In the deep autumn at the Duchy of Cacassonne, the Cathedral of the Lake Fairy is bustling with excitement. Tomorrow marks the grand wedding ceremony of Ryan and Sulia, drawing hundreds of nobles and esteemed elders from the Empire, from Bretonnia, and other orderly races, all gathering to witness this magnificent event.
The cathedral, sprawling over an acre, echoes with hymns praising the Lake Fairy. Groups of Grail Knights circulate continuously, praying to the Lake Fairy and guarding the cathedral. Despite the constant influx of nobles and commoners coming to pay their respects, many privately believe that the Lake Fairy prefers solitude over this overly luxurious sanctuary.
The grand entrance of the cathedral, with its colorful stained glass, only opens during significant ceremonies. The interior is a marvel of marble architecture and grand bronze statues. The blue and white domed ceiling, supported by eight massive pillars, soars over a hundred meters high and weighs tens of thousands of tons. It's adorned with depictions of the Grail Knights' valorous deeds and the teachings of the Lake Fairy, as well as a painting of the legendary King Arthur and his twelve original knights.
Currently, the last rehearsal for the wedding ceremony is underway inside the cathedral.
"Come now, Lord Ryan, follow my lead with this gesture, yes, just lean in a bit more, gracefully, there you go, excellent," a distinguished gentleman around fifty years old instructs Ryan on the wedding protocols. Ryan, somewhat wooden in his movements, follows every direction obediently.
The wedding ceremony isn't complicated and has been rehearsed several times. Both Ryan and Sulia have memorized the entire process to ensure a flawless execution.
"Very good, Lord Ryan. Please review once more, and feel free to ask any questions if you have doubts. You may also make any arrangements as you see fit," the old gentleman confirms after ensuring Ryan is proficient with the protocols, nodding in satisfaction.
"Thank you, Mr. Henderson. I think I've got it," Ryan says, shrugging tiredly. "But I'd really like to rest now; I must have rehearsed the ceremony at least thirty times."
"Oh, Lord Ryan, you mustn't think like that. Tomorrow is a splendid day for you and Miss Sulia. Most of the dukes and envoys will be watching! Any misstep would be deeply regrettable, especially for the lady—it's likely a once-in-a-lifetime event!" Mr. Henderson prattles on, persuading Ryan of the importance of perfect execution.
"Alright, you win," Ryan concedes, resigned to continue.
On the other side of the cathedral's main hall.
"Ryan looks so unusual like this," Sulia, in a white lotus wave dress, chuckles to her maid Sylvia. "It's rare to see him willing to be this way."
"Miss," Sylvia blushes slightly, "why did the Duke assign Mr. Henderson as your steward? I always felt he was a bit…"
"A bit what? Likes to abuse his power? Fond of flaunting his old-fashioned rules?" Sulia, crossing her legs clad in flesh-colored tights and black velvet boots with diamond chains, knows what Sylvia is implying.
"Um…" Sylvia remains flushed, her lady is getting married, and she's part of the dowry.
"Indeed, Mr. Henderson is a bit of a verbose old gentleman, particularly keen on emphasizing pedigree and social class. But have you ever seen him trouble Ryan?" Sulia inquires further.
"How could he dare trouble Lord Ryan?" Sylvia scoffs.
Who would dare trouble Ryan now, in this country? Sylvia firmly believes that only Ryan is worthy of her lady.
"Yes, Mr. Henderson wouldn't dare trouble Ryan, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't trouble Ryan's men. Father placed him among my servants… for me. He doesn't want me to be bullied, do you understand?" Sulia covers her face, her expression one of helpless acceptance.
Is the lady knight satisfied with this marriage?
Undoubtedly, Sulia is pleased because she couldn't find a better match.
But upon reflection, have her feelings for Ryan truly reached the stage where marriage is appropriate?
No.
No matter how you look at it, Sulia's marriage to Ryan is still a political alliance. She feels like their relationship has only just begun to be defined, and their romance has had little time to develop before this marriage was quickly arranged. Both the Lake Fairy and her father are eager.
Such political marriages often leave the woman unhappy, especially for a duchess like her with her own independent retinue and financial authority. She doesn't need to rely on anyone. If the political match is of equal status, it's manageable, but if the statuses are unequal and the man's status is lower, it becomes difficult.
