In a guest room of the recently purchased Moretti manor, a man stared at his reflection in the mirror. The man who looked back wore an impeccably tailored black formal suit. He was Klein Moretti. He adjusted the knot of his silk tie; his hands shook. He had faced multiple threats without flinching, but the thought of the woman he loved waiting for him made his heart beat uncontrollably.
"Nervous?"
Benson's voice came from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, looking proud in his own perfectly tailored suit.
Klein turned around to look at his brother. It felt strange to let his true feelings show so plainly.
"Terrified," he admitted. "And happier than I ever thought I could be. It feels… unreal. Like a dream I'm afraid to wake from."
Benson walked over. He straightened his brother's collar and said, "It's real. Look around you. It's really happening." His gaze softened. "She's a good woman, Klein. She looks at you with the most loving gaze I've seen. Don't you dare mess this up." He gave Klein a firm slap on the back, a gesture of pure brotherly love. "Dad would have liked her. He would have been proud of you, you know. Not just for this, but for everything."
Klein's eyes moistened. "I know," he whispered.
Benson clapped him on the shoulder again. "Alright, enough of that. We don't want the bride to see you with puffy eyes. Now, come on. It's time to go get married."
...
In the master bedroom, the air seemed to shimmer with excitement.
Melissa, looking lovely and grown-up in a pale blue dress that matched her bright eyes, carefully arranged the long veil in Audrey's golden hair.
"You look like a princess," Melissa said in awe.
Audrey looked at her reflection, and for a moment, she couldn't quite recognize the woman staring back.
She wore a magnificent white gown. The cut was elegant and classic. She was radiant.
Countess Hall stood at her side, beside Melissa.
"My beautiful girl," the Countess said as small tears formed in her eyes.
She grabbed a small wooden box from the dresser and opened it. Inside, resting on a satin cushion, was a delicate diamond necklace.
"This was originally your grandmother's. She wore it on her wedding day. She always said it was to remind her that true love is both strong and brilliant. She passed it down to me on my wedding day, and today I'm passing it down to you." She carefully fastened the necklace around Audrey's neck. "She would have been so happy to see you today, so full of love."
Audrey met her mother's tear-filled gaze. "Thank you, Mother. It's beautiful."
She then turned and gave Melissa a tight hug, careful not to mess up her perfectly styled hair. Melissa hugged her back.
"I'm so happy for you both," Melissa said earnestly.
...
The ceremony took place in the manor's rose garden.
Under a simple arch of white roses and ivy, a small gathering of their closest loved ones sat on wooden chairs.
Besides the Halls and the Morettis, a few unusual guests were present.
A stoic, weathered sailor who looked suspiciously like Alger stared ahead. Beside him, a novelist, Fors Wall, was already sobbing quietly into a handkerchief that Xio, the one sitting next to her, gave her. Further down, a handsome man with vibrant green eyes, Leonard Mitchell, looked nonchalant, though he couldn't quite hide the small smile that appeared when the string quartet began to play.
Klein stood under the arch. His heart was pounding at a rhythm that seemed to shake his entire body. Then, Audrey appeared at the end of the garden path, escorted by her father. The afternoon sunlight seemed to shine just for her. It was caught in the delicate fabric of her veil, creating a soft, dreamy halo around her, as if she were walking through a morning mist.
Her gown was a masterpiece of simple beauty. It wasn't huge or overly complicated, but was perfectly made from a silk that seemed to glow white. Thousands of tiny, carefully sewn pearls decorated the dress, not in flashy patterns, but scattered around like starlight. They caught the sun with every graceful step she took, creating a captivating, gentle sparkle.
The dress was cut to follow the graceful shape of her body, fitting her perfectly before flowing into a waterfall that followed her steps. It moved with her like a river of white and light.
Around her neck, her grandmother's diamond necklace glittered.
But it wasn't the dress or the jewels that took Klein's breath away.
It was her.
It was the bright, pure joy on her face.
Her smile was wide, brilliant, and aimed only at him. It was so bright he felt it could have lit up the entire world.
