"Y-your highness! Your father, he has returned!"
A young servant ran frantically through the corridors of the castle before opening a large wooden door.
Sonic looked up at the doorway and placed a finger against his lips as the servant entered the room. The young servant opened his eyes in shock as he saw a purple-furred hedgehog sleeping in his master's bed with Sonic sat in a chair next to it.
He looked up at the young male with a questionable expression and noticed that he now had a soft smile present on his face.
Shh, she's asleep... now, did you say that my father was here?"
"Y-yes... he has returned from his long journey."
Sonic nodded his head as he stood up from his chair and gently caressed Kirana's cheek before walking over to the young servant.
Thank you, Ganix... I shall speak with him now."
Ganix bowed his head as he gently placed a hand on Sonic's shoulder.
"F-forgive me, your highness. May I ask why there is a young woman upon your bed? N-not that I mean to impune upon your privacy, of course!"
The young prince smiled as he gently took Kirana's hand into his own before pointing to the ring present on her finger.
"We are engaged, Ganix."
Ganix let out a small gasp as he looked over at the young girl, who was still asleep.
"Is that... Miss Sterling?"
Sonic smiled as he placed Kirana's hand back onto the bed and followed Ganix as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"Yes, she has been my maid for many years... and I wish to marry her."
"B-but... will your father approve of this, your highness?"
Sonic patted Ganix's back before walking past him and heading towards the staircase.
"Don't worry, I will go and talk to him now."
---------------------
"Arthur, is my son here? I wish to speak with him..."
An elder blue-furred hedgehog with brown eyes, named Julien smiled as he entered the entrance of the castle, his servant following behind.
His servant bowed his head as he used his quill to write down some information.
"Yes, your majesty... he will be here with Ganix very soon."
The elder king bowed his head as he looked around the entrance, actively looking for his son.
"Good. I feel that it is about time for my son to marry..."
"Father!"
As the king heard a voice, he smiled as he noticed a young blue hedgehog ascending down the stairway and held his arms out.
"Son! There you are!"
Sonic chuckled as he ran over to Julien and wrapped his arms around him, giving him a gentle, yet excited hug.
"It's so good to see you, father! I have some news!"
Julien chuckled as he placed a hand on his shoulder and began to walk beside him.
"Why am I not surprised, my boy? You're the life of the party here in Avalon!"
Sonic chuckled as he leaned in to his father's ear and whispered.
"I have found the love of my life and I have proposed to her."
Julien gasped and trapped Sonic's head into a headlock, ruffling his hair.
"Ahh, happy day, my son!"
Sonic chuckled once again and tried to escape his father's grasp.
"H-hey, don't mess up my armor, father~!"
"Sorry, my son... now, where is this beautiful bride of yours?"
As Sonic was about to speak, he was interrupted by a small yawning sound. He looked up at the top of the stairway and smiled as he noticed a young purple-furred hedgehog gently rub her eyes as she descended.
Sonic leaned over to Julien and whispered in his ear once again.
"There she is, father."
Julien looked up at the young female and smiled as she got to the bottom of the stairway and hurriedly began to tidy herself up as she noticed his presence. She performed a curtsey as she attempted to hide her long white night gown with her hands.
"Y-your highness! F-forgive me for not wearing the proper attire!"
Julien chuckled as he walked over to the young female and gently took her hand into his own.
"It is alright, my dear. I apologise for arriving here at such an early time, you may return to bed whenever you wish."
Kirana smiled as Julien proceeded to place a gentle kiss upon her hand before looking back at Sonic.
"This young lady is very kind and beautiful, my son... you have made a fine choic-- wait a second, isn't this Miss Sterling?"
Sonic smiled as Kirana let out a small nervous giggle, not sure what Julien would think.
"Y-Yes I am, Your highness."
As Kirana nervously awaited Julien's response, Sonic gently placed a hand on her shoulder as he spoke.
"I know she is not from royalty, father... but I have loved her for many years and to me, she is the perfect woman to become Queen of Avalon."
Julien smiled and nodded his head as he released Kirana's hand.
"She doesn't have to be royalty, my son. Just as long as you are both happy, I will arrange the ceremony at once!"
Sonic and Kirana happily wagged their tails as Julien gave his approval and Sonic quickly wrapped his arms around his father's neck and gave him a hug.
"Thank you, father! Thank you!"
Julien chuckled as Sonic released him and clicked his fingers. Within a few seconds, a young burgandy-furred hedge-bat, wearing a long dark purple maid's dress entered the room and bowed her head.
"Excellent, I shall make the preparations straight away! In a week, you two shall be wed! Ilexa, I want you to make sure that Miss Sterling receives a dress worthy of what she desires."
Ilexa bowed her head and smiled as she took Kirana's arm into her own.
"Yes, your highness. Come, Miss Sterling..."
Kirana smiled and nodded as she walked beside Ilexa.
Julien chuckled softly as he wrapped an arm around Sonic's shoulder and walked beside him.
