"Where are you taking me?" Evi asked curiously. I led her to the small path in the woods. "Wait, this place looks familiar."
"It's the place the little rebellious princess went to during one of her adventures." I said.
"No way!" She gasped when she saw the tree.
"It was the tree where we first met." I smile. I nursed the tree back to its glory. It was not a dying tree anymore but a healthy and strong one.
"This place.." She looks around and see the old house in the distance.
"I've been taking care of everything here. Well, I want to preserve this place. It's a very important place for me." I tell her. This was where I lived with my grandmother. Where I had Teacher Rossa giving me lessons and of course, where I first met Evi.
"I'm glad." Evi walked toward the tree and traced the letters carved there with her fingers. She chuckled. "The little girl once told me that she own a tree. She put her initials on the trunk so the tree was hers."
"That was embarrassing. I just wanted to impress you." I look away.
"To impress me?"
"Yeah.. You told me you have a palace. So.. I told you I have a big tree instead."
"Oh, Resse. You were so cute back then." She cooed. My face gotten redder. Ugh, it was embarrassing to think back.
"Well, do you remember the flower garland?" I produced one in an instant with my magic. Her eyes sparkled. I walked over to her and placed the garland on her head.
"That was my first crown." She grinned.
"No, that messy garland shouldn't be your first crown." I protested, shaking my head.
"It doesn't matter. It was made by you. It was a crown to me." She reached for my hand and hold it tight.
"You're so cheeky." I laughed.
"I remembered kissing you under this tree too." She suddenly said.
"You did?" I was taken aback. I didn't think I've ever remember such thing happen.
"Yes. Though, you didn't know about it." She smiled mischievously. "The naughty little princess kissed the other little girl while she was taking a good nap here. The little princess thought that the other girl was just so cute and couldn't help herself."
"You stole my first kiss." I exhaled softly.
"Are you upset with it?"
"No.. I don't think I would've mind back then. Also even now." I smiled at her.
"So, you wouldn't mind me kissing you right now then?" She approached me and stopped in front of me, smiling brightly. She looked so beautiful and I was mesmerised by it.
"I won't mind." I chuckled. With that she leaned in and captured my lips. It was magical. She pulled away a few seconds later, looking right into my eyes.
"I love you, Resse." She told me gently. No matter how many times she told me that, my heart was still racing. The joy I felt was immense.
"I love you too." I said, lost in her bright blue eyes.
"I feel like I'm dreaming right now." Evi muttered with wide smile. Happiness visibly seen in her eyes. I wanted the light to forever shined. I wanted to protect her happiness and smile.
"It's not a dream." I whispered softly. I leaned in and kissed her slow. My hand rested on her cheek, my thumb caressed it gently. Evi was smiling on my lips. Her hands caged my waist and pulled me closer. It was getting intense.
"Wait.." I pulled away, catching my breath. That was way too intense. I could pass out. Evi pouted sulkily. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" She raised both of her eyebrows, intrigued.
I pulled her under the tree, taking a deep breath to calm down my frantic heart. I took both of her hands and held them tight. This was nerve wrecking. I looked into her enchanted blue eyes. Oh gosh, I was getting sway in them. It was easier when I was practicing but when I was right in front of her, it was hard to speak all of a sudden.
"Resse?" She called, confused. I snapped out of my trance.
"Yes. I.. Sorry. I was distracted." I stammered.
"Distracted by my eyes?" She grinned.
"Yes.." I admitted and almost did it again but I shook my head to snap out of it. Evi was highly amused by it. "Okay, will you listen to me?"
"I will." She nodded.
"If people ask me what you are to me, I will tell them that you're my world, my Soulmate, my heart and my lifeline. I can't imagine the world where I never met you, Evi. You have been nothing but perfect for me. You have love me greatly unconditionally all these years. I am not perfect and there are times that I hurt you. I'm sorry. I.." I choked. I was getting too emotional and I was holding back my tears. Evi looked at me, biting her lips, patiently waiting for me to continue. "I.. I want you. I want to make you happy. I want you to know that.. That I want to stay by your side. I want to stay during your happiest moments as well as during your hardest. I want to stay with you throughout anything. I love you so much Evi.."
I took a deep breath. I took a step away from her and gently let go of her hands. With a swift wave of my hand, the ground changed. Colourful flowers grew between the grass. Evi's eyes widened in amazement and awe. She looked around in fascination. My legs went jelly but I forced them to work. I got on one knee on the ground. Evi gasped, covering her mouth, eyes began to water. Oh no, if she was looking at me like that, I felt like I wanted to faint. I produced a ring with Hazel coloured diamond on it. The colour resembled the colour of my eyes. We got rid of the old rings we wore before because we wanted to start fresh. I thought that I wanted new set of rings instead. Custom made. I held up the ring toward her.
"Will you marry-"
"Yes!" She answered before I could even finished my sentence. "Yes absolutely! I do!"
