The atmosphere in the Sanctuary felt different—no longer filled with tension or whispers of dark nights, but rather a new euphoria: the news that the royal wedding would soon take place. The city suddenly came alive. Florists, weavers, sculptors, and cooks raced to fulfill orders, while guards busily managed the flow of people wanting to catch a glimpse of the palace or deliver gifts and well-wishes. The sweet scent of fresh flowers filled the air, creating a harmonious blend with the lively sounds of the crowd. In a corner of the street, a local craftsman smiled widely, showcasing his sparkling creations under the sunlight.
Spiral flags waved atop houses, bridges, and water towers. From afar, the sound of bells and children's laughter mingled with the aroma of freshly baked bread prepared for the grand day. The visual effect of the fluttering flags added to the cheerful atmosphere, as if each color told a story of happiness spreading throughout the city. However, inside the palace, more complicated matters were unfolding: the royal family and their loyal aides were busy organizing thousands of small details—from stage layouts to the selection of chair ribbon colors. The sounds of the festivities outside seeped into the room, causing the large windows to tremble slightly. The polished marble floor reflected the shadows of workers rushing from one corner to another, each with focused yet slightly anxious expressions.
In one of the palace's private rooms, Rinoa sat in front of a large mirror, surrounded by Iris, Oda, and Joanna. The softly lit room was adorned with cream silk curtains, while the marble floor reflected the sparkle from the magnificent chandeliers. The future queen's gown had yet to be chosen, but the table was already filled with rolls of fabric, ribbons, and various sparkling brooches, creating a mesmerizing display—as if each item there wanted to tell a story.
Oda held up two pieces of fabric, waving them in front of Rinoa, showcasing the smooth textures that flowed gracefully in the air.
Oda:
"This one has a fresher color, but this one has a hand-embroidered spiral pattern! Which one do you prefer, Lady Queen?"
Rinoa laughed, covering her face with her hands, feeling a mix of nervousness and happiness tickling her stomach.
Rinoa:
"Don't call me Lady Queen, Oda. I’m not a queen yet, and… for some reason, I’m more afraid of choosing the ribbon color than facing the council meeting!"
Iris smiled, her eyes soft, her belly starting to swell, signaling the early presence of new life. The fresh flower scent from the vase in the corner added warmth to their atmosphere.
Iris:
"You’ll be just fine. A wedding isn’t just about the dress. It’s about a new beginning—for you, for us, for all of Gaia. But as for the color… I choose dark blue. The color of the sky after rain. A sign of hope."
Rinoa nodded, imagining how she would walk down the aisle under the gaze of everyone. Inside her, hope and anxiety battled.
Joanna lifted a spiral flower-shaped brooch, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Joanna:
"I want all the village children to see their Queen as beautiful as a fairy tale. And… I’m sure sister Jeanne will be happy to see you smile, Rinoa."
Rinoa held back tears, gently stroking Joanna's head, as if conveying all her gratitude in a single touch. A warm atmosphere filled with love surrounded them, creating an unforgettable moment.
Rinoa:
"Thank you, Joanna. I want today to be a new beginning—not just for me, but for everyone."
On the other side of the palace, Fitran was busy dealing with equally complicated matters: royal protocol training, robe selection, and practicing walking upright with the heavy crown. The grand building, with its cream-colored walls and golden carvings adorning every corner, made the atmosphere feel more formal. The sky outside was a bright blue, as if celebrating this special day, while sunlight illuminated the palace, casting beautiful shadows on the soft red carpet.
The head guard reprimanded him,
Guard:
"Your Majesty, please stand up straighter. The crown won’t fall if you don’t glance left and right every second."
Fitran chuckled,
Fitran:
"How can I not look around? My whole life has been more about running and fighting than walking slowly on a carpeted hallway. Do you want me to pretend to be a fairy tale prince?"
From behind the door, Joanna peeked in and then ran inside,
Joanna:
"Dad, you’d better be a king who can laugh than a king who can only stand still!"
Fitran lifted Joanna, spinning her around with enthusiasm, while her cheerful laughter echoed in the room. A sense of relief mixed with happiness as he saw the smile on his daughter’s face, momentarily forgetting all the pressure weighing on him. As Joanna twirled, her beautiful dress sparkled, as if dancing in rhythm with Fitran's joyful heartbeat.
Fitran:
"Alright, I’ll try. But if I fall at the altar, I hope someone will help me, not just laugh!"
The atmosphere lightened. Iris appeared, bringing a tray of fruit slices, the sweet aroma of fresh apples and pears filling the room, making everyone feel full even before the official feast began. Iris's face beamed, a wide smile painted on her lips as she witnessed the joy among them.
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Iris:
"Protocol practice must be accompanied by snacks. Otherwise, our future king might faint first!"
Fitran took an apple, winking at Iris,
Fitran:
"Thank you, soon-to-be-retired Queen!"
Iris laughed, patting Fitran on the shoulder,
Iris:
"If you’re rude, don’t expect me to wish you a smooth wedding night."
Their laughter echoed, making the passing servants smile as well. In the corner of the room, the fresh aroma from the fruit slices on the weekly tray added to the cheerful atmosphere, while the soft light from the crystal lamps adorned the ceiling, creating a warm ambiance among them.
