Emily: "Hello... Excuse me?.... Are you alright?"

A faint and soft voice echoed itself through (Y/n)'s ears, making his eyes tremble and his lips quiver from it's gentleness. For after his collision with the tree, his mind was filled with a ringing noise and sensation, but the sweetness the voice emitted made it all fade away.

(Y/n): "Catherine?..."

His dazed state prevented any effort in opening his eyes to see what laid in front of him, and the brunt of the impact from earlier made his assumption of the voice he heard to be that of Catherine's. The young woman that he was running from nodded her head softly, placing her hand upon the forehead of (Y/n)'s, tending to his wound he sustained. 

Emily: "No... my name is Emily."

(Y/n): "E-Emily?..."

Emily: "Yes, open your eyes dear."

With as much given strength as he could, (Y/n) reluctantly and slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurry at first but soon readjusting to see clearly.

There in front of him was the woman, the walking and talking corpse named Emily. Her dead shot eyes with her small pupils staring right into (Y/n)'s. Her face was at an angle, and darting his eyes around, (Y/n) saw that his head was resting in Emily's lap, her tattered wedding dress acting as a pillow to rest his injured head. With his eyes now open, (Y/n) also could feel her rotten and decayed hand trickle it's way up and down his forehead. Moving his view upwards, he got a view of the hand caressing his cranium, and upon it's finger was the wedding ring he placed on it, shining it's blue glow from the moonlight. 

Night has fallen, the evening rays that intruded through the branches were replaced with moonlight, making the environment glow in a soft white color. This in turn, made Emily's skin appear much more lighter in tone, yet still blue to the eyes. Young (Y/n) must have been out of it for quite a while since the moon was high in the sky, signifying that many hours have passed since his accident.

(Y/n): "W-wait! No...."

Truthfully, (Y/n) wanted to hop off and run away as quick as possible, yet his throbbing pain was still present, and it showed when he tried to move his arms up, only for his brain to halt any movement at all. Emily noticed his futile attempt to try and leave abruptly, and reacted by placing her other free hand on top of (Y/n)'s chest, keeping him still.

Emily: "Shhhh, it's alright my dear, we're together now."

(Y/n): "Please... don't hurt me..."

A faint call out was exchanged by (Y/n), making Emily tilt her head in confusion and worry.

Emily: "I would never, my faithful husband."

(Y/n): "Husband?"

Hearing the word husband made (Y/n) think briefly of Catherine, a memory he didn't wish to revisit, and his current state of affairs has already shown that this is no nightmare, but rather his new path that he would have to undertake. A young yet beautiful undead bride is claiming to be his bride, yet this sudden knowledge is leaving (Y/n) with more and more questions. This was going to certainly be a difficult path to overcome.

Emily: "That's right silly, you proposed and I said yes."

Remembering back to that part where he placed the ring upon that finger that he believed was merely a stick turned out to be the hand of a zombie woman, and now she claims to be wed to young (Y/n).

(Y/n): "I... You're... you're a..."

Emily: "Yes... I am dead... but that still doesn't change the fact that we can be together now my husband."

(Y/n): "No... wait, this is all just... too sudden."

With as much mustered strength as possible, (Y/n) with a groan, managed to sit up, standing up and shaking his head slightly to remove any dizziness and vertigo he still had. He then rested up against a tree, taking in all of what just happened, what he just heard and is being told. Quietly, he would speak and think to himself.

(Y/n): "This is a nightmare... this cannot be happening... This is all just a bad dream, a joke that is being played on me... an undead woman being my bride... this is not real..."

After a few seconds of ranting silently to himself, (Y/n) turned around to meet himself with Emily directly in front of him, standing straight and staring awestruck at (Y/n), her lifeless eyes examining him deeply and closely.

Without a moment of peace, she gracefully leans forward, placing her hands upon (Y/n)'s broad shoulders, her gentle touch a far cry from the immense grip her hand had on his arm hours ago. Fearing for the worst, (Y/n) flinched and tensed up, eyes shutting and his muscles freezing and preparing for what may unfold, only to gasp internally and shockingly when he felt something rest against his chest.

Reopening his eyes once more, he peered down and saw that Emily had her head against his chest, resting on it like it was a pillow. No words were exchanged, just the sound of the night filled the air and the aura of trust was forming between this young woman and man.

