Things returned to relative normalcy around the hive after Sleight and Chrysalis' night out. Well, almost...
One afternoon, Sleight and Chrysalis were standing on the tower balcony together.
"Some view, huh?" Sleight smiled. "I never get tired of it."
"Neither do I." Chrysalis declared, though her mind seemed elsewhere.
"Getting a little nippy, though." Sleight declared, noting a chilly wind. "We should probably head inside."
"Of course." Chrysalis nodded. "I'm right behind you, my love."
As they headed back inside, Chrysalis suddenly turned down a corridor.
"So, what should we do no-?" Sleight turned to see his wife was no longer behind him. "This again? Seriously?"
Sleight had noticed Chrysalis slipping away at times, to where, he didn't know. At first, he was willing to respect her privacy, believing that it was probably nothing he had to worry about. Chrysalis was a busy Queen, after all. But the more it more happened, the more curious he became. What was she doing? Where was she going? And why didn't she want him to know about it? They were husband and wife, after all. There shouldn't have been any secrets between them.
One morning, while enjoying breakfast, Sleight noticed Chrysalis sneaking away again.
'Oh no, you don't...' He smirked. 'You won't get away this time.'
Employing a surprising amount of stealth for a stallion who was once obsessed with drawing attention to himself, Sleight followed Chrysalis as she made her way down the the tower. She made her way down a tunnel in the rear, and into the "basement". It was a small, mostly bare room, home to some containers fashioned out of logs which held spare resin and swamp moss. Sleight couldn't imagine why she was coming down there all the time.
'Why go to the all the trouble of sneaking down here?' He wondered.
As Chrysalis walked over to the wall, she suddenly stopped, and glanced behind her. Reacting quickly, Sleight ducked behind a log. Satisfied, Chrysalis returned to the wall. Using her magic, she pulled aside a slab of wood, revealing a hidden tunnel.
'Hello...' Sleight smiled. 'Pretty sneaky, Chrys.'
As Chrysalis went inside the passage, Sleight followed, as quickly and quietly as possible. He felt he was ready for whatever shocking secret Chrysalis was hiding... but he wasn't expecting the sight awaiting him.
In a small chamber, Chrysalis was stood before a beautiful silken wedding dress. With a look of abject joy on her face, she ran her hooves over it, enjoying it's soft texture.
"Hello, my pretty." She smiled. "Did you miss mommy? I know you did..."
Chrysalis put on the dress. It was the first time Sleight had ever seen her wearing clothing. She looked stunningly beautiful in the white silk.
'Wow...' He thought, a smile growing on his face.
Chrysalis strutted around the small room, her dress swaying with her movements. Sleight, hidden behind another log, gazed at his wife, entranced.
"Why yes, I do look lovely in my gown." Chrysalis smiled at an imaginary onlooker.
'You're telling me.' Sleight thought adoringly.
Chrysalis marched over to the mannequin the dress had been mounted on.
"You may now kiss the bride." She whispered, planting a kiss on the wooden statue's blank face.
Sleight couldn't help himself. He issued a small snort at the absurdity of the situation. Chrysalis turned around, mortified to see her husband standing before her.
"Um... how long have you been there?" She asked nervously.
"I've been right behind you all the way." Sleight admitted. "Sorry. I just had to know what was going on."
"Oh, did you now?" Chrysalis scowled. "You had to sneak around and spy on me?"
"I shouldn't have to spy on you." Sleight rebutted. "Besides, what was I supposed to think, with you sneaking off all the time? I had to make sure you were alright, didn't I?"
"Oh, I suppose..." Chrysalis groaned.
"We're not supposed to keep secrets from each other, Chryssy." Sleight declared. "We're husband and wife. You can tell me anything."
"You want to know about the dress, don't you?" Chrysalis sighed.
"Yeah, pretty much." Sleight admitted. "Where'd you get it? Why'd you hide it down here?"
"Well, it all started when I was young." Chrysalis declared. "...I was off on one of my training missions, performing some infiltration. Everything was routine at first. Then I saw a couple emerging from a church, having just gotten married. Initially, I felt it was some pointless pony ritual. But there was just something about how happy the husband and wife looked that made me think it merited further study. A couple of days later, I saw ponies gathering at that same church. I sneaked in through the side, and watched the entire ceremony."
