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lucathiaTitle: A Slice of Wedding Cake - Slice 4
Fandom: The Legend of Sun Knight
Words: 3,250
Summary: Sun and Judgment are getting married. The "why" and "how" really aren't that important right now. For this is not a story about their romance; this is the story of us observers. Yes, we, the underappreciated observers of this whole spectacle who did 99% of the work, and only received a slice of wedding cake in return. Grisia/Lesus, Ceo/Roland
Notes: Co-written with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kiyutsuna! Odd chapters are hers. Even chapters are mine. (Kiyu: Warning! The illustration inserted in this chapter may cause mental scarring. (But don't worry, everything is still PG-rated) Proceed at your own risk. You have been warned...) (Luca: But Kiyu, I've actually grown quite fond of the drawing!)
Slice 3: The Art of Eavesdropping
Chasel
I was always glad that my student never usually did anything unreasonable. Ever since I had met him, I'd known him to be responsible and dutiful. He was far more upstanding than any of the other Judgment Knight candidates at the selection, and I was only too thankful that he had sneaked into the Holy Temple that day and solved my biggest problem. The rest of the boys who had applied to the Judgment Knight position were all little rascals. I could not in good conscience leave the city's future safety in any of their hands.
Unlike any of the others chosen along with Lesus, my student was never a handful. Fahr often complained about Chikus running off yet again or breaking one too many doors. Lanbi always complained about Ceo being too shy. Eller was always afraid Ecilan would end up getting dismissed because he did not know how to appear stoic. Each of them complained here and there, but no one complained as much as Neo.
"He snuck more candy into his room!"
"He fell off his horse again!"
"He froze the entire forest with ice magic!"
"He went and solved my case behind my back!"
I could only shake my head each time. Like teacher, like student.
In my case, while Lesus did react badly to interrogations, he did his best to keep his reactions controlled all the time. He had never ever carried out his duties unsuccessfully, and he always diligently trained with his sword. I had never needed to spend much time training Lesus in character development classes, as he had always solemnly accepted his role.
In fact, while I did not worry over needing to replace Lesus with a back-up candidate, I did worry over his mental fortitude. He was always so focused and serious, his own harshest critic. Being the Judgment Knight required one to harden his heart and would be especially tough for someone as kind as Lesus. We Judgment Knights needed to show cruelty, yet we could not forget ourselves in the process either. Would Lesus be able to stand the pressure?
I worried all the way until the day I caught Lesus scaling one of the courtyard walls. He stood on the tip of his toes to reach a tall branch to pull himself up. I watched curiously, having never known Lesus to break rules. He took a furtive look around once he was on top of the wall, and then he jumped off the top to the other side.
He didn't return until much later. A bundle came up over the wall first before a head of black showed up, eyes darting around to see if the coast was clear. He then pulled himself onto the wall and heaved a sigh of relief when he had the bundle back in his hand. He had on a look of fond exasperation as he glanced down at the bundle, but he quickly wiped the expression off of his face.
After that, he started climbing down the wall, bundle held carefully in his grasp.
I watched all of this amusedly from behind a tree.
Later, I found out from Neo that his student Grisia had produced a pie out of nowhere. From the glances Grisia and Lesus shared and thought they were hiding whenever the pie was mentioned, it was obvious to me how Grisia had acquired that pie.
I took to observing Lesus more, but he never showed any indication that he had left the Holy Temple without permission. I hadn't known my student was that sneaky! Later, I began to notice that Lesus actually started to hold himself higher, as if he were no longer plagued by what his position required of him. It was ironic, really, that a bout of sneakiness was what brought forth higher self esteem.
It had always been Grisia who could make Lesus do things that surprised me, and it had always been Grisia who brightened his world, and who made him accept himself.
While Lesus usually never did anything unreasonable, I'd always known that that was only in the case that Grisia wasn't involved.
In this case, Grisia was very much involved.
"I'm getting married, Teacher," was my student's first words to me after we exchanged pleasantries. He was never one to beat around the bush. Two warm cups of tea sat between us.
Marriage itself would not have been shocking. Wen had married early on, nearly right after we took up our positions. Lesus was indeed at the age to get married, and considering how Elmairy was already married, perhaps starting a tradition of the Leaf Knights getting married first, Lesus would not even be the first of his generation to get married.
