Tainted (nonbinary mc x man)

Chapter 33

The bell from the village began ringing enthusiastically, signaling that it was time for the event to start.

It had been nearly a week since Toma had told Monrie and Nellieven about what happened to them as a child and things had been running rather smoothly. After those discussions, all three of the Teval brothers had done their best to keep their mother as far away from Toma as possible. It had helped that the other Teval brothers had shown up a few days after. Having four new sons to distract her, Duchess Teval had barely glanced in Toma's direction.

Toma hoped it would continue like this for a long time.

Toma looked back at themself in the mirror one more time, making sure everything was perfect.

"You look exquisite," Senotagh commented, but as per usual, no one would be able to tell if she meant it with the way she spoke. Either way, it was perhaps one of the most sincere things she'd ever said. And Toma couldn't help but agree with her.

Keeping with Ilian tradition, Toma wore green and silver, but the outfit was based on Earnal fashion. Dark green fabric was wrapped around their hips before being draped over their right shoulder, where it hung down and looped back up to where the end connected to a silver band on their wrist. A few thin strands of silver looped down, following the flow of the fabric. The outfit left most of their back bare.

The fabric wrapped around them didn't go down to their knees like it usually would. Rather, it stopped just below their hips. This was because, in Earnal, people didn't typically wear pants underneath the robe because it was a tropical climate. Ilia was too cold for this style of clothing, so the bottom of the robe was shortened, allowing Toma to wear a pair of fitted, dark green pants. Up the sides of the pants was a sparkling, silver, diamond-shaped pattern. They also wore silver shoes, earrings, necklaces, and rings. On top of Toma's head was their crown, highlighting the deep, blood-red of their hair.

Senotagh stood next to them in a matching green velvet dress, a slit cutting up to her knee. She had a variety of silver jewelry, and gems braided into her hair.

Toma thought they both looked excellent. Truly, Toma had never considered getting married before they met Monrie, but here they were, dressed up so fancily, about to be wed. Toma couldn't help but spin around a bit, watching the way the fabric rose and fell as they moved their arm. They pulled Senotagh to stand beside them, tilting their head a bit.

"You look lovely, cousin," Toma said brightly.

Senotagh blinked at them for a moment. "Thank you."

Toma sighed at her bored-looking expression and moved to sit down at the little couch in the room they were staying in until the ceremony was to start. They couldn't help but wonder what would it be like if their parents had been alive for this day. Or their brother? Would they be happy for them? How would they all look, a little family, all dressed in green to celebrate Toma's special day?

And what if River and Thomsyn and Parim were here? Yes, it had been Toma's idea to send Thomsyn and Parim after River, but there had been a small part of them that had hoped they would be back by now. That they would come waltzing in the door to join their party, laughing and smiling and staying on Toma's side.

Truthfully, the only person from Toma's side was Senotagh. Sure, the nobles and aristocrats were out there waiting in the main hall and Toma had diligently invited family from all over – including his aunt and cousins in Sanchu – but they didn't actually know those people that well.

When it comes to family, regardless of if it's a chosen one or not, you want them to be there for those important moments. Toma had never gotten that. Every birthday, their coronation, their wedding. All these special occasions, and Toma didn't get to have everyone there for them. They never would.