On the day of the wedding, the clouds were tender streaks drifting at the horizon's edge, like the traces of a lover's fingertips gliding over lips. The wind was a moist veil wafting in from the sea, resembling the lingering, limpid gaze before turning away on a night of confessions.
No matter how many more such bright and cool mornings there would be, none would bring the peace of waking to a bright blue sky outside the window, for the weather always takes on special significance because of one's expectations.
The estate suddenly came to life, with suit-clad waiters shuttling through the hallways like schools of fish. The sound of leather shoes approached and receded, and one could see the already bustling preparations in the estate's courtyard from the window.
Shiller was woken up by a waiter. Upon opening the door, he found his neatly pressed clothes waiting outside. These weren't the garments of a groomsman but rather a regular suit for the welcoming party.
The groomsmen were to first welcome guests in the estate's courtyard. They had arrived on the island a few days earlier but a small welcome banquet was essential when meeting the hosts for the first time.
The bride and groom wouldn't make an appearance just yet, so the reception duties fell to the groomsmen and bridesmaids. When Shiller, dressed, stepped out of his room, he ran into Natasha wearing a long black gown.
"Did you arrive just last night?" He walked downstairs with Natasha, turning his head to ask her.
"Yes, Nick dumped all the S.H.I.E.L.D. work on me. I was busy until last night," Natasha replied, holding a black clutch with embedded diamonds. She adjusted her necklace while descending the stairs, then touched her earrings.
"He tasked you with the wedding security detail, right?"
Natasha rolled her eyes and said subtly, "You could phrase it a bit more delicately."
"How many people did you guys plant?"
"On the books, twenty thousand."
Shiller was not surprised by the number. He even expressed a bit of admiration, "Nick showed some restraint, huh?"
"Well, it's a friend's wedding, after all. He couldn't go too overboard," Natasha laughed, her makeup unusually glamorous today. When she smiled, the corners of her eyes were sharper than knives.
"Are you included in those twenty thousand?"
"I'm a high-ranking agent. I come at a separate price."
"Uh-huh?"
"Seduction jobs cost extra," Natasha said, stepping briskly ahead of Shiller. Twirling around, she asked, "How do I look in this outfit today?"
"Who are you planning to seduce?"
"That's a long story."
"Then make it short."
"Tony Stark."
"Don't you think you're rather unscrupulous?" Shiller chuckled. "You plan to seduce him at his own wedding."
"Is there a problem?" Natasha's expression was vivid. "I like the wedding scene. Even the most promiscuous men pretend to be paragons of virtue, even though their eyes nearly burst into flames when they look at me, they dare not make a move. Isn't it amusing?"
"Are you serious?" Shiller sized her up and said, "I don't think you're the kind to rebuy something you've rated poorly."
"I'm prepared to seduce Stark, but he can always refuse," said Natasha. "If I resort to force, those twenty-thousand-plus agents aren't just for show."
Shiller caught her drift and asked, "How do you hope he'll refuse?"
"Money can't solve all problems, but it's certainly no issue for my little trouble."
"Just say it if the accounts don't balance."
Natasha rolled her eyes again, her shoulders slumping as if deflated. Clenching her teeth, she complained, "I must've owed that black devil a debt in my past life. Twenty thousand is extravagant enough, but how on earth do I fill the remaining three million-plus gap?!"
"Only three million-plus?" Shiller said disdainfully. "Just act a bit moved later, and Tony will take care of it easily."
"I mean I'm short three million-plus. Hill and Coulson still have theirs," Natasha sighed. "Even if all the agents coming today were to fall, it likely wouldn't cover the sum."
"Nick really is bold," Shiller shook his head.
Now it was Natasha's turn to be puzzled. "Though it's a lot for us, I can't see why you would comment like that."
"I mean, he's bold to entrust accounts balancing to you lot with wooden heads."
Natasha gritted her teeth again.
"So what's really going on with today's wedding?" Turning around and walking backward, Natasha looked into Shiller's eyes with skepticism. "Do you honestly have the moral restraint not to mess with your friend's big day? May I doubt that?"
"Of course you may, my lady, but you should also believe that I have the self-control to resist greed for their sake."
"That sounds even more made-up than the last thing you said." Natasha disapproved of his words, letting her arms drop. "Let's not beat around the bush. If you plan to do something, count me in and let's settle my debt. Save me from Nick's nagging, and consider it a favor you owe me."
"Your favor is precious, my lady. I'm sincerely grateful. But truly, I have no intentions of stirring trouble," Shiller said, smiling at Natasha.
Natasha's skepticism grew only deeper.
"Would you like me to do something?" Shiller probed.
Natasha opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. Sighing, she commented, "I'm in, but I can't instigate; otherwise, Tony will kill me."
"Aren't you afraid he'll kill me?"
"You? He knows you too well. While I didn't really send twenty thousand agents, he would undoubtedly deploy twenty thousand robots to ensure you don't actually stir up trouble at his wedding."
Shiller looked around. The waiters were rushing about, each on their own mission and destination, seemingly unaware of him and Natasha.
