The sky above the Heaven Realm glittered with golden auras as celestial bells echoed through the sacred halls of the Grand Wedding Pavilion. Flower petals rained from clouds, divine harps played, and all of the divine realms bore witness to the union between Ren—the proud Heaven Warrior—and Irin, the newly anointed Goddess.
Irin stood at the center of the sacred dais, her flowing Red and gold gown dancing with light, her eyes flickering with mixed emotions. Ren, regal in his embroidered ceremonial robe, took her hand gently. Just as the vows were about to be spoken—
Suddenly Butterfly stic fell down from Ren's hair.
A swirl of shadow and wind slashed through the light.
Ren vanished.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
And standing where he had been...
Was Dylan.
Clad in his midnight-black ceremonial robe, the Demon King smirked, his violet eyes glowing like cursed stars. The three Heaven Ancestors stood as one and thundered in unison,
"Demon King!"
Panic surged through the divine crowd.
But Irin—she didn't move.
Her eyes widened in disbelief… then softened.
A small, conflicted smile ghosted her lips.
He was next to her. Dylan.
Xander stood from the royal seat.
"Where is my brother?" he demanded.
The golden doors of the ceremonial hall burst open. Ren stormed in, sword in hand, eyes ablaze with fury.
"Dylan!" he roared.
Xander shouted,"The great Demon King hides behind my brother identity, Shame on you..."
Dylan turned calmly, his voice cutting the tension like a blade.
"Me? No, I simply did what your wife did long ago… in the Blue Moon Magical Forest."
Fiona gasped, paling.
"Dylan…" she whispered.
He chuckled darkly.
"Did you forget, Fiona? Didn't you change your appearance to look like Irin… and stab me?"
He laughed with bitter rage.
"Of course you would forget. But I never did. I'm the one who bled."
Xander thundered, "How dare you speak this way to the Heaven Queen!"
Dylan's violet eyes narrowed.
But before rage could erupt, Irin gently grabbed Dylan's hand. Her warmth steadied him.
Dylan sighed and slowly removed her hand, his expression softening.
"I won't hurt the people you care about."
He turned to Xander.
"Can you say the same?"
Tension snapped.
Ren lunged forward, placing the tip of his blade against Dylan's throat.
"How dare you interrupt my wedding!"
The crowd held its breath.
Dylan stood still—completely unshaken.
But Irin gripped his hand again. Tightly.
Ren's gaze fell on their hands. He trembled, his voice breaking.
"…Do you… love him?"
Silence. Then—
"Yes," Irin said, her voice clear and unwavering.
Ren's blade fell.
His shoulders slumped as heartbreak overtook his anger.
"If you like him… you can marry him."
Gasps rang across the sacred chamber.
Xander shouted, "What are you saying, Ren?!"
One of the Heaven Ancestors snapped,
"Irin, you are a Goddess now! If you marry the Demon King, you must abandon us—your family and your realm!"
Fiona's face crumpled in sorrow. Lia, standing at the edge, turned away, wiping silent tears.
Dylan stepped forward, voice sharp,
"You don't deserve to speak of her 'family'. You cast her away when she was just a fairy. Now, when she's a Goddess, you want to claim her again?"
Lia flinched. Dylan's words hit truth.
An Ancestor growled, "You're crossing limits, Dylan!"
Dylan smirked darkly,
"Then come. Try and stop me."
Irin turned to him—tears in her eyes, but smiling. Dylan gently wiped her tears.
"I've always been yours," he whispered.
He gripped her hand and stepped forward.
But—
Fiona grabbed Irin's other hand.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Irin… Are you really ready to leave us… for him?"
Irin sobbed. But without speaking, she removed Fiona's hand.
And walked away—with Dylan.
Fiona dropped to her knees.
"She is not… my sister anymore. She's no longer one of us…"
The stunned crowd began to scatter.
But Fiona stood and shouted,
"Everyone, do not leave! The Royal Wedding will still take place—as planned."
The audience froze in confusion.
"The new bride… is Lia."
Lia gasped. Ren's eyes widened. The Three Ancestors were stunned.
Xander smiled and stepped forward, placing his hand proudly on Fiona's shoulder.
"Yes. The wedding will continue, as our Queen has declared."
Ren blinked in disbelief.
"Brother… why this sudden rush?"
Xander said calmly,
"Because the wedding must happen. Didn't you believe Lia was the right match?"
Ren hesitated. His gaze met Lia's.
"She is the best…" he admitted slowly. "But… it's so sudden."
Lia flushed, looking down, trying to contain the joy brimming in her chest.
Another Ancestor growled,
"Lia is a lower fairy. She's not suitable."
Xander scoffed.
"And what was Irin? She was a fairy too—before she is a goddess."
The Ancestor hesitated, silenced by the truth.
Xander smirked,
"Exactly. And your Goddess abandoned my brother at his own wedding."
The Ancestors lowered their heads, shamed.
Xander announced:
"Let the wedding of Prince Ren and Lady Lia commence!"
—
In the bridal chamber, Fiona helped Lia into her delicate Red and lilac gown.
Fiona smiled gently.
"I know you liked Ren."
Lia froze.
"H-How…?"
Fiona's eyes softened.
"I could feel it. In the way you looked at him. The way you listened silently when I spoke with Irin in the royal garden that day."
Lia looked down.
"But… Irin liked him too."
Fiona nodded.
"Yes. But that was before. Now, she's made her choice. And I believe… in time, Ren will see you too."
—
The ceremony resumed.
Lia walked slowly beside Ren, nerves and joy dancing within her. Fiona and Xander sat regally in the Ruler's Chair, their expressions proud.
The Three Ancestors remained seated—silent, unwilling.
Ren and Lia bowed to each other.
They shared the ceremonial wine.
The wedding rites completed.
As celestial light blessed the union, Ren stood quietly—distant. Lia stood beside him—nervous but secretly joyful.
Far away, within her crimson-lit chamber, Mariano watched through her enchanted mirror.
She smiled.
And softly whispered,
"May both love stories bloom in their own way... Dylan and Irin, Ren and Lia... may fate favor the brave."
—