The guild hall had been transformed the day before. The once-scattered tables were now arranged neatly into several long rows, draped in crisp white tablecloths and decorated with flowers and candelabras. The stair railings and upper banisters were wrapped in colorful streamers, and strings of wave-like lights hung from the ceiling, glowing softly.
On the small stage, the curtain was drawn back to reveal a giant banner: "Happy New Marriage",complete with chibi caricatures of Rhodes and Mira's faces. It was unmistakably Reedus' work, down to the exaggerated blush marks and over-the-top cuteness.
Everyone had dressed in their best, lending the guild a festive air that matched the decorations.
Rhode's eyes swept the room. Among the bustle, Bisca stood out as the only flower not caught up in the bridesmaid chaos. Mira had asked her if she wanted to join the group, but Bisca had only smiled and said it was better left to the unmarried girls. Instead, she had chosen to watch over the children and, more importantly, keep the rowdier guild members in line.
One by one, guildmates crowded around Rhodes with congratulations, backslaps, and cheeky grins. More than a few added muttered comments of "Lucky bastard" and "So unfair."
The worst offenders were, unsurprisingly, Natsu and Gray. They clapped Rhode's shoulders from either side with mock pity.
"Such a nice guy, and you actually got roped into marriage… to such a terrifying woman, too."
Rhodes laughed wryly. "You two have enough romantic tangles of your own. Don't worry, this day will come for you sooner or later."
"Not me," Natsu declared, scratching his nose like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Gray just snorted, and, in true Gray fashion, his perfectly buttoned shirt vanished in an instant, leaving only his bow tie.
Rhodes opened his mouth, then closed it again. 'This… is really the groomsman I'm stuck with?'
"Yo, Rhodes."
From the crowd stepped a tall, sharp-looking man with his trademark grin.
"Loke," Rhodes greeted, smiling despite himself. "You really showed up."
"Of course." Loke adjusted his glasses with a flash of charm. "Lucy gave me the invitation herself. I even ditched a banquet to be here."
"That banquet still isn't over?" Rhodes asked flatly.
"Two gorgeous ladies arrived after you all left," Loke explained smoothly, meaning Libra and Pisces, though he very conveniently left out the part about Pisces's son.
No wonder he had such a reputation.
Before Rhodes could respond, Natsu and Gray hooked their arms around Loke's shoulders.
"Bastard!" Natsu growled.
"How dare you even mention that banquet!" Gray snapped.
The two shook him back and forth like a delinquent caught red-handed. After everything Rhodes had put them through when they got back, the idea that Loke had stayed behind to enjoy himself made them burn with frustration.
"Rhodes."
A familiar, warm voice carried down from above.
Looking up, Rhodes saw Master Makarov leaning over the upstairs banister. Today, even the old man wore a sleek black suit. His eyes twinkled as he smiled at his grandson-like child.
"Master, you're here so early."
"Of course." Makarov spread his arms warmly. "First, congratulations on your marriage. And second… we have a very special guest today."
Everyone turned curiously toward the stairs. None of them had any idea who he meant.
From behind the Master, a small figure appeared.
She looked like a little girl, barely taller than Makarov himself. She wore a frilly pink dress with a bright red bow at her collar. Her long, pale-golden hair tumbled down past her ankles, and delicate white wings fluttered at her ears.
She smiled sweetly and waved down at them. "Hello, everyone. I am Mavis."
"First Master?!" Rhodes exclaimed. "M-Master Mavis?!"
"EHH?!!" The entire guild erupted in shock.
"The First Master?!"
"But why?!"
"Isn't the First Master supposed to be on Tenrou Island?!"
Mavis pressed a finger to her lips, and silence fell. "Shh. Right now, I exist as a spirit. Only those who bear the guild's mark can see me."
As if to prove her words, she hopped gracefully from the second floor, drifting down as lightly as a feather. She didn't even make a sound when she landed. The guild was still frozen in awe.
"I heard there's something exciting happening today," Mavis said with childlike delight, clasping her hands at her chest and rocking them back and forth. "Is it starting soon?"
