"The Princess is here!"
The audience turned their attention to the dark, abyssal portal through which the princess emerged from. It's dark smoky entrance parting to reveal her presence.
She wore a red, silky garment, heavily adorned with endless jewelry and gems, completely covered from head to toe. Her red veil prevented anyone from getting a glimpse of her beauty.
They simply watched in awe as she walked out accompanied by two maidens holding her at the sides.
Slowly, she walked across the rocks that bridged above the waters, leading to the center.
She was a beauty. The daughter of the Death Sea King was one of the famed beauties of the demon realm. So many men were disappointed that she was marrying a nobody!
They watched as she moved elegantly along the pathway until the maids left her. The maids stood to the side as the bride moved toward the center rock where the groom was waiting.
Music played, instruments echoing in the atmosphere as the bride stepped onto the center. She stood beside the groom as the audience cheered.
The Death Sea King sat and watched as the ceremony proceeded. He wanted it quick, so they rushed through the main parts.
The divine priest prayed and conducted the marital ceremony for them, having them kneel and bow to the sky and to their gods, having them exchange drinks while locking hands. He chanted divine incantations and prayers and then turned to the two whose faces were covered.
"The divine marital rituals are done. From today onwards, the two of you are officially married. Bound by the heavens, the mortal world, and the underworld till the end of time. Witnessed by the gods and divines. Approved by the universe. The two of you are officially husband and wife."
The stars glittered, danced, and fell, streaming through the scenery as the waters glittered in their reflection. It was a beautiful sight that had everyone looking—a special sight they hadn't seen before.
"What's this?"
"It's beautiful!"
"What does this mean?"
"I think it means they're destined?!"
"I've never seen this before! It's beautiful!"
It was as though the gods of the stars had come to give their blessings!
The audience cheered and sang in celebration. Music echoed as they awaited the moment for the unveiling of the two, so they could seal it all with an intimate kiss.
"The auspicious time is here!" the divine priest said. "Now they shall take off their veils and seal their love of a lifetime with a kiss, never to part in life."
The audience stared in anticipation. The two stood before each other, the groom reaching out to remove the bride's veil.
It was a slow movement, one that would leave anyone on the edge of their seat. But before his hands could lift the bride's veil, the bride stopped him.
The bride held the groom's hand and instead volunteered to remove the groom's veil first.
Everyone was confused but still stared. The Death Sea King didn't know what to make of it; he only watched as his daughter pulled the hood from the groom's head.
His face was revealed under the full moon.
His long, smooth, dark hair was adorned with golden jewelry. His eyes reflected the stars that circled them. His pointed nose, his thin lips, his almost pale skin—everything about Zuran's face was gorgeous. Anyone would gasp at the sight of it.
And the bride did. The bride's hand held onto his hood as she stared into his face for a long moment.
Then, the groom reached out to pull off the bride's veil, too. Slowly and gently, his hands moved toward the veil—and he paused.
They sensed something.
The Death Sea King, alert, waved his fingers toward the couple. A sharp needle flew toward them, speeding toward the bride's neck.
But the bride suddenly raised a hand. A purple fan appeared and swept the needle away, sending it back toward the Death Sea King.
All gasped in shock as the King dodged the needle that almost scarred his face. He turned back to the scene.
The bride's veil was off, and who stood before them wasn't the gorgeous Princess of the Death Sea Clan anymore.
It was the devious Nine-Tailed Fox Demon God who had been sealed away for a thousand years, now dressed in bridal attire and adorned in beautiful jewelry and makeup.
All who recognized him gasped, staggering backward, eyes wide.
"What... what's... what's happening?! Isn't that the Demon God?"
"Wasn't he sealed? How is he... here?"
"Why is he the one marrying the groom? Where is the princess?"
"What's going on?"
Everyone was panicking. The King was already on his feet, his spear in hand. The guards were all alert, ready to strike.
Ren smiled softly as he looked around. His eyes finally met his groom, Zuran—his disciple, whom he had sold off in a slave marriage.
He could read the shock and hatred in his eyes. If given the opportunity, Zuran would literally kill him here. But he was probably too shocked and confused to think about that now.
"Hello. Missed me?" He winked at him. But Zuran stood there, staring, shocked and confused.
"What the hell are you up to, you old fox?" the Death Sea King demanded. "Shouldn't you be locked up in your mountain? Why the hell are you here?"
Ren smiled as he stared at the King. "Oh, me? Thanks to your little gift, I'm finally out. Now I'm here to take back my little disciple."
The Death Sea King scoffed. "Take him back? What rubbish are you even talking about? The deal has been made, and he's mine to keep. So stop this madness and leave this instant."
Ren smiled. "Deal?" He laughed. "What makes you think I'll keep to a silly deal with a mere immortal like you?"
"Haven't you learned never to make a deal with the devil? How naive." Ren sighed, raising an eyebrow as he elegantly fanned himself.