Elowen — now Queen of Wonderveil — walked at her sister's side, leading Celestia toward the altar. They had no father, nor any male kin to give Celestia away on the most precious day of her life. And so Elowen herself had chosen to stand in that place — the elder sister, who had watched over Celestia since childhood.
Outside the great hall, all was soft and still. Morning sunlight spilled across the palace grounds, while a gentle breeze stirred the hems of both princesses' gowns.
Elowen looked at her sister, her smile brimming with love. "Ready?" she asked softly.
Celestia breathed deep and nodded. "I am."
Calm though her face appeared, her heart beat fast. The day she had dreamed of all her life was finally here.
Elowen offered her hand. Celestia took it, smiling.
"Together," Elowen said.
"Together," Celestia answered.
They walked slowly toward the great hall, flanked by guards standing in perfect formation. Their steps were measured, their long gowns sweeping softly over the crimson carpet that stretched to the hall's doors.
At the entrance, two guards pulled open the great doors with reverence. The hall fell silent. Every guest rose, turning toward the entrance as one. Nobles, high officials, honored guests, and dearest friends — all had gathered.
Nyx sat near the front, beside Aver and Axe. The three of them smiled, gazing at Celestia — radiant and graceful.
At the altar, Charles stood waiting beside the priest. He wore formal white, stitched with gold across the shoulders and chest. His hair was combed neatly, and he looked nobler than ever. But the moment his eyes met Celestia's… he forgot how to breathe. He could not look away.
Celestia in her white gown — she was beyond words.
"Beautiful…" Charles breathed, unaware he had spoken aloud. A tender smile touched his lips.
Celestia saw the wonder in his face and smiled, blushing softly.
Elowen led her sister forward until they stood before Charles. She paused, then gently released Celestia's hand. She looked straight into Charles's eyes.
"Take good care of her."
Charles nodded, steady and true. "I swear it."
Satisfied, Elowen stepped back and made her way to her seat. Nyx waved as she approached.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," Elowen replied, sitting beside her.
Nyx looked toward the altar. "She looks magnificent."
Elowen's smile held both pride and a quiet ache. "She does. I still cannot believe my little sister is truly marrying."
A soft hand touched her shoulder. Elowen turned.
"Ashveil."
He smiled from the seat behind her.
"Why are you sitting back there?" Elowen laughed gently.
"Every other place beside you was taken," he said with a shrug. "And besides — the ceremony is about to begin."
Elowen nodded. "True enough." She turned back to the altar.
The priest opened his book. Silence fell once more. He spoke the blessings — his voice clear and steady — and all bowed their heads in reverence.
When the prayers ended, an attendant stepped forward bearing two rings upon a velvet cushion. Charles took the first. Carefully, reverently, he slipped it upon Celestia's finger. Celestia looked up at him, smiling, then took the second ring. Her hand trembled slightly — with joy — as she placed it upon Charles's finger.
The priest looked upon them both.
"Charles — do you take Celestia to be your wife?"
Charles met Celestia's gaze, and answered without hesitation. "I do."
The priest turned to her. "Celestia — do you take Charles to be your husband?"
Celestia's smile was soft and bright. "I do."
The priest closed his book, and raised his hands in blessing.
"Then by the power vested in me — I declare you husband and wife."
The hall erupted in applause.
"Long life to them!"
"Congratulations!"
Charles beamed. He gazed at Celestia, overflowing with love, and gently drew her close. "I love you, Celestia."
Celestia held his hands and smiled. "And I love you, Charles."
Charles kissed her — tenderly, softly — and the hall cheered. Some laughed, some wept for joy, all celebrated the union of two beloved souls.
Elowen watched from her place, her eyes glistening. Her sister — happy, beloved, safe.
Then… something drifted through the open window.
A great butterfly — wings of pale green dusted with crystals of silver — floated into the hall. Heads turned upward.
"A butterfly?"
"Look… how lovely!"
Elowen looked — and froze. The butterfly drifted slowly toward her, and hovered before her.
"Good day, Queen Elowen."
Elowen's eyes went wide. "Liy? Is it truly you?"
