The green light of the Box blinked back at her as she stepped into the podium set for her to deliver her closing speech. It was one of Cyrdel's clever prototypes whose insides were supposed to focus the intangible trail called sound and light, deliver it across lines of other intangible trails, before finally condensing it into yet another prototype at the other end for the viewers. It probably has some fancy name but ever since Xanthy saw it at her opening speech, she had referred to it as simply the Box.

The Box now told her she was already seen and heard across the island with its green light flickering at the upper corner. According to Imperial protocol, a few blinks more and she would start speaking. Her fingers clenched the card Master Reciphra brought to her room yesterday. She squeezed her eyes shut and blew a breath. Later. She'd deal with everything later. For now, she has to see Jered Hyngtis to the end. Well and perfect.

She opened her eyes just in time for the last blink to commence. Her tongue hung loose inside her mouth and she launched into the speech. "Greetings to all fairies, humans, half-bloods, and nymphs of Umazure," her voice rang clear and firm around the hollow hall where the speech was happening. "It is my utmost pleasure to stand among you at the conclusion of our beloved season, Jered Hyngtis."

The rustle of fabric behind her told her enough that the whole Seelie Court, along with the Heirs and her parents stood just a few paces behind her and were included in the broadcast. They could've just done the same with the opening so why in Umazure did the Seelie Court insist on that now?

Whatever. Just continue with the speech. "It is my hope that you have had time to embrace your families and spend time with your loved ones, whether they be kin, friends, or acquaintances," she made sure to glance at the dark, soulless center of the box as Cyrdel told her it's the same as looking at the people in the eye. "It is also my hope that the season has provided you with the much needed rest, peace, and bounty after a long time of hardships."

The speech then outlined the past war and what happened in it. Xanthy breezed through the paragraphs considering she had been there herself. "And now, I extend my gratitude to all the people who helped and are continuing to help maintain the peace on this island," she said. "To the ones who went before us to the goddess' bosom, I extend my sympathy to the souls they left in this land and my thanks for their sacrifices."

A lump formed in her throat. Xanthy did her best to clear it without the sound gurgling into the Box. Jarvik's face, along with many others who fought alongside her and who weren't here now, flashed into her mind. "In light of that," she continued. "I also extend my gratitude to the people who have been with us, those who were around to help us move forward, and those who offered us their strength so we can have smiles on our faces and a festive season where we can experience the gods' blessings and bounty."

She turned to the people behind her following Master Reciphra's note on the card after she read that paragraph. Offer them a smile, said the note. As soon as Xanthy turned, however, her eyes landed on a familiar figure standing among the heirs with a smile on his face. Her heart stopped for a second. June.

Thoughts rampaged in her head as her rein over her mind snapped free. Xanthy heaved a breath, forced a tight smile on her face, and turned back to the podium and into the Box. Just finish the speech. Keep your voice straight. Just...

The words and the sound of her own voice blurred in her ears as she burned through the last paragraphs of the speech. Her vision had turned hazy with mist ages ago but she blinked them away and instead focused on her card. She prayed to all the gods she knew just so her voice would remain firm and unshaken. "With that, I grant you blessings as you enjoy the rest of the year," the card read through Xanthy. "May the hands of the gods guide us through our struggles and our growth. I wish for your prosperity, peace, hope, and security in light of the Pillars holding up our lives. Blessed Jered Hyngtis."

Xanthy exhaled. Thank the gods she had the time to alter the collar of her dress with one of the Imperial seamstresses or else this day would have been more stressful and irking as it was. She waited a few minutes before stepping off the podium where she was met with June striding towards her.

Her gut had long twisted into knots but now, the knots were tightening. As June approached her, the anger bubbled out of her throat to form the words, "Where were you?" She hated how much her tone dripped with emotion. She should try to control it. Calm.

June stopped in front of her, his face still arranged in that silly smile she loved then but rather not see now. Then, he dropped to one knee. Xanthy's eyes widened. What in Umazure—

She glanced at her parents and her friends to find all of them smiling from ear to ear. Queen's britches. They all knew about this, didn't they? She turned back to June when she felt his hands take hers.

"Xanthy," he said. "Will you spend forever with me?"

Cirasa's words slammed back into Xanthy's mind. I wish you luck, Xanthy had said regarding his and Reeca's decisions about bonding and he replied with, you too. Was this what he meant? She glanced at the oracle now who stood with his hands linked with Reeca's at the side of the Seelie Court advisers. His smile told her he knew everything would happen as it was unfolding now.

