Chapter 18: A World We Make For Ourselves!

One Year Later…

Estelle was looking out of one of the highest spires of the castle. It was a bright and sunny day– not a cloud in sight. Despite the idyllic weather, she just sitting and crying her eyes out. There were two bursts of knocks at the door; she rose up to open the door, attempting to wipe her eyes.

"Hey Estelle, I was ready and thought I'd come– you've been crying?" Alyssa strode into the room confidently. She was wearing a light pink dress and had her hair up in a neat bun. She put a hand on Estelle's back.

"You okay?"

Estelle wiped the last of her tears, and smiled at the blonde. "Everything is great."

With a smile, Alyssa nodded at the princess. "Happy tears than? I expect no less from the sappiest couple I know."

"Of course. This is going to be the happiest day of my life!"

With a sigh, the blonde wandered over to the white dress that was on mannequin. It was large, fluffy, ornate and very beautiful. Even as a sarcastic and cruel girl, the sheer magnificence of the dress made her want to shed a tear too. When Estelle saw that Alyssa had actually let one run down, she smiled and joined her. "Beautiful, right?"

Alyssa nodded. "It suits you. You're going to look fantastic."

"Thanks. Thanks for everything Alyssa." The princess pulled her and gripped her in a tight hug, which left Alyssa just standing awkwardly. "Thanks for helping me with my relationship with Rita. Thanks for being my friend while I was apart from her. Thanks for everything."

"Keep this up, Droite's going to be pissed."

Estelle released the blonde. "Sorry, I just–,"

"You're emotional, I know. It's going to be fine. It was no problem, I owe you anyway. Thanks for trying to push me and Droite to go out. Now let's get you ready. We're going to have to do something about your eyes."

Rita ran her hands down to flatten out her dress. It was a strapless white dress with small amount of flower embroidery. The bottom was a smooth continuation into lace. There wasn't a lot of fluff, so it just hung smoothly down in an elegant fashion. She went through the usual routine she did on the rare occasions she wore a dress.

She rotated quickly, letting the bottom fan a little. Then she stopped and pushed her chest together with a smile.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Rita whipped around and blushed.

Droite just leaned against the door, she was wearing a dress that matched Alyssa's, and had her hair down, swept artfully and neatly groomed. "Looking good, Rita."

"T-thanks."

Droite walked over and took in the dress. "I guess it will be strange. This is the first wedding in Zaphias with two brides. We weren't sure if the dresses should match. We made yours a little more subtle."

"Thanks– I guess." She blushed hard at the thought of wearing matching dresses. If she was going to be honest, she would have loved it, but it would have been way too embarrassing. "So you helped with the dresses?"

The green-haired girl nodded. "Yeah, Alyssa is the maid of honor, but she has no fashion sense; she dresses like a blind librarian."

The witch laughed. "I know right?"

"Don't laugh at my girlfriend, you two dress exactly the same!"

With a blush, Rita rubbed the back of her head. "That's not really true."

"Oh please, don't you remember that time you both wore the same clothes to work?"

"Oh shut up!" Rita blushed hard. "Thanks though, the dress is really great."

Droite nodded. "Shame you two can't get married out on the steps."

Rita rolled her eyes. "Yeah, jerks don't want everyone to see. Well, the sword stair is really gorgeous, and I'm happier that only my friends will be there."

With a laugh, Droite walked up closer to her. "Ugh. Let me redo your makeup."

Pushing her back, Rita glared and sternly growled at her. "What's wrong with my makeup!"

"It looks bad! You never wear any, let me do it!"

The witch conceded and let the other girl start.

Estelle smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was beautiful, and she couldn't help but get a little emotional. Unfortunately, she was starting to well up again. Alyssa darted over quickly.

"Oh come on, no more tears. If you ruin it, you're redoing your own damn makeup. I'm not going to do it a third time."

"Sorry I just worked so hard for this day, it's wonderful."

Alyssa nodded in acknowledgment, she knew what Estelle had been doing.

Six months after they ran away together, Estelle came back. The princess had spent the following few nights crying on Droite's shoulder. Not hers of course, she wasn't a comforting sort of person; it took a lot of effort not to say something hurtful. Estelle was a strong girl though; she marched into Ioder's office and yelled at him for hours. She made it clear she came back to help but wouldn't be getting married.

