See, everything was much more engaging when people could smile! The circumstances hadn't changed any but now she felt much lighter, not so unbearably terrified of it all. When she was expected to do so her hand raised and found its place with Roland's own as if they were entirely accustomed to this. In reality it felt strange, such a genuine and innocent act after that ... After yesterday. They really weren't the innocent types.

When that penultimate question arrived she did a better job at restraining herself, but subconsciously squeezed Roland's hand, as if that might actually comfort him. She could hear Kaine coughing loudly and very pointedly but there were no word from her best friend, and if that wasn't a miracle than nothing else in the known world was. No one else from her side would say a thing, they all believed that this was her choice, one that she was happy with, and so they had no reason. It suddenly dawned on her that Joshua would have been just the same despite everything that happened.

No worthwhile objections, then. She looked back to Burtock but didn't dare say anything, these types of ceremonies didn't involve much on her part, just a bit of talking and then her end of the kiss and for that she was mostly grateful, nastier implications aside.