Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior – Chapter 137

“Ahhh! I’m late!!”

Hanamana, who overslept on the day of Zion and Hop’s wedding.

It was supposed to be the most important and joyful event in the world, but wanting to avoid rejecting alcohol on such a day, she took a practice sip, which turned out to be her downfall.

Despite feeling like a complete child due to her tiny physique and inability to handle alcohol, she now knew it was pointless to fret.

The magic tower was nearby, allowing for a swift trip to the kingdom, but with an important wedding to attend, there was so much to prepare regarding her outfit and makeup.

What should she do? She couldn’t just throw on something haphazardly…

“What were you doing? Sleeping, huh?”

“?”

Although a stranger’s voice reached her from her bedroom, Hanamana was more startled than scared.

Because that voice was familiar and all too comfortable…

It was none other than…

“Kei? What are you doing here?”

“I came to get you since you were running late.”

The marking Hanamana had was completely still, which made Kei neu run in worry.

There was a risk that acting so blatantly could expose his marking on Hanamana, but Kei neu couldn’t just let her be late to the hero’s wedding.

“Alright then. With you here, we can teleport in no time.”

“Take your time preparing. I’ll take you via space movement.”

“Th-thank goodness… Then, I’ll rely on you.”

With the time it took to travel saved, Hanamana found herself with extra time to prepare her attire.

Although she hadn’t entered the venue during the last ball, she was well aware of the caliber of guests attending an event hosted by Zion.

It would likely be even more grand and dazzling than last time.

Hanamana didn’t have a particularly voluptuous figure, so she usually opted for cleric robes rather than dresses when attending such events, but she couldn’t possibly wear those black clothes to Zion’s wedding.

‘Should I go with this?’

The outfit Hanamana picked for the wedding was one of the traditional elf dresses.

A simple light green dress with a design that left her shoulders clearly visible, reminiscent of leaves. It was a beautiful outfit.

The point was that the dress revealed her knees while trailing behind her without touching the ground.

However, it was difficult to put on alone.

If she had enough time, it would be possible, but…

“Kei…! Can you come here for a second?”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

Knowing it was an urgent situation, Hanamana ended up asking for help.

Upon entering the dressing room at her call, Kei neu found Hanamana in a state that left her back fully exposed with only the front covered by fabric.

“Gah!”

Kei neu, unexpectedly witnessing a scene that made his heart race, managed to calm himself and approached Hanamana slowly, grabbing the end of the flowing fabric.

“You’re wearing this? You do know you’re not going to your wedding, right?”

“Ah, I know that much even as Hanamana!”

In truth, this dress was meant for traditional elf weddings.

Typically, one would wear it only once in their lifetime, but it was customary for every elf woman to have one.

“Besides, no elves other than you will come, right? What can I do if this beautiful dress is the only one I have?”

“There should have been at least one outfit prepared for such an occasion.”

“That’s… I’ve been really busy.”

Even though Hanamana hadn’t asked, Kei neu instinctively helped her to put on the outfit, adjusting it according to the traditional method.

“Aren’t you going to tie your hair? We don’t have much time.”

“Should I?”

“It’ll suit you better that way. Elves don’t tie their hair into pigtails when getting married.”

“Ah…”

Kei neu skillfully finished setting up her look while chatting to ease the awkwardness.

Once Hanamana had put on the dress and adorned her hair, she turned to Kei neu and asked:

“How do I look? Does it suit me?”

“……. ”

With her long flowing hair and dressed for the wedding, Hanamana looked like a goddess in Kei neu’s eyes.

In an instant, a vision of him wearing a groom’s outfit flashed through Kei neu’s mind, but he kept his cool and replied with a stern face.

“It looks good. We should get going now.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s a hero’s wedding; it’d be a shame if an old companion was late.”

“Hehe…”

With a bashful smile, Hanamana moved alongside Kei neu, activating the space movement array.

And at that moment, Hanamana thought about Kei neu:

‘Someone who will always catch and take care of clumsy, mistake-prone me…’

How did Kei neu know she was in trouble and rush to help?

Additionally, there was this fluttering feeling in her chest… Was it because of the dress?

Or was it that finally, seeing Zion happy made her heart race too?

With these mixed emotions, Hanamana headed to Zion’s wedding venue.

***

“You’ve arrived, Hanamana.”

