Chapter 179 - Man & Wife

The sounds were muffled and everything else in the world turned blurry as ice-blue eyes met silver-grey ones. It was as if they were the only ones there on earth at the moment. Each one of them took in the sight of the other, noting each and every detail carefully as if trying to immortalize how they looked in their minds.

The silence went on to what seemed to be an eternity before someone's clearing of their throat distracted them from their intense exchange of stares and were brought back to reality.

"Uhm… Can you guys ogle each other later after the wedding?" Kazehaya Gin said teasingly, eliciting a chuckle from the rest.

Heat crept up to their necks to their cheeks, a telltale sign the embarrassment was not one-sided. Even the others who were privy to their passionate gazes were red on the face, their lips twisted into a knowing smile as their eyes sparkled with happiness.

It was Homura Ryuu who recovered his awkwardness first. He scratched the side of his head – a newly developed habit, something that he was still unaware of what he's doing when he was unconsciously feeling shy. He stepped towards his fiancée who was still looking a bit dazed.

He knew that look.

It was the same look everyone affected by his divine powers gave him – a look of admiration. However, she was his fated partner, and being exactly that made her immune to his celestial charms and so he knew that her admiration was real.

Well, it made him happy as he totally more than appreciate how she looked today. Pretty was not even enough to describe her. His woman looked amazing.

"Hi," he greeted her as soon as he's right in front of her.

"Hi," Ara greeted back.

"You're beautiful," Ryuu told his future wife, reminding her of the first night they formally met each other when he told her the same thing, and they smiled in nostalgia as they stared at each other once more.

"And you're very handsome," Ara countered with a grin.

The others couldn't take it anymore and rolled their own eyes.

"Guys, seriously," Kazehaya Gin sighed, as he tried to signal Aki to help him usher the lovers towards the office where they'd register their marriage.

"Okay, you guys should really get going if you want to get married on time," Aki said as he stepped forward to push his sister to get her moving.

Ryuu stepped out of the way but followed his fiancée and her brother towards the office where they would be signing the documents.

The officials who were there including the mayor were all smiles at them although they were stunned speechless at first. It seemed they had always known that the Koutaishidenka of the Homura House would wed, but they had thought that it was a marriage of convenience as was common in the rich families.

Needless to say that they were all surprised to see that there was more to this marriage than convenience. Seeing the way the couple looked at each other, and the way that the prince's countenance had softened considerably as soon as he caught sight of his bride told them that genuine feelings were definitely involved.

Oh, and the bride was totally gorgeous. No wonder the Koutaishidenka looked so smitten.

"Good morning," the mayor greeted the couple with a smile, and he turned to the bride with a beam. "Nice to meet you Miss Suzuki and congratulations to you both."

The mayor then signaled towards the door, and he and the other officials waited for the couple to go into the room first.

Homura Ryuu placed a hand on the small back of his bride and urged her to move forward, guiding her into the posh interior of the office. The others followed suit, and they all stood by the table where the mayor and some officials took their places.

On the table were documents prepared beforehand by the Homura House's lawyers. These included the birth certificates, a certified copy of their family register, affidavit of competency to marry, permission to marry from Suzuki Aki for Ara, since she's less than twenty years of age, and other legal papers they needed to register their marriage.

"Let's begin," the mayor invited, and the lawyers read out the contents of the marriage registration documents.

Everyone listened through as all the legalities involved were being recited. It was actually very unromantic, but since it would be a necessary evil for the couple to be legally bound as man and wife, they listened well and patiently.

Afterwards, the officials with the help of the lawyers assisted the couple on where to sign in the documents. Normally, the couple getting married could just hand over the required documents and fill out the application and marriage registration form and the deed was done. However, since this was the marriage of the Koutaishidenka of the Homura House, they made it extra special – more ceremonial than it was supposed to be.

After the couple signed the documents, the lawyers handed them to Kazehaya Gin, and Suzuki Aki to sign as witnesses. After Aki and Gin signed, the lawyers and the officials signed as well as additional witnesses.

In Japan, witnesses for marriage would have to be at least twenty years of age, and so, Rin, Miharu, Midori, and Sonoda didn't qualify. They just served as audience and cheerers.

Soon, all documents were done, and the lawyers handed them to the officials for filing.

"We have finished the necessary papers," the mayor said as he beamed at everyone in the room before turning to Ryuu. "I believe Master Homura would like to do something?" he prompted making Ryuu grin.

The Koutaishidenka then turned to Gin who hurried to retrieve a velvet box from his pocket and handed it to his best friend with a big goofy smile on his handsome face.

Ryuu took the box in his hands and turned back to Ara who was looking at him with dancing eyes and a charming smile. The Koutaishidenka seemed so nervous as his hands shook as he opened the box to retrieve the ring, almost dropping it.

"Breathe, breathe," Kazehaya Gin teased which made the others laugh.

The officials and the mayor would normally not make a joke at the expense of the Homura prince, but since it was Kazehaya Gin who started the teasing, they were confident to join in on the laughter.

Amidst the jeers and cheers, Ryuu finally successfully removed one of the rings from its bed. He then extended his hand to take Ara's in his and smilingly slid it on her finger. Afterwards, he handed the box to her so she could do the same to him. She nervously slid the ring on his finger, and when she finally did, everyone clapped their hands.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Homura," the mayor greeted and everyone in the room clapped harder. "I believe it's now time to seal your union with a kiss."

If only, this statement made the cheers and jeers louder. However, the Koutaishidenka and Ara were just too happy to not care about being teased so much.

Homura Ryuu pulled Ara closer by anchoring his arm around her back. With happiness dancing in their eyes, the two leaned closer to each other, and their lips touched for the first time as man and wife.