She spent the next month controlling some of the damage the nobles had caused and helping spread some of the funds so they at least benefited some of the people in the lower city.

Then, she started attempting to issue more liberal reforms and aid for the empire. She spent six months arguing with each member of the council, first in the meetings, and then individually. She garnered support from all the people she had helped and pushed hard. In the end, they we're at a stalemate about changing the law.

Concerned with growing changes, the council pushed back, trying to get Ioder to marry her off again. Estelle and Ioder weren't shocked when the only offer accepted by all the guilds was a marriage to the leader of Advancing Dawn– the newest of the master guilds. Alyssa had imagined Rita threatening grievous bodily harm on anyone that tried to accept, only to learn later that it actually did happen. The council was enraged that it was a woman, one of the things they were arguing about. In the end they conceded that the political marriage was more important than keeping marriage laws from changing.

So here Estelle stood, about to be part of the first same sex marriage in Zaphias. The one that would open the way for all the other people who had lived in repression. Alyssa smiled at the princess.

"You're a really amazing girl Estelle. You didn't even know the word lesbian a year and a half ago, and you just made it legal for us to get married. Thanks."

Estelle smiled innocently and clasped her hands together. "So, do you think you and Droite will get married?"

The other girl backed off and blushed. "Yeah, not going to have this conversation."

"Fine then." Estelle responded annoyed. She could never get any meaningful information out of Alyssa about her relationship.

The sound of bells in the distance interrupted their conversation.

"We should get out there. Wouldn't want to be late to your own wedding right?"

The princess nodded with a bright smile.

Rita stood at the entrance of the sword stair, behind the throne. She was alone, and was fidgeting with the bouquet of red roses she was holding. Her friends were already seated and Droite, Judith, Alyssa, and Gauche had already walked down the aisle. When the music changed, she started out the door.

The sky was the clearest blue she had ever seen, it reminded her of the dreams she used to have about Estelle. While they were apart, the dreams had started again and were very painful. She had decided to put in some subtle inputs that would make the wedding someone similar.

The brunette reached the top of the sword stair, arriving at the large, flat section where the ceremony was being held. She let her eyes drop and saw the aisle. It was lined with bouquets of alternating red roses and pink lilies. It was her suggestion– maybe not the most beautiful pairing, but they were so appropriate that Rita felt she had to mention them.

The members of Brave Vesperia all sat on the left, along with some of Estelle's friends around the city and a few guests from the lower city. On the right were all some of the senior members of Advancing Dawn and the children from the orphanage. When Estelle left, Rita started going to the orphanage to help. She was honestly surprised at how much she like taking care of the children– especially little Susie, who she became very attached to.

She shook her head.

'One massive step at a time.'

Susie sat up from the chair and waved at her excitedly. Rita smiled at the cute child and waved back lightly, eliciting a giggle from the little girl.

'It probably wouldn't be so bad to–,' the witch shook her head again. 'Not yet. But I have to agree with Estelle, that is a great kid.'

She smiled up at the small group of bridesmaids. Alyssa and Droite in the cute pink dresses that Estelle had picked out. Judith and Gauche stood on her side, their dresses had the same cut but in a dark crimson.

She got up to the altar and turned with a smile.

'I should probably be embarrassed and blushing like usual. But screw that, this is the happiest day of my life!'

She scanned the crowd, releasing a chuckle when she saw Susie standing on her chair and waving happily again. David was sitting next to the little girl and glancing over confused. The man was serious and scholarly, and just looked out of place next to the excited little girl.

Her breath was suddenly gone when Estelle finally made it up the stairs and she saw the princess's wedding dress.

'Suddenly very glad we don't match. I'd look like crap compared to her.'

The princess had her dressed fluffed out properly and was wearing a thin delicate veil. Estelle met Rita's gaze and smiled brightly at her. Rita could have sworn there wasn't any music playing, but she doubted that was actually true. After a long while, she had to force the air into her lungs because she had forgotten to keep breathing.

Unlike Rita, the princess didn't look around as she walked to the altar, didn't see the weather or the guests. She didn't look at the bridesmaids or the priest. Her eyes simply didn't break away from Rita. When Estelle finally made it up the aisle so she was beside her, she gently closed her eyes and leaned slightly to whisper to her.

