Wedding (Part 2)

Heradi stared wide-eyed, his eyes swollen shut, at the strange sight in the distance, his lips trembling as he said, "He... he's really our boss? He wasn't switched with someone else?"

Anna touched her right hand, which still retained Sordil's warmth, and said hesitantly, "There... there shouldn't be any switch!"

After confirming that the other party was indeed his boss, Heradi, unable to withstand such a blow, automatically cut off his own energy, shut down all self-repair programs, and resolutely joined the group of stone statues, letting the wind and frost batter him.

Like the elite squad of the Western Border Army, the other three spectators standing in the courtyard were also seeking a rational explanation for the explosive images reflected on their retinas.

"Little sister Diphiya, is your older brother always this 'heroic'?"

Diphiya initially wanted to say no, but as the words were about to come out, she suddenly remembered Sordil's 'heroic behavior' in daily life since she met him. So, she decisively changed her tune, saying, "Normally, my brother is quite 'heroic,' but never this 'heroic.' I deduce that Sordil couldn't handle the pressure of his upcoming wedding, and on top of that, he was frightened by Sister-in-law Irene, which led to his mental breakdown and erratic behavior. This kind of behavior of his is commonly known as 'crazy,' and the scientific name is 'brain short circuit.'"

After Professor Diphiya's explanation, Yelibell finally understood Sordil's strange behavior.

Seeing the lump hanging on her thigh, Irene said angrily and embarrassedly, "What are you doing? Get up!"

"Unless you forgive me, my dear wife, I won't get up!"

Irene looked at the scoundrel clinging to her leg, both embarrassed and angry, and said speechlessly, "If you want to hug me, then hug me! As for forgiving you, that's impossible!"

Upon hearing Irene's words, Sordil grinned mischievously and said, "Your Her Majesty the Queen, are you telling the truth?"

Looking at Sordil's wicked grin, Irene had a good feeling, but the words were already out and she couldn't take them back, so she could only grit her teeth and say, "What I, the Queen, say is of course true!"

As soon as Irene finished speaking, Sordil released her leg and darted behind her, pulling her tightly into his arms. Since Irene was facing Sordil's elite squad, she could clearly see dozens of surprised and astonished eyes staring intently at her. In an instant, Irene's face turned as red and hot as burning coals.

"You pervert, let me go!"

"I won't let go! I won't let go! I just won't let go!"

"If you don't let go, I'll get rough with you!"

"You're welcome? Great! Great! The more unceremonious the better! I... Awooo!"

After being struck in the most painful position by Irene's female anti-wolf technique, Sordil let out a howl, then curled up like a shrimp and rolled around on the ground.

"Hmph! Serves you right for molesting this queen!"

Irene gave a smug snort, then walked briskly out of the courtyard.

As Sordil, tormented by court etiquette, eagerly awaited his arrival, time mischievously skipped two steps on the calendar, arriving at July 7th, X373. On this day, the capital city of Dragunov shone with unprecedented splendor. Every street was adorned with colorful ribbons and flowers, countless balloons danced in the sky, and the main thoroughfares were packed with people, all desperately pushing their way to the front of the crowd.

"I say, what's going on today? Why are so many people gathered on the main road?"

"Brother, you haven't been in the capital for long, have you?"

"Yes! I'm a traveling merchant, I only arrived in the capital last night, what's wrong?"

"I knew it! How could anyone who has lived in the capital for so long not know that today is the wedding day of Her Majesty Irene and General Oddek!"

"Oh, I see!"

"Bang"

A series of booming cannon salutes exploded in the sky, petals drifted down from the heavens, and melodious music drifted from the main street. Amid cheers, a procession of ceremonial guards in white armor slowly advanced. In the center of the procession was a white open-top carriage drawn by two white horses. Her Majesty the Queen, dressed in a white wedding gown, stood on the left side of the carriage, waving her arms to her subjects. On the right side of the carriage stood a handsome young man in a white tuxedo, his right hand gently around the Queen's waist, his left hand waving continuously to the onlookers. However, unlike the Queen's friendly gestures, the young man's actions seemed more like a declaration of ownership of the Queen.

The wedding procession circled the capital once, finally stopping in front of the city's largest church. The guard of honor quickly split into two lines, standing on either side of the red carpet. Sordil stepped out of the wedding car first, then helped Queen Irene out. Surrounded by beautiful music, the two supported each other as they walked into the church.

After the newlyweds entered the hall, their relatives and friends immediately stood up and welcomed and blessed the young couple with enthusiastic applause.

Bright red rose petals rained down on the couple, accompanying them as they walked to the altar. The pastor then began his ministry, guiding the newlyweds towards the door of happiness.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Rhineir Grand Cathedral for the wedding of General Oddek and Queen Irene. I am Robert Clod, the High Priest of the cathedral and the officiant for today's ceremony."

"We are gathered here to celebrate the wedding of Queen Irene and General Oddek. Trust is the foundation of love, and marriage is the sublimation of love. The two newlyweds are embarking on a sweet and happy journey, and they are trustworthy. Marriage is about loving each other for a lifetime and trusting each other for a lifetime."

"Today, General Oddek and Queen Irene will solemnly declare to everyone their beautiful commitment to love and trust. It is a fortunate and rare occasion that the gods have arranged their marriage; everything is wonderful and fitting."

"General Oddek, do you take Queen Irene to be your wife, to cherish and love her in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, and to never leave her?"

"I do!"

"Queen Irene, do you take General Oddek to be your wife, to cherish and love him in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, and to remain faithful to him through thick and thin?"

"Yes I do!"

"Alright! Now, please exchange rings that symbolize your love and commitment, proving your feelings to the world!"

Oddek took the ring from the best man, then knelt on one knee before Irene, slipped it onto the ring finger of Irene left hand, and kissed the back of Irene hand tenderly. Irene then gently placed the ring from the bridesmaid's hand onto Sordil's left ring finger.

"I hereby announce that General Oddek and Queen Irene are now officially husband and wife! Let us all join me in congratulating the newlyweds!"

A thousand kilometers away from the capital of Dragunov, in the Cuyis Tree Sea, the dragons and humans of Fostadu were also holding a grand wedding for their Prince. However, since the bride and groom were both dragons, the wedding lacked the elaborate rituals of the human world. The newlyweds and guests gathered together, enjoying the feast to their hearts' content.

Unbeknownst to everyone, a unique gift was on its way to offer congratulations, and its arrival would coincide with the onslaught of a violent war. Soon, Ishgar would face its darkest hour, ravaged by this storm.