The Hall of Love

The three o'clock bells echoed gently above the spire of the Royal Capital Cathedral, startling a flock of white doves.

Sunlight streamed through the towering stained glass windows, casting dappled, solemn light across the church floor.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of lilies and candles, and the solemn sound of the pipe organ echoed and resonated throughout the space.

The benches were filled with guests who had come to witness the ceremony, their whispers rising like the tide.

Backstage in the dressing room, Himmel was already dressed impeccably. His pure white tuxedo perfectly accentuated his tall and straight figure, a fresh Mirror Lotus was pinned to his breast pocket, his blue hair was meticulously combed, and his handsome face wore a gentle, appropriate, and dignified smile.

Lowell stood to one side, letting the tailor make the final adjustments. He too was dressed in a well-tailored white tuxedo, his black hair unusually neatly combed. He glanced through the crack in the door at the packed church outside and murmured sarcastically:

"Ruby, that kid, she was all that talk about 'opening with Explosion Magic's and 'riding down from the sky on a pegasus'... but in the end, she still chose the most old-fashioned church ceremony, although I think it's pretty good."

Upon hearing this, Himmel's lips curved into a knowing smile, her gaze softening as she looked at the door leading to the main hall, as if she could see through the door to the waiting red figure:

"That's good. Some established customs are all the more precious because they carry countless silent blessings."

His voice was clear and melodious, carrying a reassuring calmness.

Inside the main hall, the guests were already seated.

Heiter, now dressed in a solemn priest's robe, his face glowing, was whispering to Eisen was also dressed in formal attire, but his gaze kept darting under the bench, as if he were hiding something.

Eisen nodded steadily. The dwarf warrior was dressed in a sharp suit today, and his beard was clearly meticulously trimmed. His eyes were calm and composed.

Lupa and Linié sat a little further forward. Lupa's pigtails were neatly styled today, and she was also wearing a formal dress. She looked around the solemn sanctuary, her heart filled with blessings.

Linié sat quietly, her deep blue eyes reflecting the glow of the stained-glass window, holding a red apple in her hand, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the smooth peel.

Serie stood alone at the back, dressed in an unusually elegant gown. Her calm gaze swept over her surroundings, making her seem somewhat out of place in the festive atmosphere.

Beside her, a gentle and graceful older sister, First-Class Mage, quietly approached and whispered, "Master, why didn't you grace my wedding with your presence...?" Her tone carried a hint of complaint and curiosity.

Serie didn't even blink, her cool voice rang out calmly. "Go and defeat a Demon King yourself, and I might consider showing myself."

The female mage choked for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

"Hmph, troublesome brat." Serie's gaze swept casually toward the church entrance.

It was all because of this guy's constant Ruby like, "Please, this is the only time in my life," "I'll be nervous if you're not here, my most respected master," and "Thank you, master, for being the youngest, most beautiful, and most doting on Ruby."... It was such a hassle.

King Anthony and his queen sat in the VIP section, exchanging hushed conversations with the white-bearded king of the Central Kingdom. Behind each of them stood several seemingly ordinary guests.

The children of the Hearth House, both then and now, are mostly students at the academy, dressed in uniform, their little faces flushed with excitement as they try to remain quiet.

"Clang--!"

The organ melody suddenly changed, becoming solemn and full of anticipation.

The church's heavy double doors slowly opened.

All eyes instantly focused on them.

At the end of the porch, sunlight outlined two figures.

Himmel stood on the right, and beside him was Lowell, dressed in a sharp suit.

At the other end of the porch, Ruby, arm in arm with the stern-faced and upright Duke Grendel, slowly entered.

She wore a pure white wedding dress adorned with rhinestones, its skirt resembling blooming clouds. Her long veil trailed on the ground, and her fiery red hair peeked out from beneath the white fabric. Her emerald eyes sparkled with a captivating light, a mixture of nervousness and happiness.

Duke Grendel's jaw was clenched, his steps steady, as he tried to maintain a serious expression, only his slightly trembling arms betraying the turmoil within him.

Almost simultaneously, on the other side, Frieren also appeared.

She walked slowly, alone, without any accompaniment. She had chosen a simple, silver-white long dress, the hem embroidered with intricate yet understated intertwined floral patterns in silver thread, which shimmered softly with each step. Her long, silver hair was loose, held up only by a crescent-shaped silver hair clip on one side. Her emerald eyes swept over the crowd, finally settling on Lowell, her steps composed.

Two couples walked slowly down a long red carpet covered with flower petals toward the altar.

Himmel's gaze remained tenderly fixed on Ruby, as if she were the only treasure in the world. Ruby felt his gaze, her cheeks flushed, but she bravely raised her head, giving him a bright yet shy smile, and blinked very lightly.

Lowell watched Frieren walk towards him alone and smiled gently. Frieren walked to his side, naturally reached out, and took his arm, the movement practiced and familiar.

They stood before the altar. The elderly bishop held Holy Scripture, his face bearing a kind yet solemn expression.

The oath-taking ceremony was solemn yet brief.

"Himmel, do you take Ruby Grendel to be your wife, to love her, to cherish her, and to be faithful to her, in sickness and in health, until the end of your days?"

"I do." Himmel's voice was clear and firm, without the slightest hesitation, Ruby's image reflected in her blue eyes.

"Ruby Grendel, do you take Himmel to be your husband, to love him and to cherish him, till death do you part, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until the end of your days?"

Ruby a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, yet unusually loud. "I... I do!"

It was Lowell and Frieren's turn.

The problem is the same: that solemn vow.

Lowell looked at Frieren, a gentle ripple spreading across the depths of his dark eyes, and said calmly, "I do."