"You look so beautiful in that dress."

"Thanks. You look absolutely radiant."

They both smiled at the priest, who was fidgeting uncomfortably. After an awkward minute, Judith tilted over towards the priest.

"You can start."

The priest chuckled lightly and started the ceremony. There was silence from everyone as the priest went through the traditional speech. When he approached the end, he paused for a moment. The two of them had decided to go with traditional vows, as was normal in royal weddings. They knew they had a lot to say, but decided that as often as they made speeches, it wasn't entirely necessary in their wedding. That and Rita would never be able to make the speech in front of all these people.

He then proceeded.

"Do you, Estellise Sidos Heurassein, take Rita Mordio to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"And do you, Rita Mordio, take Estellise Sidos Heurassein to be your lawfully wedded... wife, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you... wives."

Rita chuckled at his confusion.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest said, glancing at both of them because he was unsure which he was telling.

The princess stepped up and planted a long but chaste kiss on the witch's lips.

Droite and Alyssa stood together during the reception. She could see some stuffy folks wandering around and making small talk.

The knight yawned. "This is pretty dull."

"Yeah, but it's what I expected from them." Alyssa leaned her back against a well and let out a sigh. "I hate high class parties like this. I always had to go when I was a kid."

She scanned the room and saw Nan and Sodia chatting. She had met both of them before, but it left a bad taste in her mouth. She had nearly slapped each of them. Both had a huge amount of issues with the wedding. It was surprising they even came; it was probably only because their boyfriends, Karol and Flynn, had forced them.

Rita finally walked over to the two of them. "Hey guys, how are you enjoying the party?"

"We're not," Alyssa responded snidely. She was hit in the ribs by Droite.

"I like the way you are, but you do need to learn to be a little less rude."

"Oh come on, Rita knows me well enough."

Rita sighed in response, "I know you; I don't like you though. Why don't you two detach from the hip and talk some of the other guests."

The blonde laughed. "Good plan, should I talk to the two girls with the stick up their asses?" She asked gesturing at Nan and Sodia.

"Not the same stick though, because that would be 'disgusting' right?" Droite added, soliciting a sinister laugh from the blonde.

"Yeah, I don't like you two." Rita responded, walking away expressionless.

Both girls just laughed as the brunette in the wedding dress glided away. Alyssa glanced around and then leaned in for a kiss.

"We do make a good pair huh?" the blonde whispered with her mouth still an inch away.

Droite stuck a finger on Alyssa's lips. "Yeah, guess so."

The blonde backed up and leaned against the wall again. "So, what did you think of the wedding?"

"It was nice."

"Yeah, it was. Estelle and Rita seem pretty happy, huh?"

With a sigh, the knight tilted her head. "Yeah, they are so sappy."

"I guess. I don't know if I could ever be like them. All those grand romantic gestures. I mean, the flowers? 'Let's pick the two flowers that represent us and then mix them, then match the bridesmaid's dresses to them.'"

"Terrible impression," the knight responded.

"Shut it. I just– sometimes I wish I could be like that, you know? Having any sense of romanticism."

The knight sat still for a moment. She looked over and saw Alyssa start to bite at her thumbnail. Droite knew it was a sign that she was really concerned.

"Oh come on Alyssa, you're plenty romantic. I would know."

"Please, when was the last time I got you flowers, or took you on a surprise date. When was the last time I that I even told you that I loved you?" Alyssa was starting to choke up.

Droite looked downcast for a second. "Come on, I don't need that crap anyway. I know you love me."

"Yeah." The blonde continued to bite at her nail. "But this all made me think– could I ever be wife material?"

The knight didn't let any expression show for a second. Then she turned Alyssa so that their eyes met. The scientist released her thumbnail and just stared back.

"Some people aren't looking for all that sentimental crap. I would rather spend my life with someone who can make me laugh and keep me happy."

Alyssa finally smiled a little. "Thanks. I mean, I'm not asking you to marry me or anything. I just wanted to know."

The green-haired girl chuckled. "Yeah, you're wife material, for me at least. I did kinda wish my wife would have bigger boobs."

