A Boda of New Beginnings for a Once Wandering Heart Chapter 10

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Chapter 10

Akira: Why are you here…?

Al: I’m sorry. I wasn’t careful enough and the veil was carried away by the wind…

I went after it on my broom, but ended up falling since I’m still no good with flying…

At the very least I wanted to fix the veil…it just won’t work out though…

He said and bit his lips tight. When I looked closely, I noticed that his right leg was sprained and swelling up.

Despite his own injury causing him to be stranded this far from town, Al was thinking about how he could fix the veil.

Rutile: Ortonik Setomaouge.

Rutile held Al up, saying his spell and healing his leg bit by bit. 

Rutile: You must’ve been so scared, not being able to move.

Yet you still managed to protect Emily’s veil. You’re very brave, Al. 

Al: Rutile…

Lennox: It’s okay, Al. You’re not alone. 

We can fix the veil together. 

He put his hand over Al’s, the two now carrying the veil.

Lennox: Forsettao Meiuvat. 

A bright light envelops the veil and the rip in the tulle, and within a blink closes up.

A speckless snow white veil appears before us, and takes away our breaths. 

Al: It’s…fixed…

Staring a hole into the spot where there used to be a tear like he couldn’t believe it, Al lets out a deep breath. The tear really was gone.

Lennox: It’s thanks to you for not giving up and chasing after the veil that we found it, Al. 

You protected her veil, and kept yourself from any more harm. You did well. 

Lennox patted the boy on his head, acknowledging his achievement, and the corners of Al’s eyes began to water as he gave a nod, smiling.

Lennox: Let’s go home. Everyone’s waiting for you.

We found Mitile and Riquet, returning to the Town of Clouds with Al. 

The veil was safely returned to Emily, and Al’s leg was doing better with Rutile’s magic and Mitile’s medicine.

Without any panic, the situation was settled. 

And the day of the wedding came.

The tables were decorated with a variety of alcohol and dishes,

along with flowers in a glass vase sitting in the middle of each one. It made the dining a step more elegant.

Owen had a bored look on his face as he stuffed his mouth with the dessert Porranborn.

Akira: Owen, it’s good that you finally got to eat it. 

Owen: Oh yeah, I guess. It’s really tasty. Wanna bite?

Akira: Yes!

Owen: Not sharing any.

When we got to town and the venue was in shambles, I thought I’d get to see everyone’s disappointed faces. Talk about the opposite. 

They're all so optimistic I could barf. I can't stand to be here any longer. 

He disappeared with an armful of desserts, like a flame going out.

Shylock: Oh, he’s went and gone.

Riquet: Woah?!

Nero: What’s up, Riquet?

Riquet: The entire table’s desserts are gone!

Nero: Swiping the treasure from underneath our noses like that…that Owen. Don’tcha worry, we got more in the back.

The chiming of a bell ringed throughout the venue. 

Wizards and humans alike, as if beckoned by the bell, turn their backs.

The town children called for the to-be-wedded bride and groom with their bells.

Mole’d Townsperson: Congratulations! I’ve been waiting for this!

Mustached Townsperson: May you have happiness forever!

As the people shout their blessings, vibrant coloured petals scatter into the sky.

Red, white, yellow, purple, blue–two who wish to vow forever to each other walk through these dancing petals.

Emily’s veil is decorated with Al’s flower crown, making the bride bloom beautifully.

Akira: He got to hand it to her…phew.

Wait, where are Al and Lennox?

Al: Luca, Emily, congratulations on your marriage!

Everyone in the venue looks up to the voice above.

It belonged to Al, sitting behind Lennox on his broom, and he was holding high his compass.

And the petals that fell to the ground once again rose.

The colourful petals join up together, as if he had casted a rainbow into the sky.

The townspeople, the bell-ringing children, everyone was enjoying this joyous view. 

Al: I did it! I pulled off the spell Mr. Rutile taught me!

Rutile: That’s my student! A gold star for you!

Akira: So this is what you were talking about when we were making the flower crowns!

Rutile: Mmhmm. I told him if it was too difficult by himself, we would be there to help him, but…

With his own power, Al managed to cast a lovely rainbow into the sky.

Lennox: Good job, Al. 

Al: Yeah, yeah!

His voice was full of energy. In reaction, the flying petals jump with vigor. 

Mitile: It’s a relief he’s able to use his magic again…

Riquet: Truly. And what a sight it is. 

The petals swirl around Emily and Luca, pushing them to take each other’s hands and dance. 

Al: May happiness fall upon you two, forevermore!

Luca & Emily: Al! We wish the same for you!

Akira: We went through a lot to get here, but it’s a beautiful wedding indeed…

Under this clear sky petals cease falling to the ground and start flying upwards continuously. 

I wished that this paradise before me would stay in my heart forever. 

Akira: (I’m sure Al thinks so too…)

I watched the Al who came down from his broom as the couple and other townspeople run up to him, face red with blush. 

Suddenly, a strong breeze blew, and Oz appeared.

Within his arms was a short-haired girl with a familiar hair colour. 

Oz: The wedding was conducted safely.

???: Wow, this place is so…so pretty…

Akira: Oz!

Lennox and I race to the pair, but before we can say the girl’s name Al already shouted it. 

Al: Lizzy!

He rushes forward calling her name, and the girl looks to him with surprise.

Lizzy: Al…? …Al!

The girl called Lizzy jumps from Oz’s arms, and runs as fast as she could to Al.

They nearly bump heads as they hug each other, laughing and crying. Seeing their smiles shine as bright as the sun, I felt relief from the bottom of my heart.

Because I remember the figure who sat in that tree hollow hugging his knees, whose gloomy expression was illuminated by the light of the lanterns.

Oz: As you said, she was sold by that kidnapper and made to work. 

I dealt with them myself. This girl is free now.

Lennox: Lord Oz…thank you so much.

He bowed his head deeply, and then turned to the children. 

Lennox does not usually show his emotions. It is not that he has none, but is just weak at expressing them.

Yet the Lennox I saw before me had a face filled with love and protection, watching over the two warmly.

Lennox: Luca and Emily said that if you two wish to live here, they’ll be happy to welcome the both of you into their home.

And for you Al, if you let your heart rest some more your magic will stabilize and you should be able to use it safely again.

What a human cannot do, a wizard can with the flick of their finger.

That’s why most are fearful of them. But in this land, the people are not afraid, and welcome them with open arms.

This country was founded on the bonds between wizards and humans.

With great applause, I hear the voices of the people. Luca and Emily were underneath the arch, swearing their lives together.

Al and Lizzy sat with the crowd, smiles bright on their faces as they clapped.

Lennox: In my life I’ve witnessed a terrible end to many things.

So to see a journey’s end as blissful as this…makes me feel eternally grateful.

What may have been the last of Al’s spell, petals begin to swarm around me and Lennox.

And like he were scooping them up, Lennox extends his hand outwards.

Lennox: It’s beautiful.

Akira: …It really is.

Carrying their scars, wizards in need of healing find their way to South Country, meet with its people, and build a new paradise for themselves. 

Al and Lizzy have an entire lifetime’s worth of happiness waiting to be discovered, starting from this very first page. 

The flurry of petals begin to trickle down, reminding me of the tears of joy Al shed.

 
 

END

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