Chapter 215: Slice Of Normal: A Wedding To Plan

Towards noon of the same day in Ravens Grave, everyone within the main room was happier than usual.

The happiest they’d been in a while, really.

Aiden sat at his usual spot with both his women, Arianna on his right, Laela on his left.

Oliver and Elena sat opposite from them, while Katherine occupied another table with Piers at her side.

Aeris sat across from Kayden, who had Innis, by his side and the whole room was filled with buzzing conversation.

Bernard emerged from the kitchen carrying large servings of food, on platters that spread its aroma around the room.

Piers looked up and shook his head with a grin. “You’re crazy for heading back into that kitchen right after being rescued, you know that?”

Bernard set down one of the platters and wiped his hands on his apron, with a genuine smile spreading across his face.

“This is my way of saying thanks to all of you for coming to get us,” he said.

Then he turned toward Katherine, who had a smile on her face, and his expression grew more serious. “Captain, I need to apologize for stabbing you. I wasn’t-”

Katherine burst out laughing, waving her hand dismissively. “I hadn’t even remembered that part happening! Bernard, it’s nothing. You weren’t yourself.”

Bernard nodded with his smile returning before proceeding to share the food around the tables.

And after Piers got his first taste, he made an exaggerated face of consideration before speaking. “I hate to break it to you, mate, but we sort of fell in love with Laela’s cooking while you were gone.”

“That’s not fair!” Bernard protested. His smile faltered, and his face looked moments away from souring.

Laela got into the conversation quickly, with her cheeks flushing slightly. “Don’t mind Piers, Bernard. We all love your cooking. I was just… filling in.”

Rick leaned forward from his seat and called out, “Honestly though, Bernard, if you’d been gone any longer we might’ve made Laela the official guild cook.”

Bernard threw a small piece of bread at him, which Rick caught and ate immediately while laughing.

The room filled with more laughter and conversation as everyone settled into their meals.

Across from Aiden, Elena was staring at the rings on both Laela’s and Arianna’s fingers.

“Those rings are truly pretty,” Elena said, almost to herself. “Every time I look at them, I can’t help but think so”

Arianna held up her hand, admiring the ring herself. “Yeah.”

“Aiden made them himself,” Laela added, glancing at him with affection.

Aiden lifted his right index finger, trying to explain that he had only done a rough touch on the rings rather than crafting them fully.

He barely got a sound out before Elena’s eyes suddenly widened.

“Wait, you made these?” she asked. “I didn’t know anyone could work gemstones like that.”

She was referring to the sapphire stone blended with purple hermis, fused together into something entirely new.

Arianna leaned forward slightly. “Oh, this man can work more than gemstones like that…” she said, her cheeks turning red as she gave Aiden a very suggestive look.

Laela immediately looked away to the side, with a smile on her face and her own cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Aiden felt tension crawl up his neck, and it was as if sweat was about to roll down his forehead.

Arianna had said that far more boldly than he expected.

Piers, who had been listening suddenly sat up straight and said “You know what? That’s it!”

Everyone at the nearby tables turned to look at him.

“What’s it?” Katherine asked, raising an eyebrow.

Piers pointed his fork at Aiden and the two women to his side. “You three should get married. Today. Tonight, even!”

The statement felt like it had frozen the room for atleast one second, as they all glanced at Piers with various expressions of shock.

“What?” Arianna said, blinking twice.

“I don’t think-” Laela started.

“No, hear me out,” Piers continued, warming to the idea now. “You’re already committed to each other, you’re wearing rings, and let’s be honest, with everything that’s happened – everything that’s still happening in Dragonhold – don’t you think we could all use something to celebrate? Something good?”

Arianna shook her head slowly. “Piers, the current situation in Dragonhold is hardly the right mood for a wedding.”

“I disagree,” Piers said firmly. “What better way to put smiles on faces than a wedding? This would be exactly the right time. Think about it, your father is still here in Dragonhold staying at the palace quarters. Laela’s father could be brought here at anytime. We have everyone we need right here in this room.” He gestured broadly.

He paused and grinned wider. “Besides, we all just survived a demon invasion. If that’s not cause for celebration, I don’t know what is.”

Katherine laughed from her seat and leaned back with her arms crossed. “That could actually be fun to see,” she said with clear amusement in her voice.

The rest of the guild had been listening, and suddenly voices rose in agreement and support, with several members banging their fists on the tables enthusiastically.

Even Kayden had a smile on his face banging the fists as he cheered on with some of them “Do it!”

Another raised voice said as well, “Come on, Aiden!”

Aiden looked at his two women with an expression somewhere between bewildered and questioning.

Both women were staring back at him with wide eyes, clearly caught off guard by the sudden proposal.

He smiled slowly, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s do it. Let’s get married tonight.”

Both Arianna and Laela’s eyes widened even further before breaking into smiles.

Piers jumped up from his seat with a triumphant shout. “Yes! That’s what I’m talking about!”

Katherine stood as well, raising her voice to address the entire guild. “You heard the man! We have a wedding to plan! Everyone, let’s move!”

The guild hall exploded into activity.

Bernard immediately called out, “I’ll get started on the cake! Rick, come with me, we’re going to the market!”

Rick scrambled to his feet. “What kind of cake are we making?”

“The biggest damn cake you’ve ever seen!” Bernard replied, already heading for the door.

Elena stood gracefully and reached out to take both Laela and Arianna by the hands. “Come on, you two need to come with me. Aeris, Innis, you’re coming too.”

Then she turned to Katherine with a polite smile. “Captain, I’m going to have to ask you to come along as well, you’re also a woman and we need all the help we can get.”

Katherine made a face at first then grinned. “Alright Alright, let’s go.”

As the women left the room, chattering between themselves, Piers called out across the hall. “Kayden! Oliver! Fred, Sorkin, get over here!”

The named men gathered around Aiden, who suddenly looked very confused and overwhelmed.

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