Rhodes felt a bead of sweat slide down his cheek.
'Even the First Master showed up for my wedding? How grand is this going to get?'
He leaned in closer and asked quietly, "But, First Master… didn't we invite you to come to the guild before? You refused back then."
Mavis's expression shifted. She rubbed her fingertips together shyly and murmured, "Because I thought… the dead shouldn't interfere too casually with the living."
"Then why..."
"I used to be fine with it," Mavis admitted softly. "Sitting quietly on the island, watching from afar… it didn't bother me. But after you all filled Tenrou with life again, when everyone left, being alone felt… unbearably lonely." She lowered her head, her lips trembling into a pout, her eyes shimmering as though she might burst into tears.
Makarov nearly had a heart attack. He flailed his arms, signaling frantically at Rhodes.
Reacting at lightning speed, Rhodes scooped Asuka into his arms and held her up. "Asuka, look! This is the founder of Fairy Tail, the First Master herself!"
"Eh~?" Asuka blinked up in awe. "Big sister, are you really that amazing?"
"Of...of course!" Mavis's tears evaporated instantly. She straightened her tiny frame, puffing out the only part of her chest that could compete with Wendy's, and declared in the most adult voice she could muster, "I am a very amazing adult!"
"Wow!" Asuka gasped, eyes sparkling. "You're so tiny, but you're really that strong?"
Mavis froze, uncertain whether to laugh or sulk. 'Was that… praise?'
Still, under the weight of the little girl's admiration, she doubled down. "Yes! I only look young. My body stayed this way for special reasons. But I was once very powerful! An adult who led Fairy Tail to countless victories!"
The great Fairy Tactician, who had once struck fear into entire armies, was now earnestly explaining to a child that she wasn't actually small, that she was an adult, and that she truly was amazing, though her words sounded more like flustered excuses than anything else.
From the balcony, Makarov wiped his brow and gave Rhodes a hearty thumbs-up.
'Crisis averted. Well done, boy.'
Bisca, red-faced, hurried over and bowed. "First Master, please forgive her! My daughter absolutely didn't mean any disrespect!"
Mavis quickly became the center of attention. Guild members who had never set foot on Tenrou Island gathered around, eager to greet their legendary First Master face-to-face.
While the crowd swarmed Mavis, Alzack gave Rhode's back a friendly pat. "You should go get ready too. Freed's waiting for you in the changing room."
"Mm-hmm, okay." Rhodes nodded, still feeling oddly unsettled.
After all, it wasn't every day that you trusted one of your groomsmen to also serve as your makeup artist.
"Oh, and one more thing." Alzack leaned closer, lowering his voice in the tone of someone speaking from experience. "Make sure you eat something now. Once things get rolling, the schedule's tight, you won't have a chance later."
"Ah, good point." Rhodes hadn't even thought about that. He ducked into the kitchen, grabbed some pastries, and wrapped them up.
"Happy!" he called out.
"Aye!" The Exceed came fluttering over, wearing a little bow on his back, his expression brimming with confidence. "I'm all set!"
Rhodes chuckled, handing him the bundle. "Not that. Take these to Mira for me. Tell her to eat quickly."
"Aye, sir!" Happy saluted smartly before zipping off at top speed.
Rhodes watched him go, a smile tugging at his lips. He couldn't help but look forward to seeing Mira again, this time in her wedding dress. That moment would still take a while to arrive, but the anticipation was already making his heart stir.
He slipped one of the pastries into his own mouth, chewing as he headed toward the changing room.
Two familiar figures stood posted at the entrance.
First was Bickslow, minus his usual helmet and mask. Even so, he was no less eccentric, sticking out his tongue (complete with the guild's mark) while his dolls floated beside him, clapping and chanting in perfect unison: "Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations—!"
Just Bickslow alone could rival an entire cheer squad.
On the other side was Laxus, arms folded across his chest, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Rare to see you nervous," he said coolly. "Congrats."
Rhodes chuckled, meeting his gaze. "After everything that's happened this week, I'm feeling a lot calmer now. Thanks."