Lesus, who sat across from me, was truly no longer a boy. His shoulders were broad and his face sharp. He had filled out admirably over the years, his slender build replaced by a strong physique. Standing, he would even be taller than me, and I had no doubt that he would best me in a swordfight eight out of ten times. He and his fellow holy knights had even experienced more hardships than my generation, having had to deal with lands of darkness expanding exponentially and the subsequent birth of the Demon King. He had shouldered all of that and lived to tell it. This, I believed, was well beyond the student surpassing the teacher. I couldn't have been prouder.
I took a sip of my tea, and just as Lesus was drinking his, I said, "So, who is the lucky person? Grisia?"
Thanks to his many years of training, Lesus did not outwardly choke on his tea. He gently placed his cup down and cleared his throat. It only took a few tries before he could speak. Not bad. "H...How did you know?"
How could anyone not know?
I too placed my cup down.
"There is truly no one who can make you feel as strongly as he does," I murmured. Whether it was anger, relief, happiness, exasperation, pride, protectiveness, it didn't matter. The list was endless, and Grisia always brought out these emotions in the strongest of ways. I was not surprised that the other person was Grisia. I was only surprised that they had actually decided to get married.
After all, the Judgment Knight and the Sun Knight getting married was unheard of, and they must know that this would not be an easy journey.
Of course, Grisia and Lesus never were ones to settle for anything easy.
Lesus was lost in thought for a moment, a soft smile coming over his face. He clasped his hands around his cup. Finally, he looked up from his cup and said, "You're absolutely right, Teacher."
I smiled. There was truly no one else who could make my student look like this, unguarded and smitten.
"I suppose congratulations are in order," I said.
I held my cup up. Lesus held his up. We clinked them together.
Just as I took a sip, Lesus, and I suspected his timing was as purposeful as mine, said, "By the way, I will be wearing the wedding dress."
Instantly, I felt the tea slide down the wrong way, but my years of experience as the Judgment Knight were not for nothing either. I quietly coughed twice, and then I placed the cup down. I swept my eyes across his broad shoulders and his muscular physique.
Still, former Judgment Knight I may be, even I could not help the disbelief that ran across my face.
Lesus had on an awkward expression. "I know, right? It is shocking."
My student, along with being responsible and dutiful, was not one to joke around. If he said he would be wearing the wedding dress, then he would be wearing the wedding dress.
Lanbi had always thought of Ceo as a daughter to be taken care of. Ceo used to blush the brightest of reds whenever he was flustered, and his long hair only added to the image. Had I always been thinking of Lesus in the wrong way? Perhaps he would have liked to wear his hair long like mine.
Lesus sighed. "The truth is, I owe Grisia three demands. He decided on this as his second one."
Ah, Grisia again.
My student was definitely no pushover, but he could never win against Grisia.
It had always been so, from the day Lesus decided to climb walls to buy blueberry pies for Grisia.
No, perhaps even before then?
As the closest thing Lesus had to a parent, I accompanied him on his shopping trip for a wedding dress. Although his uncle or aunt could have claimed the spot in the past, Lesus confessed that he felt closer to me after all the years we had spent together and all that I had taught him. I could not help but feel touched. (Though part of me did wonder if he just didn't want his uncle or aunt to see him in a dress just yet.)
I made a stop along the way to send a letter I had penned to Aldrizzt, along with the wedding invitation that Lesus had brought with him. Luckily for Grisia and Lesus, Neo and Aldrizzt were not adventuring too far away at the moment. The last status update I had received from Aldrizzt indicated that they were within the borders of the Kingdom of Forgotten Sound.
"They should be able to make it back in time for the wedding," I told Lesus.
"Thanks, we didn't know how to contact Grisia's teacher," Lesus said.
"It's a good thing we have Aldrizzt around," I replied. It was likely, however, that it wasn't that they didn't have the means to contact Neo. They would just rather Aldrizzt break the news to Neo, and they would rather I break the news to Aldrizzt. After all, Neo's reaction was bound to be explosive.
With that taken care of, we made our way to a wedding dress shop suggested by the princess. It seemed that the rest of the holy knights would have a tailor sent to the Holy Temple, but since Lesus did not want to try on dresses in front of so many of his brothers, he had opted to come to this shop instead. I did not blame him.
The moment we took a step inside the shop, it fell completely silent. Then, all chaos broke loose.
"Oh my God of Light! It's the Judgment Knight! No, it's not even just the Judgment Knight! Even the former Judgment Knight is here!"
"I didn't do it!" one person shouted.
"It was him! He hid the money!" another person shouted.
"Don't drag me off to the Judge's Complex!" a third person shouted. "I promise I will pay the taxes I forgot to pay!"
