"Hm…"
Malcolm peered into his new closet, eyeing the clothes within. They could all be described in one word:
Fancy.
There were no frills or ties, and in fact, the designs were quite sleek and minimal, but the quality of the fabrics was enough to make him hesitate to even wear them.
What if he tore them? He was certain that they would start to smell after he started working, and -.
Oh, right.
He wasn't going to be farming today.
A sort of sadness filled him as he stared with unfocused eyes into the closet, trying to comprehend the new life he had been given.
Shaking his head vigorously, he grabbed a shirt and pair of pants that he thought looked nice and threw them on, surprised to find that they fit him perfectly. Had someone taken his measurements at some point?
A knock sounded at his door, and Serena entered with graceful steps, dressed in long white robes with red accents. She looked Malcolm up and down before frowning slightly and going to the closet.
Taking a robe that matched hers out, but with wider sleeves, and a pair of matching pants, she flicked a finger at the ground.
"Take those off, and put these on," she said.
"All right," Malcolm nodded.
…
"Are you not going to leave?" he asked.
"Why should I?" Serena asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, you… Never mind," he shrugged. For a moment, he had forgotten that his current purpose in life, at least according to her, was to produce an heir. Compared to the acts that would involve, this was tame in comparison.
He stripped without another word and slipped the pants and robe on. He waved his arms, a strange look on his face as the wide sleeves swished around. "Is there a point to these?" he asked. "It all feels so… flamboyant."
[Affection increased!
Serena: 35%]
Huh? It had skipped a few percentage points.
"It's tradition," Serena said, her face a mask. "Now come, we don't want to be late for the ceremony."
"Ceremony?"
Serena dragged him to a building within the city, hardly giving him time to adjust to the massive, sprawling estates dotting the area.
They stopped at a desk manned by a woman with a bright smile on her face. "Yes, can I help you?"
"We're here for a wedding ceremony. Under the name Tertorigus," Serena told her, adopting the same light smile he had first seen her with.
"Ah, yes, they're waiting inside."
Serena grabbed Malcolm by the sleeve and pulled him along, and seconds later they were standing in front of a priest dressed in flowing pink robes that only just lost out to the ones they wore.
Such a design was done on purpose, as the priests had to maintain a balance between pleasing their guests and properly representing the Goddess of Love, Mersenia.
The room they stood in doubled as a place to worship said Goddess, and thus had ample seating for attendees.
"The bride and the groom, here at last!" the priest grinned. "Your guests should be here shortly. In the meantime, please feel free to enjoy each other's company."
Malcolm waited awkwardly for several minutes next to his bride before the doors opened, and in strode several important-looking men and women of various – mostly older – ages.
One of them stood out to Malcolm. Like his daughter, he had a small smile on his face, but Malcolm couldn't tell if it was for appearances or if the man was genuinely happy.
His fiery red eyes gave away little emotion, and his short hair and beard were a stark white. The age was visible on his face, with wrinkles and crevices abounding, but the hint of dignity between his brows and his ramrod-straight back made one second-guess just how old he really was.
He was the only one wearing something as stylish and expensive as the bride and groom, with the others taking the priest's approach of representation mixed with appeasement.
This man was Adren Tertorigus, city lord.
He took a seat in the front row, the only one to do so, and his red eyes met Malcolm's.
Malcolm smiled and nodded respectfully toward the man. Adren's expression didn't change, still wearing that slight smile, but his eyes flashed with… something. It passed too quickly for him to tell.
The ceremony was short and simple, and they were out before noon.
"That was fast," Malcolm said to his new wife quietly. The guests had followed them out, and he didn't want to be rude. Strangely, the priest was following as well.
"Don't relax just yet," Serena replied, equally as quietly. "We still have the Gathering to attend. It's much more important than the wedding ceremony, so I expect you to act like a diligent husband."
"I can do that," Malcolm said. "I think."
"Just smile, wave, and try not to say anything."
.......
"Families and friends of the bride and groom," the priest announced loudly. "Under the watchful gaze of Mersenia Herself, these two lovers shall consummate their love within Bonding Chambers. Feel free to partake of the feast the bride's father, Adren Tertorigus, has provided for you as you wait."
Malcolm smiled and waved to the crowd of politely clapping nobility, only for his smile to freeze.
Wait, what?
They were going to do that NOW?
He looked to Serena for assurance, but she returned his look with a small shrug.
"Tradition," she mouthed, likewise waving.
The priest ushered them inside the odd metal box in the center of the pavilion before Malcolm could realize what was happening, and when the door swung shut with a clang!, a soft, omnipresent light filled the box.
The only thing inside the box was a sturdy bed.
Were they really going to do this already?
He tilted his head, about to ask Serena a question, only for the words to die in his throat.
Serena had already taken off her robe, revealing a lacy red bra holding back small yet ample breasts, and was in the middle of taking off her pants.
"Hurry up," she said calmly, focused on her pants. "I want to get this over with."