The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 458: There’s no such thing as a calm wedding day(s)

Chapter 458: There’s no such thing as a calm wedding day(s)

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Like a military drill sergeant hounding their rookie soldiers in morning P.T. time, Arta ushered us inside hurriedly. By us, I mean me; because I was the one who, once again, needed a longer preparation time.

Thankfully though, the parade went smoothly without any accidents that might have made us late coming back to the Castle. The carriage went around the city and I was amazed at how there was no shortage of demons flanking the street. Was the Capital truly having this many citizens, or did all demons in the realm of greed come to L’Anaak Eed that day?

Whatever the case, it was amazing how many people would want to go outside, waiting in the crowds just to see us. As someone who was never good in the middle of the crowd, the prospect of doing that was horrifying. I was glad Arta hurried us that morning because I felt bad thinking about how long they had been standing and waiting on the side of the road.

Thinking about that also made it easier for me to put on a genuine smile as I waved back at them. It was the least I could do for them, who had spared their time to see me and feel happy for me.

Interestingly, the parade ended at the central plaza where the courthouse was--you know, the first time I ever addressed Greed’s citizens? It felt historic in a way, and it was also on top of the courthouse’s steps which Natha whisked me to before addressing the demons filling the plaza.

I was too overwhelmed and embarrassed to remember what Natha was saying, and because of that, I almost flinched when he suddenly introduced me--as his husband, and as the Lord Consort. The cheers from the plaza almost made me hide behind Natha, and I had to remember Eruha’s stern face to work on all the lessons I received before I could put a smile on my face.

Gosh--how could I still get this flustered about us being husbands even now?

Honestly, I still wasn’t sure how I felt about being a Lord Consort thing since I didn’t have any work or duty regarding the realm. Thankfully, all of my daily needs and allowance came from Natha’s personal coffers, so I didn’t have to feel guilty about wasting taxpayer money.

Regardless of my little fluster and fumbling back then, the parade ended nicely, and we returned to the Castle while the citizens enjoyed the festival in the plaza. But even when we were right on time, Arta hurried us so I could have the chance for a nice, warm, scented bath before getting fitted for the banquet.

It would be nice if I could take the bath together with Natha, but...I had a little bird whose developing mind needed to be protected.

"I like this one the most," I told Arta as she dragged the blue outfit in front of me.

"Really?" she raised her brow. "I thought it would be the one you wore yesterday--ah, but then again, that one was based on His Lordship’s request."

"But why this one, Young Master?" Panne asked me as he took the underclothes behind the partition so I could start changing. "I would have thought you’d like the druid robe the most."

Well, all of the outfits were so pretty, honestly--not to mention expensive. But...

"This one makes me feel like I’m draped in Natha’s color," I said bashfully.

A mistake; because Arta and the others kept teasing me to no end until I was done dressing.

* * *

When the guests first arrived at the Castle, they were led to the Grand Hall, which, even from outside the building, already glittered in countless lights. Before they could even step foot inside the Hall, however, they were already awed by what they saw in the reception lounge.

Instead of the black stone wall of the Lord Castle, they were greeted by floor-to-ceiling glass walls all over them, and behind those glass walls, was what they thought the seabed would look like.

The glass walls, they realized, were giant tanks. Inside, they could see various corals and sea stones spreading on the ground. The main decorations, if they could say it as such, were of course the sea creatures. Colorful fish, starfishes, seahorses, and glowing jellyfish swam around the tanks, through the coral arches, and between the swaying anemone and sea plants.

None of the guests could pass the lounge right away. As if forgetting that they were supposed to be attending the banquet in the Grand Hall, many of them stopped to stare at the tanks or even sat down on the various chairs available there to savor the scenery in a daze.

After all, where else would they be able to enjoy this extravagance? Most of them never even see some of those creatures, which were clearly brought over from the realm of nature.

"That staff told me the Lord calls it ’aquarium’," one of the curious guests told the others who were gathering in front of a school of blinking firefish. "As we thought, he made it for his beloved lover."