"You are holding up our reputation well," I commented.
Lesus inclined his head. From watching his profile, I thought he was probably thinking, But that might not hold for much longer.
After that, Lesus squared himself and walked forward, robes billowing out impressively. He looked every inch the formidable Judgment Knight, leaving behind the relaxed air he had allowed himself in my presence. In an instant, the clamor died down. Then, Lesus said, in the silence that followed, "I wish to be fitted for a wedding dress."
I had to hand it to my student. His delivery was excellent.
All of the shop assistants turned into statues, and so did the three customers who had pleaded their innocence. Finally, one shop assistant unfroze and said, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
Once again, Lesus said, "I wish to be fitted for a wedding dress."
A customer unfroze to blurt out, "Are you sure it's not for the former Judgment Knight instead?"
Apparently, that was all it took for all of them to unfreeze, as everyone's eyes swerved to stare at me. They were no doubt paying attention to my very long hair and my much slimmer physique in comparison.
"I assure you, I am not the one getting married," I said.
With wide eyes, all turned their attention to Lesus. "JUDGMENT KNIGHT IS GETTING MARRIED?"
Of course. Why else would he need a wedding dress?
I covered my mouth. It would not do to laugh at my student's predicament.
As expected of a shop chosen by the princess, the shop assistants quickly regained their professionalism. Two shop assistants continued helping the three customers, while one came over to help Lesus try on dresses.
"What do you have in mind, sir?" asked the shop assistant. Apparently, they had decided it would be best to send their lone male worker over rather than have one of the female workers deal with a Judgment Knight who wanted a wedding dress.
"Your latest fashion," Lesus said.
My eyebrows nearly shot up.
Lesus then added, "My betrothed would like me to try that first."
The shop assistant gulped and wringed his hands. "If you say so! Right this way. Ah, over here, I mean. I'm afraid none of the dresses over there are your size..."
I waited outside while Lesus tried on the wedding dress. I had not gotten a good look at it before the curtains were drawn. All I knew was that it was suspiciously pink.
When Lesus emerged from the dressing room, it was only because of all the years I spent controlling my emotions that I did not outwardly react...too much.
The dress was extravagant, to say the least, and very, very pink, with many layers and lots of frills and lace. There was even a large bow on the back, like what one might put on a present, giving me the disturbing image of Lesus saying, "Surprise! I'm your present!" None of that, however, was what stood out to me the most.
It was only moments ago that I had been admiring Lesus' broad shoulders and how he had grown up and filled out his frame. The dress truly...showed off his broad shoulders, as his shoulders were entirely bare, and the laced top of his dress looked to be bursting around the seams.
However, I very much doubted the dress was supposed to bring so much attention to how broad his shoulders were, nor was it supposed to be bursting around the seams.
Stiffly, Lesus lifted the dress and walked forward, revealing matching pink high heels underneath complete with mini bows. I had to wonder how they were even able to find a pair in his size.
The shop assistant wrung his hands and forced a smile. "What do you think? The size is a little small, but we can resize any dress that catches your fancy."
I stared. Everyone else in the shop had stopped whatever they were doing to stare too. Lesus himself seemed speechless. He probably hadn't known what he was getting himself into, but an honest knight never went back on his word.
I finally found my voice and resolutely said, "No, definitely not this one."
Lesus was not the only one who looked relieved at my words. Even the shop assistant relaxed his shoulders and said, "If you say so!"
I was only too thankful when the curtains closed behind Lesus, but apparently we were too late, as one of the customers had already fainted from the sight. I held my head, nearly a hundred percent certain that Neo's student must have known exactly what the latest fashion was and how disastrous it would look on Lesus.
After that, the shop assistant said, "If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, perhaps we should try something outside of the latest fashion?"
It was obvious that pink, frills, and bare-shoulders did not go well together with Lesus, though I wasn't very assured from the start that any dress would look good on Lesus. The shop assistant didn't despair though, and started bringing out wedding dresses of all sorts of designs for Lesus to choose from.
"Perhaps black is more your color?" the shop assistant suggested, seemingly no longer afraid he would end up offending us and end up in prison. After all, even ending up in prison probably wouldn't top seeing Lesus in a dress of the "latest fashion."
"Perhaps," Lesus said. He sighed and chose a dress.
When he next emerged from behind the curtain, I shook my head. While his appearance was not as shocking as before, I still could not say that he wouldn't give little kids nightmares.