Stewards can become a thorn between the couple, as some stubborn stewards might think the lady is wrong here or there, critiqu
ing her now and then. If the couple resists, it's problematic since the steward has the Duke's backing.
However, this situation is different. Ryan is well-known across the old world as a formidable man. The steward wouldn't dare offend him, but Francois chose him regardless.
Ryan's men might not be untouchable, but he must ensure his daughter's freedom.
From this alone, Sulia can see her father's intentions and silently accepts them.
"Sigh," Sulia sighs softly, realizing the instability of such high-level unions. Whether she and her retinue can integrate into Ryan's domain will depend on his handling.
(Historically, the union of the King of Aragon's daughter with the Count of Barcelona in 1137 led to the merger of Catalonia and the Kingdom of Aragon. In 1469, the marriage of Prince Ferdinand II and Princess Isabella of Castile led to the merger of the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, forming Spain. However, simple elite unions do not guarantee acceptance by the common folk, which is why Catalonia has sought independence for centuries.)
...
The next morning, the world-famous grand wedding ceremony begins.
At eight in the morning, the first guests arrive at the Cathedral of the Lake Fairy, dressed in splendid attire.
Two hundred Grail Knights and dozens of Lake Prophets are arrayed in wait, fully armed and resplendent in their robes, continuously reciting hymns. The Lake Prophets, dressed in white, scatter purple and gold iris petals in the air.
"Dong, dong, dong," the bells toll, and the cathedral doors slowly open. Today, guests from both the old and new worlds will come together.
The first batch of guests includes Ryan and Sulia's closest relatives, primarily the Norman family and the Francois family. The elderly Normans are assisted into the cathedral, followed by the Francois family. The Duke of Winfort, dressed in a red Bretonnian silk robe, greets them with a joyous smile: "Hello, Lord Norman, Lady Norman."
"Hello... Hello, Lord Francois, Duchess Kumani," the small elder Norman feels somewhat inadequate facing the tall, composed Francois, whose domain dwarfs his own. But Norman knows he must not show weakness at this moment.
Despite feeling inferior, Norman straightens his back and extends his hand: "It is an honor."
"Likewise," Francois shakes hands with Norman, his carefree smile dismissing Norman's forced composure.
"Hello! Lord Norman, Lady Norman," Julius, Ryan's brother-in-law, also in good spirits, extends his hand.
"Hello, hello," Norman quickly shakes hands with Julius as well.
As guests continue to arrive, they each make their contributions, much to the delight of the tax official Gaspard.
Following the Bretonnian dukes and Ryan's close relatives, all the dukes except the Knight King and Duke Theodoric, who are busy with affairs, attend. Even Duke Hubald of Cacassonne, currently on a Grail Quest, is present as a sort of host.
Then come the Empire's dignitaries. Duke Ivan-Ferdinand of Griffon and the Grand Alchemist Beilsha-Ze-Gairt enter first, followed by the Grand Duke Vantughe-Schultz of Marienburg.
This Grand Duke of Marienburg makes a grand gesture, contributing fifty thousand gold marks, shocking everyone with his generosity. Whispers fill the room about the magnificence of Duke Schultz.
Next, Elector Boris and the Grand Master of the White Wolf Knights, Axel, followed by representatives of several Electors, including Ryan's acquaintance, the Elector and Grand Duke of Ostland, Vamir von Rukov, and his son Oleg. Additionally, the grandson of the King of Nordland, Baron Theodricsen, attends.
Ryan's friends and subordinates, including the Lake Witch Morgiana and her Lake Prophet followers, also fill the cathedral with their families, totaling hundreds.
At ten-thirty, the first high-profile guest makes an entrance.
Crowned with the Saphery Warring Crown and clad in a high elf archmage robe, Teclis leads several Swordmasters of Hoeth into the cathedral, followed by a beautiful young woman with wings, wearing a moon-crowned, moon-white dress.
"Teclis, the supreme archmage of the White Tower of Hoeth, a descendant of Aenarion, represents Lilith, the Phoenix Court, and Ulthuan to extend heartfelt congratulations to Count Ryan-Makado and Marquise Sulia-Kumani-Antre-de-Winfort!"
