Chapter 308 (2/2)

Originally, I decided to use a white camellia flower that my mother liked, but the small bouquet that Lina showed was made of silver flowers that bloomed brightly.

Suddenly I recalled what happened last night, namely the white snow field and silver flowers in full bloom under the moonlight, and the young man with blue hair who pledged eternal love to me.

I picked up the bouquet carefully with my heart pounding. Lastly, I checked my dress once more and put down the wedding veil to cover my face. Then, relying on his hand grabbing mine, I went down the stairs carefully.

When I went down from the high spire after a long walk, the priests and lower nobles waiting for us there bowed their heads all at once.

“Long live the emperor!”

“Long live the empress!”

“Long live the empire!”

“Salute to the Sun and the Moon!”

Returning their shouting slightly, I stepped on the blue carpet. When I arrived at the great hall of the temple after passing though the path only the bride could walk, the high priests greeted me and him.

People surprised by my extraordinary actions opened their eyes wide. I sighed somehow.

Now the wedding ceremony has just started. How can I bear the intense look of the priests for a long time?

Although everyone was surprised, the priests in light green and green robes began to sing hymns with a serious expression.

I walked slowly, keeping pace with him while being careful enough to make the long hem and wedding veil dragged on the floor smoothly. When I climbed six more stairs and stood in front of the High Priest, he slowly opened his mouth, with his long white hair hanging down the green cloak.

“May the blessings of life be with you. Father of Life, Lord Vita, the Sun of the glorious empire and the child of your prophecy, soon to be the noble Moon, are standing in front of you. May you bless their union …”

Even while he was reciting the prayer of blessings with a mystical voice, I felt their intense gaze behind my back, but instead of being irritated, the High Priest spoke with a solemn expression after finishing the short congratulatory message.

“Rublis Kamaludin Shana Castina, the Sun of the empire, do you take Aristia Pioneer la Monique as your wife and swear to love, comfort, respect and keep from this day forward, for better, for worse, in happiness and sadness until you are parted by death?”

“I swear.”

“Aristia Pioneer la Monique, do you take His Majesty, Emperor Rublis Kamaludin Shana Castina, the 34th Sun of the empire, as your husband, and love, comfort, respect and keep from this day forward, for better, for worse, in happiness and sadness until you are parted by death?”

“I swear.”

When he and I were done swearing the short but very heavy oath, a senior priest who approached us cautiously opened a gorgeous, cushioned box of jewelry. A diamond ring shining brightly over the blue velvet was revealed.

The High Priest put his hand on the ring and briefly recited the prayer of blessing.

“Please give her the gift, Your Majesty!”

Gently holding my left hand, he slowly put the ring on my finger. I felt a thrill at that moment.

While the High Priest was reading a congratulatory message after holding a white cloth and tying his hand and mine with it, he looked at me, holding my trembling hand tightly. Even though I could not see clearly his navy blue eyes because of the veil, they were pretty heated.

I was thirsty suddenly. And my heart beat fast in nervousness and excitement.

I didn’t remember how the ceremony went. I was so absent-minded that all I remembered was that I barely signed the marriage oath with a trembling hand, the repeated chants and the voice of the High Priest who blessed us by declaring that our union was legal in the name of Vita.Only when the High Priest disappeared after bowing to us and he turned me around did I realize that it was time to exit.

“Aristia Pioneer la Monique, my vower, and my only partner, I hereby give you the title of the empress and the honorable last name of Castina, as you’re the greatest woman, the noblest woman, the most shining woman and the most beloved woman of the empire. May the blessings of Vita and the Sun be with you!”

“Your Majesty?”

I opened my eyes wide in surprise. He was as surprised as I was. People who were supposed to recite the congratulatory message after him remained silent. They could understand he described me as his only partner as it was a customary title, but they could probably not understand what the heck “my vower” meant.

“Why did you use that expression…”

“Shush! That’s fine,” he said, stretching his hand to touch my lips. After looking at me for a long time, he kissed my face after removing the veil covering my face when they stopped whispering. I was relieved by his natural actions. When I looked up with a shy smile, he also had a smile.

With the orchestra playing magnificently, the bell rang throughout the capital to announce our marriage. After confirming that the maids lifted the hem of my dress, I looked up at him receiving white gloves from the servant.