Light Pavillon.

[Randall's POV]

In the middle of a fitting room, a white robe with red stripes covered most of my body. As for my overcoat, Orwell told me someone was washing it.

My hands stretched, and the tightened robe followed them.

"It really fits… Violet did a great job with this, for sure."

Making this piece of clothing purely by hand must have been tough, but she did it perfectly.

Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to marry her… Really. I'm sure a lot of people would be drooling at the mere opportunity to be in my shoes.

I mean, Violet is regarded as one of Teutonia's genius-level tailors. She's also quite gorgeous, selfless, polite, kind and loyal.

Who wouldn't want a wife like that?

….. The vivid image of someone else popped into my mind. Though, someone's voice jolted me out of such thoughts.

"Randall, may I come in?"

"Yeah, sure."

The dark haired human stepped into the room, having her two hands tucked inside a stylish, dark blazer-like overcoat.

Underneath that, a white sweater blended in fairly well with her fair skin. It also served to highlight her body's figure. 

She took a seat by a table, and stared at a vase holding a few white flowers… Particularly, some resembling a white rose from Earth.

"... Do you know what day is it? Today, I mean."

"It's the thirty-first of Augusto. Why do you ask?"

"... It took us 7 years to reach a maintainable stalemate, even with the covert help from Edelchia and Mephino. When you came, it took you 87 days to end the war. With minimal support."

Any colour that her face had turned to nothing. After uttering those words, that is.

She's not wrong, but…

"Truthfully, I just wanted to thank you for that. But it also makes me feel like shit. You stopping the war on your own is enough to prove that-"

She stopped herself, and maintained a thousand-yard stare for a couple of seconds.

".... Sorry for that. I intended to congratulate you on the marriage, and understand your upcoming goals."

"It's alright." My hand patted her shoulder. In response, she found herself confused… Or at least that's what her facial gestures told me. 

"Look, once this is over, I'll… I will tell you everything about my hometown, Earth."

She still looked at me, rather gloomily. 

"By the way, about the future… If you're worried about me betraying you, then relax. I'm not planning on doing that."

That seemed to cheer her up a bit.

My eyes closed, while mindless thoughts explored the depths of my head. 

'Yes… I'll be able to focus on my own goals.'

Returning to Earth… I have tons of unfinished business back there-

'?'

Snapping my thought cloud out of existence, I felt something rather warm pressed against my body. Lightly.

Looking down, I spotted the one who caused that, hugging me. 

'A hug…?'

"Again, thanks for everything."

My body basically froze on the spot. I didn't know how to react, weirdly enough. 

'I haven't had one of these in years. Not ever since…'

Since Soph died.

'It shouldn't have been her. She had a bright life ahead of her…'

A life far brighter than anyone else's. Radiant enough to illuminate the world. 

"R,rand…all…"

A punch-like feeling struck my back, and I found my arms wrapped around Jean. A bit too tightly.

Hastily, I let her go, and she gasped for air. Currently, the purple-ish shade of her skin almost matched her hair… As for her eyes, they emanated some fear.

Fear of death. 'She… she almost died.' 

… No. I almost killed her.

I tried approaching her, but she took a step back. Without even realizing it.

"I,I'm sorry."

She took a while to speak. "It's… alright."

"No, it's not al-"

"Randall, are you ready?"

Ren barged into the room, only to be met with two people. Her gaze alternated between me, with my hand extended, and the still concerned Jean.

"Yes, Ren. I'll go in a minute."

"Understood."

The panda departed, leaving us alone again.

"... Do you know how we deal with weddings, Randall?"

"Yes. A Reverend will hand over a contract that both Violet and I have to sign. Then, we'll probably have some people cheering for us, and finish the entire thing up with a kiss."

"Uh, a kiss?"

"Yes. Violet wanted a kiss, so…"

She sighed, and finally decided to leave the room. "I'll go to the pavillon, and see what Natasha's up to. If you need me, you can find me there."

… Silence returned to the room, after her departure.

The peaceful, yet lonely silence.

Under this peaceful atmosphere, I went and glanced at the white flowers. Then, I too left this place.

…

The moment had arrived.

Standing with Orwell on one side, and the human queen on the other, I couldn't help but feel strange. 'They actually want to send me off…?'

With the destination a block away from our current position, we walked.

"I doubt this is needed…"

"I did not allow your brother to walk alone, as he got married at the age of 34. Neither will I let my long-lost son have that sort of freedom."

I heard a sigh, possibly coming from his wife.

"I guess I can accept that. But do we also need…?" My voice trailed off. Instead of continuing, I let my sight finish that sentence.

Three kids strolled ahead of us. Only one of them seemed to have some situational awareness… As for the other two? One simply goofed around, and the other pretended to be serious.

Pretended. That's it.

'Those three should be the late Monarch's children. Had it not been for Orwell, they'd have no choice but to forsake their young years in politics.'

… A grim fate that I would wish to very few people.

"Randall, you'll have to walk alone from now on. Just meet up with the Demon Queen in the Lightful Pavillon, and she'll guide you."

I nodded, and thanked him.

And walked off.

Surrounded by seven stairs, the dumpling-like building in the distance stood proudly, and with good reason. That place acted as Earth's churches… Only for marriages.

After all, humans here don't have gods.

They have themselves.

Some cheering reached my ears. Most of it was happy, luckily. Most of the few who came even close to insulting me… were silenced. Unfortunately, not everyone did.

"Traitor!"

'A traitor… Pfft.'

That's funny.

"Ahem. So, today we've gathered to celebrate the union between these two…"

And the man, standing between us and the Pavillon, started giving a rather expressive speech...

'Similar to a priest, and a church… Yet, they seem to place far more emphasis on "us", instead of a divine figure. Odd.'

… The sun blocked my sight whenever I raised my head too much. It should be alright, though.

As my skull went back to facing my future wife, the reverend's words gave me a signal.

"You may kiss each other," spoke the stranger, as the "blessing powder" fell all over us.

'It's time.'

In spite of the chains, Violet kept a surprisingly honest smile. She took my hands into hers, creating a moment that I'd certainly never forget.

A perfect moment that was interrupted by a blade piercing my neck.