Tainted (nonbinary mc x man)

Epilogue

The main hall was shining with the light of thousands of candles. The walls glinted with it and everyone in the room was affected by the energy they gave off. They sat in their seats, calmly whispering amongst themselves, an air of magic surrounding them. But, despite this quiet hall, each and every one of the guests were buzzing with excitement.

It was a very important day. A day that few would get to witness, but everyone would hear about. Every detail would be transcribed. Hours of dramatic storytelling would be dedicated to today.

Despite the excitement, Toma was rather calm, a gentle smile lighting up their face. "The candles are a nice touch," they whispered softly to Monrie, who nodded in agreement.

"Mariella chose well," Monrie said in agreement. "Though I'm sure River helped."

Toma laughed lightly, "That one sure does have a knack for decorating."

Monrie nodded, about to respond when a movement to the left caught his eye. He turned around to follow the movement, pausing to sigh and say, "Karame, Andel, this is an important day. What do you think you are doing over there?"

Andel, a bright young boy with maroon hair and sparkling green eyes, groaned, plopping down next to Toma, putting away the wooden sword at his side. "I was showing Karame the move that Uncle Thomsyn taught me yesterday," he whined.

"There is a time and a place for sword practice, and here and now is not it," Monrie chided, his arm coming up to drape across the back on Toma's chair as he leaned towards Andel. "Wait until later to show your sibling what you learned."

"Fine," Andel grumbled, causing Toma to raise an eyebrow at him.

Karame patted his shoulder in sympathy. "You can show us all later. Then Mariella can appreciate your hard work too." Then they glanced up at Monrie and Toma and asked, "Right?"

Monrie smiled and reached over to smooth back Andel's hair. "Of course. Think about it, little one. If you show us now, won't Mariella miss out?"

"Besides," Toma chimed in, "right now we are waiting for her big celebration to start. You want her to pay attention to you when you show her your sword skills, right? Then how would she feel if you didn't pay attention to her during her celebration."

Andel thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "That makes sense. I don't want Sister to be sad."

Toma smiled at their son, patting his head gently before moving to pat Karame's head too. The child huffed and tried to brush their hand away, but Toma could see the smile on their face.

On the other side of them, Thomsyn turned in his chair, watching them all. "Such cute kids. I can't wait to have some." He looked at Toma pointedly.

"Talk to River, not me," Toma said sharply. "I don't need to hear anymore after last time."

Thomsyn laughed softly, his eyes crinkling up. "Alright, alright. I won't say anymore. But not because of you, but because River won't talk to me for at least a week if I mention that again."

Toma turned away from Thomsyn completely, leaving the three children to talk amongst themselves. Instead, they turned to Monrie and settled their head on Monrie's shoulder.

A few minutes later, music began to play. Toma jolted up and turned around. The audience went silent. Everyone else stood and turned as the main door opened and in walked a young girl eighteen years old. She wore a long, cap sleeve dress that had a seven-foot train. The dress started a dark green at the top and slowly transitioned to silver, blending the two colors perfectly in the middle.

She was a beautiful young lady, her eyes a dark green and her hair the color of rubies. She glided down the aisle, standing straight and sturdy.

She moved to the stage before them and stood to face the audience.

Behind her, on a raised platform, a man with vermillion hair stepped forward, his expression calm, though a hint of a smile played on his lips.

"Mariella Reilty," he said loudly, his voice carrying through the hall. "Daughter of Tomagura and Monrie Reilty, you've been chosen as the heir to the Ilian crown. Do you accept this honor and great burden?"

"I accept," Mariella replied firmly.

"She got her confidence from you," Toma whispered to Monrie.
"And she got her strength from you," Monrie responded.

"We will now bring out the crystal flower," the man continued. "This crystal flower will predict Mariella's rule over Ilia as the crowned princess and future queen. Mariella, please place a drop of blood on the flower."

Toma watched as Mariella pricked her finger, dripping blood onto the flower. The blood ran over the petals, dipping down to the center. The crystal flower slowly began to change until it turned a vibrant, slightly reddish orange.

The man who was presiding over the ceremony paused, staring at the color for a moment before pulling out a large tome and leafing through it. He turned through the pages slowly, but eventually paused, compared, and read out, "Sunrise orange, meaning positivity, youth, and enthusiasm. This will be the future rule of Crowned Princess Mariella Reilty."

Toma smiled warmly as the applause began. They looked around them. They were surrounded with loving family now, even if few were blood-related. They looked back at the children in the row behind them. The children they'd taken under their wings along the way. They saw their brothers, sisters, and cousins. Their husband.

Twenty-year-old Toma would have been surprised by how many people they had in their life. That little kid who grew up all alone was now surrounded by a family, people they would cherish forever.

They would never be alone again.

Toma and Monrie's story may be over, but everyone else's is just beginning.

Stay tuned.