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It was Eden Foundation Day. It was typically a day celebrated with an array of student-organized booths and various activities but honestly? Damian couldn’t care less about it. There were a hundred more ways to spend a free day like this and he has never really been fond of crowds either. But those traitors he calls his friends had convinced him to come out of the dorms that morning only to meet up with Anya Forger and Becky Blackbell.
Why do the three of them even go with those two again? They weren’t even friends, for god’s sake!
Not only that, but all four of them — yes, even Ewen and Emile — had the audacity to leave Damian on his own when he didn’t even want to participate in the foundation day celebration in the first place!
At first, it had been ok, sure. He’d never admit it out loud but he’d sorely underestimated the joy of enjoying the festive mood with his friends (again, Anya and Becky not included!) They had the liberty to go wherever they want as long as it was within the campus and there were a lot of food and miscellaneous stalls to keep them satisfied.
(They had bought crepes a while ago. He had bought the chocolate one with crushed peanuts while Anya bought strawberries with cream. At first, he fumed about how she kept stealing bites from his crepe because why didn’t she just buy chocolate in the first place?!
He realized that maybe she was trying to charm him. That was something couples usually did, didn’t they? Sharing crepes? Well, he tried to not let it get to him but he couldn’t keep the red off his cheeks from the thought that they were doing couple-ey stuff.
In the end, they ended up trading. But only because Anya wouldn’t stop pestering him for a bite while hers barely had any.)
Then they left him. Or maybe he just got lost. He was browsing through comics at a book stall one moment and when he had turned around, none of them were no longer in sight.
This is ridiculous, he fumed to himself. There was no point in sticking around if his friends weren’t here, so he’ll just go back to the dorms and spend the rest of the day doing what he originally intended: studying.
“Boss!” “Bossman!”
Ah, Ewen and Emile. The two people who had callously left him to the sharks.
He could feel his simmered rage rise up again at the sight of them. “And where have you guys been?!” Damian exclaimed, absolutely furious. These two had left him and then they come bounding back?!
The two of them come to a halt in front of him. They were panting as if they had just ran a marathon to reach him.
“There’s no time for questions, Boss!” Ewen heaved.
“Anya Forger is being wed at the wedding ceremony in the cathedral!”
“Wait, what? !” Anya Forger? Is suddenly about to be wed to someone else?!
“Yes!” Both exclaimed in unison, having a panicked look on their face. “Boss, Ewen and I know about how you feel towards that… stubby-legged commoner girl! If you don’t hurry up then…”
Then he’d be too late . Anya Forger, in all her entirety, would be spoken for and he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
How is it that she’s being married? Did someone ask her out? Did Anya have some secret admirer who she was willing to marry so easily? He’d always found Anya hard to get especially when you’re the one who’s making a conscious effort to make a move, so how did they get her to agree to a wedding…?
“There’s still time, Boss. You go ahead.” Ewen said, still huffing for air. “Me and Emile… we’ll catch up later.”
That’s probably for the best. They looked like they were about to collapse on the floor. Not commenting about them further, Damian nodded in thanks, his rage from earlier forgotten because of the sudden urgency. Not even looking back, he started running in the direction they had just come from.
(What he failed to catch was his two friends sharing a high-five from behind his retreating figure with twin grins on their faces.)
He was a running blur to everyone else, occasionally having to say “sorry” and “excuse me” whenever he was caught in a snag of people. No wonder they’re so tired out ! The cathedral is nearly on the other side of the campus and all these people are in the way! Eden Academy was stupidly large. He would also be a panting mess by the time he reaches the damn cathedral.
But there was no time to doubt! He is running against the clock, or so he thinks. Ewen and Emile didn’t mention what time the ceremony was starting. He just hoped that they had come to him with consideration of how long it’ll take for him to reach the destination.
Anya covered her delicate ears. Becky was this close to blowing her eardrums out with her squeals of joy.
“I can’t believe my best friend is getting married!” She said with hearts in her eyes. “And before myself too… but no matter! Just make sure to aim the bouquet at me later, okay?!”