"Hm," said the shop assistant. "I believe we should put away all of the dresses of this cut and instead go for something simpler that would look sharper on you. Believe me, there are broad-shouldered women out there too, so there is no need to despair!"
It seemed that the shop assistant had caught on to Lesus' negative emotions. He was truly a professional. Perhaps a generous tip was in order. Lesus nodded his understanding, steeled himself, and headed back to the dressing room with a much more modest black dress.
This time, when the curtains were pulled back and Lesus walked out solemnly, I looked him over and thought that he actually looked passable. The cut of the dress was very simple and actually made him look refined instead of frightening. The dress still bore ruffles, but they were reduced to just a few that helped obscure his broad chest. They were no different to the ruffles you might find on one of Grisia's shirts.
"This dress will..." I was about to say "this dress will do," but I let my sentence trail off. Although he looked much more presentable now, there was still something off about his current appearance despite that he was dressed in his usual black, but I couldn't put my finger to it.
The shop assistant frowned and held out a veil. Once Lesus put it on, a sudden realization came over me. The shop assistant seemed to have come to the same realization because he blurted out, "Sir, may I suggest a white dress instead?"
"Why?" Lesus asked with a frown.
With a forced smile, the shop assistant said, "Well, you see, it would not do to look like you are in mourning."
Indeed. With the veil and his solemn expression, Lesus looks more like he is wearing a funeral dress than a wedding dress.
In the end, we settled on a white dress of the same design. He looked elegant in its simplicity, and the dress accentuated his excellent posture instead of bringing unwanted attention to broad shoulders. The shop assistant promised that the dress would be delivered to the Holy Temple within a week after they finished the necessary tailoring.
As we left the shop, Lesus was uncharacteristically quiet.
"Are you regretting your decision to marry Grisia?" I asked.
"...Maybe," Lesus answered glumly, once more appearing much more like my student instead of the imposing Judgment Knight who could strike fear even into hearts of the vilest of villains.
I clasped Lesus on the shoulder, his thankfully, well-covered shoulder, and said in utmost seriousness, "Child, you are truly very admirable."
After all, few would be willing to go this far for their lover.
I had always known that Lesus was very responsible and dutiful, never one to do unreasonable things. Only Grisia ever made him lose reason, and I had always thought it to be a good thing...
But now I was not so sure anymore.
to be continued
Kiyutsuna: *Hides* I take no responsibility for any damages done by the illustration (There was a warning! xD). However, the Judgment Complex welcomes any complaints you may have......
Lucathia: *flails* I cannot stop flailing at Kiyu over that drawing. XD; And then I had a blast having Kiyu flail at me while I wrote the chapter that went along with the drawing. Oh Chasel, props to you for remaining somewhat...composed over Lesus wearing the "latest fashion"!
BONUS DOODLE!!
Kiyu: To make up for the very... shocking illustration in this chapter. I have put Grisia in the "latest fashion" as well. Enjoy the therapy~
(*Grisia flips a table*
Grisia: "I won the argument last chapter! Why am I still drawn in a dress!?!?!"
/Because the artist feels the need to make it up to Lesus for designing such a dress for him to suffer in.../
Grisia: "Bias! That is pure bias! Why is my dress even fancier than his?! Whyyyyy?!"
/For the sake of fan service of course! Deal with it~~~/ )
Slice 5: All About Balance
Fandom: The Legend of Sun Knight
Words: 3,250
Summary: Sun and Judgment are getting married. The "why" and "how" really aren't that important right now. For this is not a story about their romance; this is the story of us observers. Yes, we, the underappreciated observers of this whole spectacle who did 99% of the work, and only received a slice of wedding cake in return. Grisia/Lesus, Ceo/Roland
Notes: Co-written with
kiyutsuna! Odd chapters are hers. Even chapters are mine. (Kiyu: Warning! The illustration inserted in this chapter may cause mental scarring. (But don't worry, everything is still PG-rated) Proceed at your own risk. You have been warned...) (Luca: But Kiyu, I've actually grown quite fond of the drawing!)Slice 3: The Art of Eavesdropping
Slice 4: The Latest Fashion
Chasel
I was always glad that my student never usually did anything unreasonable. Ever since I had met him, I'd known him to be responsible and dutiful. He was far more upstanding than any of the other Judgment Knight candidates at the selection, and I was only too thankful that he had sneaked into the Holy Temple that day and solved my biggest problem. The rest of the boys who had applied to the Judgment Knight position were all little rascals. I could not in good conscience leave the city's future safety in any of their hands.