"Oh, you did, did you?" Sleight smirked. "I wouldn't have thought that was your thing back then."
"It wasn't." Chrysalis admitted. "For the life in me, I couldn't understand why I was doing it. I just felt like I had to."
"I've had feelings like that before." Sleight emphasised. "They're pretty strong."
"The more I watched of the ceremony, the more some unknown part of me stirred." Chrysalis recalled. "I found myself envying the bride. I even started to wonder about how it would have felt for me to wear such a dress."
"What happened then?" Sleight asked.
"Well, I was on the verge of being late for my return to the hive." Chrysalis declared. "I hadn't time to watch anymore of it, and by the time I got back, I was late by an hour or so. Mother wasn't happy about that. She accused me of being too undisciplined, and asked why my return was so late. I didn't want my mother to get up in arms over my obsession over a pony ritual, so I simply fibbed and told her my infiltration had taken longer than expected, and I only delayed because I wanted to complete my task. That mollified her for the time being, but then I knew I couldn't do such a thing again... my mother could be very... strict."
"Lying to the parents." Sleight mused. "Been there too..."
"Over the coming days, I found my thoughts drifting to the wedding over and over again." Chrysalis declared. "But I knew I couldn't tell any of the others... especially not my mother. But the thoughts kept coming. Eventually, I instructed one of the drones to disguise himself as a pony and purchase a wedding dress from a bridal boutique in the same town I saw the wedding in."
"Didn't he think that was a weird order?" Sleight asked.
"He did." Chrysalis agreed. "But I spun him a lie about wanting to examine the outfit, in hopes of crafting a better disguise. I told him it was a top-secret mission, to be kept just between the two of us."
"And he bought that?" Sleight smirked.
"Oh yes. Fortunately for me, some of my mother's children were rather... challenged, I might say." Chrysalis nodded. "Once he brought it to me, I made him swore to secrecy, and I hid the dress in a secluded spot in our old hive. Since then, I would go there constantly, gazing upon its silken beauty. I even tried it on at times, and pretending I was standing at an altar, my true love by my side... I told no other Changeling of it. I kept the secret to myself, even after mother perished."
"Even after what happened in Canterlot?" Sleight asked.
"Especially after that." Chrysalis nodded. "Through adopting Cadance's form, I got a taste of what it was like to play the bride. I enjoyed it almost as much as my plan to conquer the city. Which of course, only served to increase my longings... after I'd overcome my rage over being defeated, of course."
"So you've been coming down here all those years, fantasising about getting a chance to wear that?" Sleight asked.
"Yes, it was my guilty pleasure." Chrysalis smiled. "When things were rough, I'd gaze upon it, feel it, lose myself in the fantasy."
"Wait... how'd you manage to move it from hive to hive without any of the others noticing?" Sleight asked, "I mean, you said so yourself that the old hive before Canterlot was destroyed. And how about after that, when moving here?"
"It wasn't easy." Chrysalis admitted. "The first time, the dress survived the destruction of the first hive due to my hiding it behind a granite boulder, and I was able to slip it into one of the makeshift carts carrying what little effects of ours had survived, and recovered it once we found our new home. When the time came to come here, I hid it within an old crate, telling the others it contained scripture regarding our peace treaty with the ponies. Most of them believed me, but Wizel gave me a most peculiar look..."
"Figures." Sleight grinned. "You can't pull the wool over that old timer's eyes so easily..."
"Once construction was finished on the tower, I took the dress out of the crate, and hid it here, in a secret room I'd instructed one of the builders to make." Chrysalis declared. "Without the others' knowledge, of course... and before long, I went back to the old routine."
"So that's it, huh?" Sleight asked.
"Yes, that's it." Chrysalis sighed. "I suppose you'll want to make fun of me now..."
"Why?" Sleight shrugged. "We all have our own little secret fantasies. Me, I used to dream of headlining in Las Pegasus."
"Well, your dream was a little more lofty than mine..." Chrysalis grinned.
"Yeah, I like to dream big." Sleight shrugged. His brow suddenly furrowed in confusion. "Hold on... why you didn't bring this up when I became your King?"
"Well, that was quite a hectic day, if you'll recall." Chrysalis noted. "I was just so happy that you had saved the hive, and defeated Red Eclipse, that I actually forgot about the dress for the first time in years. A rare missed opportunity..."
"It doesn't have to be." Sleight smiled.
