OHNIR – Chapter 117
Chapter 117: Extra - The Engagement
After the war ended, the crisis in Seaside Town was resolved, and the Nobili Continent gradually returned to normal. Satrick, the rightful heir, became the new king of the realm as he had wished.
The living conditions on the Continent Edge were no longer as harsh as before. The demons had all gained magic, so Musen decisively proposed to His Majesty Satrick, hoping the king would allow them to continue living peacefully on the land they had inhabited for a hundred years.
Satrick naturally agreed.
The demons had only won the favor of the people of Seaside during the coastal battle. In the eyes of most humans, they were still a group of evil-doing, bloodthirsty “outsiders.”
Under these circumstances, if Musen had proposed that the demons formally move into the center of the continent, that would have truly given His Majesty the King a headache.
As for the issue of “two rulers on one continent”… with Kelusta as a connection, coupled with the deliberate understanding he had gained of Musen during the war, Satrick generously entrusted the entire jurisdiction of the Continent Edge to him, tacitly acknowledging the existence of the “Demon King” through his actions.
The century-long antagonism between the two races could not be eliminated in an instant; a “gradual approach” was the most effective method. In that case, it was better to let the demons govern themselves under the authority Musen had established. This would not provoke rebellion and would also improve their impression of the human race… Why wouldn't Satrick be happy to do so?
Adhering to this philosophy, the new King of Nobili’s relaxed and compromising approach undoubtedly won him the goodwill of many demons.
“He’s not bad,” even Musen commented to Kelusta. “To be able to remain so composed right after inheriting the throne, not rushing for quick success… that’s already quite rare.”
To the black-haired youth’s rare display of profound maturity, which gave him the air of a Demon King, his sister’s reaction was—
“Your tone, uh, honestly, sounds a bit like Wend,” Kelusta said sincerely.
“…” Musen stared at her for a long moment before rolling his eyes in exasperation. “Come on, Ruth, be fair. I have nothing in common with that clam.”
The family of the aforementioned clam, Young Master Wend, the Silentdis Ducal Family, remained secure in their position as the first ducal house, having been heroes of the war.
After Kelusta bid farewell to her friends in Seaside Town and brought her father, Sogeta, to the royal capital, the usually quiet Amirium Ducal Residence became much livelier.
Everything was slowly getting back on track.
…And for Gloria, the most important thing on that track was the engagement she had been dreaming of.
“According to the kingdom’s laws, an heir to a title can only officially marry after reaching the age of twenty-five.”
In the courtyard of the Silentdis estate, Gloria plucked a blooming magic rose and handed it over, lazily responding to Kelusta’s teasing about her being “eager to get married.” “Make me wait another five years? No way.”
“Who’s asking you to wait five years!” Kelusta placed the rose in the flower basket hanging on her arm and said fairly, “It’s just until May or June—not to mention how busy Uncle Reginald and my grandmother have been lately, and then there’s Musen, he’s still on the Continent Edge and hasn’t come back yet! If the timing is too tight and he can’t make it to the engagement ceremony, that brat will really tear the roof down.”
“Don’t worry, I already told him the approximate date of the engagement,” Gloria said. “Besides… what makes you think Musen would be willing to miss his sister’s birthday party?”
“…”
Kelusta fell silent, as she couldn’t find any other excuse to save the Duke and her own grandmother some trouble.
Victorious in this exchange, Gloria curved her lips into a happy smile. She raised a hand, her fingertips, fragrant with flower petals, brushing against the brown-haired girl’s cheek.
She moved closer, lowered her head slightly to kiss the corner of Kelusta’s lips, and said smugly, “Since you’re not against it, the engagement date is set for your birthday—I’ll tell Father tonight and ask him and Madam Isabella to start preparing the ceremony. You’d better not back out, my dear Miss Fiancée.”
Kelusta, forbidden from resisting: “…”
You really are desperate to get married!
However, regardless of whether Gloria was in a rush to change her surname to Breviou, April would eventually arrive with the gentle spring breeze.
—Of course, while Kelusta didn’t feel it was arriving “slowly,” Gloria firmly declared that every day felt like a year.
“Even the wedding dress has gone through three revisions,” she emphasized. “Although Madam Mary insists the color of the first version was the most suitable, I still think the black and white combination… is a bit too cliché.”
“Is it? I don’t think so.”
Kelusta brandished the two very familiar, magnificent necklaces at her and smiled faintly. “Black and white should be the most perfect match.”
As her gaze fell on the pair of swan pendants refracting a dazzling light, Gloria paused. She walked forward and carefully took the black swan necklace that had once belonged to Sumolor. After a long silence, she nodded from the bottom of her heart.
They would wear these two necklaces to the ceremony, hoping their respective mothers could also witness this engagement, which, after spanning so many years, could finally come to fruition.
“We could exchange these two necklaces instead of rings,” Kelusta suddenly suggested after a moment of thought. “They have great sentimental value, don’t they?”