Looking at Fitran's face, Iris couldn’t help but giggle. His wide smile and shining eyes reflected the joy of the moment. She realized how meaningful this moment was for all of them, an opportunity to celebrate friendship and face the upcoming days filled with challenges and changes.
In the kitchen, the people began sending offerings: spiral bread, peanut cakes, even small sculptures made of colored wax. Joanna and Rinoa went down to the kitchen, tasting one after another—laughing as Oda tried to trick the head cook by putting pepper in the sweet cake, or when the village children challenged them to a bread-decorating contest. The sky outside began to darken, but the warm light from the kitchen illuminated their faces. The sounds of laughter and bustling footsteps echoed, creating a melody of happiness that delighted anyone who heard it.
Village child:
"Queen Rinoa, whoever wins the spiral contest has to sing in front of the palace!"
Rinoa replied,
Rinoa:
"If I lose, I promise to sing—but you all have to dance with me!"
Laughter erupted, and the children began practicing their spiral dance, with Joanna leading enthusiastically. Their movements were full of joy, wearing colorful outfits that sparkled in the light. The sound of small footsteps, accompanied by cheerful laughter, created an increasingly festive atmosphere as more people gathered in the kitchen, drawn by the chaos unfolding. Every moment was filled with gratitude and blessings from this togetherness, adding warmth to the hearts of those present.
In the grand meeting room, surrounded by intricately carved wooden walls and sparkling chandeliers, Fitran met with event planners and magic advisors. A warm yet tense atmosphere flowed between them, creating a sense of urgency enveloping this important discussion. They discussed how to merge two great traditions: the ancient spiral customs and royal ceremony protocols. Some young officials proposed a ritual of releasing spiral lanterns during the vows, while representatives of the old nobility wanted to maintain the sacred water pouring ceremony at the altar. The sound of paper and pens dancing on the table mingled with breaths full of hope and concern, each idea vibrating with meaning for the kingdom's future.
Fitran:
"This new world doesn’t have to forget the past, but it also shouldn’t be buried in it. Take the best from both traditions. I want the people to know that this kingdom is built for everyone."
The planners busily took notes, their wrists moving quickly, organizing schedules: a people’s parade, a night of magical dances, flower selections, seating arrangements, and escort routes from the palace to the Genesis Tree. Outside, the gentle whisper of the wind seemed to support this grand vision, and the scent of fresh flowers carried by the breeze filled the room, adding a magical nuance to the meeting.
Night fell, and Fitran and Rinoa finally sat together on the balcony, gazing at the city sparkling with festive lights in preparation. The cool air, the sounds of laughter, and soft music filled the evening. The shadows of the large trees around the balcony swayed gently, as if celebrating the happiness of that night.
Rinoa:
"I’m scared, Fitran. Not scared of the big day, but scared of forgetting the simple feelings that have brought us this far. After all this, can we still be ordinary people?"
Under the colorful lights sparkling like stars, Rinoa's face looked slightly pale, and her fingers tightly gripped the edge of the balcony table, as if seeking support. She stared at the sky, trying to find calm amidst the turmoil of her feelings.
Fitran held Rinoa's hand,
Fitran:
"There’s no king or queen who is truly ordinary. But we can choose to be honest with each other, to laugh, and to love amidst all this grandeur. If I start to forget, please remind me. If you’re tired, I’ll support you."
He held Rinoa's hand tighter, feeling her heartbeat resonate with the waves of uncertainty flowing between them. The night breeze whispered softly, as if sharing unspoken promises in their ears.
They sat in silence for a long time, holding hands, knowing that the days filled with wounds had not fully passed, but a new morning always came with promises of hope. In the distance, the sound of fireworks began to light up the night sky, providing a magnificent sparkle, as if depicting the hopes they wished to achieve. The sweet aroma of festive food began to waft, adding a sense of wonder to the cool, fresh air.
The next day, the entire city prepared. In the palace courtyard, the people gathered, bringing offerings of flowers, writing prayers on spiral ribbons, and singing old songs. The sounds of laughter and chatter mingled with the refreshing morning breeze, carrying the fragrant scents from the surrounding gardens. The foreheads of the people glistened in the newly risen sunlight, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement.
Iris and Oda busily arranged seating for the extended family, their nimble fingers shifting the shimmering blue silk-covered chairs into perfect order. Joanna led the village children in practicing their choir, her cheerful voice melodiously resonating amidst the crowd, while they ran around, sometimes shouting joyfully, sometimes playfully nudging each other with mischievous smiles. In a corner, Fitran and Rinoa prepared in their private room—wearing their finest clothes, meticulously tailored with stunning details, receiving congratulations from friends and citizens, holding back laughter and tears. Rinoa appeared to wipe the corners of her eyes to prevent tears from spilling, then felt touched seeing the love and support in the faces of those around her.
The servants prepared the stage beneath the Genesis Tree, checking the beautifully arranged flowers, ensuring every petal opened perfectly, and the sparkling lights began to enhance the beauty of the atmosphere, making everything perfect for the next day: a day that would change not only Fitran and Rinoa's lives but also the entire future direction of Gaia. Soft white clouds hung gently in the blue sky, as if silently witnessing the historic moment about to unfold, adding a magical touch to the already festive atmosphere.
