"The place you have been so far, that is just the outer area. One side you have towns, towns for the dead and on the other side, there is a path that leads to the gates. But no one can cross without the Seventh card of Grim's," said Lucas to her, "What you will find is a forest with thick creepers hanging around. The deeper and further you go inside, you will come to see a river. A river that has murky water that is black in colour, "Rower is the one who rows people and the souls who come to pa.s.s through the gates for salvation. You must have seen some people who place coins on the dead's eyes."
Belle nodded her head to this.
"The coins that are placed here changes to a currency that is used in the land of the dead. Rower takes the coins as fare for the ride in his ferry."
"Wait why do people need currency there?" Belle asked confused. A place which was barren and broken, where creatures lurked and killed she didn't understand the use of coins there.
Lucas only smiled at her question, "When I said towns for the dead, it didn't mean the creatures lurks. There are reapers who take the form of their own. A life that exists where one can work, meet, drink," this was something she had never expected to hear.
So it seemed like if the person didn't have a penny to spare and their reaper didn't take them there themselves it would mean the soul would be lost and turn corrupt.
Reaching the venue where the wedding was going to take place in the small church, Belle stepped down from the carriage after Lucas by taking his hand. There weren't many people who had gathered for Pauline's wedding. From the bride's side it appeared that it was just Belle, Lucas and Simon who had come. And from the groom's side, there was the man's family members and some cousins and friends.
By the time they got married, Belle was happy to see Pauline happy. There weren't many people who she got along with and Pauline was a friend she cared about.
"She looks happy," said Simon who stood next to Lucas as the Lucas stood between Belle and Simon.
"She does," Belle agreed.
Simon didn't hold back his tongue and asked, "When are you planning to get married to him? Are you planning to marry Belle?" the question was directed to Lucas.
"Always poking your nose. Keep poking and you will end up with a broken nose," said Lucas in a calm voice while looking at the bride and groom who had turned husband and wife a few minutes ago.
Belle shushed Simon, "Go find a girl for yourself and keep yourself busy," she smiled looking at her friend who sent her a wink. When Simon left to go greet the people from the Pauline's husband's side, Belle said, "Don't mind him. He speaks a lot and gets nosy but he means well."
"Hmm," came the response from Lucas and Belle wondered if Lucas was bothered with what Simon said.
Though somewhere it hurt thinking he might not want things that the mortals did in this world, she didn't want to force him to do something that would go against who he was. If someone were to hear that a death reaper was marrying a mortal of this world, they would laugh. No, they wouldn't laugh, they would hunt both Lucas as well as her. A death reaper was not supposed to keep feelings like that yet Lucas had opened up to her.
It wasn't a lot but it was enough to keep Belle happy.
Lucas then surprised her by asked, "Wouldn't you have to buy a wedding dress for that?"
Belle's eyes widened and she turned to face Lucas, "Y-you wouldn't mind?" she asked him.
"Foolish little rabbit," he said, his face holding seriousness as he looked at her, "Why would I mind it? I have broken enough rules already. Isn't that what you want?" he asked her. Belle felt her heart soar as if it had wings of its own.
"But you don't like weddings," it was because long ago, Belle had once mentioned about it and she had heard Lucas called it to be stupid and waste of time by adding more problems.
Lucas looked at Belle's bright and beautiful eyes. He could hear her heart beating in her chest, "I read something from a person. A long long time ago- when a person loves a girl he will do anything and everything to keep her happy because her happiness is where his would lie."
Belle's eyes watered, glistening and turning her eyes shone looking up at Lucas. Rare times like this, Lucas caught her off guard. Appearing to be more mortal than having a cold heart that wasn't there in his chest.
She felt him pick her hand and kiss the back of her fingers gently, "Is there a point of doing things halfway. Let's do it right. I have been watching over you for years now, more from here doesn't sound so bad," he said and a tear slipped out of her eye, getting caught on her lower lash before it fell on her cheek.
Before the tear could trail and fall, Lucas dropped her hand along with his still holding it and he leaned forward towards her. His lips kissing the tear-away on her cheek and he then pulled away a little bit so that he could look into her eyes.
"It can be a quiet one," he said and she gave him a nod.
She looked back into his eyes, "A quiet one is more than enough."
Lucas then leaned forward again, this time his lips pressing on her lips to blow away the doubts she would have had in her heart.
