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Ophilia didn’t think she had ever been happier. 

She stood in front of a mirror, fighting to keep her breathing even. She hadn’t been able to stop shaking for what felt like hours, and at this point, Ophilia was almost starting to give up on quelling her nerves at all. She knew everything was going to be fine, that everything was going to be more than fine even, but her body simply refused to listen. She had dreamed of this day ever since she was a little girl, and the thought of it being real was simply too much for her to bear in the sweetest way possible. 

It was her wedding day. 

Over the course of her travels, Ophilia had found herself in a situation she had always imagined but never thought real: she was falling in love. The realization had come to her late one night three months after she first met Primrose Azelhart in the backstreets of Sunshade. Ophilia had been doing her best to brush off her quiet nerves around the dancer, pretending she was simply unused to being so close with someone like this, but the truth had been inescapable. Whether Ophilia wanted to admit it or not, she was in love. 

Ophilia had learned quickly that she had very little interest in the men she had read about in so many fairy tales over the years. The prince always rescued the princess in her hour of need, and yet, Ophilia did not want that. She yearned to find another princess who would lead her to a brighter future, and soon enough, Ophilia found her. After an embarrassingly high number of daydreams, Ophilia realized Primrose was the one for her. 

It had taken her much longer to confess her feelings to Primrose. Ophilia may as well have written lovestruck on her forehead with how easily Primrose picked up on it, but she struggled to get the words out for what felt like an eternity anyway. Ophilia had played with her gloves as she confessed, doing all she could to keep from having to look Primrose in the eyes. Primrose had silenced all of her insecurities in an instant though, tilting Ophilia’s face up so they met eyes before pressing a kiss to her lips. 

That had stood as the most magical day of Ophilia’s life for years, and she had almost thought it would never be topped. All of that changed when she caught a glimpse of the most beautiful ring she had ever seen in the marketplace, and Ophilia knew what she needed to do before she could even reach for her coin purse. She was going to marry Primrose Azelhart, and she could hardly wait. 

Proposing to Primrose was nerve wracking the second time, and Ophilia found that she hadn’t gotten any better at keeping her words under control in the three years since they had met. She stammered and stuttered for what felt like an eternity before sliding the ring onto Primrose’s finger. Primrose had simply cast her a smile before kissing her once again, whispering that this was all she had ever wanted. 

Months had passed since then, and preparations for the wedding had been ironed out from beginning to end. Ophilia had worried over every tiny detail, and at long last, the time had come to bring it all to life. She had always imagined what it would be like to get married, and before the sun set that day, she would see it for herself. This was all she had ever dreamed of, and Ophilia could barely wait. 

No matter how excited she was though, Ophilia couldn’t soothe her anxiety. She had dreamed of this day for so long that she didn’t know what she would do if it didn’t live up to her expectations… But how could it fall short now? She was getting married to the loveliest girl in all of Orsterra. Ophilia and Primrose had defeated gods together. They had sealed the Gate of Finis and buried a world-ending conspiracy alongside Galdera’s husk. Surely they would be able to handle walking down the aisle to greet one another. Compared to everything they had already accomplished, this was child’s play. 

Most of Orsterra’s marriage traditions revolved around there being a groom and a bride. Ophilia and Primrose had been forced to adapt a lot of it to fit there being two brides. The Church of the Sacred Flame said that the family of the bride should provide a white cloth for the ceremony, a shield against misfortune for the happy couple to shelter behind. Ophilia and Primrose both had little family to speak of save for their sisters, so in the end, they had chosen to change that idea into something a bit more applicable. Lianna and Odette worked together on one cloth while the rest of the travelers worked together to bring in another. Tressa had promised she would get nothing but the best for Ophilia and Primrose, and Ophilia knew she would hold true to that no matter what. Tressa would do anything for her friends, especially on the cusp of such an important date. 

Ophilia and Primrose would both be walking down the aisle before greeting one another at the far end of the meeting hall, and Ophilia couldn’t wait to see what her beloved looked like in her dress. Primrose had insisted on them both keeping their dresses secret from each other so the moment of fate when they saw one another on the day of the wedding would feel all the more powerful. Ophilia hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now, she was glad Primrose had pressed for it. She couldn’t wait to see how Primrose looked. Ophilia could only hope she lived up to her lover’s expectations. 

Gods above, they weren’t just going to be lovers soon. Before the day was done, they would be wives. It didn’t even feel real, and yet, it was the only thing Ophilia could think of as she smiled anxiously at her reflection. She could do this. She had overcome greater obstacles. If Galdera hadn’t been able to stop her, then anxiety couldn’t stop her either. 

Ophilia let out one last slow breath before she retreated from the room she had been given to prepare. The ceremony was set to begin soon, and she couldn’t keep everyone waiting. She was ready. She knew that. All that was left was to commit to it. 

The ceremony hall was decorated every bit as ornately as Lianna had promised. Ophilia’s sister had gone all out in making sure the venue was perfect, and Tressa had gladly helped her to secure the finer points. There was no better place for a wedding, especially with how much love had gone into preparing it for the day. 

Primrose was already standing at the far end of the aisle by the time Ophilia arrived, and she froze at the sight of her beloved. Primrose’s dress was gorgeous, accentuating her features in all the right ways and making her eyes glow with the life Ophilia had fallen in love with. Primrose’s grip on her bouquet tightened as pink rose in her cheeks, and Ophilia realized that she was being looked at too. This moment was pure magic for them both. 

It took Ophilia an embarrassingly long time to remind her body to move, and she slowly began her journey down the aisle toward her bride. Ophilia’s heart beat rapidly in her chest, but a strange feeling of peace was settling over her at the same time. No matter how anxious she felt, she knew she would come out of this stronger and happier than ever before. She was ready for this. She had been for a long time. 

Twelve candles lined the space around Ophilia and Primrose, and Ophilia found herself counting them as she approached her bride. Blowing out the candles would be her and Primrose’s first act as wives, a way of honoring each of the gods of Orsterra while blessing their future together. Ophilia had rehearsed it in her mind dozens upon dozens of times, but she felt woefully unprepared standing there before her family and friends. 

But that was part of the point, wasn’t it? No matter how anxious she felt, Ophilia knew she would be supported to the end. Primrose would be there at her side, and they would survive every hardship they encountered. They had fought to be there, and they would fight to stay together too. They were both doing this for the same thing, but they would be alright in the end. They would be there for one another, and that was all that mattered. 

The celebrant began to speak, but Ophilia barely registered his words. Instead, she focused on the depth of Primrose’s smile, and she let it take her to greater heights than she had ever imagined. I love you, Ophilia mouthed, and her smile made her cheeks burn from joy. All around her, the twelve candles burned too, seemingly growing brighter from her love. 

I love you too, Primrose mouthed back, and Ophilia felt herself begin to cry, but they were the sweetest tears she had ever shed.