Gift.
Usually, it refers to the items exchanged between the bride and groom as a keepsake during a wedding. However, here it carries a slightly different meaning. In short, it serves as a substitute for wedding gifts.
Guests present gifts that assist the bride and groom. In return, the couple graciously accepts them and serves food to their guests with care. That’s how Elf weddings are held.
Typically, since the bride and groom are the protagonists, joint weddings aren’t common. But this time, it was made an exception. After all, no one knows when such a day will come again.
Naturally, Clara and Cluna brought the appropriate number of gifts in accordance with the number of couples getting married. However, Hans had prepared nothing at all. He never imagined he would attend a wedding in the first place.
“Damn, couldn’t you have told me it was a wedding beforehand?”
He even wondered if he followed them for no reason. But soon, he shook his head. There were cases where sending comrades to distant places went wrong. Considering that, it was right to come along with the mother and daughter.
Of course, that didn’t change the fact that he attended the wedding empty-handed. Hans let out a sigh. He had to prepare a gift, even at this point. The required number of gifts was seven.
That meant seven couples were getting married at today’s ceremony. They couldn’t be too shabby, but they also couldn’t be too expensive. So, the only gifts he could get right now were…
“Hey there, looks like you need some gifts.”
“…Who are you?”
“I’ve got some useful items for you. Want to take a look?”
Despite looking like a suspiciously thin elf, Hans had no luxury to worry about that now. He checked out the thin elf’s items.
“Rings and necklaces…”
“This is perfect for a gift, don’t you think?”
“Uh, right. Can you give me seven of them?”
“The price is about this much~.”
“Stop right there.”
Cluna immediately stopped Hans, who was genuinely about to buy the necklaces and rings. The thin elf, who had intended to sell to Hans, received a smack with a staff from the High Elder and ran away.
“Why are you stopping me?”
“Can’t you see? Why spend that much on obviously plated fakes?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Quite shameful, really. I never thought someone would try to scam a guest.”
Elder Maquenis casually apologized. It seemed there were quite a few scammers among elves, surprisingly. With impressive appearances and flashy speech, they tended to deceive others easily because of their elven nature.
“But I have to prepare gifts, don’t I?”
No matter how distracted Hans was by the gifts, the blatant stench of a scam wasn’t something he could ignore. However, to show at least a gesture of having prepared gifts…
Even if they were fake, they needed to exist, right? Upon hearing Hans’s words, Elder Maquenis tilted his head, then suddenly smirked. It was the first smile he had shown.
“I didn’t expect you to be such a meticulous person.”
“I’m just sticking to the basics.”
“In that case, may I ask a favor of you?”
“What is it?”
“Please officiate this wedding.”
You want me to officiate? Hans looked at the unexpectedly sudden request from the Elder without saying a word. However, it was quite common to ask a guest or a friend to officiate a wedding.
Moreover, Hans was the commander of the Royal Knights and a hero. He was a knight at the forefront of the current turmoil. Naturally, he could give better words to those risking their lives during the wedding.
Elder Maquenis judged so. Meanwhile, Hans found himself unable to even reject the request. He had no gifts to present anyway. Rejecting a request in this situation? That would just be the end.
“But officiating isn’t something anyone can do.”
“How can you say anyone? You are a hero, aren’t you?”
“…”
“It will be a help to those children determined for whatever may come.”
It was over. There was no longer the option to decline here. With no choice, Hans reluctantly accepted the officiation. In a way, it seemed like the least bad choice. It wouldn’t cost him anything and he only had to speak.
But for some reason, Hans felt a sense of guilt. Am I truly worthy of officiating? Could someone like me, who had dodged and run away until now, face those stepping forward confidently?
With complicated feelings, Hans looked up at the sky. Today, the sky was absurdly clear. But that was just for a moment; unable to resist Cluna and Clara’s pushing, Hans walked along with them.
It was time to present gifts to the bride and groom.
*
“I never dreamed you would show up here.”
Giving gifts wasn’t so difficult, as long as a familiar face didn’t pop up halfway through. It seemed the other party felt the same way, as they displayed a similarly deteriorated expression.
Cluna and Clara were the same. The person who looked alternately between Hans and the elf mother-daughter let out a sigh and raised her hands. It was a gesture of surrender.
“I’m surrendering, surrendering. I don’t intend to cause any more trouble!”
“Ameli.”
“…….”
The Guardian of the Forest, who once tried to offer a sacrifice to the World Tree. Cluna’s former comrade and the crazy woman who attempted to sell Clara. Yet, she suddenly claimed she was getting married?
“I know our relationship hasn’t been good. I think I made mistakes too. But please, just let this one go for today. I’m asking you.”
“Is it because of the wedding?”
“Do you think I have any other reason?”
Her demeanor was very confusing, whether she was showing genuine remorse or not. But at least there was no hostility in her appearance. Hans sighed. He never thought of punishing her.
In the first place, elves thought it was natural to offer sacrifices to the World Tree. They even turned hostility towards Hans, who saved the elves back then. But who would have thought they would meet again like this?
“…Who are you marrying?”
“Howells, my childhood friend.”
“Is he that guy who used to follow you around?”
“He was annoying back then, and I thought so.”
Cluna and Ameli began to share stories from the past they both knew. According to the story, Howells had liked Ameli since long ago and had pursued her, despite having quite a few rough edges.
He had always been by Ameli’s side, even when she was punished according to the rules, and from then on, she slowly began to be drawn to him. Ameli let out a sigh.
“I thought there wouldn’t be anyone to take care of me if it wasn’t him.”
“Considering that, your expression looks pretty relaxed.”
“That’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!”
Seemingly stung by a valid point, Ameli yelled at Cluna. For a moment, Cluna, who was chuckling softly, quickly wiped her expression clean as she looked at Ameli.
“I have no intention of forgiving what you did.”
“I know. I probably won’t ever be forgiven.”
“Yes, that’s right. I no longer consider you a friend.”
“…….”
“…Still.”
Before finishing her sentence, Cluna closed her eyes for a moment. It seemed memories and emotions from the past flooded in. But that was brief; having sorted her thoughts, Cluna finally spoke.
“I sincerely wish you happiness.”
“…Thank you, Cluna.”
“Well then.”
Cluna distinctly declared. She would never forgive Ameli. But out of the friendship until now, she wished her happiness. Personally, Hans thought that was a neat conclusion.
After giving gifts and chatting with each bride and groom, time passed without notice. Hans swallowed hard. Suddenly being asked to officiate the wedding? But isn’t this the best option?
Though he was nervously spiraling into a split personality, unfortunately, time didn’t wait for him. Should he use time reversal to rewind? Or maybe time stop?
“No, I can’t run away anymore.”
Hans made his decision. He would no longer run away and would face it. Just like earlier. In fact, Hans could have easily declined. But he didn’t.
He wanted to face the people choosing love despite the uncertain future. He had to see their faces. By confronting them, Hans himself would also be able to make a definitive choice.
Finally, the time came. Hans stood on the platform. True to an elf wedding, there was no artificial decoration. Instead, there were trees, fully bloomed flower beds, and a table with roots sprouting.
The number of elves attending the wedding was incredibly high. It seemed like every elf in the forest was present. While some elves were getting married, others still looked like couples.
“You may face unimaginable adversity and loneliness ahead.”
After a brief greeting, the highlight finally came. However, to whom was he speaking? Hans didn’t know either. Was it directed at them or himself…
“You may fall into turmoil and may never see each other again. Sad memories will remain forever.”
“…….”
“Nevertheless, do you swear to love your chosen partner?”
Not a single elf denied that question.
