The two followed in accordance with the last words they spoke to each other. They had a mutual understanding that is—Rowan Agoul and Elara Fey. What was that mutual understanding you ask? It was the simple action of pushing one's feelings down an act that the two had become increasingly good at. Though neither of them could tell you whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Please stand tall for the arrival of the royal family, and their newest addition the [Hero] of Geonosia, Elara Fey!"
Rowan felt a pit in his stomach as he walked beside the princess, though it wasn't out of nervousness or due to the princess's appearance at all. That wasn't to say she wasn't beautiful however—no, Rowan found her verse attractive. But his eyes didn't follow his mind in that sentiment as anyone who paid minimal attention to the boy could see his eyes were on none other than Elara Fey, the silver haired woman who strutted Elegantly beside Prince Gelderan. She had a regal smile, one that would make you believe she'd been royalty already. Rowan managed to remove his eyes from her though as he remembered the unspoken agreement they'd entered in.
They walked down the aisle with Rowan trying to keep his eyes off Elara. He got his wish when he and Princess Sylphine broke off to sit on the side of Prince Gelderan, his attention being taken to Mika who was smiling at him.
Mika:"Hey Rowan I saved you a seat! Over here! Over here!"
Rowan: "Jeez do you have to be a kid about it?"
Rowan reluctantly took his seat next to the woman, whose orange eyes flared at him in accordance with the smile on her face. Rowan though kept his eyes on Elara who looked as if she was a goddess descending upon earth in those white robes they dressed her in. In that moment there was nothing that could've taken his eyes off of her. Nothing except Mika Faelan of course. In a swift motion she'd leaned over and pinched his thigh, snapping him out of his enamored state.
Rowan: "Ouch! What was that for! Is it really appropriate do be doing that at a wedding!?"
Mika: "Does it really matter if it's appropriate or not, it's not like anyone saw me or anything!"
Rowan: "That's hardly the issue!"
She stared at him with a piercing gaze that Rowan knew far too well. When Rowan didn't crack under her gaze however, which he called the "Witch's Gaze." Mika simply smirked at him and leaned back in her chair, a big grin plastering her face.
Mika: "soo, I saw you and Elara talked before the walk, care to tell me what that was about?"
Rowan: "I don't remember that being your business, and how do you even know about that were you spying? Stalker."
Mika: "Is it really stalking if you're screaming "I'm a pathetic man!" So loudly I have to try NOT to hear it?"
Rowan: "Oh shut up, that was a private moment between me and Elara there was No reason you should've been there."
Mika: "I really wasn't trying to eavesdrop. Well that's a lie I was but still!"
Rowan: "You think that'll make me feel better?!"
Rowan covered his face like a schoolgirl who'd just been found out about her crush. He turned away from Mika who's face turned serious as she
addressed her friend.
Mika: "Rowan I heard the things you said."
Mika's voice dropped low, lower than Rowan had ever heard it before. He turned to her seeing a look of pure compassion on the face of his friend. She made sure he knew where—or who, this compassion was aimed at. She never took her eyes off Rowan Agoul, the man who she extended her compassion to.
Mika: "What you and Elara said, I just want you to know that-"
Rowan: "Let it go Mika."
But Rowan didn't return it. He couldn't. Not out of some anger or some need to handle things on his own no, it was a much simpler feeling than that and much more heavy then simple handling it alone. It was an added burden something that Rowan-no. Something that people in general were always good at...
Mika: "Why? I'm certain if you two talked you'd-"
Her sentence never made it out of her mouth as Rowan Agoul gently placed his hand on her shoulder. She was shocked at the gracefulness of the hand placement and the overall care he took when doing so. Though when she saw his face, she realized exactly why such care was extended in the first place.
Rowan: "Let it go Mika. It's none of your business."
That feeling Rowan Agoul harbored it was the feeling of unworthiness. He'd simply felt unworthy of Mika's help and rather than express this he leg this out the only way he knew how, through a mixture of sadness and anger.
Rowan: "I...I can handle this on my own."
