As the words faded, the hall fell quiet. Every eye swung to Darren—whose own brows had lifted in surprise.
Me? The wedding officiant? We're not that close.
"Darren-san, this is the wish of His Majesty Neptune and Queen Otohime," Minister Turtle murmured urgently at his side.
Darren looked to the royal couple. Neptune nodded with a gentle smile. Otohime, all soft sincerity, said, "Darren-san, you saved Fish-Man Island from those vile pirates. It would be our great honor if you would officiate our wedding."
He hesitated—then remembered the bronze statue in Gyoncorde Plaza. Ah. I see.
"Bwahaha! Go on, Young Darren!" Garp crowed, giving him a friendly shove. "If King Neptune himself asks, how could you refuse?"
"In that case," Darren said, "I won't."
He stepped onto the red carpet and walked toward the dais under a hundred watchful gazes.
They're really placing their bet on this Marine.
Understandable. Rogers Darren is the Marines' most sought-after officer, heavy with influence—and, rumor has it, deeply trusted by the World Government. If they win his backing and protection, many of the Fish-Men's troubles might finally ease.
Such whispers flickered through the crowd as he reached the platform and faced the king and queen.
"My apologies, Vice Admiral Darren," Neptune said, faintly abashed. "We should have told you beforehand."
"It was my idea," Otohime added softly. "Ryugu Palace will make amends after."
"No need," Darren said with an easy smile. "I'm here to offer my congratulations."
He understood their position—and felt a twist of sympathy for a race living at the mercy of the seas. A king would never ask a mere Vice Admiral to officiate a royal wedding unless something thorny pressed at the palace gates. If they wanted his shield, he was willing. The Fish-Men were a force in the ocean; he'd been looking for a way to fold their strength into his Submersible Unit to coordinate with his Flying Fleet.
At his assent, Neptune and Otohime's faces lit with relief.
Darren straightened and let his voice settle into a solemn cadence. "I, Rogers Darren, Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, am honored to officiate this wedding.
"Bride and groom, please take each other's hands and listen carefully."
He turned to Neptune. "Groom, in the name of love, do you pledge—through good times and bad, wealth and poverty, health and sickness—to stay by her side for life, never forsake her, and cherish her always?"
Neptune's eyes shone as he looked at Otohime. "I do."
Darren turned with a smile. "Bride, in the name of love, do you pledge—through good times and bad, wealth and poverty, health and sickness—to stay by his side for life, never forsake him, and cherish him always?"
Otohime's eyes glistened. "I do."
"Excellent! Then let us give the happy couple a thunderous round of applause and share this wonderful moment!"
He brought his hands together.
Clap, clap, clap—
Laughter and applause rose as the music swelled anew. Lights brightened; the reception began in earnest. Smiling guests cleared a space, and Neptune and Otohime stepped into their first dance. Couples soon followed, the floor filling with motion and color.
"Vice Admiral Darren, may I have this dance?" A royal consort in a flowing court gown drifted over, lashes fluttering. "It would be a chance for you to experience just how supple my body is."
The invitation broke a dam. Noblewomen, madams, consorts, and princesses surged forward, eyes burning as they pressed in. Across the room, more than one royal's face darkened by shades.
"Of course," Darren said with a wicked half-smile. "But whom should I honor first?"
Whoosh—
The fevered crowd of beauties snapped into a tidy line.
Tokikake: …
Even Darren blinked, surprised by their eagerness.
"Perhaps Darren-san would dance with me first?"
A white wedding gown glided into the open space, smile bright as a bell. Darren turned to Queen Otohime's radiant poise and chuckled. "Of course, Your Majesty."
"My apologies, ladies," he added with a charming smile. "Her Majesty is the star of the day—her invitation comes first."
All they could do was watch as Otohime led him to the center. Soft music unfurled; Darren took her hand, set the other politely at her waist, and they began to move.
"Vice Admiral Darren is very popular," Otohime said lightly, hand resting on his shoulder, the distance between them proper enough to banish rumor.
It was the usual custom for the wedding party to exchange dances, a small grace among nobility. She looked up at his impossibly handsome face and blinked playfully. "All the ladies are captivated. I doubt they'll sleep tonight."
"Oh? Is that so?" Darren's laugh was easy. "What about Queen Otohime?"
Her smile slipped; her step faltered by a breath.
"Hahaha, just kidding," he said, winking. "Now that I belong to you, Your Majesty, you're responsible for me."
To be continued...