The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 449: The Most Beautiful Dream

Chapter 449: The Most Beautiful Dream

It was definitely an awkward moment, to get frozen before the ceremony even began. It was almost like karma, for all those times Natha used his ability to draw people’s fear and made them paralyzed on the battlefield.

But what could he do?

It was like watching a dream walk. His past, his present, his future; all converging into one single entity. Two weeks--two weeks had he spent away from his beloved, and he had to hold himself back from tearing apart the door when he heard that sweet, sweet voice.

How many times had he spent just watching the recording and the painting of his sweetheart? How many sleepless nights had he endured staring into the shadow of the Lair in the distance?

Countless times had he imagined the moment he would finally see his beloved Valen walking out of that door; toward him, and only him. He had endured being teased by his vassals for how nervous he was waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle.

But the mind of a mortal was imperfect and inferior. Whatever it was he imagined could never match the real thing. Not even close.

The first thing he caught was the scent; the scent of snow flowers that reminded him of winter. Reminded him of their first meeting, of their tangling fate, of their promises.

And then a soft step followed by a rustling sound of fabric. Aside from being impatient, Natha was honestly afraid. He had no idea what he was afraid of, but at that moment when he looked upon his beloved, he understood.

He understood that it was the same fear he always had ever since his return from the other world; the fear of losing his most precious.

Because surely, everyone would want to covet such beauty; such an exquisite, ethereal entity. He felt small, he felt insufficient. Was someone like him truly right for this man so breathtaking? Even if he sacrifices his whole heart, body, and soul, would that be enough for a payment?

No. No, he didn’t think so.

Every step his beloved took was a glimmer of pure magnificence. The wind, the swirling rainbow, the flowers, and the spring itself seem to fade and revolve around him. The world was there to support his every step, to cheer on his every move, to sing serenades for his existence.

It was overwhelming. It drowned the pitiful nightmare in all kinds of futures they would draw, so much so that he couldn’t move, couldn’t think of anything. He couldn’t even bring himself to kneel in worship, for he lost control of his entire body, as if the nerve connecting his brain was severed by the beauty.

Naturally, what brought him back was his beloved’s voice.

"Umm...Nat?"

Ah. Ah, what a heavenly voice. It brought Natha back to the surface. "...huh?" he blinked and stared at the force of nature’s beauty in front of him. "Oh, uhh..."

"Yes, yes--I know he’s the prettiest little thing in the world today, but please get ahold of yourself, disciple."

Natha blinked again; his sluggish brain belatedly registered his teacher’s voice.

"How long are you going to make your bride wait, huh? Give me your hand now."

Without taking his eyes away from the person in front of him, Natha raised his hand and felt the impatient teacher snatched it. He couldn’t care less about his once scary teacher, though--all he could see and hear and care about was his beloved. His bride.

Oh, for the Lord’s sacred fire. Why did his beloved have to give him that bashful smile? What was that little lip bite out of embarrassment? Was that rouge of a natural blush?

Why does his bride have to be so breathtaking?

"I don’t care anymore," the vampire progenitor shook her head in exasperation. "We’re here to celebrate the union of the children I adore from the depth of my heart, an event I feel honored to witness and officiate. Unfortunately, our groom is a little bit out of it at the moment."

Finally, a laugh broke out from the audience. Whether it was during the bride’s entrance or the groom’s mishap, they had been keeping their voice level to the minimum. Part of it, honestly, was due to the presence of the one officiating the wedding--the Progenitor, the Sacred Guardian.

Contrary to their initial thought, however, the Vampire Mother was bringing herself in a relaxed, lighthearted manner, and with one of the main characters’ foolishness, it was hard for them to keep a solemn attitude.

"Nightmare, Jade tell you to do it well!"

The protest from the little boy broke out the dam, and the cheekiest among the vassals started to speak out.

"Come on, Mister Groom--you confuse your beautiful bride," Lesta let out the frustration welling up from having to face his ’mother-in-law’ for the past few days.

"Are you going to keep your bride waiting?" Opti shouted while waving his and Jade’s arms. "We have a feast waiting down there!"

"Eh--at least I know the outfit works," Arta shrugged. "But keep the show going, will you?"

Usually, Malta would scold her siblings and their best friend for being rude in front of their liege, but for this once, she admitted that it was rather fun seeing their prim and proper Lord making silly mistakes in the most important moment of his life--so she let them be.