The piercing glare she received was priceless. Droite just grabbed the blonde's hand and pulled her out onto a nearby balcony. Once they were out of sight, she leaned up and kissed Alyssa. When Droite pulled back, other girl let out a deep sigh.

"I love you."

Droite smiled up at her. "Eh, you ain't so bad."

There was a sudden hand grasped onto her cheeks and squeezing. "What was that?"

"Love you too."

"Good, good." Alyssa laughed as she released her. "Thanks Droite. You're not bad at this. I guess Rita and Estelle do prove that idiots can be romantic; maybe we can be a little sappy too."

"Nope." Droite shifted forward, and the blonde smirked when a hand squeezed her rear tightly. Alyssa laughed and returned the gesture with both hands.

"Hey are you guys," Rita stepped out for a moment. "Damn it, the hell is always wrong with you two!? Can you not grope each other at my wedding!"

Alyssa took another full squeeze before releasing her girlfriends rear end. "I was finally having fun too."

Rita spun and the two girls could hear her muttering to herself. "Next time, Estelle's going to get her own perverted friends."

Droite grabbed Alyssa's hand and pulled her back into the room and smirked to herself, excited for the rest of the night. She had realized Alyssa liked to control and predict everything; but she had a surprise that her girlfriend couldn't be expecting. Sitting on their bedside table was a thin vase with a single daisy, Alyssa's favorite flower. Beside it, a little ring box.

"…and they lived happily ever after."

With a heavy thud, Estelle shut the massive tome of fairy tales on her desk, having finally finished writing the story. The princess smiled and stood, her head jerked when she heard the door to her chambers. Their chambers. She quickly left the small home office and approached the entryway. She found her wife struggling with her shoes.

It had been two weeks since their wedding, and Rita was officially working in the city. Advancing Dawn had a new Zaphias branch, it was the first in several steps to integrate guild and imperial life. She had opened the branch at the council's request, but was more than happy to make sure she could live with her new wife.

The princess walked up and interrupted Rita before she could escape from her footwear. Estelle pulled her into a deep kiss.

"Welcome home, my wife."

The witch blushed and glanced away. "Hi, Estelle. Would you stop calling me that?"

"But you are my wife."

Laughing, Rita nodded. "Yeah, I really am, aren't I?"

Estelle wrapped her arms around Rita and snuggled her face into her neck. "Leave your shoes on, let's go for a walk."

Rita smiled and nodded. They both turned and left their rooms.

The summer garden was a vastly different place than the fall one. The whole thing was lined with bright flowers and green grass. They strolled hand in hand, enjoying early afternoon sunshine.

There were a couple of nobles and knights giving them odd looks, but they did what they always did and ignored it. The princess lifted up and kissed the back of the witch's hand.

"I'll admit it, this is pretty nice," Rita commented with a gentle smile.

The wind picked up and the princess smiled exuberantly. She suddenly veered off the path and pulled the brunette with her. Rita staggered after her with a smile. Her heart stuttered when she realized where she was. A wide field of flowers withing the garden, with tall trees outlining the edge.

Rita took in the scent and recognized the field of yellow and white flowers. The princess released the other girls hand and spun and smiled at her. The jovial pink-haired girl backed up and spun, starting to frolic through the flowers.

"Estelle, can you come here?"

The princess ceased her childlike movements and approached the other girl. With a blush, Rita smiled shyly at her. "Can you sit on the ground?"

The princess nodded and gently sat on the ground, tucking her legs beneath her. Rita blushed again and stood sternly for a second.

"Why did you–,"

Rita sat beside her, then dropped down so her head was on the princess's lap. Estelle smiled at the pleasant interruption. She put a hand down onto her wife's cheek.

"Oh Rita, sometimes you're so adorable."

The wind picked up gently and the flowers began to sway. Rita blushed and gently let her eyes drift up onto the sky. "T-Thanks. I love you."

"I love you too."

Rita smiled and nodded, lifting a hand and caressing the other girl's cheek. "It's hard to believe we're here. In the castle gardens, married, out in the open."

"Incredibly in love."

The brunette nodded. "Incredibly in love." She then let out a gentle sigh and shut her eyes, relishing in the contact and the dream-like setting. "You know, I used to have this exact dream. Sitting in a field of flowers, my head on your lap, you staring down at me and smiling happily."

