seeds." A piece of moonflower seed appeared in our hands.
A kiss sealed our vows. We planted the seed together in empty soil and it sprouts and blooms within the minute it was planted. Lanasia explained beforehand that this symbolizes the seeds of werewolf lovers. Our moonflower is the very first planted one, soon, this grove will be filled with moonflowers.
There is an affiliated responsibility in every gift, and most people didn't recognize that. Getting married to the person I love is one of the greatest gifts even knowing that there are responsibilities ahead. And can never know how wonderful life can be without facing it. That is where every person could thrive to focus, and that is how they make it exciting.
After the indoor sacred grove marriage, the outside forest welcomes us. The trees are dropping colorful leaves, thousands of fireflies filled the night sky, and the werewolves are howling as their greeting—the lively pishnies will never be absent on this kind of occasion. In the middle of them all, I hold the hand of my bride and kiss her.
That's how werewolf marriage is performed.
I'm happier when we left Linevr, arrived in Cardozen town to present the well-being of our relationship to the community—the deeper purpose of the wedding reception, and held it in the well-known Otakwen's Bar in the town! The cute Little Devils are so happy to welcome us, but I almost did not do the same when I found their formal attire soaked in sweat!
"Kids will be kids," in the summary of what Dayana said.
Nevertheless, the celebration continues. I dance with my bride along with the music, kiss whenever the guests clunk their glasses, feast, receive gifts, introduce her to all my neighborhood friends, tossing the bouquet to the next bride but Dandeline enchanted the bouquet for it to fly to Lanasia even though she's sitting near the corner, and so much fun that I cannot regret putting a hole on my wallet!
Dandeline contributed most of the expenses, too. She's the kind of woman I cannot control if she wants self-reliance. After all these times, she still amazes me.
Curiosity strikes the kids whilst they are sitting on our laps. "Why do you get married?" our first born asked. After their mother's explanation, Danteleon snatches a piece of flower, run to Dayana's table and proposes to her,
"Let's get married!"
"My! You have to grow up first before you think about that," Dayana answered. Kids are so professional at mimicking. We laughed at how adorable he was.
The most awaited day has come to its end although some don't want it to end. It's past midnight, Danteleon is already sound asleep in Dayana's arms, and Hedwelch has been chiding and slumping on the floor screaming, "NOOO! I DON'T WANNA GO HOME!!" And it's clearly evident from whom he inherited that attitude:
"Goddess! Are you kidding me!? I waited for so long to wear this gown! I haven't worn this for twenty-four hours and now you want to go home!?" Dandeline ranted.
"We must go to the hotel now."
"That's the same thing! No! I will not go! Or I'm gonna make love with you wearing this gown!"
"Done~!" I agreed. Apparently, she's tipsy. And since she wants me to use force, I lift her in my arms into the white wedding carriage waiting outside the bar. I whisper, "Besides, I know this gown very well." I adore her burning cheeks.
"What!? Nooo! Help!" she insisted.
I finally settled her inside the ride. All the guests are watching and waving goodbye. I waved back through the window until I saw intimate faces; my mother, father, and Cormelio waving at me, too. I was typically frozen.
"What is one of the greatest days of your life without the greatest people in your life?"
I looked at her... and did not look away again when I closed the window and feasted kisses on her lips. I was enchanted once again. I tickle her neck and then she giggles—suddenly submissive. I put my head on her lap whilst we traveled to the nearby city. The kids came home under Ophelia's strict supervision so I've got nothing to worry about on the first honeymoon—my favorite kind of moon.