Bride of the Snow Moon Flower - Graysia
In Aphros, the ceremony of vowing love...
The person you choose to exchange your feelings with...-
...
......
The temple glitters like a crystal, the gentle sunlight shining through.
The two of you have come before the Shrine of the Ice Mirror to go through the vowing ceremony.
Graysia says nothing as he stands in front of the ice mirror, his brows furrowed together as he thinks of something.
"Graysia," you ask, "what's wrong?"
"...why," Graysia begins. "Why did you choose me?"
"Eh...?"
"Even if you say it's just a formality, it's...this is..."
He only speaks up to that point, then brusquely averts his gaze.
Seeing his face turn slightly red, you feel deep in your heart that you should tell him your true feelings.
"I..." you begin, "I wasn't thinking it was a formality. I wanted to do it with you Graysia."
Graysia says nothing but he turns his gaze back to you.
In his beautiful red eyes, you see yourself reflected there, wearing your pure white dress.
"And now," the priest says, "approach the ice mirror."
Both of your faces are equally red as you approach the mirror...
As it reflects the two of you standing there, it begins to emit a faint light.
Before long, the days you spent with Graysia come to the surface of the mirror.
A lot of things happened then.
The feelings from that time are reawakened, and your heart fills with pleasant nostalgia.
"This is..." Graysia begins.
"Graysia?"
"I just let you do all the talking..."
Eh...?
Both his murmured words and the memories reflected in the ice mirror slowly fade with the light.
"Graysia..."
Graysia hesitantly calls your name, his voice low and cool, and it makes your heart leap.
"...thank you. For always being near," Graysia finishes.
He blushes slightly, and gives an embarrassed smile.
"I should be the one thanking you," you reply.
Amidst your memories reflected in the ice mirror are your happily smiling faces.
As you feel your affection deepen, the two of you lock eyes, and smile together.
The ice mirror reflected a record of the affection the two of you shared.
I'm glad I did this ceremony with Graysia...
Slowly, you feel wrapped up in the strong feelings you have for him.
Then a beautifully decorated cake is brought out before you.
"This is...!" you exclaim in surprise.
"I'm told it's one of the customs for when a man and woman vow their love," Graysia says. "I figured you'd like something like this."
"...! You did this for me?"
"Aah..."
Without really confirming or denying it, Graysia puts his hand on your back and pulls you closer.
He puts his hand around yours, and together you grip the knife.
My heart's beating so fast it feels like it's going to leap out of my chest...
As your heart rings in your chest, the knife enters the cake...
The attendant observing the ceremony makes a big show of applauding.
I'm happy, but this is kind of embarrassing...
Curious about Graysia's expression, you glance over at him.
He also looks embarrassed.
"...here," Graysia says.
Holding a fork, Graysia holds a piece of cake up to your mouth.
"T-thank you...!" you stammer out.
Nervously, you take the bite.
It's so good...!
A faint sweetness spreads over your tongue, and you can't help smiling.
Seeing you like that, Graysia lets slip a small laugh.
"I figured that was the face you'd make," he says.
Your heart beats loudly as his expression melts into a smile. In the next instant...-
"!"
Graysia's face moves closer, and he gently kisses you on the lips.
At the sudden and sweet sensation, your face tingles...-
"...you were always looking at me," Graysia says.
He only moves a little distance from your lips, and he speaks quietly, like a sigh.
"I can't think of anything but you," he says.
"Graysia..."
Graysia gazes at you with a burning intensity.
"So," Graysia continues, "look only at me from now on..."
As he speaks quietly, his eyes draw closer to you...and as if answering him, you slowly close your eyes.
END