"Sounds great." The princess raised a hand in front of her gentle smile. "What am I saying? It is quite great."

"This was all right after I realized I was in love with you. I was so scared of what I was feeling, but I couldn't get the dreams to stop."

The witch blushed and looked away.

"I wanted you to know something. I didn't get a chance to say it at the wedding, and I wouldn't have been able to. Now that were alone, there were some things I wanted to tell you. I've always loved you. I didn't realize what I was feeling before, but it has never changed, so I guess it's just always been that way."

Estelle nodded, but the witch just continued.

"I wanted you to know something else. I know that last year you left because you felt you had to. I loved the way our life was; but being here, back in your home and with you truly happy makes me incredibly happy too."

The princess nodded. "Life was nice there, but I had to be someone I am not. I love it here; thanks for letting me leave and do all of this."

"I could lie and say it was no problem, but it was. I missed the hell out of you."

"I know, you've told me every day since the wedding. I missed you too."

The witch blushed and smiled shyly, then looked away from the princess. Estelle smiled down at her. That smile was a relatively new development. It was a transformation of her usual stuttering embarrassment now that she was so happy and comfortable in their relationship. It was a cute thing, and it cemented a certain connection she always made in her mind. It was the same shy little smile that Susie got when she was read a story or complimented. She had already thought about asking Rita if they could adopt the child– but she knew she would have to wait for Rita to get a little more comfortable with the idea.

Estelle just sat quietly for a moment. Then she smiled and placed a hand on the girl in her lap's cheek. "I love that shy little smile."

Rita just blushed a little deeper.

The two finished their walk around the castle grounds, and were returning to their section of the castle. A knight bowed as they walked past, eliciting a smirk from the scientist.

"Lady Rita, Lady Estellise."

Estelle bowed politely as they passed.

"So I'm a lady now? This is pretty weird."

"You are a member of the royal family."

Rita nodded and smiled. She opened the doors into their living quarters. Estelle had to move into a bigger set of rooms, this time with a small foyer area that lead into a living room. There were two bedrooms, a small office, and a kitchen all branching from the main room. Rita had laughed at the irony of the extra bedroom, which existed to house the inhabitant's young children. But when she glanced over at the doors, she couldn't help but think about a little orphan in Capua Torim that she had a soft spot in her heart for. She could give it some time, but she did want to bring it up at some point.

"Is something wrong, Rita?"

"No, nothing."

"That was a nice walk. I'm a little tired though. Is it okay if we go down to the dining hall instead of cooking?"

Rita laughed a little and smiled. It was nice that they could go out and about the castle and the city together. The massive change always made her smile. "Of course, you don't really have to ask me."

Estelle nodded then glanced around. "I think I should take a bath first though, I smell like the dirt from the garden."

With a smile, Rita watched Estelle walk past. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to steel her resolve. A hand reached out and pinched the Estelle's dress.

The princess turned and smiled at the other girl. The blush on the witch was extreme and her expression was serious. Her eyes were shut and her face tilted away. It had been a long while since Estelle had seen Rita this embarrassed. She decided the best course of action was just to be patient with her.

Rita took a few more deep breaths. She decided it was finally time to make one of her innermost desires clear. Something she really wanted. Something she always wanted. Her eyes opened slightly, her gaze still angled away. The flush was growing deeper, and Estelle was starting to worry.

"Can we take it… together?"

The princess turned away and took a few steps before using a finger to gesture the other girl over.

The witch smiled shyly and followed her into the bathroom.

Author's Note: And that is the ending. I have a feeling the wedding is written sort of poorly, haven't really experienced or remembered enough of them to be able to do it well. Nor can I really describe wedding dresses. Still, I can't believe this story is really over!

This was my first fanfic and I hope it was at least decent. I like how it ended up, though in the future I'm going to try and plan out what I'm going to write. I do want to thank everyone that has been reviewing the story; knowing people like it has helped me keep writing. I really appreciate the feedback. I'm definitely going to keep writing, so expect some more stories from me. I have the first couple chapters of a few different stories written, but I don't know which I want to roll with. Anyways, thanks for reading!