Kiss Me Not

"V-Vows?"

"Well, isn't that just normal?" Cain chuckled to her. "If you want, I can start."

Kimmy had no idea had to respond. All she could manage was a small nod as she then listened to her husband's words.

"Kimberly, I've known you for what felt like ages now. I didn't think we'd be here standing in front of the altar, but here we are," Cain began, a warm smile spread across his face as he gingerly held her hand. "And while we both already know that we both love each other, I'm going to take this opportunity to reaffirm that notion."

"Cain…"

"I love you, Kimberly. I love you for as long as you'll have me," Cain sincerely affirmed. "It's never gonna change, and even if I get into another accident, I'll do my best to crawl out of death just to be with you again."

Hearing his words, Kimmy just couldn't help but sob as her emotions finally overwhelmed her. Tears flowed freely through her rosy cheeks, her wide smile making her glow with love and affection for the man that she was about to marry twice now.

"So, my love, will you let me put this ring on you again?"

She couldn't help but chuckle at the brief levity her husband gave to his speech. "O-of course…"

Feeling her wedding ring rest on her finger again, Kimmy knew that it was her turn to take the mic.

"C-Cain… Ever since that day, I never thought that we'd be here… And I know it might sound like I'm just repeating everything you just said, but…" she trailed off, taking another deep breath as she struggled through her tears. "I really thought I lost you… I thought you were gone, and that I'll never get the happiness I found with you…"

Her husband said no words, simply holding onto her hand tightly for support as he let her speak. "Cain… I love you… I love you so much… I know I said that I'll move on… but I honestly thought about ending it all back then…"

"Kimberly…"

"That's all in the past now," she smiled, her unending love and gratitude making her glow as her heart sang for the man in front of her. "We're here now, and I wouldn't have it any other way…"

With the tears making it hard for her to see, her hands shakily raised his, the ring that he once wore now on her fingers, ready for her to give it to him once more.

"Cain… as long as we're wearing our rings… I promise I'll be there for you…" Kimmy tearfully declared. "For as long as I shall live… I'll never let you go…"

***

The wedding was both opulent and well-broadcasted. The whole nation was witness to one of the most high-profile events of the century, and all rejoiced at the joyous occasion that was Princess Kimmy and Prince Cain's wedding.

Of course, the heartfelt vows and the loving kiss between the two didn't completely overshadow the fact that Prince Cedric was back in the country, and was even poised to take the throne from his twin, Prince Gavin. Already, the nation was abuzz with potential rumors of how such a thing came to be. The cameras might've been for the primary event which was the royal wedding, but some of them were there solely to point at the returning prince and his potential escapades. Cedric expected this, of course. But still…

"I didn't think I'd get this many cameras pointed at me," the returning prince lamented as he sat at his table at the reception. "This is supposed to be the royal couple's time to shine, not me being pestered for interviews and economic plans."

"What did you expect? You're about to rule this country, after all," Will chuckled beside him. "It's just natural that everyone's eyes will all be on you and your potential political agendas."

"I don't even have one lined up yet," Cedric bemoaned his fate. "I mean, sure, I expected to do some ruling as King of this place, but thinking about all of the economic and military jargon that comes with it is just making my head hurt."

"Don't be like that. Just think of it as a resource-management game," Will joked to him. "Granted, it's in real life and you're actually running a country instead of a makeshift fake faction in a game."

"And isn't that exactly the problem?" Cedric sighed. "They're all looking at me like I'll steer this country to the next era. I'm not that great of a politician."

"And yet you're the one we've got," Will smiled. "Besides, I'm sure you'll do a fine job. Humility is one of the best traits you can have as a ruler, right?"

"Maybe," the prince sighed. "I just wish I don't have to shoulder all the responsibility. I still have a lot to learn here."

"Isn't that what advisors are for?" Will chuckled. "Hell, you can rope Cain in with you to share your pain if you want."

All of a sudden, a malicious glint twinkled in Cedric's eyes. Sparing a look at the groom, he deviously chuckled. "Well, would you look at that… Maybe I don't need to have that conversation with you after all."

"Cedric?"

"Yes?"

"What're you thinking of doing?"

Cedric could only chuckle as he kept his eyes trained on the man of the hour. In hindsight, he probably should've thought about it in the first place, but he'll chalk it up as growing pains of being a new ruler.

"He's already the royal doctor anyway. I might as well give him a promotion of some sort," Cedric planned ahead. "It would be a shame if he suddenly got more work to do other than being all lovey-dovey with my cousin, right?"

"Cedric, are you sure you're actually free of all influence?" Will joked aloud.

"Oh, I most certainly am," the vampire chuckled to himself. "I'm just showing a bit of my actual strengths, is all."

If there was one thing he was good at, it was adapting to his situation. Cedric will be a new king, sure, but he'll be a damn good one by the end of it. It also wouldn't hurt if he could pass on the pain of paperwork to his best friends, aside from Will of course.