The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 582: A name is a name is a name

Chapter 582: A name is a name is a name

"Oh, it’s higher than I thought when we started everything from the bottom," I commented halfway up the hill.

"As I thought--"

"Nope," I stuck my tongue out and hid my laugh behind Shwa when Natha pursed his lips.

He had been making all kinds of excuses, asking if my arms were tired, or that it would be safer for Shwa to be held by him. I ignored all of them though--not because I wanted to monopolize Shwa, but because I wanted him to be honest.

"I want to carry him too..." he muttered with a quiet, pitiful voice.

Finally. Was it so hard to admit that you were a doting father who wanted to be with your child? It wasn’t like he’d become less dignified because of it.

"Pfft--fine, you can have him until the upper gate."

He swiftly took Shwa from my arms as if worried I would change my mind--how cute. It was even cuter when he took my hand with his other hand, taking both of us in stride toward the Temple on the hill.

Well, thanks to that, I could walk without minding the road too much. It wasn’t my first time climbing this path, but the last time was during New Year worship, and it was completely different. At that time, the hill was snowy, and the leafless tree painted a solemn fence as we made our way to thank the Demon God.

But this time, the path was filled with scattering petals and flanked by lush blue shrubs with red and purple berries hanging out, inviting for a pluck. The trees were filled with green leaves and yellow flowers, sprouting out from the trunks and hanging from the branches like vibrant curtains. The green leaves would turn yellow, and the flowers would turn red as the season moved through the summer and autumn, making it as if the hill was being lit on fire.

But for now, we had non arsonist-inducing scenery for our little boy.

"It’s nice today," I looked up at the clear blue sky. The cloud looked like cotton, and the breeze was warm, bringing the scent of a very early spring. We could even hear the birds chirping like a musical assembly as we walked along the path.

Truly magical.

"Must be because Shwa is such a blessed child," Natha leaned down and kissed the yawning baby’s forehead.

Hehe...I couldn’t hold back a giggle. Thankfully, there was no citizen on the path--unlike with the worship. All the guests were in the Temple already--except for my two human friends, who were watching from the Castle’s watchtower.

This walk was supposed to be done alone anyway--just the baby and the parents. Even Jade waited on the Temple with the vassals, probably moving his neck impatiently like a meerkat in Lesta’s arms.

Ah, yes--I could see him already, looking in the direction pointed at by Lesta’s finger. Us.

"Alright, here you go."

Natha returned Shwa to me once we reached the upper gate, and the baby wiggled restlessly--probably because we kept passing him around since the morning. From bathing to dressing and morning milk, to moving from carriage to walk up the hill. So much disturbance for someone whose only job was to sleep and eat.

"Mm, mm--you even stay awake during the walk," I patted him softly. "You’re such a good child, my baby~"

Shwa nuzzled my chest and there was a pang of slight bitterness as my limitation as a man came. Unfortunately, my mammary gland did not activate along with the pregnancy hormone.

But no--it wasn’t the day to feel bitter about petty things.

I looked up and saw the vassals as well as the children of nature. There were also representatives from several big demon clans, as well as Natha’s executives in his companies. I guessed, rather than the citizens, these executives and merchant guild leaders had more interest in our child’s future. After all, he would be the sole heir to his--our--wealth, including all Natha’s companies and patents.

"Papa...Papa..."

Jade shouted in a whisper, which was incredibly cute and instantly put a smile on my face. I waved back to him and turned my attention to the Temple afterward. The Head Priest was standing there, and there were other clerics bearing a tray and a torch a little behind. Near the altar, four people were standing by, waiting for us--Aunt Nezja, Zia, Amarein, and Grandma Tiralein.

"Your Lordship, Prince Valen," the Head Priest greeted us first, bowing his head politely.

"Good day, Head Priest."

"Indeed, it’s such a good day," he nodded and looked at the blinking baby in my arms, smiling softly. "Is this the child?"

"Yes, he’s a boy," Natha nodded, stroking the little head gently.

I could hear the pride in his voice, the same kind that welled up in my chest. Shwa did not whine or cry in front of these strangers, and opened his eyes wide and clear--even though there wasn’t much he could see yet.

