As Ajax and Lobo walked down the decorated corridor, they reached a lavish dressing room. Ajax stepped inside, stunned by the display: row after row of men's wedding attire, arranged in a variety of styles, all meticulously organized.
Puzzled, Ajax turned to Lobo, eyebrows raised. "So... what is all this about?"
Lobo bowed apologetically. "Sir, my lord, I apologize for not informing you sooner. Today is your wedding day, my lord. Forgive me for the late notice—it was my oversight."
Hearing this, Ajax felt a rush of bewilderment and a hint of trepidation. Marriage? The idea felt like a trap of sorts, a clever way to ensnare men in an eternal commitment. He'd already experienced one life lost to a poor decision—now here he was, set to wed again. Should he be happy? Or was this more of a necessary duty?
He'd always thought of his fiancée as someone too independent, someone above the concept of marriage. Maybe he'd even imagined himself as a mere member of her entourage until he could regain his strength and leave to reclaim his own life. But now, he was going to marry her, and that came with responsibilities he couldn't ignore.
Looking around, Ajax took in the astounding array of clothing laid out for him. Three full rows of garments filled the space, each unique and detailed, like something out of a dream for some princess—but here he was, and he didn't need this many outfits. Frowning, he asked, "Lobo, why are there so many clothes here?"
Lobo replied, "Sir, we weren't sure which community's customs you'd want to follow, so we gathered every option available within a day's time. Don't worry about the sizes—they're all tailored to fit you. If anything's uncomfortable, just let me know, and I'll have it replaced immediately, my lord."
Ajax blinked, impressed. How could they have collected all these clothes in one day? He remembered this world was set in ancient times, with limited means of quick communication. Only powerful individuals could teleport or cast spells to bridge long distances, and even then, only those aligned with gods who granted such abilities to their followers.
Looking at the rows of attire, Ajax felt an intense curiosity about this world he was marrying into. He'd never really had the chance to explore outside the castle. It had always been training, study, or fulfilling duties within these walls. Once this wedding was behind him, maybe he could finally set out to explore the vast world beyond.
Ajax scanned the rows of clothing and finally settled on a black suit with a white and gold pattern he had never seen before. Something about it felt right, drawing him in with its rich details.
"I'll go with this one," Ajax said to Lobo, nodding toward the suit. "You can return the rest."
Lobo bowed, responding, "Very well, Master. But the Lady insisted you could keep all these clothes. If you don't want them, though, I'll have them removed."
Curious, Ajax asked, "So what do you do with them if I don't take them?"
"If you don't accept them, we'll burn them," Lobo replied. "The young lady bought them for you, so if you don't want them, she'd rather they be destroyed."
Ajax sighed, marveling at the sheer wealth of his bride's family, who apparently saw no need for thrift.
After preparing himself, Ajax politely declined Lobo's offer of assistance and finished dressing on his own. Once he was ready, he left to join the wedding ceremony.
Meanwhile, Willow sat in front of a mirror, her maids adjusting her makeup and attire. Her mind drifted to Ajax, and she asked one of the maids, "Has Ajax come out of the training area?"
The maid nodded. "Yes, my lady. He exited with Jared and was escorted by his servant, Lobo, to prepare for the wedding."
Willow hummed in acknowledgement, considering this, then asked, "And what color did he choose to wear?"
Another maid quickly replied, "Sir Ajax selected a black suit with white and gold patterns."
Willow's eyes lit up as she noticed the harmony—her own gown matched his choice in color, black with delicate white and gold embroidery. A pleased smile spread across her face as she admired the coincidence.
Willow's smile grew wider, her eyes gleaming with an intensity that bordered on obsession. "It seems my husband and I share the same taste," she murmured, admiring the matching styles.
The maids caught sight of her expression, a flash of possessive joy that Willow rarely let slip. Normally composed and reserved, she hid her emotions well, keeping her thoughts tightly controlled. But in that moment, the maids couldn't help but feel a chill—they pitied Ajax, realizing the depth of Willow's attachment. To her, there would be no one in this world or any other for him but her.
Meanwhile, the banquet area was bustling with activity. Guests disguised as servants moved through the space, some of them Liam's old friends, others curious onlookers who wanted to catch a glimpse of Ajax—the man who had managed to capture the attention of Liam's powerful family. They mingled, stealing glances and exchanging quiet speculation about how Ajax had found his way into the orbit of such a formidable family.