Odette had a feeling that something was watching not only her, but Athena. But later, she ignored it. But there could be another reason: Graduation.
This year is going by just too fast, she thought, Why can't it take longer?
To make the time go by longer, you would have to stare at the clock every five minutes…or two, if you do tend to become impatient.
Athena stood in the dressing room with a white gown and a long lace veil. She held a beautiful bouquet of blood red roses up to her stomach. She seemed to be nervous. But she smiled anyway. It was her wedding day. But she was all but seventeen years old.
I'm too young to get married, she thought, But I'm marrying Heli! How could this be so hard? How could this feel so pressuring?
A tear streamed down her cheek. She wiped away the tears as soon as Vincent entered the room. Vincent felt concerned for Athena.
"Why are you so sad?" asked Vincent, "You have never felt this way before."
Athena stammered.
"Why must you ask?" she asked, "I'm alright. Is it a sin to feel nervous before getting married officially?"
"No, it is not. But it is a bit concerning, especially since I'm the escort to the wedding altar. You could tell me anything."
"May I say how scared I am?"
Vincent frowned.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," he said, "If you do feel nervous… then Heli will be there to smile for you. He said that his smile would make you smile, if you're ever nervous."
The thought of Heli's face and smile made her smile as well. She took Vincent by the hand and proceeded to the wedding ceremony.
The whole school of Decelis Academy was there to watch their mascot, as the bride, walk down the aisle wearing a gown shaped like a pastry. She looked at all of the students that had attended the ceremony. And then, when she saw her groom-to-be, she fell in love with him even more. She wanted to hold his hands, as a symbol of their inseparable companionship. But she had a bouquet of flowers. Odette was a bridesmaid, so she handed the bouquet to her.
Eventually, the ceremony began. And Thomas entered the altar.
[Thomas]
Dearly beloved, welcome! We are gathered here today to join the princess Athena and the noble Heli in holy matrimony, as witnesses to join together this man and this woman in the sight of God and the face of the company. The matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and His Church; which Holy Estate Christ adorned with His presence and first miracle that He wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore, not entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly and in the fear of God. Into this Holy Estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Heli, shall you have this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live?
[Heli]
I shall!
[Thomas]
And to you, your highness, Athena. Shall you have this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live?
Unbeknownst, Athena was looking towards Heli's beautiful eyes. Everyone knew she was distracted. Thomas cleared his throat.
"Your highness," he said, "Shall you?"
Athena was snapped out of her trance.
She then stammered, "I shall! I shall!"
Everyone laughed.
[Thomas]
Heli, read what is on the top passage of this page. Then place your customized ring on the bride.
[Heli]
I, Heli, take thee, the princess Athena to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God's Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give thee my pledge.
[Thomas]
Athena, read what is on the bottom passage of this page. Then place your customized ring on the groom.
[Athena]
I the princess Athena, take thee, the noble Heli to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God's Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give thee my pledge.
[Thomas]
Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
Forasmuch as the princess Athena and the noble Heli have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company of witnesses, and there to have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may now kiss to your heart's content.
At this time, Athena flung her arms around Heli's neck and kissed Heli, now her husband, right on the spot.
"I may now present to you Mr And Mrs L/N!" announced Thomas.
At the wedding reception, Athena had never felt so happy in her life.
Father, she thought, I'm seventeen and I'm already married. Can you believe that? I had never felt so happy in my entire life! I wish you were here to witness all of this.
Suddenly, while everyone was dancing the night away, a spark from the Crimson Heart appeared. And then a blue firefly appeared from the open window. All of the wedding guests were frightened by what was happening.
"What is that?" asked Shion.
"A blue firefly." replied Odette who was shuttering.
"Listen well, all of you!
Do you see that blue firefly that is flying in the sky? I ask that you never touch it. Otherwise, you may never return!
You will disappear to a place that is inescapable! Somewhere much worse! The Unknown!
I repeat: Do not touch the blue fireflies! You do not know what they are capable of!"
And then the spark disappeared. The guests fled the party for their lives.
In the evening, Athena and Heli laid with each other, holding onto one another tightly.
"I'm scared, darling." said Athena.
Heli was silent. His wish had come true. He was now with Athena, holding her in his arms. He was ready to take care of her, and grow old with her.
"I'm scared, too," he eventually said, "But…we are going to figure this out. We shall figure this out!"