The Long Road to Novigrad (Part 3) (Page 25)

I was just tricked into marriage... I can say for sure this is the first time I've seen or heard this happening before. I shouldn't have underestimated her, and now I'm stuck. Well played, Ciri. I shouldn't have made a joke like that. I won't back out. Kind of scummy to propose, and she says yes just to tell her it was a joke. It would've been different if she had a panicked reaction, but she played me well. I guess that means I have a fiancé... Go figure. I fool myself into marrying my childhood sweetheart a couple of days after I just met up with her again. It sounds like something Jaskier would write to get laid.

I stay silent as I hear her speak again. "I want to have our wedding at Kaer Morhen with all our friends and family. You'll need to find clothes that are appropriate for getting married to me." She's really into this. She sounds serious too. She may have lost some time in thinking that I'm worthy of her. The more I think about it, the more appealing it gets, though. I can't really see why I shouldn't marry Ciri. I love her.

I hear her list more and more things off as I listen within content silence. Soon, I hear her say something rather strange. "The wedding will have to be secret, though. We don't want undesirable people or hidden enemies just showing up." I should throw her a curveball to slow her down. I have just the question too.

I give a light chuckle as she finally finishes. "How are you going to find a wedding dress that will fit you? If you're pregnant, won't it be hard to find one that will be right for that special day?" I listen to the sweet silence as she thinks for a long time.

I haven't heard her say anything in a few minutes. I guess that really did stump her. I can't help laughing inwardly, typical Ciri. She runs on high till someone presses slow.

I look at her as she is still lying on top of me. "Well... Bollocks... Oh, wait, I have an idea!!" Well, now, I wonder if it's any good. "Why not just get married in Novigrad!? We can have a secret romantic wedding!!" I don't think Geralt or Yen would ever forgive us if we did this without them. Is that even possible in Novigrad? You need a person that can perform the marriage and a witness to testify that it was truly performed. You also have to pay for the service.

I don't want to burst her bubble, but I have to ask. "I don't think Geralt or Yen would be too happy with us if we did this without them. Besides, we need money to have the service. The best thing to do is just get each other rings for now." I see her smile disappear and a look of sadness. Ahh man, I guess we can find some way to do it for free. "However, I don't think it would be too hard..." Her smile brightens up, and it brings me joy too. She sure does have my heart.

I can tell she wants to say something. I rub her shoulder in encouragement to continue. "I see your point about Geralt and Yen, though... Do you really think they'll be mad?" I haven't seen them in a long time. She would know that answer better than me.

I guess she wants my personal opinion on that. "You would know better than me, Ciri... It's been a long time since I've seen them... I don't know how they'd react..." Geralt might be a little grumpy and grumbly, but that's about it. Yen, on the other hand... I don't want to know. She was always overprotective of me. I don't think she would like to miss out on our wedding.

I can feel her wrap her legs around mine in an attempt for more warmth. "I really don't want to wait, Cera... If that means we have to endure their wrath, so be it!!" We sound like reckless teenagers looking to escape our parent's never-ending opinions. I'm not opposed to the secret wedding. I'm just worried about what Yen will say. I don't like to be on the receiving end of her anger. She would probably light my ass on fire.

I'm convinced by her and the sudden idea, quite romantic if I say so, the fact that it's Ciri helps too. Talk about life hitting you head-on. "When we get to Novigrad and settle in, I'll look into it. I think we can find someone who can do a secret wedding." I can feel her squeeze me in a tight hug and feel full of ambition for this to work.

She looks at me while rubbing circles around my chest. "I love you, Cera... Can I cash in now?~" She purrs as she finishes dropping that question on me. As wonderful as that sounds, I don't think doing it on the grass, and the dirt is a good idea. I can promise her that the next time we have a bed we can. I bring my left hand up and brush it through her hair. "Is that a yes?~" I feel her hand make her way further down.

I stop her hand and regain myself. It's easy to lose my common sense with her touch. "I don't like the idea of doing it out here... The next time we have a bed in front of us, I won't deny your request." She gives a knowing sigh. Not one of anger and frustration, but one of understanding.

I guess she can resist as well. Last time we had no control over ourselves. That means we're getting better, right? "I get that, I'll hold you to that promise.~... After all, you would never lie to me.~..." I'm glad that we have this time to ourselves. We have a lot of it now that I think about it. I hope we don't get any less in the future.

~~~(POV Ciri)~~~

I hope that you can forgive me, Yen. I don't have the patience to wait for you to give your blessings and plan the wedding like you might have wanted. "Do you think nice rings are too expensive?" I know he has money, but we can only use it for things we need. I'll admit, I want a beautiful ring. For him and me, that would be lovely.

I hear him laugh a little bit. It makes me smile too. "Yeah, they can run high, but they aren't as much as a sword. I'll get you a good one, I promise. You have to get me one too, you know. I won't pay for that one." Damn, I didn't think of that. I agree I should pay for it, but I have nothing at the moment. I'll have to earn money. Maybe we should take a contract before we get to Novigrad.

I should ask him. It won't be much of a detour, and it's for a good cause. "Can we do a contract or two? I don't have money for a ring." He laughs and runs his fingers through my hair. Sending goosebumps all over me.

He stays silent for a second and ponders. I hear him answer me a second later. "As long as it's doable with the two of us. I don't see a problem. Shouldn't take more than a couple of days either." I'm glad he's giving room in the schedule for this. I don't want to be a bad wife and not get Cera a nice ring like he is for me.

We have a plan. I honestly can't wait for the secret wedding. If Jaskier is in Novigrad, we can have him witness for us. He isn't a stickler like Yen or Geralt.

The fire is keeping us warm in the night, and I find myself falling asleep in Cera's arms. Soon, I'm off to dreamland, having dreams of the future with Cera.

~~~(POV Cera)~~~

I can tell Ciri is asleep now. She holds me a certain way when she is. I find myself drifting off now. I can sleep peacefully knowing that the horses will alarm us if we have uninvited guests. I stay in the position I'm in so Ciri can use my body to sleep on. I'll admit, her softness helps me relax, and I fall asleep quickly.