The butterfly nodded gently. "It is, Your Majesty. At last — I have emerged. After so long a wait."
Elowen could scarcely breathe. She stared at those shimmering wings. "When… when did this happen? Why was I never told?"
Liy smiled. "Just before the wedding, Your Majesty. Charles, Celestia, Nyx, Aver, and Axe — they all watched me break free of my cocoon."
Elowen turned slowly toward Nyx, Aver, and Axe. Her expression shifted — to a very familiar, slightly hurt, faintly jealous frown.
"Nyx…" she said. "Why was I the very last to know?"
Nyx smiled sheepishly. "I… truly did not have a moment to tell you. Forgive me, Queen Elowen."
Aver and Axe stifled quiet laughter.
Elowen sighed, then smiled. "Very well." She turned back to Liy. "Liy… congratulations. You are the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen."
Liy beamed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The celebration continued in joy and splendor. Charles and Celestia cut their wedding cake — tier upon tier, tall and glorious — and the hall filled once more with cheers. Elowen looked upon them, smiling with all her heart.
Then Ashveil stepped to her side.
"Elowen…"
She turned to him.
"Soon enough — it shall be our turn."
Elowen's smile softened, yet her gaze held a quiet doubt. "Ashveil… I sometimes wonder — am I truly worthy of you?"
Ashveil shook his head gently. He took her hand in his.
"Never speak so. I love you exactly as you are. Not because you are a queen — but because you are Elowen. And I pray that we, too, shall know happiness… until our very last breath."
Elowen squeezed his hand, and her doubt melted away. She looked up at him, and smiled.
"Yes… I believe we shall."
...........
Weeks had passed since the wedding of Charles and Celestia — and now the most anticipated day of all had come: the wedding of Queen Elowen and Ashveil.
For days, the palace had hummed with activity. Servants worked from dawn till late at night, ensuring every detail was perfect. The great hall was adorned more lavishly than ever before — for this time, the bride was no mere princess, but the ruling Queen of Wonderveil herself.
In contrast to Charles and Celestia's modest ceremony, attended only by close friends and honored guests, Elowen and Ashveil's wedding was a grand celebration. Invitations had been sent to nobles across every corner of Wonderveil — regional lords, knights, high officials, and all who had served the realm with distinction.
From early morning, carriages filled the palace courtyard. Guests arrived in their finest attire, exchanging warm smiles and congratulations.
"To think — Queen Elowen is wed at last."
"After all she has endured, she deserves every happiness."
"They say Ashveil has loved her for years."
"A match made in heaven."
Inside the great hall, splendor reigned. A crimson carpet stretched all the way to the altar. Pillars were garlanded in white, gold, and sky-blue blossoms; silken banners hung soft and bright from every arch. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the entire hall, filling it with warmth and grace. Beyond the doors, the gentle strains of an orchestra drifted through the air, wrapping the palace in romance.
In her chambers, Elowen stood before a great mirror. She wore a gown of purest white — its skirt billowing in layers of finest fabric, so that every step seemed to flow. The bodice was stitched with golden thread and tiny pearls, blooming like flowers; her train fell long and graceful behind her. A small crown, set with sapphires, rested upon her neatly arranged hair. Her face was calm — yet beneath her smile lay a quiet, trembling joy.
As she breathed deep to steady herself, the door opened softly. Celestia stepped in, smiling.
"Sister…"
Elowen turned. "Celestia."
Celestia gazed at her, from head to toe, and her smile swelled with pride. "You are breathtaking today."
Elowen laughed softly. "Thank you. I understand now exactly how you felt on your wedding day."
Celestia nodded, laughing. "Nervous, aren't you?"
"Terribly." Elowen sighed. "I have faced Alice in battle, worn the crown, and weathered every trial… yet today, my heart beats faster than ever."
Celestia smiled and held out her hand. "Then let me walk beside you today. As you once walked beside me."
Elowen looked at her sister's outstretched hand, and smiled. "Once I gave you away. And today… it is your turn to give me."
They laughed together, eyes bright with tears. Celestia took Elowen's hand in hers, and together they walked toward the great hall.
When the doors swung open, every guest rose as one. All eyes turned — to Elowen, stepping forward in grace, her sister at her side.
