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“Fairy tales are a wonderful thing,” Ciara dared to speak. “She lulled me to sleep with them, and I will never forget her kind and compassionate spirit.”

“I wish she taught you other things as well,” her mother scoffed.

Ciara bit her tongue before stating that it was a mother’s job to teach her child everything it needed to know to be a good human being.

“Like perfection?” Uncle Brendan interjected, steering the conversation back. “We were not made to be perfect. I, you, Ciara my dear, and even you, Your Grace. As such, we are prone to mistakes, but sometimes, those mistakes end up being serendipitous chances in which fate works. Don’t you agree?”

Ciara wasn’t certain who he was referring to, but Jonathan was the first one to respond. “I couldn’t agree more, Lord Hopwich. I have never been a man of perfection myself.”

Ciara almost chuckled at the words. If she didn’t know any better, she could have sworn that he said those words to contradict her mother, who was taken aback by the comment.

“Well, yes, of course,” her mother added, clearing her throat. “I did not mean perfection ineveryaspect of one’s life. Just… generally, you know?”

“Yes, I’m sure His Grace knows, Bridget,” Uncle Brendan nodded, taking Ciara’s hand into his own and squeezing it tightly, a sign of his support. He always knew what to do and say to make her feel better. “Now, I am certain that they have better things to do after a wedding breakfast than entertain us old folks. We should leave them so their new life can finally commence.”

“Yes, of course,” Ciara’s mother nodded, locking arms with her husband. Ciara could see that they didn’t like how that conversation turned out. They didn’t like it one bit, and it made Ciara feel glad that not everyone fell for their theatrics.

“Thank you again for coming,” Ciara managed to muster. “I look forward to seeing you soon, Uncle.”

“Of course, my dear.” Uncle Brendan embraced her tightly. “Just because you are married now doesn’t mean that you will get rid of me that easily.”

“The thought never crossed my mind, Uncle,” she smiled, feeling relieved.

Her father offered Jonathan his hand, and Jonathan shook it. When her father leaned closer to her, she flinched, unconsciously taking a step back.

“Your presence was… appreciated,” she said, unable to choose another word.

Her mother smiled, but there was malice behind that smile which made it even worse as it came from a mother. At least, from someone who was supposed to be one even if she never possessed the qualities of one.

“Goodbye, Ciara, my child,” her mother said, using that painful reminder of them being connected forever. “Do behave yourself.”

“I always do, Mother,” she said through clenched teeth, swallowing heavily. She could not wait for them to leave.

That was when Jonathan gently nudged her elbow, turning to her. “Ciara, my dear, there is someone else who wishes to say goodbye,” he said, pointing at Adeline.

“Goodbye,” Ciara said, turning away from her parents and allowing Jonathan to lead her to her friend, feeling as if a huge burden had just been lifted off her back.

“I never thought I would see the day, old boy,” Hector spoke in a whisper as the two men huddled away from the rest of the remaining party. Jonathan gave Ciara a moment alone with her best friend, deciding to seize one for himself as well.

“I know,” he whispered back as their gazes followed the small group of people that were left, readying to leave as well. “Pigs must have taken flight somewhere in the world.”

Hector chuckled at his phrase. Jonathan had to chuckle himself because he still couldn’t believe what was happening.

“It is like a dream,” Jonathan said cautiously.

“You mean, a nightmare?” Hector corrected him.

“Mhm,” Jonathan said although it wasn’t entirely true. “I am hoping that a part of it might actually be a dream… in bed.”

Hector glanced at his friend. “Oh,” he chuckled again. “I see you haven’t changed.”

“One signature cannot do that,” Jonathan clarified. “This is just… an adjustment.”

“A minor inconvenience?” Hector teased as the two men spoke quietly, not wishing anyone to overhear them.

“Not even an inconvenience,” Jonathan admitted.

“Marrying an oblate? How can it be anything other than that?” Hector sounded incredulous.