Anya nodded. She didn’t really know what a 'bow-kei' is but whatever Becky says!
Truthfully, she doesn’t know what they’re doing in the cathedral. When Sy-on boy had gone off to look at boring books a while ago, Becky had told her that they should go look at the 'weed-ing' booth at the 'kath-e-dral'. Even Sy-on boy’s lackeys have joined them which surprised her because she thought they were superglued to his hip forever.
Then time passes into a blur and she’s suddenly being fitted in a dress which reminded her of what Princess Honey wore. Except it was all in boring white, not even a speck of pink or a yellow.
It was incredibly boring and all these people flocked to her too, trying to put stuff on her face. Eventually, she decided that she’d had enough so she devised a fool-proof plan to help her escape. Anya, with the wits and knowledge of a clueless child, had tried to make a smoke bomb just like Bondman did in Spy Wars: Episode 14, but to her shock, it turns out baby powder wasn’t strong enough to conceal her escape. All it did was send everyone into a coughing fit, even her.
And yeah, now she was banned from touching anything other than what was given to her. It was no biggie. Some spies had their off days, she thought.
Becky raised a pointer finger, her face contorting into that big sister kind of look whenever she was telling her to behave. “Remember, Anya! Stick to the wedding script and I’ll buy you as many peanuts as you want after, okay?”
Oh, yeah! Her best friend promised her peanuts after the whole D.I.Y. smoke bomb spectacle! She felt like she was being “brayb-ed”, at least, according to Becky’s thoughts, but she couldn’t really care less!
For the peanuts!! Determined to make the tiny little snacks of goodness hers, Anya nodded furiously at Becky.
Damian reaches the cathedral’s doors. He was absolutely beat. He wanted water so badly but he didn’t have the time to buy a bottle.
Panting, he leaned against the doors. He tested it a bit to see if it was locked, and to his fortune, it wasn’t. He could hear the organ play the wedding march from the inside, a song that admittedly sounded like a reminder of incoming doom if he didn’t man up and come through the door.
Why do I even care so much? He grit his teeth. It wasn’t like he was losing anything and that Forger girl could marry anyone she wants for all he cares.
But for some reason that was way beyond his comprehension: he does care.
The loud beating of his heart right now is unmistakable. He knew he had just ran a long distance but he could feel it. This wasn’t just a product of exercise… it must be… love?
No, definitely not! He is not, and will never be, in love with Anya Forger! So what if he thought she was cute with sparkling emerald eyes that could rival even the most expensive of gems and perfect flowing pink hair that was similar to imported silk?! What if he thought she was absolutely adorable with the way she pokes out her tongue when she’s focusing or the way she would always be resolute when wanting to reach her goals?
He did not adore her, not at all! And he was definitely, definitely , not in love with that girl! So, he thought, clutching his chest, stop beating so much, you traitorous heart!
This was nothing but a farce, but he wanted to stop the wedding anyway. Yeah, that’s right. Not because he didn’t want Anya Forger to marry someone else, that wasn’t it at all. It was because he, Damian Desmond, is too kind to let someone else carry the burden of being stuck with Anya even if it was just for a few moments.
Yes! He was so noble that he’d be willing to carry that burden for them himself! If he married Anya Forger right now, then no one would have to suffer. He would have saved the world from the disaster she’d be as a wife and he’d get to have her all for himself.
Wait- he was only here to stop the wedding. Not marry Anya himself!
Anya walks down the red carpet lining her path. She was told to carry a bunch of bundled flowers with her. While they were pretty and smelled nice, they were also annoyingly big. The dress she was wearing was also too stuffy and it itches at her skin.
She liked looking cute, but this was just too inconvenient. She wanted to take off the dress right now but it’d be too inappropriate if she started undressing in the middle of the cathedral.
Anya spots Becky shoot her a thumbs up from the sideline. She then remembers that there were peanuts on the line and it encourages her to keep going on. For peanuts ! She returns the thumbs up, her face serious. Anya was the daughter of a spy and an assassin! Compared to all the times when she almost said bye-bye to the world, she couldn’t let herself fail this mission as easy as this!