At the altar, Ashveil waited. He stood in formal white, embroidered with gold — stitched to mark his place beside the Queen. And when he saw Elowen… he quite forgot to breathe. He could not look away. To him, she was the most beautiful woman who had ever lived.
Celestia led Elowen to the altar, then gently released her hand. Ashveil met her gaze.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Celestia smiled. "Take care of my sister."
"I swear it," Ashveil answered, and his voice held absolute promise.
The ceremony began. The priest offered blessings and prayers. Then, with great care, Ashveil slipped a ring upon Elowen's finger. Elowen placed his ring upon his hand, smiling all the while.
The priest looked upon them.
"Ashveil — do you take Elowen to be your wife?"
"I do."
"Elowen — do you take Ashveil to be your husband?"
Elowen looked at the man who had stood faithfully at her side through every year. And with all her heart, she answered:
"I do."
The priest closed his book. "Then by the power vested in me — I declare Queen Elowen and Ashveil husband and wife."
The hall erupted in applause. Charles and Celestia beamed with pride. Nyx swished her tail in delight. Aver, Axe, and Liy cheered alongside every guest.
Ashveil looked at his wife — and his eyes glistened with tears. At last… the woman he had loved from the very first moment was his. He drew her gently into his arms, and kissed her forehead.
"I love you, Elowen."
Elowen leaned into him. "And I love you, Ashveil."
The celebration continued through the afternoon — feasting, laughter, and joy filling the hall until dusk.
When night fell, thousands of lanterns lit the palace grounds, strung through the trees and along the walls. Elowen and Ashveil stepped out onto the balcony, hand in hand, and looked up.
Then — BOOM!
The first firework burst open across the sky. One after another, blooms of red, blue, gold, emerald, and violet lit the heavens. Wonderveil's sky blazed in radiant color. The people gathered below cheered aloud.
"Long live Queen Elowen!"
"Blessings upon Ashveil!"
The fireworks unfolded like blessings, painted across the night sky. Elowen rested her head upon Ashveil's shoulder, watching the light unfold. He held her hand firmly, tenderly.
After every sacrifice, every sorrow, every war and every loss… they had found their happy ending. And there, beneath Wonderveil's starlit, firework-kissed sky — a new life began for Elowen and Ashveil, together forever.
Far from the palace's joy and bustle, upon a mountain peak that overlooked all the lands of Wonderveil, a great dragon sat watching the night sky in silence.
Vaelrith.
Wonderveil's most ancient guardian lifted his head slowly as the heavens burst into rainbow fire. Crimson, gold, sapphire, and emerald bloomed across the dark expanse, their light glinting over his obsidian scales, shimmering beneath the moon. His keen gaze fixed upon the distant palace. Though miles away, he could hear the echoes of the people's joy carried on the wind.
A faint, gentle smile touched his great maw.
"So… the day has come at last."
He had known of both weddings — and yet he had chosen to stay away. Not out of any lack of respect for Elowen or Celestia. He had his reasons.
First — he was a dragon. To appear among mortals would turn every eye away from the brides.
Second — he was far too large. No hall could ever hold him. Should he descend upon the courtyard, the very celebration would be overwhelmed.
And most of all… faithful though he was, in the eyes of most, a dragon remained a creature of fear. Children might weep. Guests might take flight. A day meant for pure joy ought never to be shadowed by terror.
"I shall watch from afar," he murmured softly. To see them happy was gift enough.
He remembered the very day he had first met the two princesses. He remembered, too, how they had stood ready to lay down their lives for Wonderveil. And now… all their sacrifices had been answered with peace and happiness.
Another firework flowered across the sky. Its light reflected deep within Vaelrith's eyes. He closed them for a moment, then looked once more toward the palace, glowing fair and far below.
And in a voice quiet, yet sincere as the mountains themselves, he spoke:
"May you both know endless happiness."
The night wind swept softly over the peak, carrying Vaelrith's blessing toward the palace. And for the first time in all the long ages he had stood guard — Vaelrith knew, with a heart full of peace, that the realm he had sworn to protect had finally won the peace it had fought so long to claim.