Merlin looked at her helplessly.
“Honestly… even if you didn’t go to all this trouble to give me gifts, I would still bless your wedding. After all, didn’t I already promise you a long time ago?”
“Hehe, but giving gifts lets us see Boss’s happy smile. Your happiness is our happiness.”
Merlin was sunk by Li’s direct hit again, her small face turning slightly red as she looked away.
“Really… such a smooth talker.”
However, in the next second, the light in Merlin’s eyes dimmed slightly, and the surrounding temperature seemed to cool.
She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously picking at the bouquet’s wrapping paper. Her voice grew heavy.
Merlin thought of Mahina.
She remembered how she was once as happy as Li, filled with longing for the future.
But…
“But… is it really okay for a failure like me… someone abandoned by Mahina… to bless you?”
Merlin bit her lip, her voice getting smaller and smaller.
The past between her and Mahina was anything but pleasant.
“Maybe… I’ll bring bad luck. After all, my own love life is a mess…”
“That’s not true!”
Before Merlin could finish, she was interrupted by Li’s sharp denial.
“Boss is Boss! What kind of nonsense are you saying! I decided when I was little that if I ever had the chance to get married, the only person who could officiate my wedding would be Boss!”
Li stood up excitedly, her hands pressed against the table as she leaned forward, terrified that Merlin might back out in the next second.
“Besides! That wasn’t your fault! It’s just that woman Mahina has no taste! Boss doesn’t have any bad luck! You’re the one who brought us hope!”
As if her words weren’t strong enough, Li simply issued an ultimatum.
“In short! It has to be Boss! If you don’t officiate, I won’t get married! I’m calling the whole thing off!”
“Eh?!”
These words gave Merlin a fright.
“Alright, alright! Stop saying such things!”
Merlin hurriedly waved her hands, frantically trying to soothe the agitated Li.
“I didn’t say I was unwilling. I was just afraid you two would mind… Since you don’t have a problem with it, I will definitely officiate the wedding! I promise!”
Seeing Li’s posture of “if you don’t agree, I’ll cry for you,” Merlin’s thoughts couldn’t help but drift back to a long time ago.
Back then… a small Li had been just like this, her large eyes sparkling with longing as she tugged on Merlin’s sleeve.
“Boss, I want to get married in a place like this in the future!”
“Oh, whatever makes you happy.”
Merlin had never forgotten that look.
Even though it was just a dilapidated church, she had liked it so much.
Merlin had seen many luxurious weddings, and that one was indeed very crude.
Now, that longing was finally about to become reality. How could Merlin be absent? She wanted to offer her blessings to Li more than anyone else.
“It’s a promise.”
Merlin smiled gently.
“Mhm! It’s a promise!”
The matter of officiating the wedding was settled.
Before they knew it, the sun was already sinking in the west, casting long shadows across the academy.
The three of them chatted until it was time to part. At the exit, Li suddenly turned around and gave Merlin a big hug.
“Ugh…”
Merlin was pulled into a full embrace, the simple and warm scent of Li lingering at the tip of her nose.
“Boss, listen to me.”
Li whispered in Merlin’s ear, her tone becoming exceptionally gentle.
“I hope you don’t push yourself too hard. You’re a girl now, a princess cherished by everyone. Whether you’re not used to high heels, or you feel wronged, or you just want to cry, you can always come to me.”
Li’s hand gently patted Merlin’s back, as if she were coaxing a baby.
“You don’t need to act tough in front of Lady Ophelia, and you don’t need to act tough in front of us. Because no matter what happens, no matter what you become, everyone will accept Merlin unconditionally. We will always be your support.”
Merlin’s eyes welled up again. She nodded vigorously, burying her face in Li’s shoulder.
“Mhm…”
“And…”
Li released the hug and looked seriously into Merlin’s eyes.
“About Mahina.”
Merlin paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
“Right now, she and I are like parallel lines in the academy. We ignore each other and live our own lives. Don’t worry.”
“Hmph, it better be that way.”
Li shook her fist, making a fierce expression.
“If Mahina bullies you, you must tell me! Although I can’t beat her, I’ll definitely find a way to get back at her for you!!”
“Pfft…”
Merlin couldn’t help but laugh out loud, reaching out to pat Li’s head.
“Alright, I understand. Thank you, Li.”
Even though she knew it was just a joke, the intent to protect her made Merlin’s heart feel warm.
Finally, John and Li waved goodbye and left the campus reluctantly.
Under the setting sun, Merlin held the exaggeratedly large bouquet of Starry Night Roses, watching the backs of the two disappear at the end of the street.
She looked down at the shimmering flowers in her arms, a faint smile playing on her lips.
She turned and started walking.
—
The afterglow of the sunset spilled across the main road of Zelion Royal Academy.
In the golden light and shadows, an elven girl with long, blue gradient hair was walking with a light step.
She wore a slim-fitting academy uniform. Beneath the skirt were white lace socks covering her slender ankles and shiny black Mary Jane heels.
*Tap, tap, tap.*
The crisp sound of heels echoed on the stone path.
The most eye-catching thing was the ridiculously large bouquet in her arms.
A deep blue sea of flowers formed by a bunch of Starry Night Roses.
Each rose had deep blue petals with a velvet-like texture, and the depths of the stamens shimmered with a stardust-like glow.
The bouquet was truly absurdly large. To the petite elven princess, it was practically a mountain.
Merlin had to stretch her slender arms as far as they could go to barely hold it against her chest.
But because of this, the massive bouquet blocked her view ahead.
To see the road clearly, Merlin had to tilt her body slightly or stand on her tiptoes from time to time, peeking her small head out from the edge of the bouquet.
This caused the elegant gait she wanted to maintain to turn into a swaying posture.
Wobbling and stumbling.
Though the movements were a bit clumsy, when performed by this elven princess, they appeared exceptionally endearing.
Her small face, flushed red by the sunset, would occasionally dive deep into the sea of dark blue flowers as she giggled from shyness or happiness.
The azure roses complemented her beautiful blue gradient hair that looked like the night sky, and the faint light from the petals cast a glow on her porcelain-fine skin.
It made her look like a princess who had just stepped out of a fairy tale picture book.
“Is that… Merlinlia?”
Someone stopped in their tracks.
Merlin didn’t notice the gazes gradually gathering around her.
At this moment, she was immersed in the warmth her companions had given her.