Audrey reached the front of the garden, and her father, Earl Hall, gently placed her hand into Klein's. The Earl looked at Klein.
"...Take care of my daughter," he said, his voice quiet and full of emotion.
"I will," Klein promised.
They turned to face the officiant, a kind-faced older man.
The small group of guests—their family and closest friends—watched in happy silence.
"We are gathered here today in this beautiful home to join Klein Moretti and Audrey Hall in marriage," the officiant began. He then turned to Klein. "Do you, Klein Moretti, take Audrey Hall to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
Klein looked into Audrey's shining emerald eyes.
"I do," he said. His voice was full of certainty that resonated deep in his soul.
The officiant then turned to Audrey. "And do you, Audrey Hall, take Klein Moretti to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
Audrey smiled through her happy tears as her hand squeezed his.
"I do," she said, her voice soft but completely sure.
Benson, standing behind Klein as his best man, handed Klein a ring.
Klein gently took Audrey's hand and slid the silver band onto her finger.
Melissa then gave Audrey the matching ring. Audrey's hand trembled just slightly as she slid it onto Klein's finger.
The officiant beamed at them. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." He smiled. "You may now kiss the bride."
Klein slowly lifted Audrey's veil. He leaned in and kissed her. It was a kiss full of love and relief.
Their small group of guests erupted into cheers and applause. Some cried happy tears, and others simply beamed with joy.
Benson was the first to reach out, pulling Klein into a fierce, brotherly hug that lifted him off the ground. Melissa also rushed in and joined her brothers.
The Countess and Earl Hall followed the Morettis' actions and hugged Audrey, their faces full of pride and overwhelming love.
Even the small, disguised group of friends looked genuinely happy.
Hand in hand, Klein and Audrey walked back down the garden path, no longer as two separate people, but as one.
Klein couldn't stop looking at Audrey, at the way the sun caught the happy tears on her cheeks and the brilliant shine of the silver band on her finger.
She squeezed his hand—her teary, emerald eyes were full of love.
...
The celebration transitioned from the sunlit garden to the grand dining room of the manor. A feast awaited them at a single, long table, elegantly decorated with white roses.
The air was rich with the aroma of roasted chicken and fresh-baked bread. The meal was paired with lively conversations and heartfelt laughter.
After the main course, the party moved to the ballroom, where Klein and Audrey danced together first.
He drew her close for their first dance as husband and wife, swaying to the music in the heart of their home.
"Mrs. Moretti," Klein whispered.
Audrey tilted her head back to smile up at him. "It has a rather beautiful sound to it, don't you think?" She giggled as she let herself be led by him across the polished ballroom floor.
Their first dance melted into a second, and then a third. Soon, the floor was filled with their family and friends.
A couple of songs later, they stood hand-in-hand as they cut into the beautiful wedding cake, smearing a little frosting on each other's noses in a playful manner.
As the evening passed, the celebration began to wane. The music softened, and the guests began to say their goodbyes one by one, leaving with warm hugs and heartfelt wishes under the soft glow of the manor's porch light.
Finally, the last carriage rolled away down the long driveway. The house was now peaceful and quiet.
Klein and Audrey stood alone in the center of the ballroom, surrounded by the beautiful aftermath—he scent of roses and wine, a few stray ribbons.
He looked at her, his wife, and she looked at him, her husband, and in the quiet night, joy finally settled over them.
Without a word, Klein bent down and scooped his wife into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her from the ballroom and up the staircase.
He carried her into their bedroom, where the hired servants had left a few candles burning, creating a romantic mood. The moonlight streamed through the large windows, casting a crimson glow over the bed.
He gently set her down, and they helped each other out of their wedding attire.
There was no frantic passion, but instead slow, tender love. Every touch was gentle, every slow kiss was soft.
Hours later, wrapped in the soft sheets, Klein held Audrey close, listening to the soft sound of her breathing as she slept peacefully on his chest.
My old life on Earth feels like a distant dream, and perhaps this is a dream as well.
But if it is, I pray I never wake up.
Klein drifted off as he held on to Audrey.
...