Unlike any of the others chosen along with Lesus, my student was never a handful. Fahr often complained about Chikus running off yet again or breaking one too many doors. Lanbi always complained about Ceo being too shy. Eller was always afraid Ecilan would end up getting dismissed because he did not know how to appear stoic. Each of them complained here and there, but no one complained as much as Neo.
"He snuck more candy into his room!"
"He fell off his horse again!"
"He froze the entire forest with ice magic!"
"He went and solved my case behind my back!"
I could only shake my head each time. Like teacher, like student.
In my case, while Lesus did react badly to interrogations, he did his best to keep his reactions controlled all the time. He had never ever carried out his duties unsuccessfully, and he always diligently trained with his sword. I had never needed to spend much time training Lesus in character development classes, as he had always solemnly accepted his role.
In fact, while I did not worry over needing to replace Lesus with a back-up candidate, I did worry over his mental fortitude. He was always so focused and serious, his own harshest critic. Being the Judgment Knight required one to harden his heart and would be especially tough for someone as kind as Lesus. We Judgment Knights needed to show cruelty, yet we could not forget ourselves in the process either. Would Lesus be able to stand the pressure?
I worried all the way until the day I caught Lesus scaling one of the courtyard walls. He stood on the tip of his toes to reach a tall branch to pull himself up. I watched curiously, having never known Lesus to break rules. He took a furtive look around once he was on top of the wall, and then he jumped off the top to the other side.
He didn't return until much later. A bundle came up over the wall first before a head of black showed up, eyes darting around to see if the coast was clear. He then pulled himself onto the wall and heaved a sigh of relief when he had the bundle back in his hand. He had on a look of fond exasperation as he glanced down at the bundle, but he quickly wiped the expression off of his face.
After that, he started climbing down the wall, bundle held carefully in his grasp.
I watched all of this amusedly from behind a tree.
Later, I found out from Neo that his student Grisia had produced a pie out of nowhere. From the glances Grisia and Lesus shared and thought they were hiding whenever the pie was mentioned, it was obvious to me how Grisia had acquired that pie.
I took to observing Lesus more, but he never showed any indication that he had left the Holy Temple without permission. I hadn't known my student was that sneaky! Later, I began to notice that Lesus actually started to hold himself higher, as if he were no longer plagued by what his position required of him. It was ironic, really, that a bout of sneakiness was what brought forth higher self esteem.
It had always been Grisia who could make Lesus do things that surprised me, and it had always been Grisia who brightened his world, and who made him accept himself.
While Lesus usually never did anything unreasonable, I'd always known that that was only in the case that Grisia wasn't involved.
In this case, Grisia was very much involved.
"I'm getting married, Teacher," was my student's first words to me after we exchanged pleasantries. He was never one to beat around the bush. Two warm cups of tea sat between us.
Marriage itself would not have been shocking. Wen had married early on, nearly right after we took up our positions. Lesus was indeed at the age to get married, and considering how Elmairy was already married, perhaps starting a tradition of the Leaf Knights getting married first, Lesus would not even be the first of his generation to get married.
Lesus, who sat across from me, was truly no longer a boy. His shoulders were broad and his face sharp. He had filled out admirably over the years, his slender build replaced by a strong physique. Standing, he would even be taller than me, and I had no doubt that he would best me in a swordfight eight out of ten times. He and his fellow holy knights had even experienced more hardships than my generation, having had to deal with lands of darkness expanding exponentially and the subsequent birth of the Demon King. He had shouldered all of that and lived to tell it. This, I believed, was well beyond the student surpassing the teacher. I couldn't have been prouder.
I took a sip of my tea, and just as Lesus was drinking his, I said, "So, who is the lucky person? Grisia?"
Thanks to his many years of training, Lesus did not outwardly choke on his tea. He gently placed his cup down and cleared his throat. It only took a few tries before he could speak. Not bad. "H...How did you know?"
How could anyone not know?
I too placed my cup down.
"There is truly no one who can make you feel as strongly as he does," I murmured. Whether it was anger, relief, happiness, exasperation, pride, protectiveness, it didn't matter. The list was endless, and Grisia always brought out these emotions in the strongest of ways. I was not surprised that the other person was Grisia. I was only surprised that they had actually decided to get married.
After all, the Judgment Knight and the Sun Knight getting married was unheard of, and they must know that this would not be an easy journey.
Of course, Grisia and Lesus never were ones to settle for anything easy.
