BEHIND US

XXII

When Power Marries Grace

Phase One: The Planning

Location: Georgia, Waraha Safehouse – Dining Hall

The Waraha family gathers around a large table. Snack, looking flushed but proud, makes the announcement. Pailiu beams beside him, and Engfa raises an eyebrow, then smiles knowingly.

Charlotte instantly takes over as the planner—calling in designers from Milan, chefs from Tokyo, and florists from Amsterdam. Claire insists on being the flower girl, while Chris and Ethan jokingly demands a “tech-integrated tux.”

Pailiu wants cherry blossoms and a sunset ceremony. Snack only wants one thing: “No weapons allowed for one night. Just peace.”

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Phase Two: The Build-up

Montage Style:

Engfa and Charlotte taking Pailiu dress shopping in Paris.

Snack and Ethan flying to Italy to get custom suits.

Marima and Heidi “testing security” like it's a mission—complete with drones and a three-layer guest list vetting.

Handwritten vows exchanged under the stars one night, read only to each other.

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Location: Villa Serana, Lake Como, Italy
Time: 5:30 PM – Sunset Ceremony

The soft toll of ancient bells echoed across the lake as the golden sun dipped into the horizon. Guests—dressed in gowns and tailored suits—sat in rows of white chairs trimmed with lace, the aisle a bed of petals. The estate floated like a dream on still waters.

A hush fell.

Then, music. A string quartet began to play “A Thousand Years”, subtle and slow.

Claire Waraha marched first, proudly dropping petals from her golden basket while wearing a small flower crown and pink combat boots under her dress. She winked at the front row.

Behind her, Engfa and Charlotte walked arm-in-arm with Snack, regal and radiant. Engfa wore a sleek black suit with a diamond Waraha crest on her lapel. Charlotte, in royal blue silk, had tears gathering already.

Snack whispered to them both, “Thank you for raising me with war… and love.”

Engfa smiled. “Go win your forever.”

The music shifted.

Everyone rose.

Pailiu emerged, escorted by her mother and father. Her dress shimmered like moonlight, a silk veil flowing behind her. Her bouquet was a mix of sakura, orchids, and royal jasmine. Her eyes locked with Snack’s.

He nearly stopped breathing.

Pailiu (whispering, as she reached him):
“You look like you’ve never seen a bride before.”

Snack (softly):
“I’ve never seen you like this. And I’m done looking at anything else.”

The officiant, a respected Thai monk and Waraha ally, smiled warmly.

Officiant:
“We are here not to join two warriors… but two hearts who survived the battle and chose each other. Today, Snack Waraha and Pailiu bind not just names, but legacies.”

Vows – Snack:
“When I was younger, I thought love made you soft. But you showed me… love is the sharpest blade. You’ve been my anchor, my answer, and my reason to come home. I swear on my bloodline and my heart—I will love you in every lifetime.”

Vows – Pailiu:
“I knew the risks of loving someone like you. I loved you anyway. Because your chaos felt like home. I don’t need a quiet life—I just need a life with you in it. And that’s what I vow to build.”

Officiant:
“Then by the light of your ancestors and the weight of your word—kiss your bride.”

The crowd erupted as they kissed—passionately, deeply, as fireworks burst in the sky above them. Snack dipped Pailiu back as petals rained from drones disguised as doves.

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Time: 7:45 PM – Garden Ballroom

Under a glass dome lit with chandeliers, guests dined on a blend of Thai-Italian fusion—curated by Michelin chefs. The dance floor glowed with subtle lights, and a full band played modern love ballads.

Chris gave the toast.

Chris:

“To the firstborn chaos of Waraha—who found someone as strong, as wild, and somehow… still willing to marry him. To Snack and Pailiu, may your love be louder than your parents’ war stories.”

Laughter. Applause. Champagne.

The night was alive with laughter and soft music. Lanterns floated above the ballroom like stars trapped in glass, casting a golden glow across the celebrating crowd. Guests toasted, danced, and celebrated love—not just of two people, but of a whole family built through fire and loyalty.

After Chris’s clever and savage toast, Ethan Waraha, the second son, stepped up to the microphone. He adjusted his tie, raised an eyebrow at his older brother, and smirked.

Ethan:
“Alright, alright. Before the night ends with someone challenging Snack to a dance battle—or a duel—I’d like to say something.”

The crowd chuckled as all eyes turned to the more introverted of the Waraha children.

Ethan (sincerely):
“I’m the second son. The quiet one. The thinker. The one usually behind a laptop while explosions go off two miles away.”

Everyone laughs. Even Engfa hides a smirk.

Ethan (turning to Snack and Pailiu):
“But today, I’m just your brother. And I want to say, Snack—you’ve always led from the front. Even when it scared us. Even when it broke you. But look what that led you to.”

“You found someone who doesn’t just follow your lead—she walks beside you. Challenges you. Loves you through it all.”

“Pailiu, welcome to the Waraha madness. And thank you… for loving our chaos king.”

He raised his glass high.

Ethan:
“To love that fights. To love that survives. To my brother and my new sister—may your story always be the loudest legend in our family.”

The room echoed with cheers, and the clinking of champagne flutes followed. Snack threw an arm around Ethan’s shoulders, pulling him in with a grin.

Snack:
“Still the best speech, little bro.”

Ethan (deadpan):
“Obviously. You’re the fighter. I’m the writer.”

They laughed, and in that moment, the Waraha legacy felt invincible.

Engfa and Charlotte danced together to their old favorite—“Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Claire twirled around them. Ethan filmed every moment for family archives.

Snack stood at the center, holding Pailiu’s hand.

Snack (whispering):
“This is it, huh? My story’s no longer just mine.”

Pailiu:
“It never was. We were always writing it together.”

As they danced beneath the stars, surrounded by the family they fought to protect, the Waraha name shined—not as a symbol of violence—but as a legacy of unbreakable love.

🐶🐰