Chapter Text
When he looked back at all the years he had known the Summoner, Alfonse could recognize that he had always been deeply fond of her. They had clicked immediately, working together well and getting along even better. The Summoner, Kiran, had a way of understanding how Alfonse was feeling and she managed to match her own energy with it perfectly. They could talk about everything. He felt more at ease with Kiran than he sometimes did with his family, and he had a deep desire to protect her. In hindsight it was embarrassing he hadn't realized his feelings sooner. That it had taken several years for him to understand his own heart.
The eye-opening, world-rattling realization hit him during Askr's annual wedding themed celebration. It was one of the silly customs Alfonse didn't really understand or care about, but Sharena loved it. She had even participated in the dress show the previous year which had moved something uncomfortable in Alfonse's chest. He was not ready to see his little sister in a wedding dress. He would probably never be ready for it, but the smile on her sister's face when she showed Princess Veronica around was one of the most precious things Alfonse had seen.
This year's festival followed similar pattern to all the other years: different dressmakers and other artisans brought their finest creations to the castle town for a show. Excited Heroes put on dresses and suits and fought for a bouquet of love. Alfonse cared for neither the outfits nor the bouquet but he would've liked to participate in the tournament for the experience. Sadly it'd require him to wear a tuxedo or something equally ridiculous, so just like every other year, he politely declined the invitation to participate. Alfonse also tried not to think when would his mother realize that he, a crown prince, would need a wife by his side at some point and that a fun little festival like this could be a great way to find someone who looked so stunning in a wedding dress that they took his breath away. So he tried to avoid participating in the events too much for that reason too.
"Have you ever thought about getting married?"
Kiran's question pulled Alfonse out of his thoughts. They were touring the festival grounds together after Sharena had disappeared somewhere, probably to help with the dress show. Kiran looked around the stalls full of wedding decorations with curiosity and awe of the craftwork while Alfonse followed half a step behind, offering polite greetings to the vendors and other guests.
"I'm the crown prince. I will have to get married at some point," Alfonse replied. Funny how he had just thought about it.
"Oh, right. How do you feel about it?" Kiran turned to look at him, her copper brown hair shining in the late-spring sunlight like she had a halo around her head.
"I have accepted it as a part of my role." His answer was diplomatic, rehearsed. A beat of silence followed. "I just hope they are someone I love."
Kiran smiled, soft and maybe a bit sad. She raised her hand to squeeze his arm. Her smile grew stronger, more reassuring. "I'm sure they are. You will find someone like that."
Alfonse smiled. Yeah, he would find someone. As soon as they stopped having one cataclysmic event after another and he had time to think about something else than saving the realms. He wasn't in a rush to get married. He would prefer if it didn't happen for several years, but since the possibility of an arranged marriage always loomed above his head, he would prefer to find someone before his mother decided to solve the problem. She hadn't hinted at anything like that yet, but if they achieved peace then Alfonse's role would likely shift more from leading the Order of Heroes to ruling the kingdom. And a king needed a queen.
"How about you?" Alfonse asked when they moved to the wedding bouquet section. The scent of hundreds of flowers hit Alfonse in the face like a fist, and he gasped for air.
"Hmm, I've been a bit busy recently to think about it," Kiran said and grinned when Alfonse snorted a laugh. Busy was an understatement when they had to ward off a god's invasion every other month. "But it'd be nice I think. If I found the right person."
Alfonse smiled. He tried to think what kind of person would deserve to marry Kiran. They would have to be strong to keep her safe. Naturally, they would have to be kind and caring too because she deserved to always get all the support she needed. Someone who would make her smile every day and would comfort her when she was feeling down. Someone who would get her gifts even when there was no special occasion for it. Someone who would see what a strong and incredible person she was and always respected her.
Alfonse smiled. He would make sure the guy courting for Kiran's hand would be worthy.
They wandered through the flower section and into the main attraction of the festival, the wedding dress display. It was always the most crowded area, except maybe for the dessert section that offered free samples of wedding cakes and a million other treats. Alfonse hadn't taken Kiran there yet and wondered if all the cake would be been gone by the time they got there.
Kiran's walking pace slowed down as she took in all the different dresses. Alfonse recognized some of the dresses from previous years' events, perhaps fan favourites and top sellers that had been brought back, but he didn't have much eye for fashion and most dresses looked the same in his eyes. Some were slim and some were puffy, sleeves and no sleeves, short and long, but just a bunch of fabric in the end.
Alfonse almost bumped into Kiran's back when she stopped in front of one vendor's booth. Alfonse jumped to the side to avoid the collision and let his eyes move from the Summoner to the dresses she was admiring.
"Good day, Miss. See anything you like?" an older man with neatly trimmed beard and extravagant suit asked. He had a polite smile on his face when he walked closer, hopeful about making a sale.
"Yes. The dresses are beautiful. But I'm just admiring," Kiran said.
The man's gaze glided over Kiran, appraising, and Alfonse moved closer.