Lesus was lost in thought for a moment, a soft smile coming over his face. He clasped his hands around his cup. Finally, he looked up from his cup and said, "You're absolutely right, Teacher."
I smiled. There was truly no one else who could make my student look like this, unguarded and smitten.
"I suppose congratulations are in order," I said.
I held my cup up. Lesus held his up. We clinked them together.
Just as I took a sip, Lesus, and I suspected his timing was as purposeful as mine, said, "By the way, I will be wearing the wedding dress."
Instantly, I felt the tea slide down the wrong way, but my years of experience as the Judgment Knight were not for nothing either. I quietly coughed twice, and then I placed the cup down. I swept my eyes across his broad shoulders and his muscular physique.
Still, former Judgment Knight I may be, even I could not help the disbelief that ran across my face.
Lesus had on an awkward expression. "I know, right? It is shocking."
My student, along with being responsible and dutiful, was not one to joke around. If he said he would be wearing the wedding dress, then he would be wearing the wedding dress.
Lanbi had always thought of Ceo as a daughter to be taken care of. Ceo used to blush the brightest of reds whenever he was flustered, and his long hair only added to the image. Had I always been thinking of Lesus in the wrong way? Perhaps he would have liked to wear his hair long like mine.
Lesus sighed. "The truth is, I owe Grisia three demands. He decided on this as his second one."
Ah, Grisia again.
My student was definitely no pushover, but he could never win against Grisia.
It had always been so, from the day Lesus decided to climb walls to buy blueberry pies for Grisia.
No, perhaps even before then?
As the closest thing Lesus had to a parent, I accompanied him on his shopping trip for a wedding dress. Although his uncle or aunt could have claimed the spot in the past, Lesus confessed that he felt closer to me after all the years we had spent together and all that I had taught him. I could not help but feel touched. (Though part of me did wonder if he just didn't want his uncle or aunt to see him in a dress just yet.)
I made a stop along the way to send a letter I had penned to Aldrizzt, along with the wedding invitation that Lesus had brought with him. Luckily for Grisia and Lesus, Neo and Aldrizzt were not adventuring too far away at the moment. The last status update I had received from Aldrizzt indicated that they were within the borders of the Kingdom of Forgotten Sound.
"They should be able to make it back in time for the wedding," I told Lesus.
"Thanks, we didn't know how to contact Grisia's teacher," Lesus said.
"It's a good thing we have Aldrizzt around," I replied. It was likely, however, that it wasn't that they didn't have the means to contact Neo. They would just rather Aldrizzt break the news to Neo, and they would rather I break the news to Aldrizzt. After all, Neo's reaction was bound to be explosive.
With that taken care of, we made our way to a wedding dress shop suggested by the princess. It seemed that the rest of the holy knights would have a tailor sent to the Holy Temple, but since Lesus did not want to try on dresses in front of so many of his brothers, he had opted to come to this shop instead. I did not blame him.
The moment we took a step inside the shop, it fell completely silent. Then, all chaos broke loose.
"Oh my God of Light! It's the Judgment Knight! No, it's not even just the Judgment Knight! Even the former Judgment Knight is here!"
"I didn't do it!" one person shouted.
"It was him! He hid the money!" another person shouted.
"Don't drag me off to the Judge's Complex!" a third person shouted. "I promise I will pay the taxes I forgot to pay!"
"You are holding up our reputation well," I commented.
Lesus inclined his head. From watching his profile, I thought he was probably thinking, But that might not hold for much longer.
After that, Lesus squared himself and walked forward, robes billowing out impressively. He looked every inch the formidable Judgment Knight, leaving behind the relaxed air he had allowed himself in my presence. In an instant, the clamor died down. Then, Lesus said, in the silence that followed, "I wish to be fitted for a wedding dress."
I had to hand it to my student. His delivery was excellent.
All of the shop assistants turned into statues, and so did the three customers who had pleaded their innocence. Finally, one shop assistant unfroze and said, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
Once again, Lesus said, "I wish to be fitted for a wedding dress."
A customer unfroze to blurt out, "Are you sure it's not for the former Judgment Knight instead?"
Apparently, that was all it took for all of them to unfreeze, as everyone's eyes swerved to stare at me. They were no doubt paying attention to my very long hair and my much slimmer physique in comparison.
"I assure you, I am not the one getting married," I said.
With wide eyes, all turned their attention to Lesus. "JUDGMENT KNIGHT IS GETTING MARRIED?"
