Ancient Imperial Calendar Year 1815
The weeks of wedding preparations at the Kislavein Dynasty's center, Kislathor, were finally over.
Ricardo wore an immensely superb suit that multiplied his already peerless handsomeness.
Arnheid wore a wedding dress that complemented her silver hair and eyes. Her elegant makeup and jewels, which enhanced her beauty, enchanted all who saw her.
The people of Kislathor also wore their best clothes, elegantly attending the first marriage of their future Dynasty Lord and Lady.
Ricardo and Arnheid stood side-by-side in the palace, holding hands. Ricardo could feel the enthusiastic crowd surrounding his waiting carriage outside the palace.
"So many people have come," said Ricardo.
Arnheid smiled and replied,
"Yes, after all, this is your first wedding."
Although Ricardo had had many marriages in his previous life, this would be his first marriage in this life.
Arnheid asked curiously.
"Why did you want to marry me first instead of Marilin, Dynasty Heir?"
Ricardo was tired of repeating the answer he had now memorized.
"Don't ask questions whose answers you already know,Arnheid."
Arnheid stubbornly repeated.
"But I'm curious. Marilin is the most beautiful and powerful woman in the world. She surpasses everyone in every aspect. Every man desires her."
Ricardo was weary of this clichéd interrogation.
"Enough.That is an order."
Arnheid immediately obeyed the command from the Dynasty Heir.
Ricardo took a deep breath.
"Alright,the time has come. Shall we go?" he said, smiling.
Arnheid immediately cheered up.
"Let's go,Dynasty Heir."
The palace doors opened. The Bride and Groom stepped before the people in all their elegance and grace.
The crowd cheered enthusiastically for the young couple.
Accompanied by the praises of the people, they walked with slow steps towards the carriage. A guard waiting by the carriage opened the door. Ricardo, following tradition, helped the bride into the carriage, then got in himself.
The wedding convoy set off as soon as the bride and groom boarded. The roads had been cleared for them.
The Wedding Convoy proceeded amidst the intense interest of the people until they reached the wedding venue.
Ricardo felt a touch of nostalgia.
"Over the years,my sisters got married in this very place. Now it's my turn."
Arnheid smiled.
"Dynasty Heir,we will get out soon and recite our vows, but first, there's something I want to ask."
Ricardo, greeting the crowd with a smiling face through the car window, asked,
"Of course,what is it, Arnheid?"
Arnheid bowed her head.
"I was harassed repeatedly by Xanros.From my first kiss to him touching my body, I suffered many harassments. Will you truly choose me, as I am, as your first wife?"
Ricardo saw the pain and trauma in Arnheid's eyes. He brought his hand to her cheek and gently stroked it.
"These were events that happened without your consent.Don't dwell on the past, Arnheid. I accept you as you are."
Arnheid struggled to hold back her tears.
"Don't cry,Arnheid. Your makeup will get ruined, and we won't be able to fix it later."
Understanding his meaning, Arnheid dried her tears and prevented her makeup from being damaged.
"You are right.I'm fine. I am honored to be the wife of someone like you, Dynasty Heir."
A sincere smile was on both their faces.
"And, well... my first kiss was also taken by someone else. Just so you know."
Arnheid struggled not to laugh.
"Let me guess,it was Marilin, wasn't it?"
Ricardo averted his eyes and said in a low voice,
"How did you know?"
Arnheid looked at Ricardo slyly.
"You've been together since childhood.It would be strange if you hadn't kissed. Besides, what man wouldn't want to kiss a girl as beautiful as her?"
Ricardo was a little embarrassed by these words.
"She was the one who kissed me."
Arnheid was first surprised, then started laughing.
"Hahaha,so she really was your first kiss? Wow, that's so like Marilin."
Ricardo decided to end this conversation.
"Alright,that's enough chat, Arnheid. We're here."
The Wedding Convoy had arrived at the place where the marriage vows would be exchanged.
The convoy guards opened the car door and bowed their heads.
Ricardo got out of the car and extended his hand to Arnheid.
Arnheid took Ricardo's hand and stepped out of the car slowly.
The Bride and Groom walked with slow steps towards the square. The people praised the young couple with great enthusiasm.
As the couple advanced, within the crowd, there was a woman whose beauty was as attention-grabbing as the bride and groom's, beautiful enough to crack stones.
Marilin was in a state of peerless beauty and grace. She instantly stood out in the crowd. Even Ricardo had to force himself not to turn and look.
Arnheid praised Marilin with admiring eyes.
"Wow,Marilin is so beautiful, isn't she, Dynasty Heir?"
Ricardo couldn't help but agree.
"You're right.Even in her everyday clothes, she's beautiful enough, but in these beautiful clothes and makeup, it's impossible not to look."
Arnheid giggled.
"Probably,Marilin will be the most beautiful and your favorite among your future wives."
Ricardo wanted to reply, but the time for the ceremony had already come.
The Dynasty Lord, Orsman, stepped forward and addressed his people in a booming voice.
"Today,we have gathered to witness the marriage of this beautiful couple. We have gathered to witness the marriage of Ricardo Kislavein, the Heir of the Kislavein Dynasty, and Lady Arnheid Payrist of the Payrist Dynasty."
Orsman raised his arms towards the sky.
"O Spirits of My Ancestors!On this, your descendants' happiest day, bless their marriage with eternal happiness and long-lived, healthy children!"
After finishing his prayer, Orsman looked at the young couple.
"Do you accept each other as husband and wife until death parts you?"
Ricardo and Arnheid answered at the same time.
"We do."
Orsman looked at the crowd and spoke in a booming voice.
"Then,I, as the 65th Lord of the Kislavein Dynasty, declare you—"
Before Orsman could finish his words, tears formed in the sky, and from within them, tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of enraged spirits emerged and attacked Kislathor.
The Head Commander of the Palace Guards, Henryk Kislavein, drew his sword and shouted orders to the guards.
"PROTECT THE PEOPLE!TO BATTLE!"
The guards instantly responded to the attack.
Orsman and Ricardo were as astonished as everyone else.
"What's happening?Why are these spirits attacking us?" said Ricardo.
"Spirits never harm humans;they shouldn't. Then why...?" said Orsman.
Arnheid looked at the sky in fear. A spirit in human form emerged from a tear. It resembled a humanoid monster. Blood flowed from its eyes, as if blinded by rage.
"HARLOUMEN! HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON MY SISTER'S BLOODLINE?!"
The people were terrified; no one could understand these words.
Ricardo, however, knew very well who this woman was.
It was the woman who had once stormed the palace to avenge her sister and tried to kill him.
"Ahamenna."
Ahamenna and Ricardo locked eyes. The time had come to settle a thousand-year-old debt.