She marched on like a determined soldier. She would do this and get her peanuts.
Anya reached the front and took her place beside the other kid. She didn’t know who he was, but from what she’d read from his mind a while ago, he was also getting some kind of bribe too. Is this guy also a peanut lover like me? She pondered, squinting her green eyes.
She could respect that. He was already ok in her mind if he also liked peanuts. If he was also here for peanuts, she would do this mission together with him because that was the only way they both will get what they want.
Once she reaches the altar, the student in front of them clears his throat. He was dressed in a black garb which reminded her of the old man who would recite long and boring speeches whenever her parents took her to Sunday mass.
“Dear beloved and honoured guests. We are gathered here today to join Mason Pine and Anya Forger in the union of marriage.”
Anya sneaked a glance at her best friend who was looking on with anticipation. Yes, that’s it! But not too fast or else he might miss it! She heard her think. He? Who was she talking about?
Her best friend could be so crazy sometimes.
“If there is anyone present who can show just why these two people may not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The sentence rang throughout the cathedral, but there was only silence that answered.
The student nodded. “Then let us proceed. Do you, Mason Pine, take Anya Forger to be your wife?”
The kid in front of her coughed. “I do.” He answered, but Anya thought he looked incredibly awkward. This is so weird! Damn that Blackbell for dragging me into this!
Huh. Anya thought. This guy was weird.
“Do you, Anya Forger, take Mason Pine as your husband?”
She doesn’t exactly understand what’s happening but it’s for the peanuts!! “I d-”
Suddenly, a loud whoosh can be heard as the cathedral’s doors were pushed open. “STOP THE WEDDING!” Their voice bellowed. It was a boy not older than seven bursting through the wooden doors. “This is completely unacceptable!”
A boy that was super familiar to Anya! It was Damian Desmond, her rival and target since the start of her academic career at Eden!
Anya could hear Becky start to squeal while several gasps were heard among the on-lookers. She looked back and forth from the boy beside her, to Becky, then to Sy-on boy. What is happening right now? !?!
“Sy-on, what are you doing here??” Anya gaped. He was ruining the mission!
This is insane! Damian exclaimed in his head. He didn’t expect people to be watching the ceremony- and hell, he just gate-crashed a wedding right now. Depending on whether they’ve exchanged vows or not, there’s a large chance that he was being a homewrecker right now and the newlywed couple hasn’t even left the church yet.
And wait, Anya was wearing a white dress. Just like a bride. And was that makeup on her face? He could spot the sparkly glitter of eyeshadow on her face and her usually soft pink lips were glossy. Between him and whatever presence is watching them right now… he can’t believe he’s thinking this, but Anya was absolutely enchanting right now!
Ok. He swallowed. He had to do this. For the sake of world peace! “What does it look like I’m doing, Forger? You can’t marry that man.”
“Why??” She asked. “Don’t get in my way, Sy-on boy!”
“What???” Now it was his turn to be confused. Did she actually want to marry this guy? “I’m doing this for your sake, you know?”
“Really?”
“Wait, no! I’m doing it for his sake.” Damian replied, pointing at the kid in the suit standing next to Anya. “You, whoever you are. What are you thinking?! Marrying Forger out of all people? Have you gone insane?!?”
“Me? I didn’t even want to be here!” Mason shouted. Then he covered his mouth, accidentally realizing how bad that sounded. “This is so lame! I’m out of here!” He stormed out, rushing past Damian and leaving Anya alone at the altar.
(“Wait, those suits aren’t free, you know?! Someone chase after that kid!” One of the organizers cried out.)
Oh no …
“Sy-on boy… you… look at what you’ve done…!” No, but she was doing such a good job too! She was so close to getting her peanuts and yet… and yet Sy-on boy just had to get in the way! Why is he always trying to ruin everything for her?
