SIDE STORY (1)

The day had finally come.

The palace was alive with celebration. Flowers adorned every hallway, silk banners in deep blues and golds hung from the towers, and the scent of sweet pastries and fine wine filled the air. The kingdom had never seen a wedding quite like this.

Because this wasn't just any wedding.

This was the wedding of King Sebastian.

And the man he had spent years loving.

_________________________________________

Sebastian was not nervous.

Absolutely not.

...Okay. Maybe a little.

He stood in front of the grand mirror, dressed in ceremonial robes, the deep navy and gold threads woven with delicate embroidery. His sword hung at his hip-not because he needed it, but because he felt strangely bare without it.

Leon, one of his closest advisors (and the only person brave enough to speak), raised an eyebrow. "You're pale."

"I'm fine," Sebastian said stiffly, adjusting his sleeves for the hundredth time.

"You look like you're about to pass out," Leon corrected.

Sebastian shot him a glare.

Leon smirked. "It's amusing, really. I've seen you fight in battles, stare down enemies without flinching-yet here you are, panicking over a wedding."

Sebastian was not panicking.

He just...

It was Alex.

The one person who had seen him at his worst. Who had stood by him through war, exile, heartbreak, and revenge.

And now, somehow, against all odds-

Alex had chosen him.

Sebastian exhaled. "I just... I don't want to mess this up."

Leon clapped him on the back. "You won't."

Sebastian didn't look convinced.

But then-

The bells rang.

And suddenly, it was time.

_________________________________________

Sebastian stood at the altar, waiting.

And then-

Alex appeared.

Sebastian forgot how to breathe.

He had seen Alex in many forms-battle-worn, covered in blood, exhausted from long days of work.

But this-

This was different.

Alex wasn't in his usual butler attire. Instead, he wore a dark suit with gold embroidery, fitted perfectly to his frame. His hair was slightly tousled, just the way Sebastian liked it.

And the way he walked-calm, unshaken, like this was just another ordinary day-

It was so Alex that Sebastian nearly laughed.

But then Alex looked at him.

And smiled.

And Sebastian swore he felt his heart break and mend at the same time.

________________________________________

Sebastian was not emotional.

But as he took Alex's hands, looking into those sharp, knowing eyes, he realized something terrifying:

He might actually cry.

"Sebastian," Alex began, his voice steady. "You have always been the most frustrating man I've ever met."

A chuckle rippled through the guests.

Sebastian smirked. "Charming start."

Alex squeezed his hands. "But... you're also the man I trust the most. The one who makes my worst days bearable. The one who-" He hesitated, exhaling softly. "The one I want to stand beside for the rest of my life."

Sebastian's throat tightened.

It was so simple. So effortlessly Alex.

And yet, it shattered him.

Then it was his turn.

Sebastian took a breath.

"Alex," he said, voice quieter than usual. "You were supposed to be my butler."

Alex smirked. "Technically, I still am."

Sebastian rolled his eyes but continued. "But somewhere along the way, you became... everything. My balance. My reason. My-" He stopped, swallowing hard.

His home.

"I love you," he finally said, voice raw. "And I always will."

The officiant smiled. "Then by the power vested in me-"

"Wait," Alex interrupted.

Sebastian blinked. "What?"

Alex tilted his head. "Aren't you going to kiss me first?"

The crowd roared with laughter.

Sebastian grinned. "You're impossible."

But then-

He kissed him.

And the world melted away.

_______________________________________

The reception was chaos.

Drunken knights. Loud music. People shouting toasts every five minutes.

And Sebastian?

Sebastian spent most of it staring at Alex.

Alex, who had abandoned his formal coat an hour ago. Alex, who was currently standing by the dessert table, casually eating cake like he hadn't just become a king's husband.

Sebastian walked over, arms crossed. "You're awfully calm."

Alex took another bite. "Mmm. I like weddings."

"Oh, do you?"

Alex smirked. "I especially like ours."

Sebastian sighed, leaning against the table. "You realize you're officially mine now, right?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "I've always been yours."

Sebastian froze.

Then Alex grinned and stole another bite of cake.

Sebastian groaned. "Gods, I married a menace."

Alex only laughed. "And yet, somehow, you still love me."

Sebastian huffed. "I do."

And as the celebration carried on into the night-

Sebastian thought, for once, that he finally, finally, had everything he had ever wanted.