Letting out heavy breaths, (Y/n)'s chest moved violently, making Emily's head move with it, until his breathing calmed, realizing that this was nothing to fear. For here was a woman, lost and forgotten about in this morbid forest, who had plenty of chances and opportunities to cause harm to (Y/n), yet never did. She instead tended to his wound, stayed with him throughout the hours of his unconscious state and now is showing signs of affection towards (Y/n).

This feeling felt nice, comfortable, loving.

It reminded (Y/n) of the blissful days when he and Catherine started their romance, yet it had been so long since such a display of affection had been performed. It seemed foreign to (Y/n), yet he knew that the way Emily was silent and soft with him showed him that she meant it.

The fear that an undead, zombified woman, claiming to be his bride and resting her head on his chest, still frightened his mind, but a strange feeling within his heart and mind told him to just relax and understand this whole ordeal. With his stomach loosening, not feeling tight anymore, and his heart returning to a normal heartbeat rate, young (Y/n) placed a hand on Emily's back, patting it gently, giving her a hopeful comfort in this lonely and sad night.

(Y/n) felt grateful, truly, that she cared so much so to stay and help him in this situation, yet the bold claim that out of nowhere she said they were married was all too sudden and made (Y/n) feel uneasy in a sense. The least he believed he owed her was at least asking her some questions and spending time with her on this cold night.

(Y/n): "Emily was it? I-I'm (Y/n) (L/n)... and please... help me figure this all out... you're dead, so exactly h-how are you alive?"

Emily removed her head off of (Y/n)'s chest and stared at him with a genuine pure smile, a smile that seemed so innocent, so adorable that (Y/n) found himself starting to smirk at it's beauty.

Emily: "It's a tragic story... one I wish not to dwell anymore on, but let's just say I was... abandoned by.... someone, yet it feels like I've now been found, by you... my dear husband."

(Y/n): "Husband... look Emily... this is all just so quick, I'm not your husband."

Emily: "Oh but you put a ring on me and proposed (Y/n), and it was so romantic."

(Y/n): "Yeah, I... I did but I didn't think nor know that I put it on you... I thought it was a stick you see?"

Emily: "Oh (Y/n), I know this all must be so scary and horrifying for you... but please, at least get to know me, I adore you already so please grant me this desire."

(Y/n): "Emily... I..."

Looking down at Emily, her gaunt eyes open wide, her pupils staring directly into (Y/n)'s, he felt terrible for what possibly happened to her. She, like (Y/n), was a lost romantic, abandoned by someone they thought they could trust, that they shared in common at least. Though the main worry still flooded his mind throughout this whole scenario, that she was a corpse. Even so, she looked stunning, though her signs of decay were present and obvious, someone about her was beautiful, perhaps it was her stance, her voice or her eyes, but weirdly enough, (Y/n) felt himself becoming drawn to her now that he has nothing to fear from her.

(Y/n): "Okay..."

Emily brightened up at his reply, smiling her pale lips at (Y/n), making him break his reluctant stance and smile back.

Emily: "That's all I hope for. Please, follow me!"

Emily removed her hands off of (Y/n), gracefully moving backwards and turning around in a flair to go elsewhere as (Y/n) followed her, hoping he will not regret befriending a zombie.

Through the dense trees, and bushes of leaves, Emily lead (Y/n) to a small pond, a pond that was shallow, silent and alone. Emily knelt down in front of it, her dress and head gown flawlessly going with the flow of moving. Following behind was (Y/n), who reached the pond and saw Emily from behind sitting in front of it. Turning her head slightly, Emily patted the soft dirt that rested next to her, motioning for (Y/n) to sit next to her.

Taking a deep breath, (Y/n) walked forward and accepted her invitation, resting his legs, crossing them and sitting down next to Emily, wondering why she brought him here to this pond.

Emily: "I like this place, it's beautiful, calm. I would always come here when I was... alive, it was much more vibrant in color. I would dance all alone in this forest, even taking off my shoes to let my feet touch the smoothness of this little pond, it makes me so happy this place."

(Y/n): "Yeah, I-I've never been in this forest, but it's... it's nice."

Emily could notice the nerves still present in (Y/n)'s tone, which she completely understood. A corpse of a woman in a wedding dress, declaring to another mortal that they were wed would certainly create a sense of fear and total utter confusion, yet she was determined to persuade (Y/n) to at least give her a chance.

Emily: "(Y/n), I know you're still scared, and I don't blame you..."

(Y/n): "Emily..."

Emily: "No, I understand it truly, I'm just a dead girl, who just wants to be married... I never got to experience that joy in life..."

