When Curtis and Ismael entered the vestibule of the chapel, they halted in the middle. Their eyes glossed over the pews, catching Conan weeping like a proud mother, Morro's gleaming eyes with anticipation, Isaiah's broad and distinct shoulders. Their eyes lingered longer on Joaquin, who was standing near the altar while slapping himself.
Ismael, who was weak and in such a pathetic state, narrowed his eyes to see clearer. His mangled lips were drawn into a thin line.
Joaquin's face was already beet red from anger and from all the slapping. Blood was already dripping from his mouth, but he continued slapping himself without a word of complaint.
"How embarrassing..." came out a murmur, staring at Joaquin's pathetic figure and his continuous slaps.
Meanwhile, Curtis didn't show any emotion while watching the tamed Joaquin. It was almost unbelievable to him who had experienced Joaquin's madness and twisted ways. The man, who was slapping himself while watching the wedding of his own wife to another, was something Curtis had never fathomed would ever happen to Joaquin.
When the two felt someone's gaze, they shifted their attention to their left. There Dexter was staring at them with a dead expression.
Curtis and Ismael tilted their head down slightly before Curtis dragged Ismael to the pew opposite Dexter. Once seated, Ismael let out a hissed, placing his palm across his abdomen.
"Damn. I broke my ribs," the third prince hissed, wincing as he fixed his position since Curtis wouldn't tend to him.
"Are you sure you should be here?" Curtis asked, with an arched brow. "You should get yourself treated."
"Who will help me? You?" Ismael, despite his mangled face, swollen eyes, and a lost side tooth, still returned sarcastically. He shook his head mildly, wincing as he peeled his eyes away from Curtis to the figures at the altar.
"I can manage. This wedding is important to her..." he was panting, his chest heaving in and out heavily. "I want to at least be there as her guest... since almost everyone here was the groom's people."
Curtis remained silent while observing Ismael. His lips curled up subtly before rocking his head, setting his attention back to the altar.
"Do you, Aries Aime Healthcliffe, take Abel Grimsbanne as your lawfully and spiritually wedded husband..." the Reverend continued in a shaking voice, hastening the ceremony at the request of the groom. While he was spewing the ceremonial vows, Aries looked up at Abel.
When Abel gazed down at her, she smiled.
"You used your name?" she asked under her breath, pleased at the name he told the Reverend.
"Are you happy?" he returned, ignoring the Reverend, who could hear their conversation but chose to continue as if he wasn't getting distracted.
"Mhm," she hummed a soft tune. "Very."
The two of them stared at each other lovingly while the Reverend was speaking in the background. Once the Reverend stopped for her 'I do,' Aries remained quiet.
"To speak the vows of love, to be by your side in good times and bad, and to do the little things that make you happy is the easiest promise I ever did, Abel. I had many things to thank you for, but there's one I want to thank you the most." Aries raised her hand weakly, cupping his cheek and smiling when he leaned his face closer. "Thank you... for existing. I promise that each of my kisses will be filled with even more love than the last. Allow me to cherish you, love, and adore you, and devote my heart to you."
"I am yours, forever. You can have it all." Tears shone in her heart as the happiness swelling up in her chest was far too overwhelming. She couldn't help but tear up. "Death will not part us, for I know for sure our souls are made for each other."
"I love you, Abel, and I want to spend my life with you. So yes, I do... want to be Abel Grimsbanne's wife in the eyes of God, in the eyes of the law, in the eyes of this world, and even in the eyes of hell." Her lips curled up ever so tenderly, seeing how his eyes glistened with tears. Although it wasn't enough to make him tear up, his eyes still grew watery and slightly red.
The Reverend darted his eyes between the two. It wasn't the best sight to behold, and it was definitely a sight that he has never seen in all the weddings he had facilitated. However, despite the intimidation that had been overtaking him, hearing their vows and the air between them as if they had their own world, the Reverend felt slightly moved.
A shallow breath slipped past his lips as he cleared his throat. Instead of reading them the usual blessings, he looked at them solemnly.
"The sacredness of marriage bridges two shores, binding two individuals together as an unbroken path on which both vow never to deviate, never to falter, and to always be with each other's side." The Reverend smiled genuinely as Abel and Aries set their eyes back to him. "From today onwards, you will become one in mind, soul, body, and heart. May you remember to treasure your vows and stick together through all life's challenges."
He nodded at the two of them encouragingly and smiled. "Be good to each other," he commented, expressing his heart, as this was the hardest and strangest wedding he facilitated, but also the easiest he would ever proclaim.
"I now pronounced you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Everyone in the chapel smiled, watching Abel walk leisurely in the same spot as he faced them. His lips turned up triumphantly and proudly, making Conan clap loudly. Aries glanced at Conan and then her eyes softened when she gloss over the pews. Her eyes lingered on Curtis, seeing him nod at her approvingly, to which she returned with a slight nod.
"I love you." She looked up at Abel and her lips stretched slightly broader.
"I love you more," she replied under her breath, closing her eyes to welcome his lips. As soon as their lips touched tenderly, they both smile against each other's lips.
And with that kiss that sealed their marriage, they were now Mister and Missus Grimsbanne.
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