"Husband," the other corrected.

"I’m sorry--husband," the first demon chuckled.

The guests who overheard that information let out a soft, admiring sigh. "Oh, how romantic," one of them said with clasped hands. "It’s so beautiful that I don’t want to move away!"

"Haa...if only my husband is half--no, a quarter as romantic..." a lady quipped, prompting her partner to cough and pull her away from the mesmerizing lounge.

The aquarium was nice, but it was only an appetizer. As the guests moved inside the Great Hall, they almost thought they had been transported to a giant greenhouse.

It was flowers and plants anywhere they could see; from the climbing roses and ivies along the walls and the pillars, to the flowerbeds flanking the paths and the grand bouquet on each table’s centerpiece. The grand chandelier above looked like it was made of hundreds of glowing petals, and several fountains spread on the ground, surrounded by plush velvet couches and real, fresh flowers.

The banquet food itself wasn’t laid on top of long tables as usual, but inside several small huts that matched well with the surrounding plants and flowers. Everything felt more like a luxurious garden party than a grand banquet, but the guests found themselves preferring this more, as they had become quite bored with the glittering gold and jewels in the other party.

If it wasn’t enough, the venue was even filled with the sound of chirping birds. And no, it wasn’t just sound--they could see birds on top of the trees in the corner, and butterflies were passing them by. Instead of the roof of the Great Hall, they saw the night sky, complete with the glittering sky.

It was clear to anyone who this banquet was made for.

As the demons were busy talking about the venue among themselves, the staff announced the arrival of foreign guests; the Elvendom representatives, the Chiefs of Druid Tribes, and even the Mayor of Underground City. People living in L’Anaak Eed had probably seen a drow or an elf at least once, but to finally see the elusive druid, not to mention several Chiefs at once...

"It really is the Royal Wedding," the guests murmured.

"Well, the Lord Consort is a prince, after all...even if the kingdom is no longer--"

"Careful there," the other demons warned their friend. Not only because the children of nature might hear them, but because the staff managing the venue were glaring at them.

Thankfully, another important guest came at that moment and distracted the careless demon. The Lord of Gluttony came with her children, the vampire nobles, and afterward, the Lord of Wrath made a flashy entrance with his loud voice and bulky appearance. The guests, however, were excitedly waiting for the new Lord of Lust. Not disappointingly, she came with a throng of lust demons who easily became the center of attention with their beauty and natural charm.

Naturally, the Lord of Sloth wouldn’t drag herself away from her bed unless it was a war, and the Lord of Pride had a long-time beef with the Lord of Greed. The guests were surprised, however, that the Lord of Envy did not come.

"I heard the Lord of Envy excused themselves because of illness," some murmured as they watched the Lords going up to a separate garden on the higher level, where the children of nature were led to before.

"Heh--do you believe it?"

"As much as I believe we will make a peace agreement with the human realm."

The demons glanced at each other before laughing quietly. Oh, well--a nice event like a wedding banquet shouldn’t be used to talk about the realm’s politics. They shook their head and shifted their attention to the party again.

The important guests had arrived, including the Elders, Conglomerates, and the representatives from the Magic Tower. All that was left was the main characters of the day; the newly wedded couple. At that time, they could see the Head of the Magic Tower stand up and raise his arms as if he were about to conduct an orchestra.

Indeed, he was about to conduct a performance. The moment he swung his arms, the guests heard a whistling sound and suddenly, the night sky was filled with fireworks display. They exploded into colorful blooming flowers like a grand bouquet, filling the venue with the sound of admiration and applause. The fireworks exploded and drops of spark fell into the garden, making the guests gasp in fright. Before the raining sparks could touch the guests, however, they flickered into glittering butterflies and fireflies, flapping their wings and flying among the applauding guests.

The Head of the Magic Tower bowed as the guests cheered, before spreading his arm toward the balcony of the Great Hall.

There, finally, the main characters arrived, surrounded by the sparkling, glimmering butterflies.