Chapter 694: Vows
Everything was ready. With steady steps and a heart full of anticipation, Rhodes walked out of the changing room in his crisp white tuxedo.
But the moment he saw the state of the guild hall, all his nervousness instantly vanished.
This wasn’t a wedding venue, it looked more like a tornado had ripped through a parking lot!
Even with so many guests present, the members of Fairy Tail still brawled freely, as if nothing had changed. Some had even dragged their guests into the scuffles.
In the short time it had taken Rhodes to change and get his hair done, only three or five people were still left standing.
On the counter, the First Master herself sat swinging her legs happily, not troubled in the slightest.
Rhodes’s expression darkened. "Master..."
Mavis tilted her head, smiling innocently. "Hmm?"
Makarov also turned to look at him with the exact same expression. "What is it?"
Their matching guileless faces left Rhodes speechless.
Alzack, sensing his predicament, quickly spoke up on his behalf. "With things in this state, what’s going to happen with the ceremony later?"
Mavis froze mid-swing. "Oh no, I forgot!"
Confirmed. This was definitely Fairy Tail’s First Master. Pure, whimsical, and completely unreliable.
"It’s fine. We’ll manage." Makarov glanced at the time, his body expanding into giant form. He clapped his massive hands together with a thunderous crash. "Everyone, wake up!"
The impact shook the entire guild.
"Waaahhh—!"
In a frenzy, the guild members scrambled back onto their feet. At last, the rowdy bunch tidied themselves up and, still buzzing with excitement, rushed toward Cardia Cathedral.
The church had already been prepared. A floral arch framed the main entrance, and a long carpet stretched from the bottom of the steps all the way down the aisle.
Inside, flowers lined both sides of the walkway. At the entrance, the bridesmaids were waiting, including Erza.
"You’re so slow!" Lucy scolded. "If we wait any longer, we’ll be late!"
"Exactly," Kana muttered, swirling the last drops in her flask. "I’m almost out of wine."
"Why didn’t you hurry them up more, Elfman?" Lisanna asked with a frown.
Elfman scratched at his chin, awkwardly avoiding his sister’s eyes. There was no way he could admit he’d been floored in a fight right before her wedding.
"Gray-sama... so handsome!" Juvia’s eyes turned to sparkling hearts. Just one glance at Gray in formal wear was enough to set her soul aflame. And when he immediately tore off his shirt, exposing his sculpted muscles, her heart nearly melted.
For a few precious seconds she was completely entranced, until she realized every female guest in the church must also be staring. Dark jealousy rose in her eyes.
"Relax, don’t scare the guests." Levy patted her shoulder gently, trying to calm her down, though her own eyes flickered toward Gajeel with unconscious warmth.
Juvia’s gaze snapped to her suspiciously. "You like Gray-sama too?!"
Wendy, trailing beside Levy, tried to make herself as small as possible. Being part of the bridesmaid team left her feeling painfully self-conscious, so she stayed close to Levy for reassurance.
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Mavis, thinking impolitely that perhaps even the First Master herself might make a good bridesmaid companion.
Just then, Laki jogged out from inside. "The priest says it’s almost time. Let’s get ready to start!"
"Alright!" Erza snapped into command mode, her voice sharp and clear. "Guests, please enter! Groomsmen and bridesmaids, prepare for the procession!"
"That should be my job..." Max muttered under his breath, crestfallen. He had dreamed of hosting the event from beginning to end, but now the Titania had taken charge. Still, the music was starting, and he had no choice but to fulfill his smaller duties.
The guests began filing inside. Paired up, the groomsmen and bridesmaids stepped down the aisle with forced elegance, moving in time with the music.
Of course, with Fairy Tail’s peculiar choice of attendants, "elegant" was a generous description. Some stumbled, some smirked, and others were far too stiff.
But in the end, it didn’t matter. This was Fairy Tail. Lively, chaotic, and full of heart, that was more than enough.
Leaving the groomsmen aside for a moment, the unique and radiant bridesmaids immediately caught the attention of the reporters and editors present, who eagerly snapped photos.
Rhodes had already been led to the right side of the hall. Looking out over the packed cathedral and the priest waiting at the altar, he suddenly felt his nerves return. His mind went completely blank.
It wasn’t until someone softly called for the groom that his thoughts finally clicked back into place. Realizing it was his cue, Rhodes took a deep breath and stepped forward.
In a daze, his eyes lifted, and there she was.
Mirajane Strauss, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, bouquet in hand, walked slowly down the aisle on Makarov’s arm.
The flowers, the decorations, the glowing lights, everything around him seemed to blur into the background.
All he could see was her.
And with every step she took closer, she became more breathtaking than the last.
"Cough"
Makarov gave a small cough, reminding Rhodes to move a little further to the center.
Rhodes blinked, snapped out of his trance, and quickly stepped forward.
Mira smiled at him, her eyes brimming with joy and warmth.
Then, acting as her ’father,’ Makarov gently placed Mira’s hand into Rhodes’s palm. "I bless you both. May your happiness last forever."
Though Lucy and Levy had prepared long and poetic blessings for Makarov to recite, he chose instead the simplest, most heartfelt words.
Rhodes and Mira bowed their heads in gratitude, then turned back to gaze into each other’s eyes, reluctant to look away.
But the ceremony continued.
Asuka and the child-sized Romeo walked ahead, scattering petals from their flower baskets with beaming smiles.
Hand in hand, Rhodes and Mira stepped onto the path of flowers, walking together toward the altar.
At the same time, Happy and Caarla swooped gracefully down from above, baskets swinging from their paws, raining petals over the couple like blessings from the sky.
Their companions on both sides cheered and clapped, filling the cathedral with warmth as the two finally reached the altar and stood before the priest.
"Please, the couple will now take their vows." The priest’s voice carried solemnly through the church. "Mr. Rhodes, do you take Miss Mirajane to be your wife?"
"Yes, I do." Rhodes’s voice was steady but tender, brimming with feeling. "I take her as my wife, to love what she loves, to think what she thinks, to bear her pain, and to overcome every trial at her side. I am willing to play music for her joy and to draw my sword for her battles. Whether in poverty or in wealth, in obscurity or in honor, I will never leave, never forsake her, until the very end of forever."
The priest then turned to Mira. "Miss Mirajane, do you take Mr. Rhodes to be your husband?"
"Yes, I do." Mira’s gentle voice was filled with love. "I take him as my husband, to love what he loves, to think what he thinks, to face hardship beside him, and to walk with him through every danger. Whether in joy or sorrow, in smooth seas or in storm, I am willing to dress in splendor and dance for him, and also to don armor and fight for him. Never leaving, never forsaking, until the end of forever."
Their hands clasped tightly together. Rhodes saw the tears of joy glistening in Mira’s eyes, and Mira saw the boundless happiness shining in his.
In the front row, Lisanna pressed her hands to her mouth, silently crying tears of joy, while Elfman sobbed openly, gratefully taking the handkerchief Evergreen handed him.