"What do you mean?" Chrysalis asked.
"I mean, why we don't we do it?" Sleight grinned.
"Do... what?" Chrysalis frowned.
"Hold a wedding ceremony for the two of us." Sleight explained. "You'd finally get to wear that dress..."
"But... we're already married." Chrysalis pointed out. "It wasn't much of a ceremony, but it was official."
"Hey, think of it as 'renewing our vows'." Sleight suggested. "Ponies do it all the time."
"But... what will the hive think?" Chrysalis fretted. "So many of the ponies' ways are still so strange to them... For them to learn that their Queen has been fantasizing about this for so long..."
"You don't have to tell them that part." Sleight snorted. "Just tell them that you want to do the ceremony. If any of them get weirded out, just tell 'em it was my idea. That oughta quiet things down."
"Well, it would be nice to finally get to wear this dress in a proper ceremony." Chrysalis mused.
"And you don't want to get bogged down in what might have been." Sleight added. "Besides, I think it'd be great to hold the ceremony. We'd be husband and wife in every sense of the term, for both pony and Changeling eyes."
Chrysalis gazed longingly at the dress. Her childhood dream, once seeming so unreachable, was suddenly in front of her, ripe for the taking. She had kept the secret to herself for so long, but now, she had the opportunity to get it all out in the open. Her mother would have never approved, but Queen Cocoon was long dead, and Chrysalis finally had her chance to fulfill one of her deepest wishes...
"Um... hello?" Sleight frowned, disturbed by Chrysalis' lapse into silence. "Equestria to Chrys?"
"Oh, sorry." Chrysalis blinked. "I was just... thinking it over."
"So, whattaya say?" Sleight asked. "Are we doing the nuptials, or not?"
"Yes." Chrysalis smiled. "We'll do it. And I want the whole hive to be there."
"You do?" Sleight asked.
"I am their Queen." Chrysalis declared. "And they are my children. It is only right that they be in attendance for the big day."
"Sure thing." Sleight grinned. "It's your wedding, after all."
"Now, let's begin with the preparations." Chrysalis smiled. "We have a lot to do."
"No kidding." Sleight chuckled. "There's the guest list, bridesmaids, catering... all sorts."
"Then we'd better get to work." Chrysalis grinned.
Before making a public announcement, Sleight and Chrysalis told Sazh and Wizel of their upcoming ceremony. Chrysalis had brought the dress out of its hiding place at long last, showing them what she would be wearing.
"A wedding?" Sazh gaped. "Like the one in Canterlot?"
"The very same." Chrysalis nodded. "Only... without the infiltration and disguises, and the invasion afterwards."
"So, you've been hiding this dress away for all these years?" Wizel mused. "I knew you had some kind of secret, but I didn't think it would be anything like this..."
"Full of surprises, isn't she?" Sleight smirked.
"Yes... For a while, I thought she was becoming a necrophiliac." Wizel shrugged.
"Of course not." Chrysalis snorted. "I prefer the warm-blooded..."
"She sure does." Sleight chuckled. "And I oughta know..."
"So, how will this wedding be coming together?" Wizel asked.
"We don't need anything too fancy." Chrysalis admitted. "We can hold the ceremony right here, on the ground floor of the tower."
"Smart thinking." Sleight nodded. "We don't even have to go anywhere."
"We'd like for the whole hive to be in attendance." Chrysalis declared. "We will make the official announcement soon."
"I'm not really getting this." Sazh shrugged. "What's so important about this ceremony anyway?"
"It's a little hard to explain in one sentence." Sleight shrugged. "But trust me, it's a great experience. In fact, I was thinking of asking you to be my best stallion... er, Changeling."
"What does that mean?" Sazh asked.
"It means you'll be sticking by my side during the wedding." Sleight explained. "It's a position the groom gives to his closest friend, and you fit the bill, pal."
"Oh, really?" Sazh smiled. "Well, I guess I could accept it, if it means so much to you..."
"And Wizel?" Chrysalis turned to her uncle. "I was hoping you could not only officiate the ceremony, but also, as the term goes... give me away."
"I'd be delighted to." Wizel smiled. He had a smattering of wedding knowledge himself, enough to understand the concept of giving the bride away. "If it makes you happy, my dear niece, I will proudly give you away."
"Thank you." Chrysalis smiled.
