First Wedding

Even if it was a wedding… it wasn’t grand or anything.

It felt more like a small party to quietly celebrate with them, including me.

‘Calling it a wedding is a bit…’

Only a few people were participating.

‘Though I did invite one person.’

I wasn’t particularly expecting anything.

However, there was one rather unusual guest besides my companions.

It was Her Highness Cordelia, Her Highness Selina’s younger sister.

…For a quiet ceremony, the guest list was quite extravagant.

First of all, having an Imperial Princess involved was already a bit strange.

Feeling somewhat nervous, I filled my mind with such trivial thoughts.

Before I knew it, the door was approaching.

A servant, ready to open the door, was waiting.

The woman who met my gaze looked at me silently.

She was a familiar face.

Because she was the woman I always saw when I came to Her Highness Selina’s villa.

…That must mean it’s filled with her close associates.

When I nodded, she smiled faintly and carefully opened the door.

With a bright light, the interior became visible.

I kept telling myself it was just a small celebratory party, but seeing the decorations, which were heavily infused with Cecil and Claire’s tastes, I couldn’t help but feel strange.

I was nervous.

‘Hoo…’

As I stepped inside with a sigh, I saw my companions waiting for me. They seemed to be seated in their respective prepared spots.

Shifting my gaze further inside, Claire was standing on a platform as if she were the officiant.

But the person who should have been there wasn’t visible.

‘Where did Cecil go?’

Tilting my head, I first headed towards Claire.

As I stood before her, the sound of a door suddenly opening reached my ears. Turning my head, I heard Claire’s voice.

“Look, the bride is entering.”

“…What?”

“Honestly, it felt like cheating this time, so I decided to let her go first. And.”

“And?”

“See for yourself.”

While I blinked at Claire’s words, familiar faces began to appear from the open door.

Yes.

Faces.

One was Cecil, beautifully dressed. She seemed shy and embarrassed by the current situation, as her usual easygoing smile was hard to find.

Someone was gently holding Cecil’s white hand.

My trembling gaze traveled up her white hand.

A moderately formal outfit.

Well-tied ash-gray hair.

The emotion that filled my mind wasn’t the joy of reunion, or anger about why she had come now, but rather.

It was bewilderment and confusion.

Claire, who was watching me, spoke.

“How does it feel to see your Mother after so long?”

Yes, it was Asha’s… no, my Mother. A face I hadn’t seen even once since I ran away from home.

But… seeing her face, it came back to me vividly.

‘…She looks well.’

Perhaps because she’s a mage.

Mother didn’t seem to have changed much.

Cecil and Mother were getting closer.

Looking closely, it seemed she had a few more wrinkles.

Feeling awkward, I averted my gaze, and a calm voice reached my ears.

“Seeing how dishonest you are, you must indeed be my son.”

“…”

Meanwhile, Cecil, who had approached, silently linked her arm through mine. I could feel Cecil’s nervousness, which I hadn’t felt before.

…I didn’t want to ruin this moment, so I turned my head and looked at Mother.

Mother had a somewhat complex expression.

She seemed happy that her grown child was getting married, but also a little displeased.

“It would be best to talk after this. Saint-nim is waiting, after all.”

“…Yes.”

I answered blankly and headed towards Claire with Cecil.

“Are you alright, Asha-nim?”

“…Yeah.”

Cecil asked with a worried voice. If I had to say whether I was alright or not, I was alright.

It was just my mind creaking, unable to accept the unexpected situation.

Turning my head towards the voice, Cecil’s well-decorated face caught my eye.

…Perhaps it was because I hadn’t seen Cecil seriously put on makeup or dress up since we met.

Cecil, meticulously adorned, was the very image of a new bride anyone would covet.

If this were a novel, a prince on a white horse would be by her side.

Feeling an inexplicable unease, I looked at Claire, who chuckled and gestured for me to come closer.

Clenching my subtly trembling fists, I took another step forward with Cecil.

“Are you nervous?”

“…Honestly, yes.”

“You’ve even had children, what’s there to be nervous about?”

“…”

It didn’t seem like an appropriate thing to say at a wedding, but for some reason, my tension eased a bit.

…I thought it was just a small party, but the ‘wedding’ carried a surprisingly significant weight.

I imagine I’d be just as nervous even if I were to have ceremonies with others later.

In a flash, the ceremony proceeded with Claire’s words.

As I nervously swallowed, Claire looked at me and asked.

“Asha, both groom and bride, do you promise to cherish and love Cecilia and Claire, your brides, for the rest of your life?”