“But these are, after all, gifts from our mothers… Compared to us, these two necklaces hold truly ‘great significance’ for Aunt Ricana and my mother.” Gloria patted her head and said gently, “Alright, my dear, I’ve already made arrangements for the keepsakes we’ll exchange at the ceremony. You can relax for now and not worry about these trivial matters.”
Kelusta froze, then quickly threw herself into Gloria’s arms. She narrowed her eyes at the smiling silver-haired girl and feigned anger, “What keepsakes? Tell me now!”
Gloria didn’t speak, merely leaning down to kiss her. Her sea-blue, gem-like eyes were crystal clear, filled with a gentle smile so rich it was about to overflow.
“I’m not telling you,” she laughed. “You’ll find out on the day of the engagement.”
The location for the engagement ceremony was ultimately set at Brilliant Plaza, in front of the Royal Palace.
Kelusta didn’t know if Satrick had been hit in the head by a cannonball to suggest to Isabella that they be given the use of Brilliant Plaza for the entire day for their engagement—but she was certain that under the fervent gazes of the massive crowd of capital residents, even the fingers holding her bouquet were turning white.
In the past, when she was nervous, she could at least vent to Old Sy to relieve the pressure…
The brown-haired girl pressed her lips together and let out a soft, imperceptible sigh.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, scattering across her snow-white gown and reflecting off countless tiny, star-like diamonds, making it look both hazy and blindingly brilliant. Beneath layers of tulle, the fine satin fabric was faintly visible. A swan, poised for flight, seemed to be embroidered onto the hem with some unique technique. From its slender neck to its delicate feathers, it was as vivid as the white swan necklace she wore.
The velvet carpet underfoot was strewn with flower petals, and the air seemed to be filled with the faint scent of blackcurrant buds and wisteria. The sound of a nearby fountain splashed, as if applauding the ceremony, adding to the clamor of the already packed plaza.
Many guests were invited.
Even more came uninvited.
After all, it was the engagement of the daughters of Nobili’s two great ducal families, and neither side had any intention of holding it privately. Thus, many people had come to Brilliant Plaza specifically on this day, just to catch a glimpse of the two noble ladies in their peerless beauty, dressed in their gowns.
To say the entire city had turned out would probably not be an exaggeration.
…And this only made Kelusta even more nervous.
It wasn’t until Wend, serving as the officiant—Musen had even questioned, “Why him? Because he’s young? Because he doesn’t talk?”—finished reciting the long prayer and opening remarks with a deadpan expression that she finally regained some of her senses. She couldn’t help but take a deep breath and, accompanied by Musen, who was serving as the groomsman, step onto the velvet carpet and walk, step by step, toward Gloria, who was smiling at her from a short distance away.
The silver-haired girl stood gracefully in the center of the carpet, wearing a black gown identical in style to Kelusta’s.
She held no bouquet, but rather a golden brocade box, an elegant yet bold object Kelusta had never seen before.
As she distractedly thought, “Is that the secret keepsake?” she floated like a ghost to stand before Gloria. She lifted her head to look at the other girl, completely out of it, and blinked blankly at her fiancée.
What’s the next step…?
Seeing her expression, Gloria couldn’t help but let out a low laugh.
She opened the golden brocade box and raised her hand, taking out two identical bracelets from within.
Pure cornflower-blue sapphires were perfectly set in silver chains, reflecting a dazzling fire. They were arranged neatly like crystals of the ocean, all surrounding a central half of a sea-blue shell with intricate patterns.
“Huh, this is…”
“‘The Ocean’s Gift.’”
Gloria whispered as she placed one of the bracelets into Kelusta’s palm, raising an eyebrow and glancing pointedly at Musen, who had been standing idly by for a long time.
He gave an imperceptible shrug, took his sister’s hand with an incredibly gentle force, and solemnly placed it into Gloria’s waiting palm, which she had already extended toward Kelusta.
“Gloria Silentdis.”
Wend asked calmly from the officiant’s podium, “Do you, under the witness of the Goddess of Light, Clara, willingly become the legal fiancée of Kelusta Amirium Breviou, and acknowledge the establishment of the engagement contract between you?”
“I do.”
Gloria smiled, lowered her head, and unclasped the bracelet she had been holding tightly. With great care, she fastened it onto Kelusta’s raised wrist.
The deep blue shell rested against her fair skin, each line on its surface rising and falling like a wave. Its curve was elegant, its color bright, looking just like the vast, azure sea next to Seaside Town.
“Kelusta Amirium Breviou—do you, under the witness of the Goddess of Light, Clara, willingly become the legal fiancée of Gloria Silentdis, and acknowledge the establishment of the engagement contract between you?”
After hearing the long question, the brown-haired girl lowered her eyes, a serene and warm smile appearing on her beautiful face.
“I do.”
She likewise fastened the bracelet onto Gloria’s wrist, stood on her tiptoes, and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, solemnly and affectionately kissed the other’s lips.
—Let the ocean bear witness, let everyone bear witness.
—From this day forward, I will be with you… forever.
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