"Now that's out of the way, what say we inform our future guests?" Sleight asked.
"Of course." Chrysalis nodded. "Wizel, Sazh, if you wouldn't mind getting the word out?"
"Yes, my Queen." Sazh nodded.
"Consider it done." Wizel grinned.
Before long, the hive members were gathered outside the tower. Chrysalis and Sleight stood on the balcony, facing their subjects, many of whom were wondering if there was some kind of emergency, considering they had all been gathered together so quickly.
"My children." Chrysalis announced. "Your King and I have wondrous news to share with you."
"That's right." Sleight nodded. "Now, as you know, Chrysalis and I are husband and wife by Changeling standards, but we'd like to be husband and wife by pony standards too."
The crowd looked on, confused by his words.
"Since Sleight is a pony, it is only right that our union follows the ways of his kind as well as ours." Chrysalis remarked. "For this reason, we will be holding a wedding ceremony, to unite Sleight in myself in the ways of pony matrimony."
The crowd muttered feverishly, surprised by Chrysalis' words.
"A wedding?" A drone gaped.
"But marriage is a pony concept!" An elderly Changeling declared.
"Our King is a pony, isn't he?" A female nurse pointed out.
"Well, yes, but..." The elder Changeling spluttered. "It's not our way!"
"The Queen has spoken." One particularly loyal soldier proclaimed. "We must honor her wishes."
"I understand that this may seem a little strange to you all." Chrysalis told the crowd. "But I assure you, this event is little more than an expression of the love between two individuals, no matter what the species. It is a celebration of the heart, an affectation of the bond between those who are truly in love. And I would be most delighted if my children could find it within them to attend our wedding."
"But hey, no pressure." Sleight added. "If it's not your cup of swamp moss, feel free not to come. But you should know we'll be having a pretty big party afterwards. It's guaranteed to be fun!"
The Changelings reactions were mixed. Some were still trying to wrap their heads around the idea of Chrysalis embarking on a pony-based ritual. Some felt the whole thing was a waste of time, a pointless exercise in futility. Others still were doubtful of the wedding's significance, but were unsure about not attending, unwilling to risk disappointing their Queen.
"We will be holding the wedding in three days time, within the tower." Chrysalis revealed. "I hope to see you all there."
Sleight and Chrysalis went back inside the tower, leaving their subjects to process the information.
"Well, that didn't go too bad." Sleight shrugged. "Better than my last announcement, at least..."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Chrysalis frowned. "I saw some of the looks my children gave me. They probably think I've lost my mind, or that I'm 'going soft' when it comes to upholding our hive's traditions."
"Of course they don't." Sleight assured her. "Sure, this may have come out of left field for them, but it's not like they think this is going to mess up the hive, or something..."
Outside, the Changeling were discussing the announcement.
"This is going to totally mess up the hive!" A particularly neurotic construction worker yelped.
"Okay... slight overreaction there?" The nurse from earlier frowned.
"Slight is right." The elder Changeling snorted. "Don't you see what's happening? He is slowly but surely corrupting our Queen, driving her over to the pony way of life. Char was right about him."
"Well, Char isn't here, now is he?" The drone glared, "And would it be so bad? I mean, he was right about not drowning our eggs anymore. And besides, it's not like they're asking all of us to get married."
"It's still pretty weird." The construction worker grimaced. "What is with those ponies and their big, fancy ceremonies, anyway? It's just a waste of time and energy."
"The Queen doesn't seem to think so." The nurse declared. "And I, for one, wouldn't actually mind attending this ceremony. Who knows? Maybe the ponies have the right idea."
"Well, I certainly won't be attending." The elder sneered. "I've seen enough changes happen at this hive, thank you very much."
"I might go myself, actually." The drone declared. "If nothing else, I'm curious about exactly what goes on in a wedding. It's not like any of us were there for Chrysalis' performance in Canterlot, remember?"
"Count me out." The construction worker shook his head. "It just doesn't feel right to me..."
"I went to a wedding once." A Changeling by the name of Kevin admitted. "Wasn't too bad, to be honest..."
"That was your choice." The elder declared. "You may have been willing to go to a wedding, but I'm none too happy about a wedding coming here."
Several of the other Changelings shared this view, silently behind the elder.