"Now, my son... I believe we have some things to discuss about the ceremony."
Sonic smiled and nodded his head as he followed him.
"Yes, father."
--------------------------
*In the bridal chamber*
As Kirana walked into the bridal chamber, she let out a small gasp at the sight of many beautiful dresses, hung upon wooden railings.
"These are all so beautiful! How can I choose just one?!"
Ilexa let out a small giggle from Kirana's excitement and watched as she gently felt the material on the one of the dresses between her fingers.
"They are all designed by the dress-maker in the village, Lady Myla."
Kirana followed as Ilexa lead her over to a silk-ladened chair and sat in it. As she sat down, however, she soon heard a light tapping sound on the door.
Ilexa turned her head to the door and smiled.
"Come in."
As the door opened, two young women peeked around the door and smiled. The first was a brown-furred echidna who wore a brown-hued long sleeved dress with a with a cream-coloured wimple. The second was a white-furred bat, who was dressed in a long dark grey dress with a brown wimple.
"Ah, Miss Sterling, this is Lady Maia and my sister, Lady Rouge. They will assist you in trying on the many dresses we have available. Please, pick any of the dresses you like here."
Kirana smiled as she looked around in excitement and scurried around the room, admiring the many dresses.
"Thank you so much!"
---------------------------
*Meanwhile, in the main castle hall...*
"Ok, so the details have been decided?"
Julien turned to face Sonic as he sat beside him at the table. The blue-furred male nodded his head as he turned to face Ganix and Arthur, who were also sat at the table.
"Yes, father. I believe Kirana wishes for the wedding to be traditional. Not too sure about the colour theme though..."
Arthur wrote down a few words onto some scroll paper with his quill before looking over to Sonic and Julien and beginning to speak.
"Perhaps purple and blue? To compliment his and her majesty's pelt colours?"
Julien pondered for a few seconds before smiling and nodding his head.
"Excellent idea, Arthur! What do you think, son?"
Sonic nodded as he leaned over to Arthur's scroll paper and watched him write.
"I like it! It's pretty different but I feel like it would work well. Especially if we get blue and purple flowers, I think Kirana would love that."
Ganix nodded as he watched everyone rise to their feet. He followed suit and shook Sonic and Julien's hands.
"Good, then it's all settled. Prince Sonic and Lady Kirana shall be wed on the 14th. We shall take care of the arrangements, your highness."
Julien nodded his head as he walked out of the room beside Sonic.
"Very good, Ganix."
------------------
*Time skip (a week later, the day of the wedding)*
Julien smiled proudly as he helped his son into a blue tunic, lined with silver thread with leather embroided into the fabric. A long blue cape flowed down the prince's back and a black belt was wrapped around his waist with a golden buckle attached to the centre.
Under the tunic Sonic wore a dark blue long-sleeved shirt with a pair of skin-tight black breeches and long brown boots on his bottom half.
As Sonic pulled the boots onto his feet and stood up to face the mirror in front of him, Julien placed a hand on his shoulder and looked in the mirror also.
"My wedding attire fits you like a glove, son. You look exactly as I did when I married your mother."
Sonic smiled as he adjusted the collar of his tunic.
"Thank you, father."
As Sonic finished adjusting his tunic, he looked back at Julien, who was gently rubbing his shoulder with his hand.
"Your mother would have been so proud..."
The young prince let out a sad sigh as he looked up at the ceiling, lowering his ears a bit.
"Y-yeah..."
Julien gently pulled Sonic closer to him, hugging him gently in his arm.
"She's watching you from above, son and I can bet you that she's very proud of you at this moment."
Sonic nodded as his smile began to return and he turned to Julien, letting out a small nervous sigh.
"Well, this is it... you ready, son?"
The young prince nodded his head as he left the room before heading to the hall. Julien smiled proudly as he watched his son enter the hall.
"Good luck, my boy."
--------------------------
Meanwhile, Julien headed to the bridal chamber to greet and give away young Kirana, due to her father's recent passing.
He gently tapped on the door and listened as a voice spoke.
"Come in."
Julien opened the door and peeked around it before letting out a small gasp.
There, stood in front of a mirror, was Kirana wearing a long lilac-coloured dress with intricate laced patterns woven into the fabric and a long lilac veil, pinned back from her face. Her quills were curled and draping slightly over her muzzle.
Julien stepped forward and gently took Kirana's hand into his own before placing a gentle kiss upon it.
"Oh, Miss Sterling... you look... exquisite."
Kirana let out a small giggle as a slight blush appeared on her muzzle.
"T-thank you, your highness."
Julien released Kirana's hand as she unpinned her veil, allowing it to fall over her face and then offered his arm to her.
"Shall we?"
Kirana nodded as she linked arms with Julien and the two walked toward the hall.
---------------------
*In the hall...*
Many citizens, lords, ladies, dukes and duchesses were muttering amongst themselves as they awaited the arrival of their new queen.
