Chapter 157

[Third Person's PoV] 

A Bit Earlier…

Cid, alongside the others, appeared in the snowy field where Gettan was once executed.

"I wouldn't worry about Bellion being mad or upset with you guys. He knows you all have things to do and can't leave Shadow Garden by itself for too long," Cid said as he held onto Celeste.

"We just don't want Bellion to take it out on us during our next training session," Beta muttered with a lifeless look.

"I wouldn't worry, like I just said. Bellion understands to take it a bit easier now," Cid explained.

They all nodded, but before they went on to do their duties, Cid turned towards Alpha. "We have a new member who goes by the name of Yukime. She was the one who helped me with the counterfeit bills and is the daughter of one of my shadow soldiers. Be sure to share some of the money with her since some is rightfully hers. And be sure to make her acquainted with how Shadow Garden operates. I have some plans for her."

"It shall be done, Master," Alpha bowed before disappearing into her shadow. The others bowed as well and followed her lead, disappearing into their shadows.

Now, only Celeste, Aurora, and Cid were left in the snowy terrain. Cid handed Celeste to her mother as he said, "Here, hold her for a bit. I want to show you something."

Aurora was a bit confused but was glad to be holding Celeste in her arms once more. As she held Celeste, Aurora looked towards Cid with curiosity, wondering what he wanted to show her.

"Let's start off by saying this… we started off in the wrong order… I think it might have been in the wrongest order possible… We fought, we met, we got busy, if you know what I mean," he said, looking at Celeste, who was looking at him in confusion.

"And then had our little bundle of joy right here," Cid said as he patted her head.

Aurora giggled, "I guess we did not meet in the most conventional of ways…"

Cid nodded in agreement. "So although our situation is a little out of order, let's set things in the right direction…"

Cid reached into his pockets and pulled out a small box.

Celeste's eyes nearly popped out of her head as her mouth widened in shock, looking between Cid and Aurora. She covered her little mouth with her baby hands to avoid screaming and ruining the moment.

When Cid opened the box, inside was a ring with a bright red jewel in the center of it.

Aurora stared at the ring, her face slowly morphing into a frown. "Cid… You do know what that is, don't you?"

Cid didn't look bothered by Aurora's frown and just smiled proudly. "And with it, I'm asking you to be my wife with our daughter as a witness."

Aurora stared at Cid before shifting Celeste to her hip. She grabbed the box, looked at the ring, and then back at Cid. "So let me get this straight… You are asking me to be your wife… with the crystallization of my resentment?" She asked, her face growing colder as she looked at the red crystal.

Celeste, who was by her mother's hip, looked up at her in confusion. This wasn't the expression she was expecting; she anticipated an overdramatic celebration with cheers and happy cries. When Celeste looked towards Cid, she saw him puff his chest with pride.

"Yes, yes I am. Wanna know why?" Cid asked with a smirk.

"Why?"

Cid walked towards Aurora. He held her face and said, "Because that resentment is a part of you. No matter how much you dislike it, don't want to know of it, or simply want to discard it, it's still a part of who you are…"

Cid took the box from her, removed the ring, and held her now-empty hand. "And I think every single part of you is absolutely beautiful…"

Aurora's cold expression cracked a bit as her eyes widened, watching Cid slide the ring onto her ring finger. He brought her hand towards his lips and said, "I'm using your crystallized resentment as a symbol for our love to show you that I love Every. Single. Part. Of you…"

Cid kissed the ring on her finger. "Even if that part is something you hate… It's still absolutely beautiful in my eyes."

Aurora was surprised by his reasoning, her eyes rapidly blinking as tears began to slide down her face.

Cid once again held her face before bringing her in and kissing her lips.

Celeste, still by her mother's hip, quickly covered her eyes. She shifted her fingers a bit and peeked through the cracks while blushing slightly. 'They should get a room. Don't they know their daughter is watching…'

As they broke their kiss, Aurora and Cid had their heads pressed against each other. "So what do you say? Want to spend all eternity with me?"

Aurora blushed as she nodded her head. "I didn't know you could be so romantic," she muttered as Cid wiped her tears.

Cid just smirked and shrugged. "There isn't a lot you don't know about me… just like there isn't a lot I don't know about you. And I think that's wonderful since that means we would be spending our life getting to know each other."

"Does that mean we are husband and wife now?"

Cid held her hand as their heads remained pressed against each other. "With the power vested in me as The Shadow Monarch, I hereby pronounce us husband and wife."

Aurora giggled, while Celeste started clapping her hands loudly.

When they turned towards Celeste, they saw the largest smile on her face as she clapped her hands before throwing her fist up in celebration.

This caused both of them to chuckle as they looked at her in amusement. Aurora brought her close and kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Celeste. Your celebration is very much appreciated on this joyous occasion."

"Speaking of celebration…" Cid reached into his shadow and pulled out a picnic basket. "Shall we have a family picnic? Just the three of us?"

Aurora covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she laughed slightly. "Sure, a family dinner sounds absolutely fantastic."

As Cid held the picnic basket, he held out his hand towards Aurora. She smiled as she put her free hand in his.

Their fingers interlocked as they began to walk across the snowy ground, their footsteps leaving a mark on the white snow, with the moon shining down on them ever so beautifully.

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