She could feel the tears incoming. “You ruined it… you made me fail my mission…!” She clutched the bouquet of flowers in her hand. This was a disaster! She’s never getting her peanuts now…
The student who was playing the priest didn’t know if he should speak up or just stay quiet, but the black-haired girl’s intense stare from the sidelines made him think that he should just do the latter.
“Anya- Anya, don’t cry!” He didn’t expect her to just start crying! And… and did she really want to marry that other person that bad? It made him feel a wave of sadness, Anya’s crying and the feeling of guilt piling up on him.
He was being selfish, wasn’t he? Doing this and not even considering how Anya would feel about it. He had assumed that Anya was only here because the other kid forced her into it. He didn’t even realize that maybe it was Anya who asked them all along.
He wondered how Anya proposed if that was the case. Did the other guy appreciate it or was he only humouring her? After all, he had gone and stormed out so easily. He would have never done that if he had been Anya’s groom-to-be.
“Look, I’m sorry alright? I didn’t… I didn’t know you wanted to marry him that much.”
He turned his gaze down at the floor. Now he just felt shame.
Anya sniffed, wiping her tears with one of her hands. “Anya didn’t want to marry him…! Anya doesn’t even know who he is!” She sniffed. “I just wanted peanuts!! But you ruined it!”
Huh? ! Peanuts? !? “Peanuts…? Are you crazy? You’re crying over peanuts?”
“Anya isn’t crazy! Becky promised me that if I finish the ceremony I’d get peanuts!”
Damian gave Becky Blackbell a scathing glare. She just smirked at him, raising her shoulder in an easygoing shrug. He notices her mouth “What will you do now?”
Damian tched. Of course, there’s only one choice to make here. He was absolutely cornered and the only way out is forward. Towards the altar where a sniffling Anya was, standing in a white dress with rosy cheeks while holding a large bouquet of apple blossoms.
He felt a blush creep up his neck. There’s no other choice … he started walking down an aisle.
Eventually, he reached the front. He felt uncharacteristically shy, but he turned to face Anya anyway. “Don’t cry anymore, okay? I’ll help you get your peanuts.” He states, voice soft and tinged with repentance.
Anya’s eyes widened. You look prettier when you’re smiling, she heard him say in his head. Wiping the last traces of tears from her eyes, she gives him a bright smile. “Okay!” Sy-on boy could be nice sometimes after all.
He feels his face heat up.
The student playing the role of the priest cleared his throat. These children… don’t they know that this is just a wedding booth? Kids are so dumb . “Anyway, let us resume the ceremony. Since this gentleman had stepped up to take the role of the groom, let’s start from the beginning.”
“We are gathered together here to join…”
“Damian Desmond.”
The student nodded in acknowledgement. “We are gathered here to join Damian Desmond and Anya Forger in the union of marriage. This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.”
He hadn’t said that before? ! Anya thought in surprise. It sounded more… more lovey-dovey than the spiel they had said a while ago.
“And now, Anya Forger, do you take Damian Desmond as your husband?”
Anya recalled what he said earlier. If he was willing to help him with her mission, then it would probably make him a good partner (in spy stuff!). And. in hindsight, she knew that Sy-on boy wasn’t as bad as she always thinks him to be. He was bratty and a total snob, not to mention he was incredibly mean to her sometimes. But whenever he crosses the line…
Don’t cry anymore, okay?
It brought a certain warmth in her heart that he cared so much that his pride was momentarily forgotten.
“I do.”
“And do you, Damian Desmond, take Anya Forger as your wife?”
Ah, the priest was talking to him now.
“I do.” He answered.
When Damian woke up this morning, he never thought he’d be in this situation. Eye-to-eye with Anya Forger in front of the altar. He thought it’d be years, even decades before he’d see Anya like this.
He thought that even though this was play pretend, this felt like a glimpse of his future for him. Bright and warm with the girl she adores staring at him and only him with an encouraging smile.
“Damian and Anya, you may now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other.”
A ring-bearer held out two rings to them. Damian took it, and wait… was this made out of paper?