Hanamana’s seat was beside Naona, the former companion of Zion, who was also a princess.

Thanks to the teleportation, they arrived just in time for the wedding, and the atmosphere in the kingdom’s largest theater was buzzing with excitement.

Presiding over the ceremony was Pope Silane IV, with the event hosted by none other than Jay Stone, the kingdom’s top opera presenter and superstar, personally requested by the king.

Attendees from Zion’s side included Naona, Hanamana, Serin, and Kei neu, along with their daughter, Risen.

On Hop’s side were the staff of the Noden Kingdom Rehabilitation Center, specially invited to take their seats.

Following them were high-ranking officials from various nations and nobles primarily composed of parents from the Little Academy…

The theater was chosen for the wedding venue to accommodate as many attendees as possible.

“Are we late?”

“You arrived just on time. It’s about to start.”

“That’s a relief.”

Thanks to Kei neu, Hanamana was glad they managed to arrive without being late.

Not long after seated, the royal military band began to signal the start of the event, and the host, Jay Stone, took the stage to grab everyone’s attention.

“Greetings esteemed guests from across the world. Welcome to the wedding of the former hero Zion Laurel and Hop Harvey. I’ve been to many event venues, but I’ve never seen one this large and filled with dignitaries. Haha.”

With such a crowd, it was normal to feel nervous, but the host handled it with poise, clearly showing why he was the kingdom’s top star presenter.

After a brief introduction of the performers and the papal presider, the wedding commenced.

“First, we have a distinguished figure to introduce, the pioneer and leading expert in rehabilitation medicine. After World War II, he founded rehabilitation medicine to improve the welfare of post-war society, contributing greatly to the world. He is recognized as a hidden hero of the Hope War, the third world war, and his name is engraved in history. Please welcome Professor Hop Harvey. Let’s applaud as he enters!”

With the announcer’s introduction, a fanfare sounded, and Hop, dressed immaculately in formal attire, entered through the theater doors.

“Waaah!!”

“Hooow!”

“Professor Hop!! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations, sir!!”

“Director, you’re amazing!!”

As he entered the stage, Hop greeted the nobles and staff cheering for him with a nod or a wave, exuding confidence.

Once the groom was in place and the music subsided, the next phase of the ceremony began.

“Next is a person who needs no introduction. The one who has earned the love of the world and saved it twice, the hero who devoted a lifetime to his mission and saved all of us. Now, this hero of the world is finally taking his first step towards happiness. While we can no longer call her a hero, we will forever remember her heroic deeds. Please welcome former hero Zion Laurel. Here comes the bride!”

In striking contrast to the groom’s grand entrance, soft, soothing music began to play as the doors reopened, slowly revealing Zion.

Dressed in a pure white, gorgeous wedding gown and holding a bouquet, Zion took slow, deliberate steps forward, her gaze downward as she approached the stage, and everyone was captivated by her stunning presence.

No cheers, no congratulations—just a serene silence as petals drifted around her with each careful step.

“Mom looks beautiful… like a princess.”

Only one person, the innocent Risen, voiced her awe.

As calm music played, a moment of stillness hung in the air as Zion finally looked up at the stage, meeting Hop’s gaze. She smiled brightly, reached for his hand, and stepped onto the stage beside him, facing the pope.

As the introduction of the ceremony had been done earlier, they proceeded right into the wedding vows.

“The first time I saw these two was at the rehabilitation center we established in the Holy Law country. The head at that time, Hop, had come to check our center, and Zion, who was receiving concentrated treatment, accompanied him. Do you remember what I said back then? I remarked how it was like a princess and her knight. Hop asked if both the princess and knight were not Zion herself…”

The presider’s speech was long but remained engaging.

Pope Silane IV was unusually witty, and hearing the stories of the two from the perspective of the pope was fascinating, recounting their contributions to the world and the journey that brought them together.

The tale of the hero and the healer, passing through time like an enchanting story, felt too short as it flowed quickly, leaving everyone in applause and cheers for both honorees before the next order began.

“Thank you for such thoughtful words. Next, we’ll read the marriage vows.”

After a brief silence, the next part began—the marriage vows.

Hop and Zion slowly turned to face each other, holding the marriage certificate brought out by a maid with joint hands, carefully reading it together.

“I, Hop Harvey,”

“I, Zion Laurel,”

“Will provide countless happiness that I have never known because Zion is a hero.”

