A last wish (3)

Adelphium has all the equipment, and he performs the ritual perfectly. Well, it's perfect as far as I can tell. I have never been to a temple before the coronation.

He ties the hands together and makes them swear to love each other till the end. He doesn't mention death, for there's no need to free them from the oath after one of them is dead. Neither will survive the other long enough to find a second partner.

The ceremony is brief, fitting for this situation. Once finished, the guards get ready to drag the newlyweds back to prison.

«A moment,» I say. «You might want to look out of the window. The both of you.»

The Princess... Oh, she is no Princess. Juliet widens her eyes, understanding the hidden meaning behind my words. She pulls Samuel Grif's sleeve and makes him watch with her. She points at a corner, where one of my maids is helping Aestas take a stroll.

«She walks,» Samuel Grid comments. «Already?»

«It's been months.»