Frieren blinked her emerald eyes gently, her tone calm yet clear. "I do."

No further words are needed.

A few suppressed laughs and jeers came from the crowd, but were quickly drowned out by more blessings.

"Now, please put the ring on the bride's finger."

Himmel took out the ring inlaid with the Mirror Lotus gem and carefully and solemnly placed it on Ruby's left ring finger. Ruby's fingers trembled slightly, and a thin layer of tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

Lowell also placed the Mithril, inlaid with a silver-white Mirror Lotus, on Frieren's finger. Frieren looked down at it, gently touched the cool surface of the gemstone with her fingertips, her face expressionless, and only gave a very soft "hmm".

"Now, the groom may kiss the bride."

Himmel gently lifted Ruby's veil and lowered her head to kiss her lips. Ruby's body trembled slightly, then she closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and a blush rose on her cheeks.

Divide at the first touch.

Ruby's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple, and she instinctively gripped Himmel's hand tightly.

Then, everyone's attention turned to another couple.

Lowell looked at Frieren. Frieren looked back at him calmly.

Frieren closed her eyes and gently raised her face.

Lowell gently cupped her face in his hands, lowered his head, and placed a soft kiss on her soft lips.

Frieren simply endured the kiss quietly until Lowell left, at which point she pursed her lips very slightly.

This kiss felt more like a confirmation, a vow to stay together after a long period of time and a return to tranquility.

"The ceremony is complete!" the bishop announced loudly.

The two couples turned to face the guests. Himmel and Ruby smiled at each other and clasped hands. Lowell gently put his arm around Frieren's shoulder, and Frieren leaned most of her weight against him.

Applause and blessings surged like a tide, and flower petals fell from the dome.

The bells of happiness rang.

Magnificent and joyful.

Its melodious sound echoed in the air, like a blessing from heaven.

Heiter cheered loudly, patting Eisen hard on the back; Eisen also showed a rare, big smile; Lupa clenched her fists excitedly, and Linié's deep blue eyes reflected the fluttering petals; Serie watched quietly, her face expressionless; the children cheered and threw more petals into the air.

The two couples, hand in hand, slowly walked out of the church amidst the blessings of their relatives and friends and a shower of blossoms.

As the lingering echoes of the bells slowly dissipate in the wind, they do not vanish, but rather settle heavily into the depths of the heart, becoming a source of strength and sweetness that can be drawn upon at any time in the long years to come.

Whenever I recall this moment, that surge of happiness rises again, gently reminding me: love is the most solemn celebration in life.

Far away.

"What, aren't you going to watch your Demon King's wedding?"

"Leave me alone."

"How can you say that? Solitär wants to know how you feel."

"... It's simply my duty to ensure that no one disturbs His Majesty."

"Okay, okay~ all you really have in your head besides being a loyal dog is being straight..."

Ruby looks... even more beautiful than I did back then...

"Hmph, she's far inferior to you, just a little brat..." The Duke's stubborn voice trembled slightly.

"Stop talking nonsense. Who was it that got up early this morning and spent ages fixing their clothes in front of the mirror? Like father, like daughter..."

"... snort..."

Evening, on the highest observation deck of the royal palace.

The wedding festivities have faded, leaving behind a warm and cozy atmosphere. The reception has just ended, and close friends have gathered here to enjoy a rare moment of tranquility.

The night sky was like deep blue velvet, dotted with countless stars.

"Look over there!" Ruby nestled beside Himmel, suddenly pointing to the distant horizon and exclaiming excitedly.

A dazzling streak of light pierced the deep night, leaving a long, silvery trail as it slowly swept across the sky. Then came a second, a third... Shooting stars, like a tapestry, silently streaked across the heavens, leaving fleeting, brilliant trails of light on the inky blue night.

"It's a meteor shower that happens every half century..." Himmel looked up at the rare spectacle, her blue eyes reflecting the shimmering starlight, and sighed softly, "A once-in-fifty-years spectacle, it's perfect as a witness to our wedding, isn't it, Ruby?"

"Mmm!" Ruby, her face flushed with happiness, and gently rested her head on Himmel's shoulder.

After a while, she straightened up slightly, her tone tinged with regret. "But it seems a bit far from here, and I can't see the details very clearly..."

Frieren was being held by Lowell, quietly watching the shooting star. Hearing this, she turned her head, her emerald eyes glancing at Ruby, then looking in the direction the shooting star had disappeared.

"It really is beautiful. Well, I know a place with an even better view. Let's go see it together next time."

Ruby paused, then subconsciously repeated, "Next time?"

Fifty years later?

But she immediately smiled and nodded vigorously, "Okay! It's a deal!"

Ruby.

"... kindness?"

"I love you."

"..."

"I want to hear more."

Okay, I love you.

"I love you."

"I love you..."

"Frieren."

"Hmm? Are we going to buy a magic book? It's getting late, let's go tomorrow?"

"... Haha, okay, I'll buy it tomorrow."

"I was just kidding, I love you."

"..."

"How?"

"I love you."

"Yes, I know."

The meteor shower continues to streak silently across the night sky, starlight flowing quietly, witnessing the vows made at this moment, whether their duration is a short lifetime or a long eternity.

As night deepened, it was time to return to our lodgings. Ruby still excitedly talking to Himmel. Frieren seemed a little sleepy, yawned, and stretched out her hands to Lowell in her habitual gesture of asking to be carried.

Lowell smiled, skillfully bent down, and steadily carried her on his back. Frieren buried her face in his broad back, snuggled against him, found a comfortable position, and her breathing quickly became even and long.

The afterglow of the shooting star faded across the sky, and the night gently enveloped the two couples, and the countless ordinary yet precious days they were about to spend together.