By Zephyria 
Faintly sweet music echoed, and Theodore’s calm voice announced the order of the ceremony.
“Thank you to our guests for waiting. From this moment, under the name of the First Goddess, we shall hold the wedding ceremony of Groom Rubel Anti Searon, His Imperial Majesty, and Groom Michael Hart Searon, His Grace the Duke. For this blessed ceremony, we request your thunderous cheers and applause.”
My two younger brothers, who were to serve as flower bearers, entered the reception room with hesitant steps, their faces etched with nervousness.
Normally, flower bearers, who are children, merely walk ahead of the bride and groom on the virgin road, scattering petals.
But my brothers, Ruben and I, were already grown.
Because of that, it had been arranged for them to pave the way from the reception room where we were currently seated, all the way to the entrance of the virgin road, by slowly moving along in open carriages.
Rubel’s path would be paved by Lucilla, and my path by my two precious younger brothers.
Today, Michael and Asdel had come dressed in matching green suits and dresses, as fresh as midsummer leaves. The delicate lace adorning their collars made their faces look even more vibrant than usual.
I watched them for a long time, so pleased by how beautiful and adorable they were. Even though I had heard and seen them countless times discussing what clothes to wear, what accessories to adorn themselves with, and how to wear them, seeing them today brought tears to my eyes.
“Ah, hyung. What are you looking at so intently?”
“Oppa, we have to go now.The children, who had been observing my deep emotion, chuckled. They soon urged me on with delight.
“Yes. It is time now.”
While I had escorted others before, I had never been escorted myself. I took Michael’s outstretched hand and rose from my seat. From a distance, Theodore’s voice calmly announced the next part of the ceremony.
“The two grooms will enter the venue by carriage for the ceremony.”
The carriage, which resembled an egg cut in half lengthwise, with only the bottom half remaining, was pulled by a white horse with a dignified appearance. The carriage itself was white, but the handles, wheels, all the horse’s tack, the shafts connecting the horse and carriage, and the large wheels were all a bright golden hue. The ornate decoration, with its edges entirely trimmed in gold thread and its interior lined with soft, red fabric, made me gasp in admiration.
I obediently accepted my younger brothers’ escort and boarded the carriage. As Michael, who held the white horse’s reins, walked gracefully to the left of the horse, Asdel, standing to the right, scattered petals from a basket high into the air. The magically enchanted petals did not fall but floated easily, scattering the sunlight into countless fragments and shimmering incessantly.
“His Majesty the Emperor’s younger siblings are scattering petals filled with blessings for this glorious occasion. These petals were gathered from the leaves of dahlias that sprouted in the fertile Earldom Ernhardt. They are famous for being a gift from Duke Michael Ernhardt to His Imperial Majesty Rubel Anti Searon when he was still a Prince, during his graduation ceremony. The flower language of the dahlia is…”
Through the shower of petals, I saw Ruben in the distance.
It felt like a reunion after only a day apart, yet he was so welcome. Ruben was dressed in a white suit that fit him snugly, much like mine. A veil of a light texture, which seemed as if it would blow away with the slightest breath, was placed on the child’s head, adorned with jewel embellishments to prevent it from flying too far.
The veil, which barely covered his chin in the front and cascaded down to the middle of his back, fluttered gently in the breeze. Watching the veil ripple without a single crease, my heart pounded so loudly it felt deafening. I would have been content even if I had lost all other senses.
A few yellow petals clung to Ruben’s veil like scattered gold.
Lucilla held the reins of Ruben’s carriage in one hand, and with the other, she took petals from a basket attached to the carriage’s seat and scattered them. Her arm strength was so great that the petals Lucilla scattered flew twice as high as those scattered by Asdel.
“…Your love makes me beautiful.”
Michael and Lucilla held the horses’ reins tightly as the two white horses drew close enough for their heads to cross. Only after confirming the carriages had stopped did I have the leisure to tear my gaze from Ruben and survey my surroundings.
There were flowers everywhere.