I grinned broadly. I couldn't explain the happiness bubbling inside of me. I felt like I could burst into confetti. I gently took her hand and slid the ring on her ring finger. It fit on perfectly. I stood up properly and produced the other ring. It was almost the same but instead it had a blue diamond on it. The colour that very similar to Evi's eyes. I handed it to her. Evi was already crying. She grabbed my hand and gently slid it into my finger.
"I love you, Evi." I muttered emotionally. I pulled her into my arms. Tears of happiness fell and ran down my cheeks.
"I love you too, Resse." She whispered when we pulled away briefly. The look in her eyes brought shivers in me. She leaned in to kiss me. I basically drowned in this pure bliss.
*
When I saw her, I felt like I wanted to cry. The sight of her on that altar made my heart raced. I didn't notice all of these people in this hall because my eyes only directed at her. Her beautiful mesmerising bright blue eyes, her pink lips, her beautiful face and her smooth beautiful blonde hair. I didn't want to look away from her. My steps were calm even though I wasn't even calm on the inside. The calm melodic music did nothing to soothe my nerves. This was a very important day. I didn't want to mess up.
When I arrived at the foot of the altar, Evi welcomed me. She held out her hand and I took it, shaking slightly. She squished it reassuringly, silently telling me that it was going to be okay. She smiled warmly at me. I returned the smile. Then I stepped on the altar, facing her with both of our hands intertwined.
I barely heard anything the High Priest's speech because I only focused on the love of my life in front of me. I was on autopilot, murmuring 'I do' when the question was asked. Then, the High Priest declared of our sacred union, that was when I snapped out of the trance. It was official. We were each other's.
"You may kiss." He declared.
Evi was the one that moved first. She leaned in, capturing my lips so gently and it almost made me want to melt into her arms. The crowd cheers loudly, flower petals started falling from above. It was a happy day. My happiest day. Our happiest day.
"I love you, Resse.." She whispered when we broke away from the kiss.
"I love you too, Evi." I said it back and tearing up.
We had to look away from each other to face the guests. I saw Teacher Rossa at the front row, like she requested, she was sitting on the VIP seat. I saw that she was smiling proudly, brushing away tears from the corner of her eyes. I saw other familiar faces. The council was there of course. I had expect that they would be wearing their political smiles but was surprised to see that they were grinning happily. Evi and I walked down the altar, hand in hand. We waved at the guests as we walked. This felt surreal but I knew this was happening.
We walked out of the hall so that we could change outfit for the next ceremony. The dance and feast. We entered the changing room and I knew there were servants waiting for us to help with the outfit but I didn't see them when we entered. Evi pulled me to her, capturing my lips with her own. I was taken aback but soon recovered and responded to the kiss.
"I told the servants to give us 10 minutes of privacy." She told me when she pulled away. I giggled in amusement. She grinned slyly. "They understand that I need some alone time with my wife."
"Then, let's make use of that 10 minutes properly." I winked playfully. She chuckled and cupped my face, our lips connected again with much more passion than before.
We ended up entangled with each other on top of the armchair. We couldn't stop kissing each other. We only took a little break to breath in between. We didn't want to stop. Her lips were so addictive. Each kiss felt like igniting a fire inside of me and that sensation made me wanting more. Her soft lips, her breath fanning my face, her soft moans, I wanted them all. Then, the knocks stopped us eventually. Breathing heavily, red lips and staring at each other's flushed face as we broke off the kiss.
"Time's up.." I muttered, out of breath. Evi was disappointed. Her eyes kept on drifting on my lips, clearly wasn't satisfied. It was making my heart went even crazy.
"Let's continue this later.. Let's enjoy the dance and the feast for now." She said and kissed my nose before straighten up and fixed herself to be more presentable. I couldn't stop grinning. Ah, this was what happiness taste like.
The feast was fun. The dance was fun too. As long as it was with Evi, I didn't mind. The food was delicious and we walked around the hall, talking to guest and thanking them for their good wishes. It felt like a really long day and I knew I would be so exhausted after it was over.
It was late at night when all the ceremony was over. We had more things to do the next day. Royalty wedding was grand and hectic. We needed to ride a carriage and moved around the capital city in a big parade. Then, we would have to visit the temple and prayed to the god. That was the end of the matter regarding our wedding. However, we couldn't relax yet after that. Evi's coronation to change her title to Queen Evi Ascar, and wore the queen's crown. I would also be receiving a new title as the queen's partner. Queen Consort if I wasn't mistaken. There was a lot of details about stuff like that and I didn't have the brain capacity to remember them in short amount of time. I still retained my position as Royal Sorcerer though but with an extension of responsibility as the ruler's partner. It would be so busy for a couple of months ahead.
Laying in bed with Evi felt different this time. Mostly because we were already wedded. I was still getting used to the idea of Evi was my wife. It was making me giddy and happy. She scooted closer to me, draping her arms around me and pulled me close. I bet she could hear my fast beating heart. We were so tired but found comfort in each other's warmth. I kissed the top of her head and closed my eyes.
"Goodnight, my love.." I murmured sleepily.