No one at the ceremony could hear those words but them. He'd almost said them at a whisper trying to make sure the princess who sat next to him hadn't heard anything. The one who did hear it though,made the correct choice. Mika Faelan, sensing the turmoil within her friend said nothing, as the two became mere spectators to the ceremony that went on before them.
Priest: "We come here today to celebrate the coming together of two joyous souls, one who will own lead our country and one who is on the brink of saving it!"
He gestures to the man and woman standing at the altar.
Priest: "The Prince of Geonosia, Gelderan and his bride to be the hero, Elara Fey!"
The crowd erupts but Rowan Agoul doesn't move he just watches the ceremony with a blank expression, never taking his eyes off of Elara. Mika cheers despite this though her attention was still stilted towards Rowan's disposition.
Priest: "At this time the bride and groom will exchange vows, setting the tone for the future of their relationship. You may begin my lord."
The priest bows to Gelderan as he smiles and gives the man a quick "thank you."
Prince Gelderan: "Elara Fey my love, where do I even begin? from the moment I first laid eyes upon you I knew you had to be mine. Not only was your elegance something I could see immediately, your kindness was something I saw from the very depths of your soul. The way you held yourself was second to none, and your presence was undeniable."
While the rest of the wedding smiled and became enamored with the words that Gelderan spoke, there were two present who didn't share the sentiment. One was Rowan Agoul the man who'd been rejected by the woman being spoken to in such a manner. And the other was Mika Faelan, the only other person who could understand the feelings Rowan Agoul harbored at the moment. But was that true? Wasn't there another present?
Prince Gelderan: " I couldn't think of a better woman to be my wife."
Gelderan flashed a smile that wooed the rest of the girls sitting there. Though it was just a simple woo, as there wasn't a soul (aside from the obvious) who was not happy for the hero Elara Fey. She was the shining star of Geonosia—-the brightest start outside of the royal family.
Priest: "Now mistress Elara if you may?"
Elara: "Yes of course."
Elara straightened her posture and looked Gelderan squarely in the eyes as she spoke.
Elara: "Prince Gelderan from the moment we met has been nothing but unflinchingly kind, not only has he seen to my needs as a hero, but as a woman as well. I can't think of a more suited man...…to give myself up at the altar to."
Those words, those were the words that promptly broke Rowan Agoul. And those were the words that one expected would break him the most, yet his heart wasn't the only one breaking. The third party who had been just as broken up about this as Rowan Agoul…had it not been Elara Fey? It was subtle—in fact there were only three people present who would've been able to tell about the lack of conviction present in Elara's voice. Though Rowan Agoul who would've been one who could've noticed it—-hadn't.
He was too consumed with his own thoughts. Perhaps the same could've been said for Elara Fey as well, who had no awareness for her own feelings as well. The only one who could hear the depths of those words was the Archpriest of the [Hero's Party] Mika Faelan. She let the realization of those words die with her, for two reasons specifically. Realizing it wasn't her place and it simply wasn't the correct time, that was all.
Priest: "Now, if you may please put on the rings and the best man will come up and speak. At this time any companions of the royal family will advance up here as well."
Rowan scarcely heard this and was only able to move as Sylphine held his hand gently moving him along as she did. He was grateful for that was the initial shock of this had gotten him out of his dejected state, albeit somewhat. He stood at the front of the altar, all of Geonosia present in his view. Though he couldn't take his eyes off Gelderan's hands which slid a sleek and golden ring onto Elara Fey's beautiful fingers. Her beautifully silver hair draping down her body—a reminder of her immense beauty.
Priest: "Now the best man shall say a few words about the bride and groom."
Matthew: "Thank you, Thank you. You know when I first met Elara I thought two things. One was the fact that this girl could eat like a horse! I mean I'd never seen a girl eat like that!"
The crowd laughed, but every word that Matthew spoke seemed to fade out to Rowan Agoul. The world slowing down the more he looked at Elara Fey.
Matthew: "But the thought that really struck me was: I'd never seen somebody that unflinchingly kind. In all my years of life I can say I've never quite met anyone like Elara Fey. She's strong, kind, and most importantly one of my best friends in the entire world."
Matthew turned to Gelderan and continued to speak.
