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They said that even the gods blessed today, Rosalyn and Eruhaben would snort when they heard this. 'What god?' the perfect blue sky and mild weather was their project with the dark elves after all, a gift to their dear friends.
“Tch that unlucky bastard, I bet the sky is going to cry hard that day”
“A bright sun in the afternoon and a clear moon in the evening would be beautiful hmm~”
Mary looks in awe as she watches flowers bloom on the side of the road and leaves grow on the once dry tree branches, the gentle breeze ruffles her black hood.
“Good Mary! Let’s go to our seat I want to see my human!” an excited young dragon tugs at her sleeve and two kittens meow in agreement by her feet.
“Okay Raon-nim” she agrees, her usual monotonous voice has an excited lilt to it.
Today is a joyous day for Roan empire citizens, as today their first emperor will finally have an empress to accompany him.
To say that their future empress is famous would be an understatement, there is no bookstore in the whole western continent and maybe even in the eastern continent, that doesn’t sell a biography of the legendary hero to many, although none of those books were actually approved by the said hero.
Cale Henituse, the firstborn of the wealthy Henituse duchy, also fondly known as young master silver shield. The people in the capital would never forget the sight of a then 18 years old teenager using his silver shield to block off the bomb that was meant to end their lives. They were forever indebted and in awe of the bravery of the fragile youth who sacrificed his own health for the greater good. This young man will eventually create more and more stories, saving countless lives from the clutch of darkness never asking for fame or wealth despite his weak body.
The whispers in the empire say, the only reason he agreed to be the empress despite rejecting the multiple offers to be a commander, prime minister or duke, was because he loves the emperor. Stories of how the (then) crown prince falls in love with his brilliant, yet loving commander are very famous and used as inspirations for many pieces of romantic literature throughout the continent.
The recount of Cale Henituse travel companions and friend only reaffirmed their beliefs,
“Cale-nim likes to brush his high- his majesty’s hair while thinking. Oh, since Cale-nim is very smart he traced letters on his majesty’s skin too if he needs to sneakily communicate” the royal instructor answered innocently when the curious journalists asked him if he knows a habit that is only shared between the two. ‘Secret rendezvous and lingering touches’ become the empire’s hot topic for two weeks, later Choi Han realised that maybe he should have added that the crown prince was in a tiger form then.
“Man, I still remember how young master Cale casually unbuttoned his shirt when calling his highness, sorry I mean his majesty, it makes you wonder how often they had done this huh” unlike his fellow sword master the mercenary king fully knows the implication behind his words as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Bud Illis definitely deserves the two weeks silent treatment Cale subjected him to when the ‘secret rendezvous and lingering touches’ became the nation hot topic AGAIN.
“The crown prince is very nice ~nya, he always brings us cookies and cakes ~nya” answered Hong.
“The crown prince let us roll around his bed and buy us stuffs” answered Raon, who can maintain a human form now.
“The crown prince takes good care of us and our father ~nya” On added, nobody saw the playful smile on her face.
Nobody corrected the young children that the crown prince is now the emperor, when they excitedly informed the journalists about what they like about the emperor, instead they gave them a fond look at the cute children and some dessert as a repayment. Alberu just chuckled when the rumor of him co-parenting with his future empress spread around the empire, good rumor does hurt anyone.
.
Everybody believes they are deeply in love with each other that is why no one is scorning Cale for taking the empress position, in fact, there are more people that are heartbroken or sad that their beloved guardian fairy is getting married today. Young master Cale is after all the Roan’s empire's most precious treasure.
Too too toom!
The trumpet sounds fills the wide plaza, and the citizen's hearts begin to thump as they excitedly trying to peek over the shoulders and head in front of them, wanting to see a glimpse of their hero.
At the end of the red carpet that stretches down the altar towards the road sits a grand carriage bearing a golden turtle emblem, the family symbol of the Henituse duchy.
Unlike the usual tradition of having a guardian accompanying the bride or groom walking down the aisle, the Roan empire has a tradition where the future empress has to walk by themselves. It was because their decision to be tied down to their country and their husband must be from their own choice; no family, friends or even gods should decide that for them.
Tap
The gentle sound of footsteps seemed to echo in the open area as people held their breath.