Just as my mother had promised, waves of white and pink blossoms filled the space from one end to the other. With every gust of wind, the sweet scent of flowers wafted over, making my breath catch. The guests, dressed in vibrant attire, were like flowers themselves, and the broad smiles they wore were no different.
Michael and Lucilla opened their respective carriage doors and offered their hands. After taking my brothers’ hands and stepping onto the ground, I naturally extended my hand towards Ruben. Rubel lightly placed his hand on mine. Immediately after, the three children began to walk before us, scattering blossoms and petals in all directions.
I walked on the white path.
The sound of applause echoed from all sides. Human voices layered over the sweet string music. It was Lucilla. Without lyrics or meaning, her humming, filled with the joy of the sweet melody, blended with the petals, creating a romance unmatched.
Ruben walked looking forward, and I walked looking at Ruben.
Ruben was slightly shorter than me. Because of that, beneath the veil resting on his high nose bridge, his dense eyelashes were faintly visible, like shadows through a paper screen. No matter how many times I looked, I never grew tired of it.
After the flower bearers retreated, we ascended a total of nine steps. Only then did the applause, which had seemed as if it would never cease, subside. Standing at the same eye level, a figure appeared. It was Maelo Sanson, who had arrived earlier and was waiting, smiling kindly.
“For the next part, we have the officiant’s address from Marquis Maelo Sanson, Professor of the Searon Academy’s Swordsmanship Department and the Sierran Empire’s foremost Grand Sword Master of this era.”
“I greet you, honored guests. I am Maelo Sanson, who has the honor of receiving this position because the two grooms before you met for the first time in my swordsmanship class.”
Light laughter rippled through the crowd.
“First, I sincerely congratulate the marriage of Groom Rubel Anti Searon and Groom Michael Hart Searon, who are holding their wedding in this Searon Grand Temple, filled with the energy of the First Goddess. I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to the parents who raised them with devotion and love, and to all the guests who are present today to witness this glorious occasion and a new legend.”
Maelo Sanson’s voice was sometimes as close as a whisper in my ear, and other times, as faint and distant as if heard in a dream. Maelo Sanson spoke of our story as he saw it. Rubel’s achievements, and my achievements. However, it was a story of a first meeting, very different from those, a small and unremarkable encounter.
“These two grown men standing before you were once very cute and young boys. Awkward, inexperienced. They would get easily upset, and would laugh uncontrollably over the smallest things. I believe these past days have made their love more complete and steadfast.”
My chest swelled. The most passionate moment of my life rose to my throat.
Overcome with emotion, I tightened my grip on Ruben’s hand. The tips of his fingers were incredibly warm, just like my heart felt now.
“Therefore, I will bless this beautiful moment with all my heart, to the best of my ability. Not to commemorate the achievements of His Imperial Majesty or His Grace Duke Ernhardt, but as a teacher who has watched how much these two people cherish and embrace each other.”
We, who had been good seniors and juniors, went through hardships together, pursued ideals together, and eventually fell in love, leading to the marriage law being changed for us to wed. Was that not something to celebrate? Following Maelo Sanson’s words, the guests often laughed, clapped, and sometimes cheered.
“…I hope that these two people will continue to love each other with mutual respect, reflecting on this moment, and that their true love will lead them on a path of happiness and peace. Thank you.”
As Maelo Sanson descended the stage with large applause and bright smiles, a saint with a strangely familiar appearance slowly ascended the stage. Though I had never seen his face before, it felt strangely familiar. Where had I seen him?
It was said that choosing an officiant who had no prior acquaintance with either side of the couple would lead to a long marriage. Therefore, this person was someone I was seeing for the first time. As I stood there, thinking it was just so, my fingertips began to tingle. Could the divine power of a mere priest be this potent?
That was not the only strange thing. As the figure ascended the stage, he seemed to grow, starting at just over 170 cm. By the time he reached the stage and looked down at us, he appeared to be nearly 3 meters tall.
Theodore, who was acting as the master of ceremonies, spoke with a slight tremor.
