The Pair

Kael opened his eyes after realizing that the carriage was not moving. He looked at Valencia, who had fallen asleep with her head slipping back and forth. He smiled and reached to brush her hair. Her eyelids slowly moved as she blinked.

“You ended up falling asleep as well…” he teased.

She pulled her hair behind her ear and blushed. She nudged him out of her lap.

“So what…” she responded. He chuckled and got up. “We’ve arrived…”

“Let’s not keep the Royal Family waiting…” he added.

She frowned, squinting her eyes.

“You closed your eyes until the sun had nearly set…”

He nodded, stretching as his boots hit the ground. Then he turned, offering her his hand.

“I think I prefer the moon anyway,” he murmured.

Her expression tightened as she shot him a glare. He cackled. She lifted her dress lightly before stepping down, turning away, and ignoring his hand.

“Then don’t make these plans without consulting me…” she snapped.

His smile gleamed as he reached over his cape and covered her. She flinched and looked at him.

“Maybe… you should have worn something less revealing… keep my cape on,” he warned.

She groaned.

“Whatever,” she muttered, hugging his cape. She walked ahead.

Kael chuckled and followed her.

Once they stepped through the sanctum doors, the Head Priest with Lucentis turned around. Gerald smirked before looking at them. Valencia took a breath before reaching the front row seats.

“Head Priest,” Kael greeted.

“Young Duke… Lady,” the Head Priest nodded.

“Head Priest,” Valencia bowed.

“We will step out to the loggia and talk to the people… but first, I must warn you, My Lady, this process can irritate you in some way…” the Head Priest explained.

She furrowed her brow before glancing at Kael.

“Irritate?”

“Maybe… like arousal symptoms?” Kael whispered, smiling slyly.

She flushed as her face scrunched.

“I see…”

The Head Priest nodded and raised his hand to lead the way. Everyone else followed. Gerald glanced over his shoulder to the hooded figure with a smile before moving. The figure followed from a distance, watching them carefully.

Soon, they reached the loggia. Valencia heard the whispers of the people from below ascending. When the sun shone in her face, she held her breath.

The Head Priest reached for the sky.

“People of the Galali! Welcome…” he started. The people roared and clapped as they saw him. “Today, we will be performing a compatibility blessing to see if the two people are a perfect match!”

“What? Who could it be?” the whispers echoed.

The Head Priest turned and reached a hand towards Valencia.

“I present you, the Guide… Lady Valencia!” he introduced. Valencia stepped forward anxiously, biting her lower lip before reaching the rails. “She will be tested… for her compatibility with His Highness, Prince Gerald!”

The crowd gasped as they eagerly stared at her.

Gerald smirked and stepped ahead as he shoved Kael’s shoulder. Be prepared to lose your Guide, pesky Light Esper.

Gerald waved at the crowd as they roared and screeched.

“Oh my! It’s really His Highness!”

“How amazing!”

“She must be lucky to be chosen as a participant!”

The Head Priest grabbed Valencia’s and Gerald’s hands, combining them. He closed his eyes and prayed. As he spoke, the figure behind Kael quickly flicked magic towards the hands of Valencia and Gerald’s—

“Ow! What the fuck?!” Gerald screamed, yanking his hand away.

Valencia jolted and pulled her hand to her chest.

“What was that?!” she questioned.

Kael smirked before turning around and grabbing the figure by the neck with his Light power string. He dragged the figure to the loggia and laughed.

“What brings a mage to the temple? Tampering with a blessing?!” Kael added.

The figure choked on the string, stammering to tell Kael to release. Valencia hurried to Kael’s side and held his hand. Before they could speak a word to each other—

The Head Priest gasped as he stared at them. A bright white light flashed between their hands.

“You two… are match-made by Athesia! The Light Esper and the Guide who will help you through your pain,” the Head Priest announced.

“No!” Gerald shouted, slashing his hand in the air. “That’s impossible! We didn’t get a chance to even try—”

“Your Highness, is that the only thing that matters to you? Even after you swore beneath the temple of Athesia?” Kael taunted.

Gerald gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.

“I—”

“A blessing from Athesia… my guide,” Kael chimed.

Valencia glared at Gerald.

“Shouldn’t we question this person for intruding on the process?” she added.

Gerald shot his glare at her, seething. She held Kael’s hand tightly, steadying herself. Kael glanced over her head and smiled.

“My little kitty is all grown up…” he whispered.

She frowned and turned to Kael.

“What kitty?”

Kael chuckled and leaned closer to her face. She held her breath and flushed.

“You… my love,” he answered. Then he kissed her, in front of the people… the Royal Family, and the Head Priest.

Everyone gasped, covering their mouths and blushing.

The Head Priest closed his eyes.

“Oh dear Athesia…”

Kael pulled the mage closer as he placed his foot on the mage’s shoulder.

“When should we hold the wedding? I think my mother cannot wait,” he beamed.

Valencia closed her eyes and pushed his face away.

“You never even prepare for the wedding! Where did that come from?!”

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