Brief procedure

Ignis's turn to guard me doesn't come for two days.

I don't see him for long, and I start worrying he might have been caught. But then, he reappears.

He's not the one bringing me food, so I can't talk with him. Yet, he nods to me when the door is opened and our eyes meet.

Good. He's done his part.

I nod in reply, hinting that I've got the permission document signed. We already are a step ahead of the King since he will never have that piece of paper.

I can't wait to make Ignis and father meet. I'm sure they'll get along. Oh, I forgot to tell father about our encounter, though.

It would have made everything simpler if I said that the man I'm going to marry is the boy that visited our house more than ten years ago.

Even though Ignis stayed only a couple of months, father became attached to him as well. The two got along greatly back then. I'm sure he'll be relieved when he sees I didn't marry a stranger.

Without even noticing how my good mood painted a smile on my face, I eat lunch, forgetting to complain about everything until the guard's ears bleed. Oh, never mind, I'll do it later at dinner.

When the knight leaves, I walk to the sofa and stay there for the rest of the day. I don't have anything to do, so I just wait.

It's boring, but somehow time passes.

When the door is opened for the second time, Ignis walks in.

«Where is dinner?» I inquire. He's not empty-handed, though. Nor alone.

«Later,» he says. «First, let's finish this.»

A middle-aged man follows him. He stares at me from behind small, round glasses. He's wearing some kind of uniform; he's probably an officer.

Oh, the officer. The one that will marry us, right? Has Ignis already finished everything? He's been so fast!

I would have needed way more to collect all the documents and find all the people...

«The witnesses?» I murmur. We need at least two.

«The guards at the door are both my friends.»

«And they will help you just like that? Oh, wait... They will help me for no reason at all. Why would they accept?»

Ignis stares at me, an eyebrow lifted.

«They owe me a favour,» he replies, a second or two later. «I will have to leave after this. If they don't pay me back now, they'll stay indebted forever.»

«Oh, you're still as kind as when you were a child,» I chuckle. «You help people whenever you can...»

He shakes his head and bites his lips. The guards also exchange a look, and I realise I can't talk to a grown man like this. Not in front of others, at least.

As far as I know, he might have built his reputation with hard work and sweat. Better avoid ruining it the last few days he stays here.

«I mean, you're full of resources,» I try. «I'm sure I won't be in any danger if you're protecting me...»

Is this better?

Ignis's red ears tell me that maybe this isn't the right thing to say either. I'll just shut up and be in silence until asked to talk.

«Sit here,» he says while moving the chair for me.

I follow, a bit embarrassed by my own words from before. I can't understand why Ignis reacted like that, though. What was so wrong?

«There won't be any long process; we don't have time,» Ignis explains. «The officer will read our duties, and we will accept and declare we weren't forced to sign the marriage. The witnesses will also sign, and we'll be legally married.»

I nod, observing his serious expression. Any trace of childishness has now disappeared. Oh, not that there was much on his face.

His features are definitely manly. Now that I can see him focused, I have the chance to notice. His nose is straight and symmetric; his eyes are sharp and magnetic; traces of dark red beard are growing on his face, failing to hide the chiselled shape of his chin and his defined cheekbones.

As the officer starts reciting his part, I continue to observe my new husband.

I still can't believe Ignis accepted to help me.

It's true that I saved his life, but we were both children. And he also promised to keep it secret, so we are kind of even.

Oh, that means I now owe him one.

I bite my lower lip to hide a giggle. My, my... Nervousness is making my thoughts stray.

«Do you accept to fulfil your duties as a wife, Veronica?» the officer asks.

«Yes, I do.»

«Has anyone forced you into this marriage, in any way, physical or not?»

«No one.»

«Do you accept to fulfil your duties as a husband, Ignatius?» he then continues.

«I do.»

«Has anyone forced you into this marriage, in any way?»

Oh, wait... If Ignis is feeling indebted, then this marriage is kind of imposed on him.

He turns to me, and he waits a long, painful second before answering.

«No one has.»

Why the need for that silence?

Ah, he was teasing me. Even during such a delicate moment? I wasn't expecting it. Yet, he's changed.

And I also have changed over the years.

I like to think I've become more mature. No one confirmed my suspicions, though.

«Hereby, I declare your marriage valid from this very moment. Veronica and Ignatius, sign under your name.»

I am the first to sign. I write my name and observe the final outcome.

Veronica Bursio. Oh, my surname will be different now. Who knows what Ignis's family name is? I haven't ever asked him, now that I think about it. It's not something a child would think of.

And it passed from my mind when I met him again. Isn't it a bit late to ask now that we're getting married?

He signs after me, but I can't peek because the paper is moved for the witnesses to sign.

The knights have finished their part. They return in front of the door while the officer collects his copy and leaves.

Ignis folds the other two and puts them in a pocket.

«My copy?» I ask. I'll need to prove my status to the King if something happens.

«It's safer with me. For the moment, pretend nothing happened. You might get in trouble if someone finds this in the room.»

Then, he moves a step to me.

«By the way, there's something we forgot.»

«What?» I ask.

«It's not a real marriage without the kiss sealing our promises.»

«Ah?»

Without warning, he bows down and leans his mouth over mine.

I couldn't imagine his lips were so soft. He presses them for a moment before stepping back and leaving.

More than a sealing kiss, it's a peck on the lips. However, my body doesn't see the difference and starts burning all over.

I stay in place, still, for way more than a few seconds. My face is crimson from confusion, and my brain isn't working.

It's way worse than when Ignis blushed at my words. This single gesture made me lose my mind.

What in the world? Was the kiss part of the procedure?

And, also, no one saw it. Does it still count?