The Head Priest nodded and gestured toward the Temple. "Then, let’s start right away."

Natha placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the altar, where a small but thick rug had been prepared for us. He helped me kneel down while balancing Shwa so he didn’t get shaken, before kneeling beside me himself.

One of the clerics passed the torch to the Head Priest, who used it to light the brassier in front of us. Shwa flinched slightly, but maintained his cool as I patted his side gently.

Another cleric placed the tray in his hand in front of Natha. There was a small parchment and a beautifully decorated ink bottle there, as well as a black feather quill with red streaks all over it, like lightning.

"Please write the child’s name."

Following the Head Priest’s guidance, Natha grabbed the quill and ever so carefully, started to write our son’s name on the parchment. It was good that Natha was the one to do it because I could feel my hand trembling even just watching. I would probably knock the precious ink and spill it all over the rug if I was the one to do it.

Thankfully, Natha was more steadfast, and although he had to take a deep breath to calm his beating heart, he managed to write our son’s name beautifully.

The Head Priest took the parchment bearing the name and brought it over to the side, where four people had waited. "I show the name to the witnesses."

The first one was Aunt Nezja, who smiled lightly as she read the name. She put her hand over her chest and bowed.

"Ra Nezja, the matriarch of Nightwalkers Ra, approves of the name."

Next was Zia, who could barely contain her excitement.

"Ra Zidoa, the matriarch of Lust Demon Ra, approves of the name."

It was the approval of putting the clan name ’Ra’ in front of the child’s name, effectively entering him into the clan.

But Shwa, just like me, bore two surnames.

And that was why Amarein and Chief Tiralein were there.

"High Shaman Amarein fur Alnin, approves of the royal blood Sil."

"Representative of Chief Council, Tiralein fur Alnin, approves of the royal blood Seahl."

Just like my case, the usage of the royal family’s name Seahl and the royal attribute Sil needed approval from the Council of Chiefs. Even if the kingdom had no throne or palace. Yet.

With the complete approval of the formal name, the Head Priest brought the parchment to the altar and dropped it into the blazing charcoal. Right away, the fire blazed stronger and changed color; from red to green and blue and bright white.

It was like a mini fireworks, and Shwa watched it without blinking; fist curling on my finger.

Fearlessly, the Head Priest took the parchment back from the fire. It had burnt down except for the area with the name. He raised it in front of him and announced it to us, to the guests, and to the journalists ready to write it down to be spread through the newspapers.

"With the blessing of fire and earth, from henceforth, the child shall be named Ra Navardhi Sil Seahl."

Navardhi. Just like Shwa, it was something we chose from the Old Tongue. Narhve for possibility, and Ardhi for endless.

Our endless possibility

Because that was Shwa for us. The possibility borned from impossibility. If we could have something as impossible as siring a child between us, we could surely do everything.

I looked down at our baby, who was still amazed at the fireworks show on the altar. His tiny hands reached out, moving up and down. He probably had no idea that he had just received the name he would use for the rest of his life, but he could feel the happiness and festivities. Why else would those green eyes sparkle so beautifully?

Amidst the sound of clapping from the audience, I could hear the giggling whisper of my other son. "Shwa!"

I laughed. Yes, he was also still our Shwa. Our little flower.

I turned to Natha, and saw a big smile on his face. His eyes were on our son, stroking the giggling cheeks. "Navardhi," he whispered, and then added while chuckling. "Shwa."

Well, the main event was over, so it should be okay to laugh, right? I giggled and kissed my baby, who would always be Shwa to me, on the cheek. Natha did it too, and Shwa giggled--in happiness or feeling ticklish.

In the middle of our son’s giggling sound, the fire suddenly blazed stronger, higher, and while we were looking at it with widened eyes, the fire formed a door. Through that door, a figure walked out--someone unfamiliar to me, but familiar to the rest of the demons.

Immediately, everyone including Natha kneeled down and lowered their head. As I looked at the pair of deep orange, blazing like a pair of eternal fire, I understood.

Ah, so this is the Demon King.