It was a long process. The sun was already setting when the people started to leave. The guest had started leaving while the prominent guests were still waiting for something.
Dereck was sitting on his elevated seat with Novela on his left. There was Veronica, and a few of Dovric's consorts and concubines were seated on the right row.
On the left row, there was Nina. Dereck thought the bride's mother might not be present. However, here she was. A few of the guests were also sitting by her.
'Why there are only women left.' Dereck soon noticed that no man was in the room other than him. 'And why are so many young women here?'
Dereck could think of one reason but didn't want to believe that it was the reason. 'These guys are trying to turn it into a study session for the young ones, aren't they?'
The servant brought a pair of gold chalice filled with red liquid. There was a hint of alcohol in it, but the sweet scent was overwhelming.
This world had no concept of a proper drinking age. Naturally, the celebratory drink with alcohol was the most normal thing in the entire ceremony.
"You guys need to cross arms and drink." Veronica guided them again as the servant served celebratory drinks to everyone.
Whether or not they were given the same drinks is something Dereck could not say for sure. Nina already took a sip before reminding them, "You need to finish the drink in go. It is for your healthy wedding life."
"Healthy…" Dereck could see a few of them hiding and giggling as if Nina had told a good joke.
"My lord…" Novela signaled at the pair of chalice, waiting for his response.
"My lady!" Dereck gabbed the chalice as she followed suit; they crossed arms and swallowed the entire drink.
It gave a refreshing feeling. In contrast to the overwhelmingly sweet aroma, the sweet flavor was mild and left a sour aftertaste.
"This is good." Novela couldn't help but praise it.
"Why don't you take more." With the wave of Veronica's hand, the servant filed the chalice again.
Dereck didn't think much when the servant went to fill Nina's glass and denied it. When the other servant came, she ordered to fill the glass.
'Something must be wrong with our drinks.' Dereck had no problem understanding what might be mixed in the drinks.
Unaware of the new term on the prompt above her head, Novela raised her chalice a little, hoping Dereck would cross the arm to drink again. Dereck took a deep breath and fulfilled her wish.
"From now on, take care of my lovely daughter." Nina raised her cup to Dereck. Dereck was about to do the same, not realizing when the servant had already filled his glass.
"Isn't it the first time he had a partner?" the woman was covering her mouth with the folding fan. Her squinted eyes gave away that she was trying hard for her giggle.
Sitting opposite her, one of Dovric's concubines corrected her, "The young master had already had a concubine."
"Having one doesn't mean he would be proficient in it."
Another of Nina's guests added, "The young master lacks any evidence to support any claims of him having any experience."
Nina raised her hand, silencing the highly choreographed conversation of her guests. With a gentle smile, she turned towards Veronica, "My little girl has no experience."
"That is how it is supposed to be." Veronica's response sounded like she wasn't willing to entertain any accusation against her son.
Alas! The new emotion on the prompt above her head exposed her true intention.
"I hope my dearest sister wouldn't mind me calling for a 'ritual of proof.'"
"Why?" Dereck wanted to ask them. Her curiosity was not about why there was a need for a ritual of proof but why they were acting so much when you guys had already decided to watch the entire thing.
'You guys even removed every man from the room yet kept the young girls here to gain some experience. Yet, you are acting like it wasn't planned.'
All of his words were left unsaid. He tried his best to prevent the edge of his lips from twitching while observing the pair of sisters working towards the same goal for the first time.
Dereck had no problem being observed. However, he wanted their first time to be private. He turned towards the only person who was supposed to be on his side, only to find out that he had lost her even before the battle had begun.
Novela's head cover had already started to slide down her head. The bright red cheeks and the silly smile on her face had given away the fact that she wasn't in her right mind.
'That drink.' Dereck was already anticipating that. To mitigate the effects of the drink—which may have contained aphrodisiacs—his natural inclination was to begin circulating mana within his body.
He could still feel the direction of the blood flow. Due to mana suppression, it wasn't at the level where he would have a tent as soon as he stood up.
However, there was no saving Novela. As soon as their eyes met, she became a vine, clinging to Dereck. The fact that guests were present did not affect her diluted reasoning.
"It looks like my daughter has the same intention."
