Chapter 647: Vows of the Grigorian Women – [1]
Alan stepped fully into the sunlight, his regalia matching Asmodeus’s, but less flashy and in the opposite colours. The two looked at each other, as if they were the ones getting married.
For a short while, nobody moved or made a noise. The man who’d slept for three years after the glorious victory stood alive. His scarred face softened into the biggest smile as he took the final step onto the altar.
“My dear sister, my lovely nieces. It’s great to see you all looking so pretty and graceful.”
Avandar met him halfway, the old king’s eyes wide and half-misted with tears and glassy before he laughed. A hearty laugh as if forgetting he was a monarch. He gripped Alan’s arm like a father welcoming back a son and guided him towards the empty officiant’s place.
“Let us do this together, my brother.”
Asmodeus could only stare, golden eyes trembling for a moment before he forced himself to breathe.
He’s here. He’s alive… I’m so glad, but who? He showed no sign of awakening before!
Alan adjusted the fall of his cape and upper robe with a slow, elegant flick, then turned to face the gathering. The plaza, stunned a moment ago, now erupted in soft, rippling applause, a tide of relieved cheers and teary laughter from soldiers and veterans who remembered the human who had once stood beside their king.
Asmodeus ensured everyone knew about the heroic acts of Alan.
“Let them come.”
Before the ceremony could become solemn and focus switched to him, he called out, and a bright, lifting melody cut through the crowd. Flutes and tiny bells chimed a playful tune. It was light, whimsical and childlike while still ceremonial.
Velvet gasped softly; Vinea’s tail twitched; even Asmodea smiled wide.
Their faces all brightened.
Down the great aisle, a parade of little feet appeared.
Nyxielle skipped first, wings fluttering, clutching a small silver ring box in both hands as if it were a treasure. Varian followed, proud but clearly nervous, holding another with a sword at his waist. Behind them came Kaelen and Sephira, then Lith, and Seris Rae, walking like cute little angels, all of them trying their best to avoid looking around.
Their appearance melted the crowd.
Soft laughter and warm voices followed, spurring the children on.
Even the miserable veterans smiled.
On the altar, Asmodeus touched his chest. A tight throbbing spread as he watched the children, unable to take his eyes away from the sparkling children, ushered by Gretta and Anna.
My children… bringing the rings.
He didn’t plan this far.
Velvet squeezed his hand, whispering through a trembling smile, “Our little ones wanted to be part of this.”
To her words, his lips parted, forming a natural, warm smile. He clenched his teeth, trying to stop his tears.
The emotions and reactions of his mother when he achieved things, or made her breakfast in bed, now made sense… the moment they started climbing the steps, he could only stifle the desire to rush over to them.
Asmodeus looked up to see Alan grinning at him. “Looks like I got to see something amazing, the little ones are so cute.” To Alan, these were his family, too, his sister, his nieces. But all of those little angels were his cute brother’s children.
***
After the children reached the altar and stood quietly in their little matching outfits, each one similar to their mother.
Alan steadied himself beside Avandar, the two men exchanging a quiet, knowing look. The old king raised his hand, and the plaza slowly hushed again; only the flutes and bells of the children’s song continued.
“People of Lumeria,” Avandar’s voice carried, regal but warm, “today we witness not just the binding of hearts, but the unity of our worlds. It is my honour to share this honour with a man who once stood at your king’s side. He who returned to us this very day.”
Alan stepped forward, voice a touch rough but steady. “I have slept far too long… but I woke to see my brother keep every promise he made.” His gaze flicked to Asmodeus, with pride and love clear. “It’s my privilege to help bless these vows.”
A murmur of joy swept through the crowd.
Even the stoic soldiers clapped softly before silence returned for the children’s approach.
Nyxielle skipped ahead first, wings buzzing; Varian followed. He looked a mixture of embarrassed, solemn, and proud, bearing a black silk cushion.
“Papa! Mama Velvet!” Nyx chirped.
“Father!”
Velvet crouched, kissing each child’s forehead before taking the ring. When she rose, her amethyst eyes trembled.
