The dawn broke first as liquid gold pouring over Unnatirajya, flooding every tower, balcony, and cobblestone with a soft, warm hug. The palace, still smelling faintly of wildflower perfume and roasted delicacies from last night, let out a contented sigh. And for once, the pomp of festivities had not dissipated into anarchy—it had remained like a memory of laughter.
Sharath Virayan Darsha, Count of Unnatirajya, genius inventor, gentleman trickster, and newlywed to the lovely Princess of the Empire, sat motionless at his desk. The piles of wedding gifts—gold, silks, trinkets charmed to whistle softly in the sun—were all around him. But none of them captured his interest so much as the Princess's folded wedding veil, lying gently on waxed oak, softly glinting in the morning light.
🐧NeuroBoop, his perpetually snarky inner monologue that had ridden shotgun with him through dungeons, inventions, and most recently, wedding-day mayhem, floated idly above the desk. Its ethereal form shone with morning light. "Well," it teased, "the empire slumbers, villagers are still reeling from last night's feast, and you are. gazing at a piece of cloth?
Sharath chuckled softly. "I'm thinking," he said, "about all the smiles, all the laughs. Yesterday was… perfect."
🐧NeuroBoop drifted nearer, its luminescence throbbing with humor. "Perfect, huh? You mean when elderly Lady Ishvari danced on the table brandishing a roasted chicken? Or when Basanna attempted to juggle goblets and took a header into the punch fountain?"
Yes," Sharath replied, smiling. "All of it. Every aspect of it. Happiness is not an emotion. It's a memory, a second, a laugh that lingers."
The Princess materialized in the doorway, sunlight catching in silver-and-crimson robes, hair set neatly with jeweled combs. She moved elegantly, but with a confidence that made Sharath's heart feel warm in a way even his inventions couldn't.
Good morning," she said quietly, but with mischief in her eyes. "I hope you slept soundly?"
Sharath smiled widely, looking up. "I did. Although," he said, "I woke up with the odd sense that the world outside is too silent. Where are the cheering villagers?
They're recovering," she replied, a tiny laugh in her tone. "Even the horses are sleeping after all that parade yesterday. But the town square will fill up again soon. People will return to celebrate not only the wedding but the beginning of something new. Today is… happiness in abundance."
Sharath rose and made a gesture towards her, presenting his arm. She smiled softly, accepting, and with him, they strolled to the balcony overlooking the central square of Unnatirajya. Below, the square was gradually coming to life in the wake of celebrations. Children looked out from windows, waving to the pair, as vendors brushed away a thin veneer of flour from the tables and tied new ribbons around stands. Birds took to the air from the trees, singing a particularly festive tune. The air was full of the aroma of fresh bread, honey, and the faint, residual smell of fireworks from the previous night.
🐧NeuroBoop floated next to Sharath's shoulder. "Ah yes, morning after. No plots, no killers, no interminable debates on tax. Just… joy. And perhaps a few peasants who are unaware of how fortunate they are."
Sharath laughed, shaking his head. "Lucky, indeed. Look at them. They're smiling, laughing. The baker yesterday is throwing fresh rolls to the children as if they were gold coins. Even the guards have chilled out, smiling at every passerby. This is the world that I want to create."
The Princess leaned lightly on the balcony railing. "You have already shaped it," she said. "Every person who smiled yesterday because of your inventions, every laugh, every cheer—it was all part of what you've built. Not just territory, Sharath, but happiness itself."
For an instant, they stood in silence, allowing the comfort of morning and the flow of happiness below to sweeten the air around them. The sun climbed higher, shining the streets gold, lighting the smiles of every child, noble, and villager. It felt as if the world had stopped to breathe, and all its air was filled with revelry.
Sharath smiled over his shoulder at her, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "We should go join them. Let's ride through the streets again, this time without pomp, without banners. Just… us, our people, and laughter."
The Princess smiled. "I think they'd like that."
By mid-morning, they rode shining white horses draped with new garlands. Villagers filled the streets, waving and cheering and scattering petals. Children galloped at the horses' heels, shrieking with unbridled delight. Sharath raised his hand in salute, and the Princess waved elegantly, her laughter ringing clear as silver bells. The streets themselves seemed to celebrate, the very cobblestones resonating the joy in every step.
🐧NeuroBoop zipped ahead, hovering above the children who squealed with delight. "Oh, the humanity! The sheer… glee!" it announced dramatically, drawing chuckles from those nearby.