Her words were softer than usual, like this was a touchy subject to converse about, which (Y/n) felt the same about. They both shared this as well, for young (Y/n) did too not get to experience of being wed, nor would he ever since he found out about Catherine. Keeping silent, he let Emily finish, respecting her confidence in telling him more about herself.

Emily: "I was so eager to be someone's bride, but when... when I died... I died without a true groom, a true husband... and when you placed this beautiful ring on my finger..."

She lifted her skeletal hand up, gazing upon the ring that shined it's beautiful blue glow, smiling at it's shimmer.

Emily: "I believed that I would finally be able to have that dream come true... but with how you reacted, it made me realize... who would marry a dead girl..."

She closed her hand, closing her eyes clearly showing signs of emotional pain within, making (Y/n) feel awful. 

Looks like her pain matched (Y/n)'s to an extent, both heartbroken that they never got to, or never will be able to become married with someone. Seeing her in this state made him forget all about his fears and doubts of sitting next to an undead corpse bride, and now he confided in her and felt unafraid now.

(Y/n): "I too, feel your pain Emily... there was this woman... I was to ask her to marry me, hence the ring on your finger... but when I went to find her, I was lead to a truth that broke my heart... She was with another man... so I ran, until I ended up here and placed the ring on your finger, thinking your hand was a stick in the dirt, not wanting to do anything with it anymore... and now we're here..."

Emily: "Oh... so this ring was for her..."

Her gloomy expression stayed upon her face, still saddened that (Y/n) was explaining to her that this was all just a mistake. He didn't know what came over him, but seeing her like this made (Y/n) feel sympathetic in a way that he would do anything to make her happy once more. Perhaps a way to make himself happy again after being heartbroken, was to make another person happy, even if they were a corpse.

So with a heavy sigh and a quick turn of his thoughts, he would decide that Emily was deserving of a chance, as much as the other way around, a chance of being happy.

(Y/n): "I want you to keep it Emily, it suits you better."

Emily turned her head quickly at (Y/n), her eyes opening wide in happiness as a smile began forming on her face. This made (Y/n) truly smile finally, no longer holding back and letting it show, together they shared a moment of silence, enjoying each other's company and view. Here was (Y/n), who was running for his life from this zombie, now finding himself entranced by something about her, what exactly was it? No one can tell, but he knew that with what they shared in common, they can relate to a level, and though her claim that they are wed, he would give her the chance to get to know each other more and see where things lead.

This was a decision that (Y/n) finalized after seeing her in this somber state and seeing her smile, along with her tending and helping him out after his collision with the tree earlier, he owed her that much, to at least give his company to her.

Emily: "You surely know how to make a dead girl blush (Y/n)..."

(Y/n): "I try, I really do, but look... it's getting late, Emily, I find you fun to talk to, and I know you want me to be your husband and all... but how about we just take it slow and get to know each other more? That seems fair does it?"

Emily: "O-oh.... I see...."

(Y/n): "Do not be sad anymore Emily, you are no longer alone, and believe me, the feeling is mutual, you and I have a lot more in common that I would've thought. You seem very nice and considerate, no matter your mortal status."

Emily: "Thank you so much (Y/n), and I too feel sorry for what you went through... you seem like a fantastic guy, any woman would be lucky to have you..."

Hoping that her compliment would prod (Y/n) in a way to make him consider accepting her marriage, Emily smiled a cute grin towards (Y/n), making him chuckle a bit at it's innocence and beauty. Oddly, (Y/n) was a bit swooned by her compliment, like something within was telling him to accept her forwardness, he wasn't sure what exactly it was about Emily but he felt at ease around her now, like he now knows her fully.

(Y/n): "That means a lot to me Emily, but listen... I have to head back home... but I will come back tomorrow, I trust that you will be here?"

Emily: "Oh... yes! Absolutely! I'll be here, waiting for you..."

And with a bow, and a smile, (Y/n) was on his way, turning around and making his departure out of this enchanted forest. He would turn around one final time and look over at Emily, calling out to her, making her head lift up in anticipation for what he had to say.

(Y/n): "I enjoyed your company Miss Emily."

With a wink, he turned back around and made his way out, leaving Emily to watch him intently from behind, sighing deeply in love as she watches his leave. Looking down back at her finger with the wedding ring on it, she held it close to her chest, embracing it's blue glow.

Emily: "Until tomorrow... my future husband..."