Over the next couple of days, Chrysalis and Sleight prepared for their big moment. While Sleight had his best Changeling all ready to go, Chrysalis had a hard time figuring out who to make her bridesmaid. She eventually settled for Dair, the head nurse.
"You want me, your majesty?" Dair smiled as Chrysalis posed the question. "I would be honoured!"
"So you don't think this ceremony is odd or pointless?" Chrysalis asked.
"I'll admit, it is a little odd to me." Dair confirmed. "But it also sounds like a wonderful way for you and King Sleight to affirm your love for each other. And anyway, who am I to judge? If you wish to go through with it, I have no right to challenge your beliefs, my Queen."
"Thank you." Chrysalis smiled. "It's good to know at least some of the hive is supportive of this endeavour of mine."
"True, there's been some negative talk here and there." Dair frowned. "But quite a few of us are quite excited by the prospect. Besides, most of the nay-sayers are the ones that were hatched from Thorax's clutches. They can be so hard-headed sometimes."
"I know some weren't happy with some of the recent changes." Chrysalis declared. "I've even heard rumors about those who thought our peace treaty with the ponies was a mistake... but all those are for the betterment of this hive. Sleight helped with a lot of that, and I want to prove my love for him the same way his kind do. It's the least I can do. After all, he chose to stay here, amongst an entirely different species. He shouldn't have to leave it all behind."
"You are such a compassionate soul, my Queen." Dair smiled. "It will be a true privilege to stand by your side in this ceremony."
"Once again, I thank you." Chrysalis declared. "You are doing your Queen a great service, one I fear I will never be able to repay."
"Your gratitude is payment enough." Dair bowed.
Meanwhile, Sleight was directing the construction Changelings in setting up the ceremony.
"Okay, the altar should go right there, in the middle." He declared. "And make sure there's plenty of seats."
"You're the expert." Slog, the head of the builders, muttered.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Sleight asked, picking up on his tone.
"Nothing, my King." Slog declared.
"Come on, out with it." Sleight urged. "If I'm your King, then I should know what my subjects are thinking."
"Well, if you really want me to be honest..." Slog frowned.
"And I do." Sleight nodded.
"A lot of us think the Queen is starting to lose touch with the Changeling ways." Slog confessed. "And we think you're the cause."
"Oh, really?" Sleight asked with a furrow brow.
"Yes, really." The worker from before declared. "Changing the rule about drowning eggs was one thing, but now you're bringing pony ways into our hive."
"Hardly." Sleight snorted. "It's just a little ceremony. It won't change anything about the hive."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" Slog shrugged.
"Yeah, we will." Sleight nodded. "Now, if it's not too much trouble, would you mind getting back to work."
"Of course, my King." Slog bowed stiffly.
Later on, Sleight went out for some air, running into Sazh as he walked the streets.
"Hey, Sleight." Sazh smiled. "How are the preparations going?"
"Pretty good." Sleight admitted. "Too bad I can't the same about the attitudes of some Changelings..."
"You mean like Slog?" Sazh frowned. "I've been hearing him talk down about the wedding."
"Yeah, what's with that?" Sleight scowled. "He helped me when I needed his skills to deal with Red Eclipse. And now he thinks I'm 'corrupting' Chryssy or something like that."
"Some Changelings are just stuck in their ways, I guess." Sazh shrugged. "Just be glad Char isn't here right now..."
"No kidding." Sleight snorted. "He outright hated the idea of me getting together with her, no telling how Char would react to this wedding..."
"But hey, I also been hearing a lot of support for the wedding, too." Sazh added. "Some of the others are actually pretty excited to attend."
"Good to know." Sleight smiled. "Since I'm kinda the one who talked Chryssy into this, I'd hate for the whole hive to turn on her because of it."
"Of course they won't." Sazh smiled. "And I'm sure the others will come around."
"Eh, they're free to have their own opinions, I guess." Sleight declared. "It's their loss, though. The after-wedding party's gonna be a real hoof-burner..."
"I for one can't wait to strut my stuff." Sazh grinned.
"Can't wait to see that." Sleight joked.
The big day arrived, and everything was in readiness. Sleight stood in the makeshift chapel wearing his best outfit, Sazh by his side. As Sazh had told him, a significant number of the hive's denizens were in attendance. Though there were more than a few empty spaces, Sleight felt good that so many of his subjects were ready to give the ceremony a look-in.