At Nina's words, Veronica turned to Dereck with her deadpan expression, "The 'ritual of proof' will be concluded in your bed chamber. You must perform well. It is a matter of pride for the Longhorn bloodline."
'Don't try to make your voyeuristic characteristics sound so noble.' Dereck could only sigh in his heart.
"It looks like my daughter is tired from all these activities." Dereck wasn't sure of the true intention behind Nina's cheeky smile when she said, "You should carry her to the bed chamber."
Dereck sighed and stood up. The intoxication had exposed Novela's clingy trait. It made it easier for Dereck to carry her, as she was already clinging to him.
Leaving the main hall, Dereck had no problem understanding that their followers were slightly more excited than them.
The squill and giggles of the younger audience were the telltale signs of that. Luckily, the presence of Veronica and Nina tamed them a little.
The servant was already holding the door to the bed chamber open. Dereck wasn't sure it was the same bed chamber. It was a room filled with red and gold. Red flowers with a sweet fragrance filled the room.
On the other hand, the enchanted lights were not on. They were replaced with candles. There was just the right amount of light for others to see them, but it also set the mood.
"Leave."
The servants left the room after closing the door. Although excited, the younger audience dared not get too close to the bed.
The position of the candles made the bed the room's focal point. While it made it easier for others to notice them, it made it harder for them to notice others.
However, their excitement made it harder for Dereck to ignore them.
"You should make her comfortable first. The bride's dress must be cumbersome."
Compared to carrying her, taking her clothes off was the hardest part. It was difficult for him to remove the dress because she was lying on the bed, and her arms were wrapped around her whenever he approached.
Even before he could remove the first layer of the dress, she had already pulled her closer and started kissing her like a possessed. Derek had to work hard to remove her thighs that were wrapped around his waist.
Dereck couldn't help but feel slightly irritated by the giggles and teasing remarks, and by the time he could strip her down to her red dudou, beads of sweat had started appearing on his forehead.
"I am feeling bad for her. Her partner is sweating even before starting."
"Yeah! I wonder how long he could last."
"Silent."
Dereck wasn't sure who the first two voices belonged to, but the one silencing them belonged to someone he knew.
In such a scenario, Veronica was expected not to try to shield her son. However, she couldn't understand why her sister did that.
Dereck turned in the direction the voice came from and smiled. Being the only person aware of his capabilities, Nina worried about what this mischievous one would do.
When the maid dressed him, she explained the 'ritual of proof.' Taking off the bride's garments was acceptable since only female audience members were permitted in the bed chamber. The groom didn't need to remove the garment, though."
It would have been more challenging to remove the undergarment from Dereck without removing the groom's dress, which is another reason she refrained from putting it on him.
'It is not necessary. However, that doesn't mean I couldn't.' Dereck started removing his clothes, mumbling, "Why is it so hot here?"
"What!?"
That was the only voice of surprise before everyone fell silent. Dereck, on the other hand, didn't even hesitate. Shame is a thing that he hadn't tasted in a long time.
"Brother, why are you standing there? Come to me." Unlike Dereck, who acted like a drunk, Novela was entirely under influence.
Novela was standing on her back. Her eyes were on him, but Dereck felt they weren't focused. He continued to act intoxicated as he flung his underrobe towards the girls, who had been the most outspoken just before.
He stood there, naked. Although a few of them could only gaze at his ass, most of them had no problem noticing his meat. It was so hard that it almost peeled itself.
"It looks like my daughter fished a good one."
Dereck had no problem understanding who was talking. However, his eyes were on the woman lying in front of him.
"You are my good brother, aren't you?" Even Dereck hadn't expected that Novela would spread her legs wide, making a perfect split.
In contrast to the red dudou, she was wearing white cotton underwear for the obvious reason. The white cotton underwear, soaked in her naughty juice, perfectly outlined her flower with thick lips.
"Ahhh!" Nobody in the crowd expected the well-behaved girl to act like that on the bed.
"It looks like the tree doesn't fall too far from the tree." Veronica didn't miss the chance to give a jab to her sister.
Just when she was about to relax, she noticed her son sitting on Novela's leg, drew the white cloth aside, and planted a kiss on her high lips.