Natha snapped their head and glared at his cackling vassals. But then, he heard a nice, soft giggling sound, and his eyes returned to his beloved bride. That bashful blush was spreading in delight as light sparkled in the beautiful green eyes.

Ah...if being teased could make his beloved happy, who was he to stop it?

"This is why Valen wanted a private ceremony," Zia giggled. "Don’t forget to capture it."

"Sush--don’t disturb me," the elf did not take his eyes off the receiving crystal in front of him; hands busy controlling four mechanical birds while a half-naga girl and a human girl flanking him with endless instructions.

The progenitor let out a sigh and cleared her throat, shutting up the audience again. But at least her foolish disciple seemed to be able to move again.

"It’s nice and relaxed here, yeah? So let’s not waste time with pointless speech," she said. "Looking at the two of you, I already know the answer, but I should still ask for the sake of tradition."

The vampire mother turned toward the bashful bride and asked softly. "Are you sure to proceed with this wedding, sweetling?"

The young man nodded bashfully, before adding immediately in an adorable stutter as if he forgot he was supposed to voice it. "Y-yes!"

"Very enthusiastic," the progenitor nodded with a teasing smile before turning toward her disciple. "I know you are the most sure of everyone here, so I’ll just skip it."

"Uhh...okay?"

"Now, before I proceed with your union, is there anything you’d like to convey to your beautiful bride?"

The green eyes blinked in a weird mix of panic and expectation. Natha had no idea what caused that expression, but it was so adorable that he got frozen again. This time, the vampire mother wasted no time in sending an electric shock through his body to jolt him awake.

"Oh, uhh..." again, he felt his tongue going numb--not from the shock, but from feeling powerless in front of the man he would take to be his life partner. "Ah, God...I’m sorry sweetheart," he shook his head slightly to get himself together.

"Umm, it’s okay..."

Seeing that little smile, Natha took a deep breath and no--that did nothing to his memory. He let out a long, heavy sigh and spoke apologetically.

"Honestly...I had prepared a lot of things to say to you," he said, feeling the worn-out paper folded inside his inside breast pocket. "Lines of my sincere vows to you, but...I can’t recall any of them."

Well, at least he was able to find his voice again.

"The moment you walked out that door, my head went blank. I can’t...think of anything--ah, I guess you could see that already."

"Indeed," the vampire mother smirked.

Smiling wryly, the nightmare looked at the wide green eyes and the blush spreading below them. He knew he shouldn’t touch the man yet, but he couldn’t help himself; his free hand raised on its own and stroked the blooming cheek.

"I just want you to know that I have been waiting for this moment since those winter days when I couldn’t do anything but look at you in yearning, knowing I might never be able to have you in my life, ever," the nightmare, with his whole heart, gazed at his most beautiful dream.

Yes. A nightmare shouldn’t dream. They are creatures made of fear, and they shall only know the misery of being trapped in perpetual terror.

And yet, after drowning in those green eyes and sweet smiles, he was able to see a glimpse of light and happiness. A green oasis in his future. Even if it was a pre-determined future, he would embrace it with glee. Even if it was a wicked spell, he would take it with elation.

"You always said I saved your life, but that, sweetheart, couldn’t be further from the truth," he let his finger fall, savoring the sweet warmth from the short touch. "You were the one who saved me, and you still do so to this day."

He could see the red lips tremble a little bit before pressing tightly. There was a glaze in those pair of emeralds, and the brows above furrowed to hold the welling emotions.

"You are my best dream and my highest goal; you are my most precious treasure and priceless home. If you give me just a tenth of the love I have for you, I will be the happiest person in this world," Natha paused for a bit, and added in a quieter voice. "In these worlds."

"...you said you can’t think of anything..." the red lips pursed, and oh...why did he have to be so adorable?

Natha was telling the truth, though. He had prepared a long vow with proper lines of appreciation, worship, and sincere oath. But when he stood in front of the love of his life, he didn’t want to speak through those carefully crafted lines.

That wasn’t how their love unfolded.

"I..." the sweet voice started quietly. "I didn’t prepare anything and...you’re saying so much already, so...I’m just going to say one thing."

Natha waited with a smile as his beautiful bride took a deep breath--and scolded him.

"You arrogant demon!" the green eyes narrowed with knitted brows. "How dare you think I love you less than you love me?!"

Uhh...Natha blinked in surprise. But also amusement.

"I object to that notion, and I don’t want to hear any more of that bullshit, so let’s just start the ceremony."

Ah, truly--his sweetheart was the most precious.