But he did notice the swiveling cameras and what appeared to be mecha cleverly disguised as decorations hiding in nooks and crannies.
He nonchalantly turned his head back and then said, "Regardless, this is one of Tony's most significant life events, a day worth commemorating. I don't want to spoil today."
"Right, you don't want to, but your actions seldom match your thoughts."
"That's rather offensive," Shiller judged. "Please allow me to point out politely that you are much the same, madam."
"Then we're kindred spirits, and you should take me with you even more," Natasha hadn't given up. She said, "You couldn't find anyone with a tighter lip than me. I promise to settle the score and leave."
"If it were any other time, I would be happy to make such a deal, but unfortunately, I have no plans to do anything this time." Shiller spread his hands innocently and said, "You've got the wrong person, really."
Natasha stared at him in silence.
They had reached the lobby on the first floor when Eddie, carrying photo equipment, came over. He wasn't wearing his usual director's outfit but was suited up like Shiller. He nodded at Natasha, then turned to Shiller and said, "Give you this."
He handed over a piece of paper. Upon examining it, Shiller found it to be a layout of the wedding scene and gave Eddie an inquisitive look.
The spots marked with red dots on it represented camera positions. Eddie leaned in and pointed at the paper, saying, "The large red dots are manned camera positions, the small ones unmanned."
Shiller continued to look at him with an inquisitive gaze.
Eddie also examined him for a few seconds before realizing Shiller wasn't going to speak, so he further explained, "Whatever commotion you're planning to cause, try not to block the cameras. Some shots can't be easily replaced if they're missing."
Shiller maintained his probing stare.
"Do you remember? If you do, give me back the plan." Eddie said, "Even if you have to block some, try not to obstruct the manned ones. Those photographers will lose money if they can't capture good footage."
"Who said I was planning to cause trouble?"
Eddie cast him a disdainful look and took the paper back before leaving.
"And you say you're not looking to make a fuss?" Natasha, who had watched the exchange, folded her arms and said, "It must be a pretty big deal, even hiding behind the cameras. Could it be 'magic'?"
"I'm not looking to make a fuss."
"But you're prepared."
"I'm not prepared."
"But you have a certain urge."
"I have no urge."
"You've speculated momentarily."
Shiller couldn't help but lean his head back and say, "You're starting to sound a bit like Shakespeare."
"I'm Soviet. You should say I'm more like Pushkin."
Shiller sighed and said, "What do I have to do for you all to believe that I really don't plan to do anything at Tony's wedding?"
"Then it's another 'you'?" Natasha probed further, "Which one? The one in High Tower or the one from Abyss?"
"I don't want to explain anymore." Shiller shook his head showing an unreasonable expression and quickly walked forward.
He hadn't gotten far before bumping into an acquaintance. There stood Star Lord, dapper in a suit, at the entrance to the hall.
"You're back?" Shiller greeted him.
Star Lord turned, seemingly startled to see Shiller, then nodded and said, "Yes, Rocket sent me a message saying the groomsmen were short-handed, asking me to fill in."
Then he stepped back half a step and added, "Of course, I could also help with security."
"Did someone tell you to wait here for me? Who was it?"
Star Lord looked heavenward and then earthward.
As Shiller passed by him, he patted his shoulder and said, "Tell him not to worry, I don't start fights on such occasions."
"That's what I thought too." Star Lord nodded emphatically and caught up with Shiller, then said, "A person might only have one wedding in their life; it's a serious, solemn, and important occasion that shouldn't be disrupted."
"You might as well keep quiet then." Shiller walked on his way, now seeing the guests on the square.
Obadiah stood out the most, Shiller hadn't seen him in a long while. He looked a bit older, but in good spirits, almost beaming.
Howard was in the center of the crowd. Though it was his son's wedding, he was just another guest, casually sipping a drink served by a waiter and exchanging pleasantries with someone nearby.
Maria was nowhere to be seen in the crowd, and Shiller guessed she was probably helping the brides get ready.
Harry and Mary were also welcoming guests. Mary was wearing a very conservative dress today, unlike her usual style. Shiller knew if Old Osborn was the only consideration, she wouldn't have compromised like this; she was likely trying not to upstage the brides.
Indeed, Old Osborn stood not far from Obadiah, engaged in conversation. He clearly wasn't in as good a condition, looking significantly aged and not very spirited. Shiller thought his days weren't long.
After scanning for a while, Shiller finally spotted an acquaintance in the crowd. He walked over and patted the person on the shoulder, saying, "Doctor Connors, long time no see. How have you been?"
Connors turned around, surprised to see Shiller. He said, "Oh my, Doctor Schiller, what are you doing here?"
"Why shouldn't I be here?" Shiller was puzzled too; he was a friend to all the brides and grooms, why wouldn't he be there?
"Oh, no, I mean, I thought you would appear before us later on."
"Why?"
Connors made a 'you know what I mean' face, and seeing Shiller silent, he had to explain, "Today is an important day. Aren't you going to prepare some surprises? Something, uh, incredibly surprising."
Shiller showed a disapproving expression.