A Boda of New Beginnings for a Once Wandering Heart Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

Luca: Is he in this tree hollow…? Hello, are you there?

Thank you for saving me and Emily from that wolf earlier…we’re really, really grateful.

We didn’t think any wolves would come into this forest. 

It was wounded and out of control…if you hadn’t used your magic to chase it away I don’t know what would have happened to us…we have you to thank for our lives. 

Emily: I know it’s not much, but we brought some soup, in case you were hungry. 

???: …

Emily: Please, eat it while it’s hot.

???: I…don’t need any thanks…

Luca: The forest is a mess…no trees seem to have toppled over though.

Emily: Are you alright, little wizard? That was quite the storm last night…

???: …I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

Emily: Oh, thank goodness…hey, if you’re ever in trouble, we’d like to be there for you.

Luca: We live in the Town of Clouds just beyond this path. Our house is the blue-roofed one, so if there’s anything you need, come on over. 

It must be tough by yourself. 

???: …

Luca: I have some good news. I’m…getting married to Emily. 

I was so stuck on whether I should propose to her or not, but that day you saved us in the forest gave me the courage I needed.

I realized at that moment I shouldn’t take these days of peace for granted. That I could lose her anytime.

???: …!

Luca: So we’d love for you to be at our wedding! It’s thanks to you that we’re alive to hold it.

There’ll be all kinds of food, and everyone in town will welcome you. I understand if you don’t want to, but please think about it. 

And…since I kept missing my chance to ask…could you tell me your name?

???: …Al.

Luca: Al…!

Al, this is your invitation. I’ll leave it right here. Be seeing you!

Al: A wedding…I have to say goodbye soon…maybe a peek will be okay. 

Those two are so kind and caring…

…It should have been Lizzy, not me…

A calm afternoon on a sunny day.

I opened the door to the dining hall, excited for today’s menu, and a burst of lively chatter entered my ears. 

Rutile: Aah, I’m soooo curious! I wish I was there to see it!

Mitile: Mr. Leno, did he tell you anything?

Lennox: He did say a bit, but you’re best asking him for the details.

It sounded like he wanted to tell you in person anyways. 

Rutile: Really! Ooh, I can’t wait for the story.

Did he reference a love poem? Or was he indirect, letting her read inbetween the lines…! Somebody, stop my imagination!

Riquet: Wouldn’t being indirect make it harder for her to understand his intentions?

Shylock: The art of being indirect is a language understood between couples in love. 

Akira: Hey guys. What’re we talking about?

Rutile: Love!

Akira: Love!?

A bit surprised by his answer, I began to stutter.

Akira: W-Who’s in love…?

Rutile: Someone we know back at home.

Their names are Emily and Luca, and they just sent us a letter about their wedding along with an invitation!

They also wrote that they’d love for the Sage’s wizards to come too, so we were going around the manor asking everyone’s schedules, but…

We got too excited talking about how he might have proposed!

Akira: I get the picture now. You must be happy for them!

When you said ‘love’ at first, I thought it was about someone here.

Shylock: Hmhm, I can share plenty of stories about that another time.

Akira: Huh?!

(Shylock’s love stories…they must be rich in content…)

Lennox: Master Sage, have a seat here.

While my heart was still thumping at Shylock’s words, Lennox pulled out a chair for me.

Akira: Oh thanks, Lennox.

Firmly seated, I waited for my meal and formally entered the conversation.

Akira: You guys are probably friendly with everyone in town but, are you close with this Luca and Emily?

Rutile: Yep! Emily’s older than me, but there was a time where she asked me to teach her calligraphy, so we practiced with each other. 

Mitile: She would bake this yummy bread as thanks, and we’d eat it together!

Rutile: As for Luca, he’s more close with Mr. Leno.

Lennox: Mm. He’s also a shepherd, and would come to me for advice. 

Rutile: I heard that the reason why Luca became a shepherd is because of you, Mr. Leno!

Akira: For real?