Perhaps to ease my tension, Claire inserted a slightly playful word.

In that brief moment, countless thoughts flashed through my mind.

But the thought that ultimately emerged was that I shouldn’t be trembling like this.

I put more strength into the hand I was holding and answered vigorously.

“Yes.”

Claire, grinning, continued.

“Cecilia and Claire, the brides… do you also promise to cherish and love Asha, both groom and bride, for the rest of your life?”

“Yes!”

Cecil answered vigorously. Following her, Claire, with a slightly awkward expression, opened her mouth.

“…Hmm, yes.”

“Your answer doesn’t seem very enthusiastic.”

“Quiet! This is more embarrassing than I thought.”

Seeing Claire clear her throat made me laugh. Cecil, too, seemed to have relaxed, smiling her usual easygoing smile.

Claire, glaring at me with her brown eyes, said softly.

“Then, the kiss of vows.”

Murmuring that, Claire leaned in and pressed her lips against mine.

Cecil, who had been staring blankly, also pressed her lips against my remaining lips, as if she couldn’t be outdone.

The slightly solemn atmosphere that had lingered in the room vanished, and the usual atmosphere began to fill the space.

I thought I heard Mother’s slightly flustered voice from behind, but.

…What can I do? This is the atmosphere that suits us, who have lived like this and will continue to live like this.

‘The reason I didn’t invite many people in the first place was…’

“W-wait a minute.”

“Why?”

“What’s wrong, Asha-nim?”

I hurriedly pulled my face away and looked at the two of them.

“…No matter what, putting your tongue in isn’t quite right.”

Then Claire replied, scratching her cheek.

“It’s just a habit.”

“Hehe…”

Cecil scratched her head with an apologetic expression.

I thought I also heard Her Highness Cordelia’s flushed voice from behind.

“N-next, proceed.”

It really felt like a good decision not to invite anyone else.

…Is the tingling sensation on my back just my imagination? I feel like I’m sensing magic.

Anyway.

The formal wedding ceremony ended like that, and we, having changed into comfortable clothes, gathered in the dining room.

Recalling memories of a past life, I saw many scenes of people greeting each other, doing this and that, and then leaving.

I imagine it would probably be difficult.

Instead, I felt like I wanted to go on a trip all together someday.

‘When that time comes… it might be a bit tough.’

It wouldn’t be easy for at least ten or more people to move together at once.

Still… my desire to go hasn’t changed.

Though I don’t know when that will be.

After finishing the meal in a relatively harmonious atmosphere, what awaited me was…

…a private meeting with Mother, whom I hadn’t seen in who knows how many years.

Mother and son… no, saying they wouldn’t disturb the mother-daughter reunion, all the other companions had left, so it was just Mother and I in the room.

Was I shocked because I hadn’t expected it?

Should I have thought about it beforehand?

…Now that I was face-to-face with Mother, just the two of us, I had no idea what to say.

Mother was also silent.

To break through this atmosphere, I picked up the wine bottle in front of me.

“…Please, have a drink first.”

Mother, who had been sitting blankly, seemed to finally come to her senses and opened her mouth.

“Alright…”

The glass in my hand poured the alcohol. It must have been a good one, prepared by Her Highness Selina, as a fragrant aroma tickled my nose.

When I put the bottle down, Mother filled my glass this time.

Mother and I silently tilted our glasses and let the alcohol slide down our throats.

‘It’s sweet.’

Contrary to the situation, the alcohol was very sweet.

During the wedding, I was too flustered to think about it.

…What sudden whim brought her here?

‘Someone who never looked for me all this time.’

It was unbelievable that she had come all this way after hearing such an incredible story.

‘Is it stronger than I thought?’

The tipsiness came faster than expected.

To the point where I could feel my face getting hot.

Mother, who had been silently drinking, let out a faint sigh and spoke.

“You seem drunk… How about we talk later?”

“…”

Mother seemed just as uncomfortable as I was.

Well, if the kid who ran away and hadn’t contacted her for over ten years suddenly became a woman, got married, and even had children…

Wouldn’t it be more surprising that she’s even here?

Perhaps that’s why.

For some reason, I felt that if I didn’t talk now, I might not get another chance.

Don’t make a choice you’ll regret.

It seemed a little different, but… Iris’s advice came to mind.

I shook my head and looked into Mother’s eyes, then spoke.

“…I’m sorry for running away from home.”

An apology would come first, I suppose.

Then Mother’s eyes widened in surprise, and she chuckled, filling my glass with more alcohol.

“…I’m sorry too.”

I had a feeling it might turn into a harmonious evening.