***Midhold, Royal Embassy***

***Angrod***

Marriage? I admit that I never expected it to actually happen. And now that it’s the day of no return, I am getting cold feet. This is a step that may haunt me for the rest of eternity. For good or for ill. Unfortunately, I think that I am too old to run away from something like a wedding ceremony.

I already bought into this relationship with Celes. To the point that we are intimate on a regular basis. I don’t know why, but there is something about that woman which simply doesn’t allow me to keep my hands off her.

After taking a few seconds to gather myself, I walk to the window and take a look out of my private room.

The whole city looks like a rainbow. Each house has flags of various colours hanging out of the windows, creating a surreal scenery. I don't want to complain about the local customs. Everyone has his own tastes.

Though, they may be going overboard just a little bit. Fucking crazy world!

This is a marriage and not a damned carnival! Just watching this causes my head to spin.

The first point on today’s list is to go on a procession in a car and drive around the whole city for everyone to see. Then we visit the biggest cathedral in the city to get married by a priest. Afterwards, we have to meet all the big noblemen and officials at a festival in order to give them the possibility to congratulate us.

Last but not least, we will have a small party with a few selected guests. As much as I finally want to become king, I dislike being treated as some kind of exhibition-sample.

“Are you done?” Rose bursts into my room.

“Yes, yes, I am done dressing up. No stress!” Without looking away from the window I wave at her to calm her down.

“Oh, no! You can't go out like that. Your neck-tie is so sloppy! And you didn't put on the traditional markings!” She immediately starts to correct my appearance. First the tie. Afterwards, she plucks at my black suit at least for five minutes and then paints a complicated tattoo onto my cheek while I try my best to keep still.

It's some kind of tradition. I don't like to put make-up onto myself and had hoped I would get around it.

If I think about it, this world seems like a mix of every culture I ever knew.

“Rose, don't you think it's enough? We are almost out of time.” I try to redirect her attention.

“Oh, no. You are right! But you have to look perfect. This will be your biggest day ever!” She drags me outside, where a stunning red-haired beauty is waiting.

Celes’s hair is woven around her horns and there is a really complicated pattern painted around her eyelids. Her black dress emphasises the important curves just at the right places. Just looking at her makes me drool.

Thankfully, I can stop myself from doing so by looking at my mother. This is dangerous. I have to think straight! Let me see... Pi is 3.141592653589...

“Are you ready? If we drive now, we will be just in time,” My beauty queen prompts us to proceed with a sultry tone in her voice.

I wet my lips and clear my throat to make sure that I don’t embarrass myself. “Isn't that a little too much effort? How long did you have to stay still for this outfit?” Whoever worked on Celes did a good job.

“You have no idea. How do I look? Was it worth it?” She smiles at me warmly, clearly aware of the effect she has on me. She throws back her hair and strikes a pose.

For a moment I have a complete brain-freeze. “Ahem.”

“It doesn't look good? How can that be? It took so long to find the right dress!” Celes looks down at herself, drawing my attention to the magnificent… dress.

Aren’t those cut-outs a little too deep?

“I think the young king wanted to say that no words could describe your beauty, my queen. You both look wonderful, so let's go now. We have a schedule to keep,” Rose jumps in to save me from looking like a complete cave-man.

Why did I just freeze up like that? Fuck, I have more experience in life than anyone could imagine! Could it be that this new body is causing me trouble? Hormones? Could it be? I never felt anything like that as a god.

The three of us proceed to the throne room where the other family members are waiting.

“Oh, you two look beautiful!” Katrine explodes with joy.

“The time sure flies by. It feels like yesterday when I could still carry you around with my tail,” My mother comments with tears in her eyes while giving me a hug.

Everyone gives Ireth a shocked look. Yes! Think about your own shortcomings, Mother! I was right when I thought that it isn't proper to treat a child like that.

“You can use your tail like that? Now I remember that you did it a few times with me.” Celes waves her tail in front of her to inspect it. “I often felt like I could use a third hand.”

“Don't copy her bad habits!” Arthur jumps in. “It’s bad manners.”

Thank you, father in law!

“We have to go!” Nicosar shoves us into the direction of the exit. He is right, we have a tight schedule.