Following him, the King of Karak Eight Peaks, Belegar Ironhammer, and the head of the Dwarven Rune Craftsmen's Guild, Klarok the Stern, enter.
"The dwarfs also sincerely congratulate Count Ryan and Marquise Sulia on their wedding, wishing their love as enduring as the gates of Everpeak!"
Then, the Wood Elf emissaries, "The Brave" Alaroth and the Wood Elf Prophetess Lireve, arrive, speaking in somewhat awkward human language.
"Esrai sincerely congratulates Count Ryan and Marquise Sulia on their wedding, representing the King of the Wood Elves Orion and Queen Ariel, offering blessings to the couple!"
"Wow," the cathedral buzzes, the sheer number of nobles attending the wedding only truly appreciated by those present.
But it's not over yet.
Several large men carrying big boxes enter the hall next.
"Leon-El-Zhanson, representing the First Legion, the Dark Angels, offers blessings to my brother, Ryan-Makado. May you always remain loyal," Leon-El-Zhanson, dressed in a black suit with a single rose pinned to his chest, is the first to enter.
"A demigod?!" the guests gasp in amazement.
"Anglong, representing the Twelfth Legion, the Devourers, offers blessings to my brother, Ryan-Makado. May his blade always be sharp!" Anglong, dressed in a red suit with gold serrated patterns on the cuffs, follows.
"Another demigod!"
"Roboute Kiriman, representing the Thirteenth Legion, the Ultimate Warriors, and all the brethren of Ultramar, offers blessings to my brother, Ryan-Makado. May courage and glory always accompany him!" Roboute Kiriman, in a blue suit with a gold 'U' emblem on the shoulder, strides into the hall.
"Magnus the Red, representing myself, offers blessings to my brother, Ryan-Makado. May all your enemies turn to dust." Magnus, in a gold suit with crimson skin, looks excited: "Of course, the damned ones."
"Volgan, representing the Eighteenth Legion, the Fire Lizards, offers blessings to my brother, Ryan-Makado. May your will be as indestructible as an anvil tempered in fire!" Volgan, in a green suit, nearly the size of an ogre, laughs heartily as he enters.
"Clarkson... representing the Dark Raven Guard... blesses my brother... victory." Clarkson, in a white suit with a pale face and black wings, floats in.
Six brothers, six demigods.
Many guests in the cathedral are puzzled as to why Ryan's brothers look nothing alike, but the powerful beings present, including the two hundred Grail Knights and the Lake Prophets, are trembling with fear.
Supreme Archmage Teclis is sweating profusely, whispering to the elf girl next to him, "Is this your plan, Lilith?"
"Of course, why else would I choose Ryan as my future mate?" The elf girl is none other than the Lake Fairy Lilith, disguised simply to attend Ryan's wedding as a guest.
"Legend has it that only a being of supreme power can have children who are all different, for he is too powerful, and his offspring cannot fully inherit his abilities but instead focus on certain aspects," Teclis whispers. "I don't know who Ryan's biological father is, but... looking at this, Lilith, you are playing with fire, and you may not be able to control Ryan."
"Everything is within my plans, Teclis." The Lake Fairy, even a bit shaken by the spectacle, bites her lip but remains determinedly calm. "Arranging for Sulia to marry him was part of my plan all along."
On the other side, as everyone watches in shock, the demigods open the golden boxes, releasing ten beams of golden light into the sky—these are the Emperor's dowry gifts for his daughter-in-law!
Each box contains meticulously crafted gold armor, embossed with countless defensive sigils and inscriptions written by the Emperor himself!
Nine sets of astronomically valuable jewelry, each radiating the aura of artifacts!
"Wow!" The guests are stunned.
Nine sets of artifact jewelry and a full set of gold armor?!
Who exactly is Ryan's father?
"Is this also part of your plan, Lilith?" Teclis asks, dizzy with surprise.
"Oh no... this is bad." The Lake Fairy can no longer keep her composure, her beautiful face pale, her hands trembling on her lap: "The plan is flawed, it's over, these are all Sulia's now."
"These should have been mine."
Updated! For such a lavish dowry, please vote!
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