Rutile: Seeing Mr. Leno returning home every year with his herd of sheep to support the town was his inspiration.  

When he was a kid, he’d help out a bit and admired how respectable and fulfilling the job was.

Lennox: I remember. Everyday he’d ask me questions about sheep care, or work out with me to build up the stamina to cross mountains. As a kid he was earnest, and as a fellow shepherd now, he’s reliable.

Akira: He sounds like a neat guy! I’d like to meet him.

Lennox: …Master Sage, if you’re available, would you come attend the wedding?

When I met them last, they told me that they would love to meet you. 

He said, taking out the invitation and informing me of the date. 

Akira: Hey, I don’t have anything on that day! I can go!

Rutile: Great! I bet they’ll be overjoyed hearing the Master Sage is coming!

Mitile: Riquet and Mr. Shylock are coming too!

Dr. Figaro can’t come though…

Akira: Is he booked for the day?

Lennox: Yes. There are appointments he unfortunately could not cancel.

Akira: That sucks…I'll celebrate their wedding to the fullest for Figaro too!

Nero: Order up, Master Sagey.

Turning around to that delicious smell, was an omelette that Nero made. He placed it before me.

Akira: It looks so soft…thanks, Nero!

Nero: And here’s a treat for the kids who ate earlier. 

Mitile & Riquet: Yippee, it’s cookies!

Rutile: So Nero, will you be attending the wedding?

Nero: Err…

It appears that Rutile already asked him. He tilted his head, still deciding.

Akira: (Nero and the other Eastern wizards do usually take their time thinking about whether they’ll attend these sorts of events…)

Mitile: You don’t have to think so hard, Mr. Nero.

It's the more the merrier in the Town of Clouds! Everyone would love for you to be there!

Riquet: Indeed. We also must have you taste the traditional cooking of South that’s reserved for ceremonies. 

Nero: …You just want me to remake any dishes that you liked when we get home, don’tcha. 

Riquet: If it’s you Nero, you can prepare any food, specialty or not!

Although we do lose that special feeling of eating it traditionally, it might be troublesome if I’m unable to resist my appetite for it.

Nero: Pfft. ‘kay, I getcha. So, you’ll have me, then?

Mitile & Riquet: Yeees!

Akira: What are South Country weddings like? I gotta know the customs beforehand.

Rutile: Hm, nothing really comes to mind.

Lennox: If I had to say, we all wear more clean cut clothes than usual, and celebrate our hearts out together. 

Rutile: We celebrate with everyone in town, so it’s very energetic.

Riquet: What sort of dishes and desserts do you put out?

Mitile: Rollito de Pollo is a must-serve!

We like to change the flavours according to the taste of the to-be-wedded, so you get to enjoy a different side to it.

Rutile: Hehe, and it’s your favourite, right Mitile? Add in salt, and he’ll lick the plate clean!

Mitile: W-Well, it’s yummy, and…and…

Don’t you eat tons when it comes to Porranborn?!

Akira: Porranborn?

Rutile: It’s a dessert where you mix sugar and crushed almonds into flour, and bake it after letting it rest a night. 

Mitile: They say that before the sugars dissolve in your mouth you’re supposed to think “May this happiness continue” and it’ll come true!

Owen: I’ll cast a spell on you that keeps it in your mouth forever. Then you can wish for happiness to continue for an eternity. 

I wonder how long you can pray for happiness on an unbreaking candy. 

Akira: Owen!

Our eyes all widened at our new guest. How long was he standing behind me for?

Riquet: Hey, those cookies were for us!

Not giving any attention to Riquet's words, he popped a cookie into his mouth.

Owen: I’m coming to the wedding too.

Akira: Erm…

Owen: Oh, don’t want me? Wooow, the Master Sage is excluding me from the fun.

Akira: N-No, I don’t want that!

Red and yellow eyes sneer at me. I couldn’t help but be unsettled at the idea of Owen attending a wedding of his own volition.

 

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