"Nervous, Sleight?" Sazh asked.
"No way." Sleight blustered. "I'm perfectly calm."
"Then why are your knees knocking?" Sazh smirked.
"...There's a draft in here." Sleight lied.
"Relax, pal." Sazh grinned. "Things are going to be just fine."
A trio of Changelings started playing music on instruments fashioned from wood and leaves. It wasn't exactly the Wedding March, but it conveyed the same air (to Changeling ears, at least).
Chrysalis entered the room, flanked by Dair and Wizel, and carrying a bouquet of daisies. Sleight was even more entranced by how she looked in her dress than before (mostly because it was in the light, and not some dark basement). He stared at her as she approached, splitting off from Wizel to join him at the altar.
"You might want to close your mouth." Chrysalis teased. "You're drooling."
"Can you blame me?" Sleight chuckled.
"No, I don't think so." Chrysalis smiled. "I do look good in this, don't I?"
"And then some." Sleight nodded.
"My fellow Changelings." Wizel declared. "We are gathered here to witness the reaffirming of the love between our King and Queen in this, one of ponykind's most sacred ceremonies. I know there are those of us who do not see the value in this ritual, but I also know that love is a powerful, wonderful thing. I mean, we do feed on it, don't we?"
The Changelings quietly murmured their assent.
"He's got a point there." Kevin noted.
"So true." A young nurse agreed.
"The ponies believe this, which is why they embark on such events." Wizel explained. "Love is something all beings feel. Love is something we can all understand."
The Changelings nodded in silent agreement.
"And it is a powerful, pure love that has lead to this moment." Wizel continued. "King Sleight and Queen Chrysalis wish to express their love in this beautiful ceremony. Though not all of our hive may agree with this wedding, they cannot deny the love that spawned it."
Sleight and Chrysalis smiled at each other lovingly, while the Changelings nodded their approval.
"Chrysalis, you're everything I never knew I wanted." Sleight confessed. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew there was something special about you. Ceremony or no ceremony, that's never going to change."
"Sleight, you came into my life from out of nowhere." Chrysalis smiled. "You were a saviour in our hive's time of greatest need, and a warm light in my life. You've proven yourself to be a kind and noble King, and a caring and attentive mate. This marriage is just one more way of proving my love for you."
"Do you, Sleight Gambit, take Chrysalis to be your lawful wedded wife?" Wizel asked Sleight.
"I do." Sleight nodded.
"And do you, Queen Chrysalis, take King Sleight to be your lawful wedded husband?" Wizel asked Chrysalis.
"With the greatest of pleasure, I do." Chrysalis beamed.
"Then by the power vested in me- by her, and by a little institute that can ordain any being via mail-order - I now pronounce you husband and wife." Wizel announced. "You may kiss the bride."
"Finally." Sleight smirked.
Sleight and Chrysalis embraced in a kiss, while the Changeling guests cheered.
"How wonderful!"
"So beautiful..."
"Maybe the ponies have the right idea after all..."
"Thank you for this." Chrysalis told Sleight. "You've made my most fondest wish come true."
"That's what I do." Sleight grinned.
After the wedding came the party. Sleight and Chrysalis slow-danced together, while Sazh amazed his fellows with surprisingly good dance moves. Chrysalis threw her bouquet, with several Changeling females struggling for it. Ultimately, Dair won out.
"Hah!" She cheered. "The bouquet is mine!"
"Should we tell her what exactly that means?" Sleight asked.
"Maybe later." Chrysalis smirked.
After the party wrapped up, Sleight and Chrysalis returned to the royal bedchamber. Chrysalis took off her dress, and placed it on the mannequin, which she had moved up there.
"No more hiding for you, old friend." She told the dress. "From now on, you're staying where all can see you."
"So, now it's the wedding night." Sleight noted. "Ever put much thought into what you'd do round about now?"
"Not until just recently." Chrysalis purred. "Care to hear some of my ideas?"
"By all means." Sleight grinned, as Chrysalis joined him on the bed. "In fact, I just might have some ideas of my own..."
"Then let's start... brainstorming." Chrysalis whispered.
Sleight and Chrysalis were now closer than ever. Thanks to her husband, Chrysalis had finally fulfilled a decades-long dream. From that point on, whenever she looked at the dress, she did so not with longing, but with joy and contentment, remembering the day when her fantasy became real.