Tap tap
Finally, the main star of today exits the extravagant carriage. The white gold light from the sun shines upon the male’s long red hair, highlighting the intricate braids that form a crown around his head. The wind gently blows on the loose strand on his back and on the translucent white veil that cannot really hide his lovely face.
The white robe with silver accents that matches with the emperor’s golden accent robe elegantly drapes on his body. Cale Henituse looked like a goddess as he walks towards his future husband waiting on top of the altar, that Clopeh Sekka subconsciously holds his hands in a prayer position.
“How picturesque” for once the two queens standing beside him, Litana and Witira, agree with the fanatic man’s word.
Across from them, Ron dabs at the corner of his eyes, a proud smile crosses his face. His young master looks so beautiful it’s worth the two hours he spent restraining the rebellious male as Duchess Violan’s maids worked their magic on the future empress.
Jack, the pope that will officiate the marriage cannot hide his astonishment, “young master Cale is so beautiful” there is a wonder in his voice.
Alberu Crossman, Roan’s empire sun, subconciously nods his head, he too is captivated. Cale does not seem human with how ethereal he looks.
The emperor does not realize that his soon-to-be empress has now stood in front of him.
Reddish-brown eyes dusted with light sparkles, peek underneath the translucent clothes, ‘are you okay?’ they seem to ask.
Emperor Alberu thanks his years of etiquette training as he successfully resisted the urge to snort on his wedding day at the ginger’s tendency to worry about others first
‘And he claims that he is a trash’ he mentally shakes his head.
Saint jack smiled before beginning the ceremony, ending his speech with a blessing for the first sun and moon of the Roan empire, before pouring wine into the golden cup in his hand.
“By drinking from this cup, you promise to honour and cherish each other till death do you part,” he says as he raises the cup towards the couple.
“Please take turn drinking if you agree to this vow”
Alberu takes off the white veil covering Cale’s face, before holding his cup towards the younger’s lips, then tilting it carefully. The burgundy wine stained the smaller’s lips, and Alberu suddenly has the urge to kiss his empress.
With a swift move, he empties the cup in his hand and passes it back to the bewildered saint, before gently cradling his partner’s face and captures his lips into a kiss.
The crowd cheers when they see their leaders sharing a kiss, sealing their marriage. Saint Jack shakes his head behind them, “I did not even get to cue them” but there is a fond smile on his lips.
Cale’s lips are warm and soft, and Alberu knows there is nowhere near enough alcohol in the wine, but he sure feels like he is drunk.
“Hyung, you taste like wine” Alberu could feel the other’s smile on his lips, so he huffs and kisses his mischievous partner again, “so do you” he replies with amusement before they have to part and address the crowd.
A dark satisfaction settles inside of the emperor when he looked at the Cale’s slightly swollen lips, the Sun God pope already standing next to them with a sparkling yet somewhat modest tiara on his hand.
“Cale Henituse, Firstborn of the Henituse Ducal family, by wearing this crown you accepted the vow to never betray your people and stay loyal to your kingdom” the saint announces.
“Yes, I promise” Cale voice is small compared to the roaring crowd below, he then lowered his head so that Jack could place the tiara on his head.
“My son!” a sobbing noise soon follows that statement, unfortunately, it is not Duke Deruth Henituse who said that but instead, it was Duke Fredo of the Endable Kingdom. Nobody could tell if the bawling vampire is actually crying or is just acting, nobody dares to confirm it either, partly because of the strong pressure the man emits but mostly because he keeps tearily lamenting about his adorable child growing up too fast to anybody that so much as look at his way.
“Uncle Fredo has a son?” Lock pretends he does not hear the wolf children's question, as it is a rather long story, and instead urges them to clap along with the crowd.
The newlywed couple is now facing their people, an almost identical beatific smile gracing their faces.
“Cheers for the happy couple” no one knows when or where the excommunicated priestess gets a bottle of wine, but Cage has raised them towards the altar, her best friend Taylor echoes the cheer with just as much enthusiasm.
“Shall we go” Alberu offers his hand to Cale, his warm smile looks more amused at the disgruntled expression on his partner's face at the prospect of talking to a lot of people. But then a small but genuine smile adorns his face and Alberu swears he could see an angel halo on the other’s head.
“Sure” Cale takes the offered hand.
The day is warm, and his heart is at peace. He prefers facing these joyous people so much more than the vicious faces of his enemies or the grim faces of warriors fighting for their life.
Cale thinks life is good.