“I almost don’t know what to say…”
Her voice echoed through the plaza, spurring chuckles from the populace. Velvet was popular because of her actions in helping during harvest and when there was flooding last year.
Asmodeus took her hands and smiled without speaking.
“Ah… Ryuji… my king, my beloved, my student. You were the first man who shook the foundations I built to keep myself safe. I was a broken, selfish woman trapped by a curse, lacking love and affection.” Velvet squeezed the ring box while gently placing it on his ring finger, then tapping his knuckles, she continued. “Yet you gave me everything I ever wanted.” Her gaze flicked to the two children crying beside King Avandar. “I solemnly swear to fight, love, tease, and stand at your side until after even the stars die.”
Asmodeus watched her in silence.
The special ring created by the demon and dwarves together flickered as it formed a beautiful tattoo with a purple outline around his finger.
He took the golden ring made with his divine aura and the divine metal imbued with pure mana.
“Velvet, from the moment I saw you. I couldn’t hold back, you taught me how to survive, how to be a man and fixed my immature ways.” He slipped the ring slowly onto her wedding ring finger. Her tears dripped onto his hand as he closed his eyes. “I am not the most honourable or a man worthy of your deep love. Each day you look at my with those glistening amethyst eyes I am reminded of how lucky I am.” She shifted closer, her lips almost touching his, as he hugged her back. “I sweat to cherish you, empower you and never let you walk alone for as long as the universe might exist.”
Alan nodded, binding their hands with a black silk cord.
The silk flashed before sinking into their fingers, forming a delicate tattoo of a purple sun.
The sun formed on Asmodeus’s special ring tattoo.
“You may kiss your bride now, or wait until they’re all yours.” Alan joked… but before he even finished, their lips were interlocked, tongues curling around each other as the wet sound and slurping of their kiss echoed throughout the kingdom because of the magitech speakers. “Damn pervert…”
Eventually, their kiss ended, and Velvet struggled to breathe, as the ring on her finger glowed a deep purple. “I… I’ll wait here… baby.”
When Velvet stepped back, her face practically glowing, Lith marched like a tiny soldier, tail-spear wagging, chin high as he presented the ring.
Vinea knelt to kiss his brow. “Mommy is so proud of you.”
Then faced her groom.
“I cannot be like Velvet. My feelings, and the words I hold towards you, aren’t so grand.” Vinea stepped forward, taking his hand, as she placed the amber ring against his finger. “From the moment I saw you, I’ve been in love with you, whether as your enemy, ally or the woman lying beneath you.” She slowly pushed the ring up as it fused with his finger, forming a second layer above the purple tattoo. “You gave a princess peace, yet never asked her to lay down her spear or change anything for you. That princess adores you even more because of that. I vow to guard you, our home, and the children we raise, until the end of time.”
A sharp but happy pain spread through Asmodeus; he couldn’t help but close his eyes and suck in the cold air.
I love them.
All these women felt so deeply for me when I only wanted sex.
“Vinea, my valiant knight princess, my ember. You fiery nature brings joy to my life. I have sought you since we first met. Our feelings are mutual. Forgive me, but I can only swear to give you my strength when you tire, my love when you are low and my warmth when you are cold. Please burn proudly at my side.”
Alan bound their hands in ember-red cord, smiling at Vinea and whispering, “Congratulations.”
Once again… before he could continue, Vinea flung at Asmodeus, ignoring elegance, decorum and kissed him over and over and over until she clung to him tightly, tears in her eyes.
She pulled away with a vibrant smile and whispered to her new husband.
“I’ll burn for you.”
The entire crowd became muted, their faces flushed and smiling at the same time. The intense passion of their king and his queens made them confused. Until this moment, marriage was something mainly for the family, but the king… their new king clearly showed.
In Lumeria, marriage was a binding of love.
Suddenly, the entire stage filled with flowers, small, cute bluebells, velvets and even lilies as Seris Rae floated forward, petals blooming under each step as she offered the ring with sparkling eyes.
“Mother, tell Daddy how you feel.”
Asmodeus’s eyes became wet as she took the ring, and looked up at her husband, his tall figure, broad shoulders and handsome face causing a sudden throbbing in her chest.
“Ah… Mommy will tell him.”