The wedding day had arrived. Two days passed quickly, perhaps too quickly. My only consolation was that Fury was ready to help me and then Auteur would stay by my side as a servant sent by that idiot.

I heaved a melancholy-tinged sigh of despair as the servants prepared me. What should have been a wonderful day for me was turning into a funereal one. I closed my eyes, not even wanting to glance in the mirror. Someone approached, it was Mariana. She seemed deeply distressed.

"I'm sorry, Soliès..." she apologized.

I shook my head and stood up, the maids having finished, my long red dress rubbing against the parquet floor.

"You can't help it, Mariana, I don't blame you," I reassured her, taking her hand.

She shook her head, then changed the subject:

"Come on, I'll go with you, it's the least I can do".

I nodded and followed her outside, Auteur at my heels, remaining stubbornly silent, then climbed into the carriage, heading for the imperial palace.

The ride was one of complete silence, with me brooding over dark thoughts, Mariana engrossed in her own, and Auteur still wondering what she was doing there.

"We've arrived," the young woman said abruptly, sadly.

We got out of the carriage, struggling to keep up with Mariana because of my long, impractical red dress. Auteur had to take the train in her arms, to prevent me from tangling my feet in it and sprawling on the floor.

The palace... looked like any other palace in China. I mean, I didn't even know enough about them to describe them. At least, i can try.

The palace was actually divided into several "small" palaces, then scattered everywhere, all surrounded by gardens, and located around the imperial palace of the emperor. The roofs covered with yellow and varnished red tiles spread out as far as the eye could see, dazzling multicolored decorations criss-crossed the delicately chiseled coffered ceilings as well as the white marble terraces and balustrades. The beams and columns surrounded and supported the entire palace, itself sheltering between immense walls, separating it from the rest of the world.

We passed through the gates, immense, proudly standing, showing the full extent of the royal family's power. I breathed my umpteenth sigh of frustration as we passed through the palace gates, guided by Mariana who led the way, and followed by a few guards, escorting us.

Surprisingly, we were led around the side, through several halls, away from the hustle and bustle of the Court. In the distance, I could see the crowd gathered, the altar of vows and the long red carpet.

It's right, I can't show my face until the ceremony has begun, just as I'm not allowed to see my future husband before the wedding.

I was ushered into a room and asked by my "sister" to wait there. I sat down on a chair, waiting patiently for her to return. My "parents" had vaguely wished me a happy wedding, if you could call it that, and Méaline had cried her eyes out. I smiled sadly as I thought of her, she had become inconsolable.

"Hey Soliès ≈ Not too stressed?" questioned a voice I knew all too well, emerging from the shadows.

"What are you doing here? You bugger!!! (ﾉ｀□')ﾉ⌒┻━┻"

Auteur snarled at Fury, who had just arrived, and gave him the middle finger.

"Why it will be the case? asked I, turning in his direction.

- Hmm..., said Fury, coming to stand opposite me and pretending to think, the make-up's a bit too heavy, let me remedy that."

With a snap of his fingers, I felt a different material on my face. The makeup was indeed lighter. A little white powder had been deposited on my face, without giving it the color of snow. Red lines underlined my eyes and lipstick had been applied, making my facies more presentable.

"Hmm, same with the dress," remarked the blond.

Another snap followed and my outfit changed. My hair, too, was rearranged into a bun with a delicately carved jade pin. Jade earrings also appeared, gleaming softly. My dress was then a little longer and a drag was added to make the whole thing more impressive.

"Why are you doing this?, I sighed.

- You can thank me later," he replied with a wink.

I rolled my eyes, not believing it in the slightest.

"On that note, I'll slip away discreetly. Don't worry Soliès, I won't be far to tease you," he whispered in my ear before quickly slipping away.

"Peuh! What a braggart! ヽ(｀Д')ノ"

I smiled softly, slightly reassured by his words.

"By the way, Soliès, I won't be able to accompany you for the rites, you'll have to go without me... (._.) But I'll be waiting for you on the other side. And if you call me, I'll come running!"

I looked kindly at Auteur and thanked her with a nod.

Mariana entered just as the conversation was ending.

"Soliès, it's time... she announced bitterly, are you ready?

- Yes, I nodded, having no choice in the matter.

- This make-up suits you better otherwise... Pale and Mania have granted me the honor of putting the veil on your head. You're leaving our family for a new one. All I wish is your happiness, Soliès."

I could feel the sincerity in her voice, but I couldn't respond at all. I let her put the red veil over my skull, blocking my vision and obscuring my senses.

I could barely see my feet! Why was the veil so opaque? Or were all the veils like that? It was horrible, I felt like I was driving on a foggy day.

I followed Mariana's footsteps as best I could, as she opened the door and stepped aside to let me through. I moved forward with difficulty, ignoring the murmurs and comments hurled at me from the crowd.

As far as I knew, my fiancé was supposed to be waiting for me at the arch.

I saw a shadow in front of me and nearly bumped into it.

It would have been a shame if I'd run into him all the same. From what I could make out through the damn canvas, my fiancé seemed to be taller than me, with a stronger build. And that was all. Yes, I couldn't see much. Mostly, I hoped I was looking at the right person. I'd have looked pretty thin if I'd gone up against the first person in the crowd. Fortunately, I had the impression of being guided by Fury, who had kept me from kissing the ground on several occasions. I'd have to thank him on occasion for preventing me from making a fool of myself.

A hand reached out in my direction, probably waiting for mine. I raised my right hand and placed it on his. We started walking slowly towards the altar (which I couldn't see), his hand keeping mine at shoulder height. My other hand was busy holding one side of the dress, so that I could place my feet one in front of the other.

I vaguely caressed the other hand and a feeling of familiarity seized me. I felt as if I knew whose hand it was, yet it seemed both familiar and unfamiliar.

It was warm, i think, and soft. And his hand was bigger than mine, which could largely encompass mine. It would be nice if that same hand could belong to the chosen one of my heart. Or perhaps...?

I kept my thoughts to myself and kept up the pace, dimly perceiving a square shape in the distance, surely the altar.

Finally, my ordeal came to an end and we stopped in front of this one. I kept pace with my future husband. He knelt down slowly, as if taking care that I followed him.

Kneeling together, our hands still on top of each other, the interminable oath finally began. I bowed several times in the ritual, my patience wearing thin.

I had a sudden urge to run away from here and dance to songs like I used to do with Orias, maybe go off into a distant dream. Dreaming couldn't stop me from living, could it?

He let go of my palm and we turned towards each other, our hands linked by a red ribbon, symbol of our "love".

Soon would come the moment when I would see his face. What would he look like? From my sisters, I'd only understood that he was a rather distant person, a little cold but loved by the people. I feared the worst. What if it was Tolis? No, he was a well-known general, it was impossible, he wasn't the second prince. What if it was Solène? Oh please, no! Alfen? Well... I didn't hate my old boss, he had a certain effect on me. But my whole heart only recognized Orias as its possessor.

I felt his body leaning towards me and his hands reaching out in my direction. I instinctively closed my eyes, denying reality and not wishing to face it. The veil was slowly lifted. A treacherous tear rolled down my cheek.

A finger reached out and plucked it delicately, tenderly caressing my cheek. A deep, suave voice whispered affectionately in my ear.

My eyes snapped open as I recognized the owner of this voice, tears streamed down my face and my throat remained blocked, overwhelmed by emotion.

"Y-you?" I articulated.

_____________________________

Of course, the outfits are basically for men and women. But Soliès is wearing a relatively similar outfit to the woman.