Of course. Why else would he need a wedding dress?
I covered my mouth. It would not do to laugh at my student's predicament.
As expected of a shop chosen by the princess, the shop assistants quickly regained their professionalism. Two shop assistants continued helping the three customers, while one came over to help Lesus try on dresses.
"What do you have in mind, sir?" asked the shop assistant. Apparently, they had decided it would be best to send their lone male worker over rather than have one of the female workers deal with a Judgment Knight who wanted a wedding dress.
"Your latest fashion," Lesus said.
My eyebrows nearly shot up.
Lesus then added, "My betrothed would like me to try that first."
The shop assistant gulped and wringed his hands. "If you say so! Right this way. Ah, over here, I mean. I'm afraid none of the dresses over there are your size..."
I waited outside while Lesus tried on the wedding dress. I had not gotten a good look at it before the curtains were drawn. All I knew was that it was suspiciously pink.
When Lesus emerged from the dressing room, it was only because of all the years I spent controlling my emotions that I did not outwardly react...too much.
The dress was extravagant, to say the least, and very, very pink, with many layers and lots of frills and lace. There was even a large bow on the back, like what one might put on a present, giving me the disturbing image of Lesus saying, "Surprise! I'm your present!" None of that, however, was what stood out to me the most.
It was only moments ago that I had been admiring Lesus' broad shoulders and how he had grown up and filled out his frame. The dress truly...showed off his broad shoulders, as his shoulders were entirely bare, and the laced top of his dress looked to be bursting around the seams.
However, I very much doubted the dress was supposed to bring so much attention to how broad his shoulders were, nor was it supposed to be bursting around the seams.
Stiffly, Lesus lifted the dress and walked forward, revealing matching pink high heels underneath complete with mini bows. I had to wonder how they were even able to find a pair in his size.
The shop assistant wrung his hands and forced a smile. "What do you think? The size is a little small, but we can resize any dress that catches your fancy."
I stared. Everyone else in the shop had stopped whatever they were doing to stare too. Lesus himself seemed speechless. He probably hadn't known what he was getting himself into, but an honest knight never went back on his word.
I finally found my voice and resolutely said, "No, definitely not this one."
Lesus was not the only one who looked relieved at my words. Even the shop assistant relaxed his shoulders and said, "If you say so!"
I was only too thankful when the curtains closed behind Lesus, but apparently we were too late, as one of the customers had already fainted from the sight. I held my head, nearly a hundred percent certain that Neo's student must have known exactly what the latest fashion was and how disastrous it would look on Lesus.
After that, the shop assistant said, "If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, perhaps we should try something outside of the latest fashion?"
It was obvious that pink, frills, and bare-shoulders did not go well together with Lesus, though I wasn't very assured from the start that any dress would look good on Lesus. The shop assistant didn't despair though, and started bringing out wedding dresses of all sorts of designs for Lesus to choose from.
"Perhaps black is more your color?" the shop assistant suggested, seemingly no longer afraid he would end up offending us and end up in prison. After all, even ending up in prison probably wouldn't top seeing Lesus in a dress of the "latest fashion."
"Perhaps," Lesus said. He sighed and chose a dress.
When he next emerged from behind the curtain, I shook my head. While his appearance was not as shocking as before, I still could not say that he wouldn't give little kids nightmares.
"Hm," said the shop assistant. "I believe we should put away all of the dresses of this cut and instead go for something simpler that would look sharper on you. Believe me, there are broad-shouldered women out there too, so there is no need to despair!"
It seemed that the shop assistant had caught on to Lesus' negative emotions. He was truly a professional. Perhaps a generous tip was in order. Lesus nodded his understanding, steeled himself, and headed back to the dressing room with a much more modest black dress.
This time, when the curtains were pulled back and Lesus walked out solemnly, I looked him over and thought that he actually looked passable. The cut of the dress was very simple and actually made him look refined instead of frightening. The dress still bore ruffles, but they were reduced to just a few that helped obscure his broad chest. They were no different to the ruffles you might find on one of Grisia's shirts.
"This dress will..." I was about to say "this dress will do," but I let my sentence trail off. Although he looked much more presentable now, there was still something off about his current appearance despite that he was dressed in his usual black, but I couldn't put my finger to it.
The shop assistant frowned and held out a veil. Once Lesus put it on, a sudden realization came over me. The shop assistant seemed to have come to the same realization because he blurted out, "Sir, may I suggest a white dress instead?"
"Why?" Lesus asked with a frown.
