Best Wedding Planner
…
The Town Square had never been more alive. Sunlight bathed the cobblestone streets in a golden hue, bouncing off the pristine white and gold banners draped elegantly around the Grand Mariage booth. The delicate scent of fresh buttercream and sugar roses wove through the air, carried by the gentle spring breeze. Everywhere, the sounds of laughter, eager chatter, and the occasional clink of fine china created a symphony of festivity.
Standing at the heart of it all, Wedding Cake Cookie clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling with delight.
"At last, Grand Mariage comes to the Town Square!" she declared, her voice brimming with unrestrained excitement.
The crowd of cookies bustled around the elegantly adorned booth, some flipping through wedding catalogs, others marveling at the meticulously designed invitations and floral arrangements.
"So many future brides visited us on the first day, we even had to allow walk-ins! How exciting!" she continued, smoothing a satin ribbon on a beautifully wrapped invitation. Watching the hopeful couples—starry-eyed and lost in romantic daydreams—sent a warm thrill through her chest. This was her purpose, her joy. "How I love being a wedding planner."
…
In the Town Square.
Beyond the dazzling display of Grand Mariage, the marketplace hummed with its usual liveliness. Stalls brimmed with fresh produce, warm pastries, and shimmering trinkets. At one such stall, a trio of cookies gathered, chatting over steaming cups of tea.
"Did ya hear about that wedding cake in the Crème Republic?" Chili Pepper Cookie leaned casually against a wooden crate, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Why, of course, Chili Pepper Cookie!" Herb Cookie chimed in, ever cheerful. "The wedding of the landlord cookie’s son was the talk of the town! I heard the ceremony was absolutely grand!"
Chili Pepper Cookie scowled, arms crossed in frustration. "Oh, crumbs...! I can’t believe I missed out on the perfect opportunity to snatch some coins outta a bunch of rich folks' pockets!"
Herb Cookie chuckled good-naturedly. "Ha ha! A missed opportunity indeed! Apparently, the ceremony was decorated with rare plants, too! And the wedding was planned by none other than the highly esteemed ‘Grand Mariage.’”
Chili Pepper Cookie scoffed. "'Grand... Mariage?' Even the name sounds fancy... Ugh, all those jewels and treasures just sitting there, ripe for the taking..." She let out a dramatic groan.
"And word on the street is, the famous Wedding Cake Cookie was in charge of the whole thing!" Herb Cookie added with a knowing nod.
Even the mention of her name carried weight—a symbol of elegance, perfection, and fairytale endings.
"AHA! I knew it!" Chili Pepper Cookie exclaimed, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Even I've heard of that name before! Next time she plans a big, fancy wedding, I’ll get her to hire me as part of the crew..." She grinned, hands on her hips. "I'll be all, ‘Hello, may I show you to your seat?’ and then—BAM! Pockets will be PICKED!"
Herb Cookie shook his head, laughing. "Ha ha! I’m more interested in her actual work! Just imagine—flowers everywhere, a beautiful day full of love!" His gaze turned dreamy. "Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Mint Choco Cookie performed at one of these weddings, too?"
Mint Choco Cookie, who had been silently sipping his tea, suddenly froze mid-sip. His grip tightened around the cup, his face a shade pinker than usual.
Herb Cookie nudged him playfully. "Wouldn’t you agree, Mint Choco Cookie?"
Mint Choco Cookie blinked rapidly, as if shaking himself from a trance. "Oh! I... I was lost in thought."
Chili Pepper Cookie narrowed her eyes, voice dripping with curiosity. "Hmm? What’s gotten into you? And why are you blushing, huuuah?"
Mint Choco Cookie quickly turned away, fumbling with the collar of his uniform. "D-don't look at me! It's nothing!"
Chili Pepper Cookie smirked knowingly. "Doesn't seem like ‘nothing’ to me... You’re acting berry suspicious."
Mint Choco Cookie sighed in defeat before blurting out, "Well... I heard something from the other cookies! Grand Mariage just opened a wedding salon right here in the Town Square! And—Wedding Cake Cookie herself is running it!"
Chili Pepper Cookie’s jaw nearly hit the table. "WHAT?! You’re tellin’ me she’s here?!"
Mint Choco Cookie nodded, his expression serious. "I even heard Schwarzwälder was there, and—"
Herb Cookie leaned in, intrigued. "Ohh?"
Mint Choco Cookie cleared his throat. "Apparently, the shop was packed, but he managed to try on a wedding dress..."
...
The scene shifted in a whimsical flashback: a grand mirror reflected the towering figure of Schwarzwälder, adorned in an intricately embroidered wedding gown, complete with lace sleeves and a cascading train.
He twirled dramatically, striking a victorious pose.
"MUA HA HA! I get to try this dress on at the hottest wedding salon! AND WHUDDYA KNOW, I LOOK STUNNING!"
For some reason, the wind carried an ethereal echo: "YAS GIRL SLAY IT WORK IT QUEEN!"
…
Back at the boutique, the late afternoon sun cast a soft golden glow through the grand windows, making the lace and satin of the displayed gowns shimmer like dewdrops. Wedding Cake Cookie moved gracefully through the space, adjusting floral arrangements and smoothing out delicate veils with practiced hands. The faint clink of porcelain teacups and the rustle of silk filled the air, each moment a quiet prelude to another dream fulfilled.
As she finished tying a perfect bow around a bouquet, the shop’s bell chimed softly.
Ding, ding…
Wedding Cake Cookie paused, her hand hovering mid-air.
"Oh?" she murmured, tilting her head. "I don’t have any appointments scheduled today… Who could it be?"
Curiosity bloomed in her chest as she stepped lightly toward the entrance. It was likely another curious cookie, perhaps someone looking for inspiration—or maybe a hopeful bride in need of guidance.
She turned toward the door, her usual warm, practiced smile at the ready.
"Welcome to Grand Mariage!" she greeted, her voice as bright and welcoming as always.
And then, her gaze met the newcomer’s.
The air shifted.
Time itself seemed to slow, the faint tick of the clock in the background stretching impossibly long. A heartbeat echoed in her ears—steady, but so much louder than it should have been.
Thump... thump...
This wasn’t just another bride.
There was something different about her—the way she stood, poised yet uncertain, her presence both commanding and delicate. Wedding Cake Cookie had helped countless brides before, had seen love in all its forms, had dedicated her life to creating perfect, storybook weddings.
But she had never felt her own heart race like this.
She inhaled softly, steadying herself.
This bride was different.
And for the first time in a long while, Wedding Cake Cookie wasn’t sure what came next.
…