Chapter Text
The proposal had been easy; easier than it should have been.
Rean’s plans had fallen apart when Crow took him for a romantic, starlit picnic along the river, just outside of Leeves. Crow had been laughing at his own joke, a grin so captivating that Rean had said the words before he even realized he had opened his mouth. “I want to marry you.”
Crow had sat there, stunned for a second, before teasing, “Rean, darling, you can’t just say that.”
“But I mean it,” Rean said, finding his resolve, before reaching for the little box in his pocket that had been haunting his every thought. “Crow Armbrust, I want to marry you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” Crow said, immediately, “Wait. Are you sure? You’re really serious? You’ve thought about this and everything? Of course you have, you’re holding a ring and oh Aidios how long have you had that ring—”
“Crow—”
“Yes, yes I’ll marry you, Goddess, Rean.”
So the proposal had been simple. The wedding planning, on the other hand—
“I still think March would be the best, it would be easiest for students to attend since there’s a break from classes.”
“You don’t want April or May, when the lino flowers are in bloom?”
“That assumes we’ve decided on Trista, which neither of us are sure about—”
“Okay, do we want to figure out the location and venue before we decide on a date?”
They had been engaged for a month, and yet they had almost no plans for the wedding.
No date set, no venue chosen, no color scheme, no wedding party, nothing.
This was going to be an adventure.
“So our options are…”
“Jurai, Ymir, Trista, Levees…”
Rean put a finger on his chin, “Laura, Jusis, and Musse have also offered to host, so include Legram, Bareahard, and Ordis.”
“I’m gonna strike Ordis from that list. Too associated with Cayenne pepper for me, y’know?”
“That makes sense. Any other rejections?”
“Don’t really feel Jurai. Love the place, but it’s my past. This is about our future.” Crow blushed, probably embarrassed that he had said something so sentimental.
Rean smiled at him, “Done. I’ll take Ymir off the list, for the same reason, and plus, I don’t want people to have to go too far out of their way.”
“Okay. Maybe not Bareahard, it might be too fancy for us.”
“Are you sure? Bareahard might be good if we’re inviting a lot of people.”
“Who were you thinking of inviting? I was thinking just Class VII and your family.”
“Well, yeah, but there’s also the rest of the Branch Campus, the SSS, the Liberl crew…”
“True, we can also invite all of our acquaintances and their acquaintances—”
“Point taken. Not too big a guest list. So not Bareahard. Trista and Leeves are nice, the sentiment we have there, plus the lino blossoms if we do Trista, but there’s just not a good place for a reception.”
“The only thing left on our initial list is Legram, then. Lakeside wedding might be nice, and the reception at the Arseid manor? Or we could have the reception lakeside too, set up some orbal lights and tables…”
“That sounds amazing. Do you think Legram would be too far for people?”
“The people who matter would travel anywhere for you, Rean, don’t you know that?” Crow teased.
“And for you too, Crow. This day is about us , not me,” Rean countered.
“You’re right,” said Crow, taking Rean’s hand, “This is our day. So, let’s call Laura now, and we can check out the chapel in Legram this upcoming free day?”
“Sounds good. I’ll also write to Viscount Arseid, just for a formal request to use the manor. Maybe we plan for an outdoor wedding and reception by the lake, and move to the chapel and the manor if the weather’s bad?”
“Sounds great.” Crow placed a soft kiss on Rean’s lips. “We should figure out a date before we call Laura, though.”
“Oh, you’re right!”
There was a pause as they both pondered.
“Spring or summer?”
“Spring, probably.”
“Late March?”
“Perfect.”
Laura had just finished speaking with the newest student at the Arseid training hall when her ARCUS rang. She excused herself into the back room and answered the call.
“Hello, Rean, Crow. I hope you both are well.”
“Doin’ great, thanks, Laura. And you?”
“Quite well. I have been working with the new trainees of the Arseid style. It has been a fulfilling experience.” She observed their faces then, noticed that they seemed to have something to say. “Can I do anything for you two? I feel that this is not just a social call.”
“Haha, you can tell that much? Yeah, we were going to ask if you and your father would still be willing to host our wedding.”
“Almost certainly. I can stop by the chapel on my way home, and talk to Father Hamilcar about your plans?”
Rean smiled, “Thanks, Laura. Actually, we were thinking of having the ceremony and reception by the lake, so we would need your father’s approval. I’ll write him a letter, and talk to him in person of course, but we wanted to make sure you were alright with it first.”
“Of course I am alright with it. I’ll talk to Father, and Father Hamilcar anyway, in case you need a secondary location should the weather be unfavorable. This is lovely, Rean, Crow. I am truly excited for your marriage to be official.”
“Thanks, Laura. Oh, we’re thinking late March, if you want to tell the viscount and Father Hamilcar. But let us know about availability.”
“Understood. I will see you both soon.”
“Cheers, Laura!” Crow disconnected the call with a click.
Laura smiled. Finally, two of her best friends were getting the happiness they deserved.