But the smile on my face didn't go anywhere.
In fact, it spread slowly, uncontrollably until it had taken over my entire expression and possibly my soul. The mont the call ended and my siblings' squeaky voices disappeared in a puff of glittering magic dust, I launched myself off the pillow pile like a particularly enthusiastic bird who had just discovered the concept of joy.
"They're finally engaged!" I half-squealed, half-gasped, spinning in the middle of my chamber like a deranged noble with a sugar rush.
[Should I alert the castle that the heir is having a spontaneous emotional combustion?] the system asked drily.
Let have this! I yelled ntally, doing what could generously be called a celebratory twirl. My hair whipped around my face. I didn't care. "It's been two years of tension and aningful glances and embarrassing walks-in and they finally did it!"
I flung my arms out wide and promptly tripped over a pillow. "WORTH IT!"
I landed in a heap of silks and feathers, giggling into the velvet. My heart was fluttering like a hummingbird possessed. I could already picture it Mara holding out the ring, trying to act cool, Elira pretending she wasn't getting emotional and definitely failing.
What would they wear? Would they both go for dresses? Or would one of them wear a tuxedo? Or matching uniforms with embroidered crests and enchanted boots?
"Ooh!" I squeaked to myself. "Imagine Elira in a high-collared black coat, silver embroidery, sword at her hip... and Mara in a tailored suit with sapphires on the cuffs—"
[You're spiraling,] the system noted. [Again.]
"Let spiral," I said aloud this ti, throwing a pillow at the corner of the room where the system probably wasn't. "This is historic!"
[It's gay. That's what it is.]
"Yes, and historic," I countered. "They deserve fireworks. And dancing. And doves. Wait, no—doves are chaotic. Pigeons in formalwear, maybe."
[Why are you like this.]
"I was raised in a household of chaos and unspoken romantic tension, obviously."
[Fair.]
I resud my impromptu celebratory dance. This one had arm flailing. I spun dramatically, posed like a tragic theater character, and then broke into what could be generously described as "enthusiastic footwork."
That's when the door opened.
No knock. No warning. Just bam wide open, like a dramatic reveal from a bad play.
I froze mid-spin.
Aria stood there in her neat uniform, hair tied back, eyes slightly glazed over from hours of studying until she took one look at and, without missing a beat, joined in.
"YES!" she shouted, arms flying up as she launched herself into the room. "WHAT ARE WE CELEBRATING?"
"What—" I blinked, breathless. "You don't even know what's happening!"
"I SAW YOU DANCING AND GOT EXCITED!" she replied, now doing sothing between jumping and interpretive jazz hands.
I collapsed into laughter, breathless again for entirely different reasons. "Aria stop what are you doing?!"
"I don't know!" she gasped, still twirling in her sensible boots. "But it's working!"
I managed to wrangle my laughter enough to grab her wrist mid-spin. "Okay, okay, pause! Take a breath."
She stopped, panting. "Was it a rebellion? Did you overthrow the kitchen again?"
"No," I said dramatically, placing a hand to my heart. "It's bigger than that."
"Soone confessed their undying love to you?" she guessed.
"Ha! No. Still working on that." I cleared my throat and struck a pose. "Mara proposed to Elira."
Aria froze.
Then blinked.
Then shrieked. "WHAT?!"
"Yes!" I shouted back. "And she said yes! Like, actual yes not a sarcastic, 'I'll think about it after stabbing soone' kind of yes!"
Aria's mouth dropped open. "We need wine."
"We're ten."
"Grape juice, then!"
We collapsed onto the pillows in a heap, hands over our mouths, trying to muffle our mutual excitent. Aria's hair was a ss. My socks were halfway across the room. It was perfect.
Aria flopped onto her back, staring at the ceiling. "I didn't think they'd actually do it. I thought they'd just keep pretending forever."
"I know!" I whispered loudly. "But they did. There was a ring and everything. Aeris said it sparkled."
"Of course Aeris noticed the sparkle."
We stayed there a mont, letting the joy settle over us like a warm blanket. The room, lit by floating candles and the ever-present soft hum of magical wards, felt cozy, bright, and suddenly a little sacred.
"This changes everything," Aria said, serious now.
"Not really," I said. "Except that now we can plan a wedding."
Aria turned toward , eyes wide. "You realize what this ans, right?"
I grinned. "Matching outfits."
"Ridiculously over-the-top decorations."
"A cake the size of the dining hall."
"And you—" Aria pointed at , "—get to give a speech."
I froze.
"Oh no," I whispered. "You're right. I'm the daughter of both queens. They'll make give a speech."
"You have to cry at least once during it," she added helpfully.
"I will cry just from standing up there," I moaned, flopping backward. "This is a disaster."
"It's romantic," she said smugly.
I sat up, grabbed a pillow, and hit her with it.
She hit back.
And so, naturally, a pillow war began, fueled by joy, sugar, and the collective emotional energy of one Very Big Gay Engagent.
It ended with us both on the floor, giggling like lunatics, feathers in our hair and the candles dimming slightly in concern.
I wiped my eyes, breath finally returning. "This is the best day."
Aria nodded solemnly. "We're going to need cloaks. Dramatic ones. Possibly with fur trim."
"And boots," I added. "Everyone must have boots."
We lay there, already plotting colors and fabrics and possibly a dramatic entrance involving a firework phoenix made of illusion magic.
[They're dood,] the system sighed.
They're perfect, I replied, smiling as I imagined Mara and Elira's shocked faces when we unveiled the chaos we'd prepare in their honor.
One thing was certain: this wedding was going to be unforgettable , and possibly banned in at least three provinces.
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