Matthew: "And it's clear from the way he talks about her Prince Gelderan is a man who really sees that."
Matthew smiled.
Matthew: "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm happy for the both of you and I can't wait to see where this union goes. To Elara and Gelderan, the newly weds."
The world stopped for Rowan Agoul as he could no longer hear a word that Matthew said. He was simply there, existing in the world but feeling as if he wasn't apart of it at all. There was nothing that could've pulled him out of this trance, as he watched the crowd cheer in happiness. As he watched Elara Fey wear that same smile she'd used with him with Gelderan, and how he couldn't help but love it all the same. So one might mistake his actions in this moment for something noble and perhaps they would've been had all context been known at the time. Rowan Agoul smiled, a smile that came from watching Elara Fey, and the perceived happiness she'd worn on her face.
Priest: "Now, Prince Gelderan of Geonosia, Elara Fey the hero of legend! Do you take this man to be you husband and do you take this woman to be your wife!?"
Prince Gelderan: "I do."
Elara: "I...I"
Rowan watches as she stutters, she was clearly just overwhelmed at the moment at least that's what Rowan perceived. And it seems that's what the others perceived when the tears started to fall from Elara fey. They ran down her face dripping down the cheeks of the young woman standing there. Rowan continued to smile, as he watched Elara Fey.
Its okay Elara, I'm not mad. It's okay.
If this makes you happy—if this is what you want , go on. I won't stop you.
"I-I do-"
As that thought came out of her mouth a purple fire came flying at the altar and due to the instincts that'd been honed in these individuals, they were able to react to the attack swiftly. Those individuals were Elara Fey, Mika Faelan, the best man Matthew, Tarran, and Leo. With the added addition of Rowan Agoul who'd immediately hopped into his role as Weapon Holder dispensing the weapons that were lying closely to their owners. It goes without saying that the first member of the Hero's Party to draw her weapon was Elara Fey the [Hero] who'd already been equipped with her sword perfectly at her side. And in amazing display of speed had sliced the fire into bits within 0.1 seconds.
Of course no one was moving fast enough to see this feat, except for the originator of the attack. With the exception of the Hero's Party even including Rowan Agoul, whose speed was his saving grace. The Hero's party now stood at Elara's side with weapons in tow as the dust from the attack finally cleared.
Rowan: "Is everyone okay?!"
After completing his roll as the [Weapon Holder] he simply became Rowan Agoul again. And as Rowan Agoul his role was crowd control so he'd immediately shifted into that role. He'd held onto Sylphine instinctively grabbing her when he'd leaped for the weapons, there was a small burn present on her foot.
Rowan: "Sylphine?"
Princess Sylphine: "I'm fine thank you for saving me."
The dust started to fully clear though the foe still hid behind the remaining specks as the [Hero's Party] was now in full confrontation mode. Elara Fey brandished her blade her righteous fury showing.
Elara: "Alright just who are you and how did you get into the capital?!"
???: "Hmm Hmm Hmm seems the rumors I heard about you were correct Elara Fey. You're fast, maybe you'll be a worthy opponent after all."
As the smoke cleared the first signs of the opponent before the party was the purple skin that was revealed to them. The next thing being the piercing purple eyes which harbored the depth of the stars inside of them. But that wasn't all that was in those eyes, there was a ferocity—-a will that Elara Fey had only seen in those ones she'd been born to slay. This fact, which had her tighten the grip on her sword was only confirmed as the horn ashen horns coming from her head glowed with the same purple flame she'd shot earlier. Her robes having the insignia of a horned figure and the ropes tied around her waist, reminded Rowan of something faint but he didn't know what.
The robes were too big for the figure who was undoubtedly a woman, a fact that became clearer as the smoke cleared from the wedding turned battlefield. A horned women with the flames that resembled stars stood there with a smirk befitting her behavior.
???: "I am a representative of the Devil's Spawn carrying his will and spreading his authority throughout the ages!"
She grins ear to ear as she increases the flames that swirled around her body.
???: "Divine Hellspawn General Maia Astroud!"
She declared it loud and clear promptly stepping over the peace that was edging near.