Chapter 146: B - The happiest day of their lives
I’m… actually getting married?!
Aoshi stares at his reflection in the mirror.
He looks like someone who hasn’t slept all night.
The truth is, he hasn’t slept this much in years. It’s all thanks to the spell Raelor used to knock him into a deep sleep so he wouldn’t show up to the ceremony with dark circles under his eyes.
He had to do the same thing to Eliss. Otherwise, she would’ve been far too excited and happy to get any sleep at all.
As tradition demands in the Kingdom of Ravessia, Aoshi will be wearing an extravagant purple suit embroidered with gold. It’s so ridiculously complicated to put on that Aria and Priscilla — two young palace maids — are helping him get dressed..
“Nervous?” Priscilla asks.
“If I say yes, am I getting executed?”
The two girls burst out laughing.
“No, don’t worry. It’s perfectly normal when you’re about to marry the most desired princess in all of Elyndra,” Aria says.
“Y-Yeah… I guess you’re right…”
Shit, I’d be freaking out even if I were marrying a normal girl! Raelor never told me I’d actually have to marry Eliss!
Not that I’m complaining. We love each other, after all. But we’re still talking about a girl I didn’t even know a little over three months ago.
Maybe we’re rushing things a bit… but I have a feeling I’d really get executed if I backed out now…
Ah, screw it! This is the happiest day of my life, and I’m gonna enjoy every second of it!
“One last little touch… and there! All done! So? What do you think?” Aria asks, practically glowing with excitement.
“Uh… well… I think it looks good…”
Man… I look like I’m cosplaying some low-budget battle shonen villain…
The maids don’t seem too happy with his less-than-enthusiastic reaction.
“After spending almost three hours getting you dressed, we deserve a little more excitement than that…” Aria grumbles.
“She’s right! We did an amazing job! We made you so handsome I’m almost tempted to marry you myself!” Priscilla adds with a teasing smile.
“Keep your voice down, Priscilla! If Princess Eliss hears you, she’ll have us both executed!”
So I’m not the only one who’s afraid of getting executed over every little thing. Guess my fears aren’t completely unfounded…
“You’re lucky my daughter didn’t hear you complimenting the man she loves,” a deep, commanding voice says from behind them.
The two maids recognize the voice instantly and immediately drop to the floor in a respectful bow.
When Aoshi turns around, he sees a huge man standing in the doorway. He’s tall, broad, slightly heavyset, with long wavy blond hair and a matching beard.
“P-Please forgive us, King Azhelar. We were only talking about our work, not the young man himself. We humbly ask for your forgiveness,” the two maids say in unison.
K-King Azhelar…? So that’s… Eliss’s father?!
“Psst… kid! Do you realize you’re standing in front of the king? Kneel!” Aria whispers, tugging on Aoshi’s pants.
“Oh, that’s not necessary. He’ll be my son-in-law soon enough,” Azhelar says with a broad smile.
Then his expression turns serious as he looks back at the two girls.
“If you’re done helping him get ready, leave us alone.”
“R-Right away, Your Majesty!”
A moment later, only Aoshi and the king are left in the room.
Aoshi is a nervous wreck. His heart is pounding, and his whole body won’t stop shaking.
“I won’t pretend I’m happy about this marriage…” Azhelar begins, his voice calm but serious.
Those few words alone are enough to make Aoshi’s blood run cold.
But he relaxes a little when the king continues in a gentler tone.
“…But my daughter isn’t reckless, and I trust her judgment. She must have seen something truly special in you if she’s willing to give up her title as princess just to stay by your side.”
“Eliss… what?!”
“Oh? So she never told you? I suppose she didn’t want you to feel guilty. The laws of our kingdom are very clear. A princess can’t marry anyone who isn’t a noble. And you aren’t one. The only way this marriage can happen is if she gives up her title.”
He lets out a quiet sigh.
“In thousands of years, no member of the Narkhalis family has ever gone that far. They always chose to marry someone they didn’t love — or even someone they despised — just to keep their status. But from a stubborn troublemaker like Eliss… I honestly expected nothing less.”
Eliss… she really gave up everything for me? I still can’t believe someone like her — a beautiful, powerful demon princess everyone wanted — fell in love with an ordinary loser like me.
Man… life really is weird.
Knock. Knock.
“Princess Eliss is ready. The ceremony may begin,” Raelor announces from the other side of the closed door.
Aoshi’s heart starts pounding harder than ever before.
He swallows nervously, but his throat is so dry there’s not even a drop of saliva left.
T-This is it… it’s time!
Raelor escorts Aoshi to the enormous hall where he reunited with Eliss the night before.
The entire room has been decorated for the ceremony. Long purple and gold banners, matching Aoshi’s outfit, hang from the ceiling.
The long red carpet leading from the entrance to the throne is covered with a trail of black petals streaked with pink—the signature flower of Elyndra.
Hundreds of guests are seated on both sides of the carpet.
Eliss is waiting on the throne.
She’s wearing a long pink gown covered in diamonds, with a deep sweetheart neckline and matching high heels. Her hair is tied back, and a crown woven from those same flowers rests on her head.
The moment Aoshi sees her, he forgets how to breathe.
At Raelor’s signal, he starts walking down the carpet.
Most of the guests watch him with doubtful, offended looks.
Not one of them says a word.
Raelor made sure of that.
Insulting the future husband of the princess is considered an insult to the princess herself.
And that’s a crime punishable by death.
When Aoshi reaches the middle of the carpet, Eliss rises from her throne.
She walks gracefully down the steps and stops just a few feet in front of him.
“You look amazing in that wedding outfit, my love. I never thought I’d get to see someone wear it just for me,” Eliss says, her voice breaking with emotion.
“Y-You really think so…? It feels a little… over the top to me,” Aoshi replies, more nervous than he’s ever been.
“Well, if you don’t like it… I’ll help you take it off later. You know… once we’re alone.”
Aoshi turns bright red.
Out of habit, he’s about to say, “Eliss, quit teasing me. You know we can’t do stuff like that.”
But the words never leave his mouth.
Right… we’ll be married soon. Together forever. I finally have no reason to hold myself back with her!
“Yeah… I can’t wait. And, uh… you look absolutely beautiful today too, Eliss.”
“Only today? So I wasn’t beautiful these past few months?” she pouts, pretending to be offended.
“T-That’s not what I meant! I just… come on, you know what I meant!”
Eliss bursts into genuine laughter.
A moment later, Raelor walks over to them, ready to officiate the ceremony.
“Princess Eliss. Aoshi. We may begin.”