Fin was finishing drying himself off from his bath, when the door to the guest chamber opened, forcing him to hastily cover himself with the towel in his hand.

“Pardon the intrusion,” Mr. Howard entered with two stewards behind him. One carried a small trunk, the other carried a razor and a dark red velvet box.

“What is this about?” Fin demanded immediately while shifting away from the men self-consciously.

“Well, as much as I’m sure you don’t care about getting married in trousers and a tunic covered in flour and other questionable liquids, I think the Viscountess Jenoure is already settling when it comes to you, so let’s not remind her of the fact, hm?” The assistant cast the redhead a bored expression before waving to the steward with the razor in his hand.

“Now, let’s fix up that face of yours. His highness managed to find a tailor in Austice who had a tunic already made that should fit you. Of course you are being ennobled before the ceremony as well so we also have a cape that-”

“I’m getting ennobled before the wedding?” Fin blinked in astonishment.

The assistant let out a huff. “Of course. Can you imagine the shame if the magistrate reading the rites had to say the phrase, 'Do you Royal Cook take the Viscountess of Daxaria to be your lawfully wedded wife?'”

Fin stilled.

The reality of the day suddenly sinking in fully as the King’s assistant continued watching him glibly.

“I’m… getting ennobled… and married…” All color had drained from the redhead’s face, and sensing the potential danger of this, Mr. Howard sprang into action.

“Yes, and good Gods, man, keep it together. You have no idea how remarkably lucky you are. If you ruin this now-”

“I’ll still have you won’t I?” Fin asked faintly before cracking a smile.

“Seeing as you are calm enough to make such tasteless jests, I take it you are feeling just fine.” The assistant snapped while ignoring the steward’s interested glances behind his back.

“Come on now, don’t be like that. I’m getting married today. Did you send the message to Jiho like I asked?” Fin ended up tying the towel around his waist while the steward with a razor gestured for him to take a seat.

“I did. After the man overcame his shock he agreed to meet with you here before the both of you will go to the ceremony.”

“Right, and where is it going to be happening?”

“The centre of the rose garden is being vacated as we speak. It made the most sense given that his highness and her majesty often go there for their intimate dinners. No one will suspect anything amiss. We will sneak you and your mother in the long way around from the back of the castle to avoid any unwanted attention.”

“It’s a pity I can’t have Eric attend,” Fin admitted as his face was being lathered in some type of foaming soap.

“We’ve discussed this, an eight year old doesn’t know when to stop talking. You better be sure to thank Lord Ryu on your hands and knees when he gets here, if he wasn’t able to back up the report pertaining to Lord Nam’s debts, your betrothed would most likely be marrying him tonight.”

Fin fought the urge to smile as the blade moved closer to his mouth.

“I’m surprised my ennobling is happening so quickly, Sir Harris has been attending meetings for weeks…”

“Yes, well, he didn’t seduce a Viscountess, and isn’t about to go aboard an enemy ship alone for the sake of his King.” Mr. Howard eyed the steward and gestured to the man that he needed to move the razor closer to the redhead’s ear.

Fin smiled appreciatively at the steward whom he recognized as one of the main servants that would come to the kitchen to fetch food for his highness.

“I told you before, she made the first advance on me, I just somehow wound up here.”

“Like anyone believes that,” Mr. Howard muttered while crossing his arms and sidling over to a vacant chair beside the redhead.

“It’s true though. Whenever she is involved things are just going to go her way.”

“Did she kidnap her own brother then?” Mr. Howard asked with only a hint of genuine skepticism.

“No, she didn’t.” Fin fell quiet as the steward began to finish his work, and began wiping off the remaining suds only to then have a strange oil be patted along his face.

As he stood, Fin was stunned to see the tunic and vest in the other steward’s hands.

He held a tunic with fine black material that had its collar and cuffs embroidered with gold thread. The vest was made of a similar quality material with gold buttons, and edging to match.

“This is… this is far too-”

“Dressing up is not for you, you arrogant arse. It’s for your betrothed.” Mr. Howard snapped yet again. “Now get on with it! We haven’t got all night!”

“We do if you want to join us for our honeymoon,” Fin shot the assistant another devilish smile that had the man apoplectic.

*

Annika tried not to let her nerves get the better of her when she stood amongst the rose maze that no longer bloomed.