After a relaxing ride around the village, Sharath and Princess came back to the palace gardens. The sun caught dew drops on the petals and made them shine like small jewels. A soft breeze disseminated the fragrance of roses, marigolds, and lavender. Kids ran after butterflies, monks played with mischievous kittens, and musicians tuned lutes and flutes for spontaneous tunes.
Sharath turned to the Princess. "Do you see? This… this is what it means to celebrate life."
She nodded. "Yes. Every invention, every plan, every feast—it leads to moments like this. And moments like this," she added, placing a light hand on his arm, "make it all worthwhile."
The afternoon was spent in the gardens by the couple, strolling through the flowers, laughing, chatting, and exchanging anecdotes. Sharath presented her with his latest mechanical flower work—a tiny gadget wherein one gear had the ability to turn a succession of thin petals to track the sun. The Princess giggled as she tried turning the petals for herself, awkwardly turning the gear too much and inadvertently spinning the flower around upside down.
"Watch out!" Sharath cried, snatching the contraption from falling. "Even the smallest machine deserves respect!"
"Machines and men both," she teased.
They strolled over to the fountain at the center of the garden, where water glistened in the sun and formed rainbows in the spray. Villagers, catching a glimpse of the couple's candor, came shyly forward with presents of fruits, embroidered cloth, and freshly baked loaves of bread. Sharath went down on his knees to receive each with sincere appreciation, while the Princess smiled warmly to accept each gift, at times laughing at the sincere words of children who proudly declared that they had baked the bread themselves.
By late afternoon, a little group of acrobats appeared and entertained the crowd assembled. Sharath and the Princess applauded, giggled, and even participated in some friendly stunts. 🐧NeuroBoop hovered around the troupe, commentating each bound and fall with elaborate flair. "Ah, behold! Gravity defeated, dignity temporarily shed, laughter officially guaranteed!"
As the sun dipped below the horizon, staining the sky fiery reds and pinks, the two sat on a marble bench under a flowering cherry tree. The blossoms floated to the ground around them like pink snow, and the air was sweet with the gentle birdsong of birds settling back into their nests.
Sharath placed the Princess's hand in his. "Our first meeting in the capital. Do you recall it?" he whispered.
She laughed, her eyes sparkling. "I do indeed. I recall thinking… this man is brilliance wrapped in chaos. And yet, miraculously, I trusted him immediately."
Sharath smiled. "I had not realized that chaos would evolve into… this. Calm. Happiness. Joy. And. companionship."
They sat in quiet for a moment or two, observing as the sky became violet. 🐧NeuroBoop, itself uncommonly silent, floated behind a branch. "Ah," it at last spoke, its tone nearly reverent, "peace. Joy. The most elusive of accomplishments for one such as you. Well done, Sharath."
Dinner was eaten outside, under lanterns that danced in the night air. Tables creaked under the load of delicacies—fruit tarts, roasted flesh, sweet pastries, enchanted luminescent beverages, and desserts that glittered with edible magic. Guests—villagers, nobles, and kin alike—ate, laughed, and shared stories of the day before. Children played between tables, singing songs of the bride and groom, and even the acrobats participated in merry pranks.
Sharath and the Princess sat at the table's head, laughing at each jest, each story, each sudden cheer. The Princess leaned toward him. "We have made something beautiful," she said.
Sharath nodded. "We have. And tomorrow morning, the world will awaken to it again, full of laughter, light, and joy."
As the evening grew darker, lanterns glowed over the gardens, and the pair walked hand in hand among the stars. Sharath stopped, looking up. "Do you ever think about whether happiness may be constructed like an invention?"
"Maybe," she said quietly. "But I believe happiness is less about constructing and more about sharing it. And today, Sharath, we shared it freely."
🐧NeuroBoop whistled a low, happy melody. "Indeed, a flawless day. A flawless pair. A flawless, trouble-free night. I am… nearly sentimental."
Sharath chuckled, and the Princess laughed with him, the noise mingling with the quiet evening air.
For the first time in a very long time, Sharath did not forget dungeons and nobles and inventions. He only remembered the laughter that surrounded him, the heat of her palm, the happiness in the room, and the knowledge that this—this wedding, this joining, this celebration—was the start of a lifetime of moments like this.
And thus, the first proper day following the wedding did not conclude with difficulties or suspense, but with satisfaction, smiles, and a world that seemed brighter than ever before. Sharath Virayan Darsha and his Princess emerged back into the palace, hearts full, hands together, prepared to welcome tomorrow with smiles, happiness, and boundless joy.
For the world, at least for the time being, was theirs to fill with smiles.