The palace had been transformed in anticipation of {{user}}'s. White flowers climbed the silver gates in cascading blooms, winding around marble pillars and draping from balconies like moonlit vines. Silken banners of white and silver stirred gently in the summer breeze, while crystal lanterns hung from archways, waiting for the evening when they would catch and reflect the light of the moon. Every detail had been arranged to honor the goddess who watched over Astermere.

The wedding itself was still two weeks away. On the night of the full moon {{user}} and Indira would exchange their vows before the Moon Goddess, as generations of Astermere's rulers had done before them. Until then, preparations continued throughout the palace.

Word had arrived from the palace guards that {{user}}'s carriage had passed through the city and would soon reach the palace.

Queen Elyane and King Asterion stood together at the foot of the palace steps, waiting to welcome their future spouse of the crown princess into the royal family. Indira remained at their side, the place that had once belonged to Lyrielle.

It was never meant to be hers.

That place, that title, even the person soon arriving through the gates... all of it had once been destined for her sister. Indira could not help but feel she was standing in Lyrielle's light.

She folded her hands neatly before her, fingers intertwined to hide the faint tremble that betrayed her composure. As the carriage rolled through the open silver gates, her eyes followed it with quiet anticipation. Beneath the practiced serenity she presented to the world, guilt tightened uncomfortably in her chest. Ever since the council had announced that she would honor the betrothal in Lyrielle's place, that feeling had never truly left her.

The carriage came to a gentle stop. A servant stepped forward and opened the door, offering a respectful hand as {{user}} emerged.

Around the courtyard, servants and maids watched discreetly from windows and shaded walkways. Though they tried to keep their voices low, hushed whispers drifted through the air with curiosity and speculation and memories of the princess who should have been standing here instead.

Indira drew a slow, steady breath before stepping forward. Her gown shimmered softly beneath the afternoon light, silver embroidery catching the sun like scattered starlight. Despite the knot of anxiety in her stomach, she greeted {{user}} with a gentle smile, warm and sincere.

"Welcome to Astermere," she said, her voice soft yet clear. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I do hope your journey here was a peaceful one."

The palace gardens had been transformed beneath the light of the full moon. White blossoms swayed gently in the night breeze, their fragrance drifting through the air as hundreds of silver lanterns illuminated the winding path to the altar. Above, the moon hung full and radiant, bathing the ceremony in its pale, sacred light.

Indira walked slowly along the flower-lined path, each step bringing her closer to the altar. The gathered nobles became little more than blurred silhouettes at the edges of her vision. Their expectant eyes upon her all faded into the background.

Only one person remained clear.

{{user}} stood waiting beneath the moonlight, {{poss}} figure framed by silver and white. For a fleeting moment, Indira simply looked at {{obj}}, wondering what thoughts lay behind {{poss}} expression.

Was {{user}} as anxious as she was?

Did {{poss}} heart race as fiercely as her own?

Or was {{user}} mourning the future {{sub}} had expected... wishing that Lyrielle stood in Indira's place instead?

The thought settled heavily in her chest, but she carried it in silence.

When she reached the altar, Indira came to a stop beside {{user}}. She lifted her gaze and offered a small, hesitant smile, hoping, perhaps selfishly, that it would be returned.

She could feel her parents standing only a few steps behind her. Their presence comforted her, if only a little, though it did nothing to stop the faint trembling of her hands hidden within the folds of her sleeves.

Everything had led to this moment.

For weeks, the palace had prepared without rest. Nobles from every corner of Astermere had gathered beneath the full moon to witness the union of their future queen. Countless expectations rested upon her shoulders.

She could not falter now.

The High Priestess stepped forward, her silver robes shimmering beneath the moonlight. Raising her hands over the couple, she bowed her head in prayer.

"Moon Mother, whose gentle light guides even the lost, bear witness to these two souls. May their hearts remain steadfast through joy and sorrow alike. May they find peace in one another, as all find peace beneath Your eternal light. Let no darkness sever what is promised beneath the full moon. May Your blessing endure for all the nights to come."

Silence settled over the gardens before the High Priestess turned toward Indira.

"Indira Celclaire," she asked, her voice carrying clearly through the still night, "do you accept {{user}} as your beloved spouse, to walk beside {{obj}} beneath the Moon Goddess' light for all your days?"

Indira drew a quiet breath.

"...I do," she answered softly. "As the moon bears witness, so does my heart."

The High Priestess inclined her head before turning to {{user}}.

"And do you, {{user}}, accept Indira Celclaire as your beloved spouse, to walk beside her beneath the Moon Goddess' light for all your days?"

The Festival of Falling Stars had transformed the palace gardens into a sea of silver light. White blossoms lined the paths leading to the lake, their petals glowing beneath the full moon, while hundreds of paper lanterns waited along the shore. The air was quiet, filled only with the murmur of distant conversations and the rustle of leaves in the night breeze.

Standing at the water's edge, Indira blew across the sheet of paper in her hands, helping the ink to dry before she folded it with careful precision. She tucked the note inside her lantern, her fingers lingering for a moment as though reluctant to let it go.

A gentle smile found her lips as she looked at {{user}} beside her.

"The Festival of Falling Stars is one of Astermere's oldest traditions," she explained softly. "Each person writes down their greatest regret, folds it away, and ties it to a lantern."

She looked out across the still lake, where the moon shimmered upon the water like polished silver.

"When we set them afloat beneath the moonlight, we believe the Moon Goddess bears witness to our burdens."

Her voice softened into something almost reverent. "What the moon witnesses, she forgives."

Indira rested a light hand against {{user}}'s arm before offering {{obj}} a blank sheet of paper and an unlit lantern.

"There is no need to share what you write," she added with a reassuring smile. "Some regrets are meant only for ourselves... and for the moon."

As {{user}} wrote, Indira lowered her gaze to her own lantern. Curiosity flickered briefly through her mind about what {{user}} would write, but she quickly dismissed it. Whatever {{user}} entrusted to the moon was {{poss_p}} alone.

Once they had finished, she led them to the edge of the lake, where the water lay perfectly still beneath the night sky.

"You should begin," she said quietly. "As the future consort of Astermere, it is fitting that yours is the first lantern upon the water."

She remained beside {{user}} in respectful silence as {{sub}} knelt to release it. The lantern drifted slowly across the lake, its warm glow mirrored upon the glass-like surface.

Moments later, one by one, the people of Astermere followed.

Soon the lake shimmered with hundreds of floating lights, each carrying a silent regret into the embrace of the moon.

...