Dear gods...

She yanked June up, forcing him to match her stance standing up. "Is this what you're working up to the whole season?"

"Yeah," he ducked his head at her. His thumbs haven't stopped caressing Xanthy's knuckles. "I had to get Eldan and Airese's confirmation first. Eldan had been...difficult."

Realization slapped Xanthy's gut like a fishing boat oar. The night of their gifting ceremony...was that why her father was late? "Not just him, though," June continued. He glanced at the red-robed advisers gathered around them, witnessing everything. "I had to spend considerable time convincing the Seelie Court into letting me build a public bond with the Imperial High Queen."

"Is that why you're in the Seelie Hall the other day?" Xanthy blurted.

June chuckled. "You saw that, huh?"

"Yeah," she bit her lip. "Why would you go behind my back and disappear without telling me? I'm so worried something happened to you."

"Are you angry at me because I missed the chance to spend Jered Hyngtis with you or because I could have been in danger and didn't tell you?"

Xanthy scoffed as she threw her arms down. June's hold still hasn't loosened. "B-both!" she yelled for no reason. "Both. I'm mad at both. A-and the fact that you, our friends, my parents, and, heck, even the Seelie Court were planning something behind my back all along. How could you do that?"

June let go of one of Xanthy's hands to stick a hand into the inside of his cloak. He drew out a box lined with velvet. "I know you'd start overthinking everything if you knew," he said, drawing closer to her. "I, for one, wanted to give you a worry-free holiday season but it seemed like my absence induced more."

She snorted. "Damn right, it did," she still felt like slapping him upside the head but refrained from it.

"So, I'll ask again," June opened the box, showing Xanthy a ring made out of pure stadium dotted with colorful pergan ores found nowhere in the island other than Avalora. Did he travel all the way there? Most likely. He plucked the ring out of the box and smiled at her again. "Will you spend forever with me?"

Suddenly, tears were springing from Xanthy's eyes without her permission. She rested her head on June's chest, feeling his heartbeat with her forehead. Damn. Why was she crying like this after being asked for something she had already given him a long time ago? Just the sight of the ring made her cry harder.

To think that she hadn't even given him anything as a gift.

A small gasp escaped her lips. She drew back and wiped her tears. That's it. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and met June's dark eyes. She didn't fight the smile which broke out from her lips. "I have thought of the perfect gift to give you," she said.

June raised his eyebrow but didn't speak. Xanthy didn't need him to. Instead, she turned the back of her hand towards him. "Yes," she forced her voice to ring clear and sure. "I will spend forever and an infinite lifetimes more with you."

Cheers erupted from the people around them as June slipped the ring into her finger and drew her close by snaking his arm around her waist. "I promise I won't miss another Jered Hyngtis with you from now on," he whispered.

Xanthy ran a hand down the side of his face, feeling more tears slide out of her eyes. "You better," her voice cracked. "I missed you."

As an answer, June titled his head to kiss her. Xanthy's eyes brushed against the Box and saw the light still flickering green. No way... That meant—

She stopped him with a hand to his lips. "We are still broadcasted," she glanced at the Box to confirm that, indeed, the light was still flickering green. "The whole island can see us."

June just smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't care," was all he said before he kissed her for real.

Her mind blanked. Yeah...so what if the whole island could see them? She shouldn't think about any of that because only one thing mattered and that one thing was in front of her. Forget the surprise of being asked for a public bonding ceremony. Forget Jered Hyngtis. As long as June was with her, everyday could be the holidays.

She smiled against June's kisses as she did her best to return them. This truly was a season of wishes and of wishes granted, a season of fulfillment and blessings, and a season of new beginnings and promises of forever. It's the perfect start of a year full of countless possibilities before them.

They broke apart and Xanthy rested her head against June's chest as he embraced her. She glanced at her parents and upon seeing their proud faces, it set a quiet ease in her heart. Some of the advisers in the Seelie Court were dabbing their wide sleeves at the bottom of their eyes while others openly hugged each other and sobbed. The heirs were still clapping with wide smiles on their faces.

Finally, her gaze settled back at June who looked at her like she was the only person in Fantasilia. This was more than enough. The people around her, the love she was receiving... were more than what she thought she needed. As June rested his forehead against hers, she knew. This was enough and she couldn't have asked for more.