Klein woke slowly as the sun's rays of dawn streamed through the windows. Then he felt the soft weight against his side and the gentle rhythm of breathing.
He opened his eyes.
Audrey was peacefully asleep. Her golden hair fanned out across the pillow, making her look like an angel.
He lay there for a long time, simply watching her, mesmerized by her sleeping face. Then, her eyes fluttered open.
"Hm?" Her soft, sleepy expression made his heart ache with love. "Good morning, my husband," Audrey whispered.
A wide grin spread across Klein's face. "Good morning, my wife," he replied. "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I ever have," she said as she snuggled closer.
Klein reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. He leaned in and gave her a slow, soft kiss.
Audrey's smile widened. "Dummy."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for another kiss.
...
The days that followed allowed them to fall into a comfortable rhythm.
They had their breakfast as a married couple in their kitchen and took long walks through the private woods on their property.
Mr. World and Miss Justice both excused themselves multiple times from Tarot Club meetings for... personal reasons. Of course, Klein still had to attend as Mr. Fool, but the Klein Moretti consciousness remained with Audrey.
One bright afternoon, several weeks after their wedding, Audrey decided to host her first small tea party in the garden for a few of her friends from Backlund.
The air was filled with laughter and the clinking of porcelain.
Klein, playing the part of the doting husband, helped serve small cakes and refill teacups. He could have the servants do this, but seeing his wife from up close, happily chatting with her friends, filled his heart with warmth.
He was returning from the house with a fresh pot of tea when he noticed an older gentleman standing by the rose bushes. He was a guest Klein hadn't met yet, a well-dressed man admiring the flowers Audrey planted.
As the man turned slightly, the afternoon sun glinted off the polished glass of the monocle he wore in his right eye.
Klein's heart stopped.
The world seemed to go silent. The cheerful sounds of the party faded away.
For a terrifying, split second, the man's ordinary face seemed to twist, his smile turning into a cruel, knowing smirk. The air grew cold.
Amon.
Every instinct screamed danger. What could a Sequence 2 do against a King of Angels?
The man slowly turned to look at Klein.
A Worm of Spirit inside Sefirah Castle looked into the crimson star representing The World and looked around with his god-like view. No traces of Amon.
He was just a cheerful-looking old man with a friendly face and a slightly ridiculous gold-rimmed monocle.
"Ah! You must be the lucky man!" the guest said warmly. "A pleasure. I am Lord Pemberton. Allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations on your marriage. You have made an old friend of mine, and his daughter, very happy."
Klein stood frozen for a second before his Clown powers kicked in. This man wasn't Amon. He was just a harmless, friendly nobleman. The threat had been entirely in his own head.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Pemberton," Klein managed to say. "Thank you."
Lord Pemberton smiled. "My daughter seems to be having fun with your wife, Mr. Moretti." He said, looking over at the ladies enjoying their tea. "Say, are there any other fine gentlemen in your circle who happen to be single?"
Huh? Are you really trying to set up your daughter? Klein scoffed inwardly.
"My brother is quite dedicated to his career at the moment, my lord," Klein replied, offering a small, apologetic smile. "And my other close friends are... let us say they are frequently abroad. Not quite the type to settle down."
Lord Pemberton took the polite refusal and chuckled. "Ah, the ambitions of youth! A respectable pursuit, to be sure. One cannot fault a man for that."
"Klein? Darling, do we have any more of those lemon cakes?" Audrey's voice called out from the garden. The perfect getaway from this conversation.
"Coming right now," he called back. He nodded at Lord Pemberton and excused himself.
He smiled, he poured tea, but something in his mind changed.
The interaction with Lord Pemberton made him realize that he was still terrified of Amon. His days with Audrey made him forget about everything, but simply seeing a monocle triggered fear. Fear he hadn't felt since the day Amon stood in front of him as the marionette Enuni inside that Backlund apartment.
He looked at Audrey, so happy and beautifully unaware.
"..."
That night, after Audrey had fallen asleep in his arms, Klein lay awake, staring into the darkness as he thought about Amon and the approaching Apocalypse.
His time of peace was over.
I must ascend to Sequence 1...