“I will return to him everything he has given me: this body, this world, this meaning, and this happiness.”

“I will ensure that Zion never suffers or is in pain, and even if she falls apart, I will not leave her side, comfort her, and heal her.”

“Even if hardships greater than the Demon King come upon us, we will not falter and will overcome together with our combined strength.”

“I will never deceive or trick Zion, nor hide anything from her.”

“I will never doubt Hop or become anxious or harm myself, no matter what happens.”

“She is the only meaning I have found,”

“She is the world I will protect from now on,”

“Therefore, we…”

“Therefore, we…”

Pausing for a moment, the two looked at each other, exchanging blissful smiles before raising their heads and standing proudly before all those witnessing their vows.

“We pledge our eternal love to one another and declare that we are now husband and wife.”

– “Waaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!”

As soon as the marriage vows concluded, cheers erupted as if they had been waiting for the moment.

Another fanfare sounded, and petals scattered as Hop and Zion bowed, repeatedly thanking the attendees.

“Humans sure love to toss around the word ‘eternity’ so easily. Both humans and elves are fleeting mortals, after all.”

Although he felt pleased for the two in his heart, Kei neu’s words were deliberately curt.

Elves may live significantly longer than humans, but they rarely invoke the term ‘eternity’.

“How enviable,” said Hanamana, unexpectedly sharing her sentiment in response to Kei neu’s comment.

“Kei, why do you think elves don’t swear eternal vows?”

“Well, it’s because we have too much time. We can’t even dedicate our lives to something, let alone think about eternity. We understand this, so we don’t easily use the term.”

“That makes sense. However, from our perspective, humans, who truly live fleeting lives, can live their entire lives with unchanging feelings and hope for it to be eternal. I think that’s a wonderful thing.”

“…….”

It struck a nerve with Kei neu given that these were not mere words from just any elf but from the one he cared for, Hanamana.

His fondness for Hanamana stemmed from her quality of ‘stability.’

Perhaps because he was also an elf, was his yearning for something unchanging a natural feeling?

Kei neu’s feelings for Hanamana had been a one-sided love for nearly a century.

Time that would have been dedicated to a human.

But would this fluttering emotion last until Kei neu’s time ran out?

And would Hanamana remain as she is, forever beautiful, pure, curious about humans, and always thinking of eternity while living fleetingly?

“Now, the bride’s side needs to choose someone to catch the bouquet quickly!”

“What?!”

The host’s announcement jolted Kei neu from his deep thoughts.

“Eh? What do we do, Naona?”

“I absolutely can’t! No one needs to know why. My head is already splitting from all those marriage proposals!”

“S-Serin, how about you?”

“I think that would be too much pressure for me…”

“Ugh…”

Ultimately, it seemed no one was left but Hanamana, whose face turned red with embarrassment as panic set in.

“What’s the matter? I’ll catch it if you want.”

Seeing her so flustered, even Risen stepped in.

“Haha, Risen… It’s okay. I’ll do it…”

Reluctantly, Hanamana stepped forward.

“Hehe, looks like Hanamana is stepping up!”

Zion teased as she turned around and threw the bouquet high into the air.

“Ahhh!”

Hanamana stretched out her hands toward the bouquet with all her might.

While she was quick on her feet and proficient in combat, due to her panicked state—or perhaps the burden of having to catch the bouquet—she missed it, allowing Zion’s bouquet to slip past one arm and fall to the ground.

‘Oh no! If I drop this…’

“Activate local space movement array.”

Just then, a small portal opened on the floor.

Instead of hitting the ground, the bouquet was sucked into the portal and,

“Ahh? Ahh!”

It emerged through another opening above Hanamana, landing perfectly in her arms.

“You really are a clumsy one.”

Having used space magic to avert a disaster, it was indeed Kei neu who did this.

Holding Zion’s bouquet close, Hanamana approached Kei neu to express her gratitude.

“Th-thank you, Kei…”

Though she expressed her thanks, Hanamana remained frozen with her head lowered, having narrowly avoided disaster.

“Don’t dwell on it so much. You caught it well.”

Kei neu gently placed his hand on her head, patting her.

Even though he said not to be disheartened, Hanamana kept bowing her head further under his large hand.

Was her racing heart due to her near mishap?

If it wasn’t, then…