Many children, in particular, chatted excitedly to one another.
"I cannot wait to see the new queen!"
"Me too! I bet she looks so beautiful!"
Stood at the front of the hall, the priest smiled as he bowed his head to the young prince.
"It is an exciting day for you, your highness."
Sonic gulped and chuckled nervously as he smiled at the priest.
"I-indeed... though I cannot help but feel a bit nervous."
"It is only natural, your highness. But believe me, once you see your wife walk down the aisle... all of your troubles will disappear."
Sonic nodded and was about to respond when he suddenly heard a soft tune being played by lute, followed by the soft strums of a harp.
The door of the hall opened and the many citizens sat in the aisle rose to their feet and watched in awe as their new queen walked down the aisle, her arm still linked with Julien's.
A little girl in the audience smiled widely as she pulled on her mother's dress and spoke up to her, excitedly.
<i>"Mommy, she looks so beautiful!"</i>
The mother smiled down at her daughter and responded with a soft speaking voice.
"She does, but hush my child... we are not allowed to speak during this part of the ceremony."
The little girl pouted slightly before quietly sneaking out of the seating area and onto the aisle itself. She ran up to Kirana and looked up at her with awe.
Meanwhile, her mother covered her mouth as she whisper-shouted her daughter's name.
"Sofia! Come back here!"
Kirana and Julien noticed the young girl in the middle of the aisle and stopped in front of her. Kirana smiled at Julien before temporarily unlinking arms with him. She looked down at the little girl as she slowly kneeled down to her level.
The little girl looked up at Kirana shyly and held out a small passion flower.
"I... I g-got this flower for you... y-you're really pretty."
The young female let out a small giggle before taking the flower from the little girl and placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
"Thank you, little one. Between you and me... I forgot to bring my flowers for the service! This flower will be perfect."
The little girl happily wagged her tail from the comment and curtseyed before running back to her mother and standing beside her.
Kirana rose to her feet and linked arms with Julien once again, smiling at him. Julien returned the smile and whispered to her as they approached the front of the hall.
"You have such a kind heart, Miss Sterling. I can see why my son chose you to be his wife..."
"Thank you, your highness."
As they approached Sonic's position, Julien placed another gentle kiss upon Kirana's hand before releasing it and walking over to his position.
The young female smiled as she stood next to Sonic and blushed a light shade of pink as the young prince looked at her in awe and smiled softly.
<i>"You look so beautiful, my queen."</i>
Kirana felt her blush become more prominent from the comment and was thankful that her veil was now covering her face.
"T-thank you, my king... y-you look very dashing."
Sonic let out a small chuckle as he faced the priest and joined hands with Kirana.
"My citizens, lords, ladies, dukes and duchesses. I welcome you all in celebrating the marriage of Prince Sonic Maurice and Lady Kirana Madeline Sterling. Not only will today mark the wedding of this couple but it will also mark the day of Prince Sonic and Lady Kirana's coronation. With his majesty's permission, Prince Sonic will take his place as the new king of our land and Lady Kirana will rule beside him as the new queen."
Sonic and Kirana shared a smile as the priest continued to talk.
-------------------
*Near the end of the ceremony...*
"To make the union of Prince Sonic and Lady Kirana official, Lord Miles and Lady Ilexa will now present the rings and Prince Sonic and Lady Kirana will exchange them. As well as this, they shall also bestow the crowns upon their heads."
A young two-tailed fox smiled as he walked forward, holding a small silk cushion with Sonic's ring and his crown placed upon it. He then bowed his head as the priest picked up the crown and placed it onto Sonic's head before handing the ring to him.
Ilexa then proceeded to walk forward as she bowed her head, holding out a small silk cushion with Kirana's crown and ring placed upon it. The priest then proceeded to pick up the crown and placed it upon Kirana's head before handing the ring to her.
Sonic smiled as he slid the ring onto Kirana's finger and gently placed a kiss upon it. Kirana smiled as she slid her ring onto Sonic's and then turned back to the priest.
"With these rings placed upon their fingers and the crowns upon their head, Prince Sonic and Lady Kirana have been connected with the bonds of love and are by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce this couple husband and wife and the new rulers of Avalon."
Sonic smiled as he lifted Kirana's veil and leaned forward. His lips touched hers and the hedgies share a tender kiss.
The crowd cheered and applauded the newlyweds as the kiss soon came to an end and Kirana let out a small giggle as Sonic rubbed his nose against hers in a loving manner.
The two hedgies interlinked fingers as they walked down the aisle, the crowd continuing to cheer and applaud around them.
As they walked, Sonic smiled as he leaned his head closer to Kirana's and whispered into her ear, tenderly.
"Kirana, my darling... we are finally wed."
Kirana giggled excitedly as she whispered back to him in response.
"Yes, I... I am so happy, my darling~!"
Sonic chuckled from Kirana's excitement and gently wrapped an arm around her as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"You are so cute, you know that~? Come on, let's go to the banquet."