He raised an eyebrow at the pretend officiant. “Paper?”
“What? We ran out of funds for metal rings, okay? It was expensive renting the cathedral out.”
They could’ve used plastic instead, but ok…
They exchanged scripted vows, slipping the paper ring on each other’s finger.
“To make your relationship work will take love. Take time to show each other that your love and marriage grow stronger with time. It will take trust to know what is truly best for each other, dedication to stay open and grow, loyalty to go forward together, and commitment to hold true to the journey you have pledged today.”
This ceremony was indeed on the nose despite being a simple entertainment booth. Damian couldn’t help the burning sensation on his cheeks.
Anya? Well, Anya was thinking about peanuts.
“And now by the power vested in me, it is my honour and delight to declare you husband and wife. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.”
Anya shrugged. Easy-peasy. She planted a soft peck on Damian’s cheeks which was now, at this point, might as well be as hot as the sun’s surface.
A long exasperated groan came out of the officiant’s mouth. “Ugh, finally. And that’s a wrap everyone!”
Choruses of relief could be heard from the wedding booth’s organizers. These kids have taken up so much of their time, not to mention they had someone crash the ceremony too. It was amusing watching the drama unfold though.
“Anya, toss the bouquet!” Becky squealed. Heeding her words, Anya did as such, throwing it directly at the girl who caught it with ease. “Oh my god!!” She looked like she was just about ready to faint in joy.
Damian cleared his throat, still standing beside her. “So, I guess we’re wed now?” He casually said as if his face wasn’t the same shade of a tomato and his thoughts weren’t racing around his head a hundred miles per hour.
“Wed? What’s that?”
And of course. She doesn’t know the importance of what just occurred.
“Nevermind.”
“Hey, Bossman. Congratulations!” Ewen greeted, patting him on the back. Emile soon followed, pointing at Anya. “You better take good care of our Bossman, you hear me?!”
Anya pointed to herself. “Anya? Why?”
Damian sniffed and raised his chin indignantly. “Enough. We’re not actually married, remember? This was all for her damn peanuts anyway.”
“Andd, speaking of peanuts~” Out of nowhere, Becky suddenly reveals herself. Becky sidled next to Anya, handing her a bag of peanuts. “Here!”
“Peanuts!”
“You guys were so romantic! That reminded me of a scene in Berlint Love… when Antonio crashed Maria’s arranged wedding so they could run away together!” Becky smiled dreamily, clasping her hands together. “That was definitely worth the fee I had to pay!”
“You paid?”
“Duh, you know Anya’s too poor to even dream about paying with her commoner money!”
Anya shouted in offense. “Hey!”
“Sorry, Anya! But anyway, I’m kind of hungry. We should get out of here now.”
“Oh, I know a place where they sell croquettes!” Emile suggested, already enticed by the promise of food.
Damian followed along, walking beside Anya who was happily munching on her peanuts.
He rubs the paper ring on his finger, remembering that it was Anya who had slipped it on him. It was flimsy, crudely made, and definitely unfit to be worn by a Desmond, but for some reason, he didn’t mind at all.
Yep. He was definitely never throwing it away.
The sound of her shoes clacking echoes on the pavement, coming to a stop in front of the two boys holding a box of potato croquettes. “Hey, you two.”
“What do you want, Blackbell?” Emile questioned suspiciously. Ewen on the other hand was giving her a slight glare.
“Earlier. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you goons are useful after all.”
It was a compliment, albeit back-handed. “Whatever, we were doing it for Boss man’s sake, not yours!”
“Well, I was doing it for Anya’s sake too, so I guess that makes three of us.” Becky sniffed.
In the background, Anya and Damian can be heard arguing. Anya, now back in her normal uniform, was trying to steal a piece of croquette from Damian, having already finished all of hers. On the other hand, he was pushing her away in an attempt to keep her from monopolizing his food. If you squint, you’d be able to see that both of them are still wearing the rings they were given back at the wedding ceremony.
“Mission accomplished?”
The two nodded. “Mission accomplished.”