Over the next few days, after looking for the perfect suit and dress, both Coco and Kairo got kept busy with their daily tasks around the city.

Between training, studying, hunting for monsters outside the walls, and planning for the wedding, the days were filled with plenty of things to do, so they didn’t have much time to be around each other.

During the past month, since the doctor said that she got two of her beloved mediators pregnant, she has busied herself on working.

But who knew that preparing for a wedding would make them this busy?

Now, a few days later, Coco and Kairo found themselves walking down the quiet halls of the large castle— both of them headed toward Cleora’s office.

Kairo walked closely by Coco’s side, his hand gently holding in hers in his grasp as they made their way towards their destination.

The walk was mostly quiet, save for the soft thump of their footsteps on the carpet, the two didn’t say much until they reached the heavy oak door to Cleora’s office. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The walk had been long and tiring, the both of them a little too drained to even consider making small talk, but they understood that the silence between them was a comfortable one instead of awkward.

Due to this, Kairo couldn’t stop himself and gave his bride’s hand a light squeeze, letting her know he was there without having to say a word.

Coco glanced up at him when she felt his hand giving her a squeeze, making a soft smile emerge across her lips and flashing him that familiar smile that caused his heart to flutter.

They were silent for another second before she lifted her hand and lightly knocked on the door to Cleora’s office.

Knock, knock, knock.

On the third knock, the door swung open immediately— as if Cleora had been waiting right on the other side of the wooden door.

Coco froze in surprise at how quickly it opened, her fist still slightly raised from knocking.

The owner of the castle herself peeked out, her sharp eyes scanning the hall before landing on them both.

There was a pause as she took in their tired expressions and intertwined hands, her gaze glued to them for a moment before her eyes softened ever so slightly.

"..Did you two need something?" Cleora asked, lifting a single eyebrow.

"Hi, mama!" Coco greeted the older woman cheerfully. "We have finished choosing what we want to wear for our wedding, but we haven’t decided on the cake and other things yet."

Coco’s smile was bright as she spoke to Cleora, the exhaustion from the day fading slightly.

She kept her fingers linked with the hybrid’s, gesturing between the two of them as she answered her mother’s question.

Cleora, in return, nodded her head silently, her gaze flickering between them for a minute and simply staring before stepping back— gesturing for them to come inside.

Coco beamed as she tugged Kairo inside, immediately situating herself on the couch in front of Cleora’s desk.

She gave the hybrid’s hand another squeeze before letting go and folding her hands in her lap, trying to not show any of the fatigue in her expression, nor her eyes.

Kairo followed a beat later, taking a seat next to his fiancé.

He, too, had a small smile on his face, though the exhaustion was slightly more obvious in his expression because of the slight crease on his eyebrows.

When the two of them made themselves comfortable on the couch, that was when Cleora finally closed the door.

She walked towards them, her steps light and graceful as she crossed the room to her desk.

She pulled her chair back and lowered herself down onto the cushion, her expression unreadable as she folded her hands in her lap.

There was a moment of stillness, the room eerily silent as she studied the pair.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke, her quiet voice cutting through the silence like a hot knife cutting through butter.

"Okay." Cleora started and cleared her throat, "Have you decided what type of cake you want for the reception yet? Or would you like me to get it done instead?"

Coco shook her head slightly, a small frown forming on her lips.

She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve, her expression caught between reluctance and obligation as she shifted her attention to the floor to the woman before her.

"Well.." She started, sighing. "We all know that I don’t really like choosing between things, but since this situation is different.."

Kairo leaned forward in his seat when he sensed the struggle in Coco’s voice.

His hand subconsciously moved to rest over hers on her lap, a silent show of support as he glanced at Cleora expectantly, his eyebrows furrowing.

If she could read words through eyes, then she would have known that Kairo is begging.

He’s begging to just get the preparation over with.

Cleora let out a sigh, her eyes closing for a moment, and there was a hint of resignation in her face, even more so when she started speaking.

She already knew Coco’s answer before she even said it anyway.

"Right." The older woman muttered, shaking her head. "You’re not decisive enough to know what you want when it comes to these things. I have forgotten, because you seemed to know what you wanted on the get go when we first met."

Coco winced ever so slightly at the slight jab, but didn’t argue.

Kairo’s hand tightened over hers briefly, his thumb rubbing comforting circles against her skin, because Cleora’s words must have hit a nerve.

"This and that are different." Coco grumbled, trying to defend herself a little.

But she knew better.

"I know." Cleora stated bluntly, leaning back into her chair to cross her arms. "So? Did you two just come here to talk? What was your purpose? Didn’t I already give you all the permission you need to use my people?"