With a forced smile, the shop assistant said, "Well, you see, it would not do to look like you are in mourning."
Indeed. With the veil and his solemn expression, Lesus looks more like he is wearing a funeral dress than a wedding dress.
In the end, we settled on a white dress of the same design. He looked elegant in its simplicity, and the dress accentuated his excellent posture instead of bringing unwanted attention to broad shoulders. The shop assistant promised that the dress would be delivered to the Holy Temple within a week after they finished the necessary tailoring.
As we left the shop, Lesus was uncharacteristically quiet.
"Are you regretting your decision to marry Grisia?" I asked.
"...Maybe," Lesus answered glumly, once more appearing much more like my student instead of the imposing Judgment Knight who could strike fear even into hearts of the vilest of villains.
I clasped Lesus on the shoulder, his thankfully, well-covered shoulder, and said in utmost seriousness, "Child, you are truly very admirable."
After all, few would be willing to go this far for their lover.
I had always known that Lesus was very responsible and dutiful, never one to do unreasonable things. Only Grisia ever made him lose reason, and I had always thought it to be a good thing...
But now I was not so sure anymore.
to be continued
Kiyutsuna: *Hides* I take no responsibility for any damages done by the illustration (There was a warning! xD). However, the Judgment Complex welcomes any complaints you may have......
Lucathia: *flails* I cannot stop flailing at Kiyu over that drawing. XD; And then I had a blast having Kiyu flail at me while I wrote the chapter that went along with the drawing. Oh Chasel, props to you for remaining somewhat...composed over Lesus wearing the "latest fashion"!
BONUS DOODLE!!
Kiyu: To make up for the very... shocking illustration in this chapter. I have put Grisia in the "latest fashion" as well. Enjoy the therapy~
(*Grisia flips a table*
Grisia: "I won the argument last chapter! Why am I still drawn in a dress!?!?!"
/Because the artist feels the need to make it up to Lesus for designing such a dress for him to suffer in.../
Grisia: "Bias! That is pure bias! Why is my dress even fancier than his?! Whyyyyy?!"
/For the sake of fan service of course! Deal with it~~~/ )
Slice 5: All About Balance
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Re: *Sigh of bliss*
Date: 2014-05-10 08:27 pm (UTC)Oh, and I’m not afraid of what Sun would do if I dangled a cookie in front of him. It wouldn’t be the first time I teased something and got mauled… I still have the battle scars, for real. I look at them in approval (*someone who enjoys markings the human body*)
Re: *Sigh of bliss*
Date: 2014-05-10 09:20 pm (UTC)You must be a masochist! Or one of those who love to tease. The fonder you are of someone... I think I understand your favorite pairings more now. XD;;
Re: *Sigh of bliss*
Date: 2014-05-11 05:05 am (UTC)Ha, actually I'm the opposite of a masochist. I love causing others pain and manipulating any situation to benefit me. The most surprising thing of all is that I'm in the hospitality industry.
My little sister is actually not a human at all but a demon cat. We have a love/hate tease/attack relationship. She lives away from me now but whenever I visit she always complains that I'm not around enough and won't allow me to leave until she falls asleep.
I want Metal, I really do. *sighs happily* Oh what I would to do to you, Metal...
Re: *Sigh of bliss*
Date: 2014-05-11 05:20 am (UTC)Ah, I see, I see. That would indeed be the opposite of a masochist. XD;;;; The relationship between you and your sister sounds explosive. |D;;;
Re: *Sigh of bliss*
Date: 2014-05-12 03:24 pm (UTC)Awwww
I love the line: 'no one can get in the way of what I feel for you'
Ahhhhh *flails* so true so true <3 <3 <3
This makes me want to actually write out the 'long and twisted chain of events' that is their romance... Romance romance romance <3333 but there are so many awesome romance fics of the pair already to get head canon from *___* it's more fun to play with the observers' feels ahahaha (*read: mess with the others //bricked)
Lol Metal xD it'd be hard to win him over. That boy is complete in love with his Captain Judgment...... XD;;;;
Re: *Sigh of bliss*
Date: 2014-05-13 01:47 am (UTC)I believe Judgment would be kind and sharing with his little Metal boy, after all he did hand the whip over to Sun (not that Sun can even use a whip...) And if Metal refuses? Hahaha! Well, let's just say I own a lot of rope. And gags. And candles. And a lot of other things I shouldn't mention on here. I'm confident that I can get him crawling towards me instead. (Oooh~ rope burn~)