The lifelike clay figures were clearly Vanessa's handiwork. The Earth Witch was very skilled at controlling such things.
But standing at the door, Shade saw neither Margaret nor any new photographs.
At the end of the banquet hall, before an archway adorned with irises, two clay figures dressed in groom's and bride's attire were locked in a tight embrace. The early spring afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows onto them, making the scene feel especially warm.
All the guest clay figures had been given human faces. Only the embracing groom and bride had no features. But because they were hugging, Shade could not see their faces anyway, so their lack of features did not ruin the atmosphere.
None of the clay figures paid attention to Shade's arrival. He stood in the doorway for a while before Margaret, who had approached from the corridor behind him, came to stand beside him and said:
"Both teachers and Siris originally suggested that I dress as a bride and wait for you beneath that flower arch. After you had looked through my life, I would stand at the end and welcome your embrace. But I refused."
Though the dress the Blonde Princess wore was still beautiful, it could not compare to the bridal gown worn by that "bride":
"I refused not because I think I am unworthy of that place. It simply feels as though the time has not yet come. Fairy tales always end with the prince and princess's wedding, and after that, there are no more wonderful stories.
"But Shade, I hope you can take my hand and create even more wonderful stories with me. Our ending will not be here."
Shade turned to look at her. Margaret looked back at him, and only after they had held each other's gaze for