Outside, we enter a limousine and a procession of guards and servants starts on its way, leaving the Royal Embassy with as much pomp and swank as possible.

“Now this is really a full-blown carnival!” I look back at the line of gaudy vehicles behind us.

“I actually like it! I can’t remember ever having a marriage like this. And I had many marriages until now,” Celes comments in a good mood. She slides closer and links arms with me.

“At least I just have to wave at people and smile.” I have to be positive. There is no point in focusing on the bad things in life. This is a single day of my eternity, a small price to pay in order to keep up appearances with the general public.

Yes. It's not that bad! Even if I get married to her in this life, I am no god. This is just one life! It's a few decades and then I am free again. And while I am at it, I can take advantage of the good aspects. My eyes wander to my magnificent queen, taking in her perfect body.

With a reward like that, why should I care about a few personality flaws?

Our car leaves the palace grounds and I can see thousands of people, all of them trying to get a look at us.

Suddenly Celes bends over me to see out of the window and waves at the crowd. There are thousands of people cheering at us. I smile and wave at them.

Yep. I officially hate this day. Once we are married, I will make this day a working day! Everyone will have to go to work and pretend that nothing is out of the ordinary. People who are celebrating in any way will be executed on the spot. I will be damned if they make this something like a national holiday so that I am reminded of my folly on a regular basis.

“You have that strange grin again, Angrod,” Celes whispers into my ear.

“R- really?” I try to lighten my expression.

“Now you look really stressed. Just think about something positive. We have much to do today. There are many important points on my list.” She leans against me, resting her head on my shoulder.

“About that... I actually think that-” Before I can get my point across, Katrine interrupts me.

“Ohohoh. I can remember my wedding night! Arthur was so wild!” she bursts out. “Unfortunately, I found out that I can't teach my daughter much in this respect. For some strange reason, she is already very experienced in that field.”

I think I will just teleport away as soon as this business is over and done with. Yes. Nobody can catch me. I will say yes and amen and once everything is done I will make a run for it and have my peace.

While we drive around the city, I dwell on my own thoughts. Of course, I keep smiling and waving at the people. After hours – it must have been hours because the car continued on with a constant velocity of walking speed – we arrive at the cathedral and leave the car.

People throw confetti at Celes and me while we walk inside.

Rice, guys! It's supposed to be rice and not confetti!

I want to cry, who messed this culture up so badly?

Seria! It must be Seria’s fault! She is the only one who could have influenced these people.

At least there is nobody allowed inside the cathedral. Just the priest and a few novices are waiting for us.

At least this ceremony is short. It was explained to me beforehand.

Together, we approach the altar with Seria's statue looming over it. Then the priest carries a bowl of water over and sets it on the altar. He mutters a few words which I don't understand, apparently blessing the water.

Following his lead, we hold a hand into the water.

“We are here, in front of our goddess and the gods to witness the marriage of this young couple. May their life be happy. May both of them care for each other and face all hardships together. Are both of you willing to give yourself to your partner and protect him or her from any harm. Will you stay with each other until death?”

“Yes.” Celes is quick to answer.

Actually, I have to think about this for a second! This is a really heavy and meaningful promise! Even more so if you think about it a little. I just realized that we now both know about each other's reincarnations. So are we now married until death, or until death-death? What counts as death for an immortal who can reincarnate?

‘Poke!’

‘Poke!’

‘Poke!’

Ugh! Damned tail! “Yes!”

“Then I declare you two as a married couple. May you live in prosperity and in peace. King Angrod and Queen Celes.” The priest bows to us and smiles.

Celes jumps at me and I have no choice but to catch her in a princess carry. “This is an important point. You have to carry me back to the car.” She gives me a wet kiss on the cheek. The priest chuckles at the sight. Obviously, her lipstick left a mark.

I nod at the priest and turn around to carry Celes outside. As we leave the cathedral, the crowd almost goes insane and some crazies start a firework.

Ey, it's in the middle of the day! Have at least some reason and start it during the night!

We arrive at the car and our family members congratulate us. Ireth has actual tears in her eyes while she is hugging the both of us.

But Rose already waves us inside the car, making it clear that we are still on a tight schedule.