"A beautiful lady like you should try on one of my dresses. I have one that would look perfect on you, I'm sure," he said then. "Would you like to try?"
Kiran's eyes widened. She glanced at Alfonse and then back to the man.
"Oh, I don't know. I shouldn't take your time away from paying customers."
"Don't be shy, Miss. In fact, I insist. I would love to see you in one of my designs. It will take just a moment. Your companion won't mind I'm sure. Am I right, Your Highness?"
Alfonse flinched from the address. "You should try on the dress," he encouraged. "This festival happens only once a year."
Kiran hummed. "Well, maybe I can then. If it's really okay?"
The man nodded in excitement and already wrapped his arm around Kiran's arm, walking her towards a makeshift dressing room.
"Just wait here for a moment, Miss. I will bring you the dress in a moment."
Alfonse watched the man disappeard for a second and then walk back to the dressing room with a lot of white fabric draped on his arms. A young woman followed behind him, staying in the dressing room after the man stepped out.
Other people walked by the booth or stopped to admire the dresses. Alfonse felt wildly out of place, sticking out like a sore thumb in the middle of the festival goers. How long had Kiran already been in the dressing room? How much longer would he have to wait?
Then, the curtain was drawn aside, and Kiran stepped out of the dressing room, smoothing the fabric of the dress. The dress hugged her body tightly until the hem flared out below her knees. Kiran's shoulders were bare, and the sleeves connected to the neckline of the shirt. The sleeves were made of light, almost sheer fabric, puffed from the top and then flowing down her arms. The veil was attached to a golden headband with flowers on it. Flowers were also woven into the bottom of the veil.
Alfonse's mouth ran dry. Holy Lord Askr and his retainers.
"What do you think? Do I look stupid?" Kiran spun around in front of Alfonse, and the hem of the dress flared around her. The veil wrapped around her body. A few passers-by stopped to watch. An embarrassed blush dusted her cheeks pink. Alfonse opened and closed his mouth like a fish on dry land, struggling to form a coherent sentence.
"It's-"
-amazing.
"You look-"
-beautiful.
"I-"
I love you.
"It looks good." Alfonse's voice came out choked. It must've been the heat of the sun, but his whole body felt hot.
"You think?" Kiran looked down at the dress, feeling the fabric of the sleeves between her fingers. Her smile grew wider the more she looked at herself and her reflection from the mirror the man had carried over.
"Miss you look beautiful. The most beautiful bride. Oh, your future husband will be the luckiest man in the world."
Kiran blushed more. She continued to talk with the man, but it turned into background noise in Alfonse's mind. He stared. His heart beat loud and fast. He had seen countless ladies in wedding dresses over the years at this festival. No one had ever looked as beautiful. He had met goddesses less radiant. If Kiran walked down an aisle to him looking like that, or looking like anything really, he would be the happiest man in the world. He would cry.
The realization startled Alfonse. He turned around and covered his mouth with his hands and took a deep breath through his nose, exhaling slowly out of his mouth.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder, and Alfonse jumped in the air. He spun around to find Kiran, back in her Summoner outfit, standing in front of him, a questioning smile on her lips. She looked beautiful still.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Alfonse nodded. He cleared his throat, looking for words. "Yeah. This heat must be getting to me."
"It's been a while since we've had anything to eat or drink," Kiran agreed. "Maybe we should find some refreshments."
Alfonse nodded again. They should go look at wedding cakes. Wedding cookies. Wedding bread. Whatever people ate at weddings.
"Thank you so much for letting me try on that dress," Kiran said turning to the man before they left. "I felt like a bride."
The man beamed at the compliment. "I hope that when it is time for you to get married, you will let me know, Miss. I would be honoured to supply you with the most beautiful dress." He produced a card from one of his pockets and offered it to Kiran, kissing her hand when she took it.
"I hope we will meet again," the man said and waved a goodbye.
Alfonse nodded politely, and Kiran waved. They walked off, steering their steps towards the wedding dessert display. They had some time to explore before the tournament would start.
"How have you liked the festival so far?" Kiran asked. "We haven't really done much outside of walking around but have you seen anything you've liked?"
"It's been good." Eye-opening. A bit scary. Alfonse definitely saw something he liked, but he would need to process that a bit longer, probably tonight in bed way past midnight when he should already be asleep.
"I've liked it too," Kiran said, smiling as she looked around. "I know a lot of guys find this awkward or boring, but it's been nice to walk around with you just look at things and enjoy the atmosphere. So, thank you for keeping me company."
I'd do anything for you.
"It's no problem at all. Thank you for taking me along."
Kiran smiled the same way she had smiled at him for years, but now it made Alfonse's heart jump. She reached for his hand. "Let's go eat some cake."
Alfonse took a deep breath when Kiran's fingers curled around his, and she pulled him along. If she said anything to him during their walk, he didn't hear it over his confused thoughts and the loud beat of his heart.