The teal dress had not fit her new figure, though fortunately Clara had managed to block most of the changes from Hannah who seemed all too happy to try hunting down a new dress in Austice with only a little more than an hour until needing it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous,” Clara muttered to the Lady whose blank expression was not at all indicative of her feelings.

“You do know that I’m about to get married for a second time and then have a wedding night where my husband will of course notice some… differences,” Annika murmured quietly back.

“Make sure he has a healthy dose of moonshine beforehand, and he’ll just assume there’s two of you.”

The Viscountess was about to bite back in her retort, when mage Lee appeared from around the corner.

“Everything is ready, My Lady. I must say, a spectacular choice for the dress.” The elderly man was visibly beside himself.

Annika managed to resist rolling her eyes and instead smiled. “Thank you, mage Lee.”

“Ah, I went to the Royal Botanist and had him prepare this for you, My Lady.” The mage brandished a very large bouquet of flowers at the Viscountess who blinked in astonishment at the arrangement of white fragrant blooms.

“That’s perfect, thank you.” Annika bowed her head dutifully while accepting the beautiful arrangement.

When the elder had returned back to the centre of the maze, Clara turned to her mistress.

“Well, that’ll help cover your cleavage.”

Annika rounded on the woman who hastily grabbed the Viscountess’ arm and tugged her along to stop her furious swearing.

“Come now, have you ever heard of a bride who curses like a sailor?”

The Lady opened her mouth ready to make a biting remark, when her eyes rested on the sight before her.

The King was seated with his wife under the pergola near the centre that had two torches burning bright from their pillars.

Katelyn Ashowan, the kitchen aides, the Knights, Captain Antonio, Lord Jiho Ryu, Lord Fuks, Mr. Howard, mage Lee, and… was that Kraken wearing a red ribbon around his neck? They were all seated on the garden chairs, but the brick pathway lay open to Annika, and at its end stood Finlay.

Annika’s breath was stolen from her body when she laid eyes on him.

He looked… noble.

Clad in black head to toe, with only gold edging and buttons on his vest, he wore a cloak clasped with a gold chain. His hair clean and swept to the side, and for once it looked orderly… His bright blue eyes rested on her, and his cheeks flushed bright with color.

The redhead couldn’t stop his heart from skipping a beat when he beheld the pale blue gown with its silvery thread in the faint torchlight around the garden.

Annika’s hair was unbound, and her jewelry every bit as sparse and tasteful as usual, but the look in her eyes when she saw him… that was what made Fin struggle to stay still.

Fireflies began to drift into the air lighting the garden even more, illuminating the flowers in bloom around the fountains and benches.

There was music suddenly… Annika glanced around in confusion, but when she caught a glimpse of the crystal atop of mage Lee’s staff lit up, assumed there was some kind of particular magic happening that she didn’t understand.

The mage also happened to already be in tears.

Annika bit down on her tongue then, and slowly moved towards Fin, whose face then split into a brilliantly warm smile.

Without a hope in the world of stopping herself, she smiled just as brightly back at him.

She hadn’t even realized that Clara had released her arm back by the entrance of the maze, and that she was in fact moving on her own.

Once she stood before Fin, he offered her his arm, his blue eyes alight with emotion.

Resting her hand on his arm, Annika took the last few steps and faced the King and Queen.

Ainsley was smiling so exuberantly that there was the hint of tears in her eyes.

Their crowns gleamed in the firelight, and as the King stood, he moved the thick velvet cloak over his shoulder and placed his hand on the hilt of the ceremonial sword that hung at his side.

“Mr. Finlay Ashowan of Quildon, please kneel.”

Giving Annika’s hand a brief squeeze, Fin released her and bowed before the King.

“On this day, I, King Norman Reyes, dub thee Sir Finlay Ashowan, the first ever Hearth Knight to serve the Kingdom of Daxaria, and its people. You will carry out your sacred duties with your home and Goddess close to heart, without greed or selfishness. Do you agree to these responsibilities?” The monarch’s blade grazed Fin’s shoulders and back.

“I do.”

Norman sheathed his sword, and Ainsley was the next to stand, holding an ornate golden bowl. Dipping her thumb in the small pool of oil, Ainsley bent down and touched her thumb to Fin’s forehead, mouth, and chest.