The festival afterwards couldn't be counted as a real festival. The location was a neat: big garden which was closer to a park in size. It was big enough to hold all the noblemen and officials in any case. Celes and I didn’t get to do much, as we were busy with receiving gifts and congratulations from a seemingly endless line of noblemen.

The gifts kept piling up until there was a sizeable mountain of dust-collectors around us, as I like to call things that fulfil no real purpose. It was clear to me that nobody paid a thought to what would happen if a thousand rich guys gave presents to the wedding couple.

Seeing the mess, I gave Rose the order that she should confiscate the chocolate and the dangerous stuff. The rest should be given to someone who may need it.

It was already evening when we arrived back at the palace. My face was hurting from all the smiling. I never would have imagined that it is possible to strain the muscles in my face like that. My left hand was numb from the waving. My right hand was sore from shaking hands with over a thousand people. If I hadn't used healing magic, it would be just a bloody stump by now.

Back at the throne room, we were welcomed by everyone who could be counted as a close friend. This involved some of our old teachers, the Cygnus siblings, the people from special class, as well as some close friends of our parents.

Celes kept linking arms with me the entire time. After everyone had congratulated us a second time, we proceeded to the big hall which was reserved to receive guests.

Rose led the party proudly along the hallway. “I have put all my efforts into this cold buffet. I am sure your majesties will be very pleased.”

With a smiling face, she opens the big two-winged door to the guest room and freezes. Then it looks like she wants to scream, but she freezes again, not knowing how to react. I take a look around the corner and freeze up too.

A stunning blonde beauty wearing an almost transparent dress is happily stuffing a big plate with the most delicious looking food. Two white angel wings are sprouting from her shoulder blades and a set of leathery, black demon wings emerges from her back, right above her hips. Her whole figure is emitting an aura of light and darkness, radiating with divine power.

Other people also take a look around the corner and freeze up with their mouths agape.

The figure turns around and waves at us with her free hand. “Hiiiii! How are you guys doing? I am so glad that I made it in time to give you my congratulations!” Seria sets her plate on a table and runs up to me and Celes. She hugs both of us like children to her big chest, folding her wings around us.

“Ooh, I am so happy to see you two are doing well. The city looks wonderful by the way.” She kisses me and Celes on the cheek. “There is so much to talk about! I hope you two behaved well? I sent you here with a purpose after all. Are there any children on the way?”

“No?” I reply quickly.

“Not yet!” Celes hisses out between clenched teeth. It’s apparent that she dislikes this surprise as much as I do.

“Oh, too bad. Well, you have the whole night to work on that!” Seria smiles and rushes off to Ireth, Katrine, and Arthur. “I have to give you guys my thanks too! You did such a good job of educating them! I couldn't have chosen better.”

“We did our best.” Ireth is the only one who manages to wring an answer from her throat.

“Oh, you don't have to be so stiff, I am not here in my function as a god. I took a day off to visit my little helpers on this world. So no hard feelings. Let's just relax and have fun! The last time I took a day off was a few thousand years ago.”

Smiling, she continues down the line of stupefied guests and shakes their hands.

When she is done, I grab her arm and drag her off to a silent corner of the room, hoping that it gives us at least some privacy. But who am I kidding? Everyone will have their full attention on us anyway.

“What are you doing here!? I thought Tjenemit would be able to follow you if you came here!” I hiss.

Celes joins us and nods with a pained expression. “Did you have to choose today for your antics!?”

“Haha... don't fear. I am not really here in person. This is just a really good astral projection. I would never ruin your great day!” She winks at Celes. “Tjenemit won’t show up today.”

I let out a sigh. “So, can you at least give a detailed explanation of what's going on?”

Our parents join us, too interested in what’s happening to give us some time to clear things up.

“No. Sorry. I can't give out information of that importance to mortals. Everything will be clear when the time comes, I promise.” Seria shakes her head. “If anything goes wrong and Tjenemit gets access to this world before I am ready, he could just rip the information out of your minds. The less you know, the better. Just keep your trust in your one and only goddess!” She smiles and pats my shoulder. Then she runs off to the buffet again.

“I want to kill her!” I wring my hands in impotent rage but manage to hold back when Celes places a hand on my shoulder. Barely.