“We have heard Marquis Maelo Sanson’s wonderful officiant’s address. Now, next… The Lord of the Saras River, the Fifth God, will personally descend… to bless this marriage. Please, grooms, lift the veils of your respective partners.”
My gaze involuntarily turned to the VIP seats below the stage. I saw the First Goddess giving a thumbs-up, Spiritus clapping his knees with delight, Gano Paquin and Oasis smiling broadly, and Nadish Haisan nodding his head, all seated in a row. And at the end of them, one empty seat remained.
I quietly lifted Ruben’s veil. His dark eyes were filled with laughter.
“…Did you know?”
“I had a rough idea. There aren’t many priests who we haven’t met, yet have such high divine power that the First Goddess would introduce them.”
The guests, seeing a god for the first time, held each other’s hands tightly and stared up at Ikyun in awe. Their gazes felt like thorns on my back. Once my mind was at ease, I chuckled, my shoulders shaking slightly. Holding Ruben’s hand in mine, I looked forward again.
Now I knew where I had seen him. He bore a striking resemblance to the sacred statue we had rescued from Karzentia’s Lair. In any case, if it was Ruben’s arrangement and my sister’s support, there was no reason to refuse.
Saras, the God of the River, was a woman wrapped in a flowing blue garment. Every time her dense eyelashes fluttered, the sound of an invisible Undine’s laughter bubbled forth.
As the venue did not quiet down, she raised her right hand halfway. Immediately, all sound ceased, becoming muffled.
Standing in the silence, Saras, the God of the River, spoke.
[I am the River that laid hands on this continent’s birth and lent strength to its growth. The lifeblood of the Sierran Empire, the name of abundance and peace. Peace that does not overflow even with much rain, nor dry up in deep drought.]
Who would say she wasn’t a god? She insisted on using Divine Speech, rather than an audio-amplifying artifact. Still, her gentle and flowing voice, which calmly conveyed her affection, was satisfying. I gazed up at her face.
As he raised a golden plate placed before him, clear water pooled within it.
[I, Saras River, guarantee the wedding of Emperor Rubel Anti Searon, who carries the will of the First Goddess of this land, and Michael Hart Searon, the hero who saved this continent. By sharing and drinking this holy water, Groom Rubel Anti Searon and Groom Michael Hart Searon shall henceforth weave their lives as one, rejoicing in shared happiness and grieving in shared sorrow.]
A colossal hand extended the plate towards us.
Receiving the plate, Ruben and I stood facing each other and touched our lips to opposite ends of the plate. The refreshing taste of the water was strikingly similar to the Makrir’s essence I had drunk at the Temple of the Sun God before.
After sharing the holy water, we returned the plate to the God of the Saras River. She wiped the plate twice with the sleeve of her clerical robe and smiled faintly. The golden plate, set down with a clink, shone like a mirror in the sunlight.
[May abundance fill your future.]
The sound of thousands of applauding hands loudly filled the surroundings.
The God of the River silently walked down the stage steps. As she descended, her height gradually reduced, and by the time she reached the VIP seats, she appeared like an ordinary human again. Many guests now cast furtive glances at the VIP section.
Theodore cleared his throat.
Ah, we offer our deepest gratitude to the Fifth God for sharing such precious and grateful words and blessings. Now, for the next part, before we exchange rings, the two Excellencies will share warm words prepared for each other. First, His Majesty Michael Hart Searon.”
Amidst the many guests, who were both awestruck and fearful, Rubel did not take his eyes off me. He smiled as radiantly as if he possessed the whole world. As if there was no greater joy, his sharp eyes crinkled brightly, and he could not hide his wide-open smile.
I was confident I could recite the letter, which I had painstakingly written and practiced hundreds, even thousands, of times for this very moment, even in my sleep. Suppressing my overflowing heart, I took Ruben’s hands and faced him.
Here, I intended to hold Ruben and declare firmly.
That I would never leave his side again, that we would be happy forever in this land, that I would give him everything he desired.
That he was the greatest serendipity I had waited for my entire life.
『COMPLETE』