“The oil of peppermint is the oil representing protection of the Goddess. Your thoughts, words, and heart, will all work to serve this higher calling from the Goddess and your King.”

Fin said nothing, but waited as the Queen slowly went and seated herself.

“Sir Finlay Ashowan, you are now to be ennobled under the name Baron Wittica. Your duties are to maintain the balance between your Coven and protect your kingdom of Daxaria, your home.”

Fin’s spine stiffened. He hadn’t heard about his official title…

“You will see to the righteous treatment and innovative development of witches and humans working in harmony together to better the Kingdom you serve. Do you accept your new title?”

“I do.”

Norman nodded regally. “Please rise, Baron Finlay Ashowan Wittica.”

There was polite applause as Fin slowly rose and bowed. The King bowed his head to him briefly before turning, and gracefully returning to his seat.

“Now, shall we carry on with the event that truly brings us all here today?” the monarch called out making everyone burst out in loud clapping cheers and whistles.

“Won’t someone hear this commotion in the castle?” Annika murmured to Fin worriedly as he gently took her hand and placed it back on his arm.

“I set a soundproof shield around us. No one else can enter or hear a thing,” he explained briefly as Mr. Howard suddenly pulled himself from the audience and mounted the steps to stand before the Viscountess and Baron.

When Finlay frowned in confusion, the assistant visibly twitched.

“His... Majesty… decided to permit me to recite the marriage rites to avoid a magistrate spreading the news.”

“Try not to cry during the ceremony!” Lord Fuks called out gleefully, making the assistant tighten his grip on the scroll in his hands. Both Annika and Fin were willing to bet money that he was about to club the old Earl to death with it.

“Shall we get on with it then?” the assistant managed with a sigh.

Annika smiled beautifully at him, and that seemed to take some of the bluster from the man.

“Do you, Baron Finlay Ashowan Wittica, Knight of the Hearth, vow to take Viscountess Annika Jenoure as your lawfully wedded wife. To honor, and cherish, to protect and care for through sun and storms for as long as you both shall live?”

Fin glanced at Annika who was beginning to look more than a little emotional.

“I do.”

“Do you Viscountess Annika Jenoure take Baron Finlay Ashowan Wittica, Knight of the Hearth, as your lawfully wedded husband. To honor, and cherish, to protect and care for through sun and storms for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Annika’s grip tightened on Fin’s sleeve, and his face felt like it’d be sore for days from his smile.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to prepare rings for the two of you to exchange as a symbol of your commitment to each other.” Mr. Howard nodded to Captain Antonio who stood and stepped forward, handing the rings to the assistant before giving Fin a warm smile and an encouraging nod.

Fin easily slipped the band over Annika’s finger, and could tell that it would need to be resized for her… He felt a stab of guilt given that he had not prepared anything for the ceremony…

Annika managed to slip the gold band over his own finger, and Fin suddenly grew incredibly self-conscious of how sweaty his palms were.

“With this marriage, there is a joining of two noble houses, as such…” The assistant couldn’t help but let out a small agitated sigh. “Baron Ashowan, will henceforth become Viscount Finlay Ashowan Wittica Jenoure, Knight of the Hearth.”

Fin blinked.

He had been knighted, ennobled twice, and married in less than an hour… even he was moderately taken aback.

“By the power of their majesties our King and Queen Norman and Ainsley Reyes bestowed upon me, I now announce you: husband, and wife. May your marriage be blessed by the Goddess and Green Man. You may kiss the bride.”

Fin turned to Annika whose entire smile made her appear to have a golden glow about her.

In fact… there seemed to be a golden glow around himself as well… but the House Witch didn’t have a chance to give it a second thought, before Annika grabbed him by the front of his tunic, and brought his mouth to hers, kissing him soundly.

As the small crowd of people clapped and cheered, Mr. Howard leaned over to Norman and Ainsley so that only they might hear his words.

“I’m beginning to suspect the cook wasn’t lying about the Lady making the first move.”

Ainsley burst out laughing before reaching over and grasping her husband’s hand.

Katelyn Ashowan wept tears of joy that could only be outmatched by mage Lee who had decided to become a human fountain all on his own.

The kitchen aides were the loudest of the ones cheering, while even Clara let out an impressive shrill whistle.

Everyone laughed and celebrated well into the night, all aware that there was a different kind of magic present. There wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind, that it would be an event that would go down in history for centuries to come.