Attacking her wouldn’t change anything. As a god, she has vastly more power than any of us.

“Is every god like that?” Arthur asks, watching Seria who folded her wings around her body, turning them into a pretty good imitation of a dress with a leather skirt and a feathery top.

“I need a new religion...” Katrine complains.

“I think that I actually like her,” Ireth admits, sounding ashamed.

“If there is a beautiful woman who is older than you, there is only one thing to do!” Nicosar walks off, clearly intending to hit on Seria.

I am shocked! Does the old fart fear nothing!? But Nicosar really goes for it and strikes up a conversation with Seria, ignoring the rest of us.

“I am curious how she manages to eat food with an astral projection?” I wonder. I couldn't do that while I was a god. Admittedly, I never had a reason to try something so strange.

“Maybe she created a body on this world and just possessed it?” Celes suggests.

I nod, but I have problems to believe it. Then Celes tugs at my sleeve. “Look at that!” She points at a quiet corner of the room. There I can see Sandra with Sven on her lap. Both of them are hugging each other. They give off the impression of a loving couple!

I chuckle. “She really meant it when she said that she would console him.”

“Unbelievable! And a few days ago he was still head over heels for Tanja!” Celes puffs up her cheeks in frustration.

“But Tanja refused him in a clear manner,” I point out. “On top of that, Sandra has two very big arguments to distract her prey from a bad conscience.” I pat my chest.

“Men! All the same! I have to look for Tanja and see if she is okay.” Celes stomps off and I follow her, seeing no point in harassing Seria with questions. I can’t force her to tell me anything she doesn’t want to, and it’s much more likely for me to lose my shit when I face her.

“Don't forget that they are just a bunch of young people after all. At that age, your heart beats for someone and in the next moment for someone else,” I try to defuse my wife’s impending eruption, sensing that she is unhappy. Seria’s appearance threw her off, and she might decide to vent her frustration on someone else.

Celes stops and looks at me, surprised. “I guess you are right.” She considers my words but keeps going after a few moments.

We keep searching for Tanja, but it seems like Celes worries weren't necessary. We find Tanja at the buffet while she is talking with Gabriel and Margerie. She doesn't look the least bit concerned, so we join their conversation.

When Celes asks what Tanja thought about Sven and Sandra, her answer is surprising.

“I already knew that Sandra has a crush on him. I value Sven as a childhood friend, nothing more. So it's good that Sandra finally went on the offensive. The stupid guy wouldn’t have realized that she is mooning over him if she had danced in front of him naked,” Tanja explains while munching on an arrangement of various meats and vegetables with mayonnaise.

I realize that she threw her childhood friend into the tiger’s maw.

We continued the conversation, allowing the time to pass while I keep a wary eye on our unexpected guest.

An hour later, Seria walks in our direction. She linked arms with Nicosar and smiles at us while petting his hand.

“It was a really nice time, but I have to say goodbye.” She extracts herself from my grandfather’s hands and hugs me, then Celes.

“You are sure about this, about not telling us what’s going on?” Celes asks her with a stiff expression.

“Nope! There is nothing you can do at the moment. All you needed to know I already conveyed to you through your dreams. How things will work out depends on Tjenemit's arrival. Either I am ready, or I am not. It's not like you two could do anything against a god,” Seria answers in a serious tone.

“I understand. Though, I still would have liked to know your motivation behind everything.” I give her a wry smile and gesture at our surroundings, indicating the world as a whole. “Tell me at least this: Am I right that this place is located in a Void Zone?”

“Everything will be known in due time.” She pats my head while she dissolves into light.

And then she is gone, leaving us none the wiser.

Nicosar sighs and gives us a sad look. “She is a fine woman for sure. It's a shame that I am too young for her. I never would have imagined being told something like that at my age.” He presses out a tear from his left eye. Then he walks off into the direction of two bunny girls who seem very familiar to me.

“Did the geezer just cry?” Celes asks me with a shocked voice while pinching her own cheek.

“I honestly don't get him.” I don't want to know what's going on inside Nicosar's brain. I turn away to stuff myself with some nice food from the buffet.

“Don't eat too much. I have a little present for you later.” Celes stops me with a hand, lowering her voice.