Page 278 of The White King's Favorite

Cessilia happily nodded. Her aunt returned her smile, and took a deep breath.

“At the request of His Highness King Ashen the White, we are here to unite these two beautiful young people by the sacred bond of marriage. Across the lands and the sea, nothing is more beautiful than two hearts that came together despite all the odds, to unite as one. Our brave Princess deserves nothing less than a young King full of bravery as well, and she found him, not once, but twice. You are already blessed with a beautiful child, and I am sure you will find prosperity, with both the moon and the sun as your witnesses.”

Cessilia glanced up. Indeed, the moon was already visible in the sky, while the sun hadn’t completely set yet... however, she felt like her aunt was referencing her parents as well, as another couple that had come together despite being from two different worlds. Ashen gently took her hands, and they smiled at each other. She hadn’t felt her heart beat so fast in such a long time...

“Now, as your mother’s tradition will have it, let us begin the ceremony... The Sea Ceremony.”

Cessilia glanced back at her mom, exchanging a smile with her. She was bringing her mother’s tradition, but to fit Ashen’s world... She loved it. Her aunt began reciting, and she looked back at Ashen, their hands a bit tighter on each other’s.

“O God of Water, our ancestors taught us love. Help us teach our children too. We’ll share that love to all of your children, from all rivers they come, from all seas they come. Let us speak of love, and let our hearts beat together. Let your love flow in our veins and words, for you showed us how to love with your tide. Gather your children together before the sea, gather us, and remind us how to love if we forget. Teach us to be patient, kind, sincere, and truthful. Teach us love, teach us how to cry and pray. Fill our lives with love, water, and grace. O God of Water, your children are thankful today, as with love you teach us the way again. O God of Water, your children will remember your love is patient, kind, sincere, and truthful. We shall not give in to anger, and we shall not give in to evil. We shall not lie, and we shall not betray. Your children promise to remember, each day the sea rises, how love is patient, kind, sincere, and truthful. O God of Water, your love has no beginning and no end. Your love is blind and deaf. Your love is infinite. O God of Water, your children of the rain shall not lie, and they shall not hurt. I will be blind and deaf if I can’t see or hear love. O God of Water, your children gather today, in harmony, to love again. O God of Water, hear our prayer. Your children will give up their wealth, their bodies, and their minds for love.”

Cessilia exchanged a glance with Ashen, and to her surprise, he began reciting at the same time as her.

“The Sea comes to us blind and deaf. The Sea will witness our love today. I give my wealth, my body, and my mind for this love of mine.”

They exchanged a faint chuckle before resuming.

“I will love eternally, in the eyes of my beloved, and in the eyes of the Water God. I swear to keep my love patient, kind, sincere, and truthful until I die. I swear to honor the Water God in every way until I return into his arms, side by side with my beloved.”

Cessilia took a deep breath. Her heart was beating like a drum.

“O God of Water, love is infinite. Love is mine. You are mine.”

“...You’re mine,” Ashen whispered, echoing her words.

She wanted to cry, so happy, overwhelmed, and grateful for how much effort he had put into their ceremony. It was beyond her most beautiful dreams. He smiled, and she leapt into his arms, dropping her bouquet to kiss him.

“...I’m guessing that seals it,” chuckled her aunt.

Behind them, everyone happily cheered, clapped their hands, and congratulated them. It was a small gathering for the ceremony, but for a few seconds, Cessilia felt as if she was alone with Ashen. They kissed until they had enough, completely shameless, and full of happiness and bliss. Then, they happily smiled at each other, and Ashen took her hand, gently pulling her to the side. Cessilia was so drunk on love and happiness, she didn’t realize what was going on until she saw Sabael pulling Tessandra into the spot they were in seconds ago, and putting a knee down. Her cousin gasped.

“S-Sab...”

“I’m going to ask it,” he smiled, “so you’d better be ready.”

“W-w-what? Ready?!”

“Tessandra, will you be my wi–”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Tessandra jumped into his arms, crying and kissing him wildly, making everyone around laugh. Phemera sighed.

“And that is a yes if I’ve ever seen one,” she chuckled.

“...Too bad her mom isn’t here,” whispered Cassandra. “She’ll never believe me...”

Cessilia was so happy, both for herself and her cousin, she could barely realize everything that was going on. She turned around to face Ashen, his arms around her waist.

“...I did my best,” he whispered. “Your family can only stay one night, but...”

“Ashen, shut up, please. It’s absolutely perfect. It really is. I’ve never been happier... Thank you.”

They smiled again, and she put a kiss on his lips, completely unable to stop.

She was truly happier than ever. And this was just the beginning for them.

*The End*

Epilogue

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