Chapter 131: Changing Amphoreus
The air fell silent for a few seconds.
"I know I'm still a Rogue..." Cifera's voice grew softer. "You're already a great hero... Maybe I'm not worthy of you... But I..."
"Fei'er."
You gently interrupted her. She cautiously opened one eye, peeking at your expression.
Then, she saw a gentle smile on your face. In that smile, there was an emotion she had never seen before.
"I like you too," you said. "I've liked you since the first time we met."
Cifera was stunned. "Re-really?"
"Really."
"You're not lying to me?"
"I am the Demigod of Deceit, but at this moment, I am not lying to you."
Cifera's eyes suddenly welled up, but she quickly blinked hard, holding back her tears.
"Th-that..." She fumbled to open the box. "This is for you!"
Inside, a ring lay quietly. Its main body was gold, inlaid with a large sapphire that glittered under the light. You looked at the gem, almost the size of a pigeon's egg, your expression somewhat complex.
"This is..."
"Th-this is something I saved up for and had custom-made!" Cifera quickly explained. "It's not stolen! It really isn't! It took me a long time to save enough money!"
"No, I just thought... isn't this a bit too extravagant?"
"Only this size is worthy of my little cat!" Cifera said righteously.
You couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you, Fei'er." You took the ring and carefully put it on your hand.
"Oh, right," you suddenly remembered something. "I also have something to give you."
"Eh?" Cifera was surprised. "You prepared something too?"
You smiled mysteriously and took something out of a drawer. "Close your eyes."
Though puzzled, Cifera obediently closed her eyes.
"You can open them now."
She opened her eyes and saw a ring lying in your open palm. Its style was very special—it was made from a gold coin, and worn patterns could still be seen on it.
"This is..." Cifera's eyes widened.
"The Coin of Flight," you said. "The one we stole when we first worked together."
"You still kept it?!"
You gently slipped the ring onto her finger. "This was the beginning of our friendship, and now... it's a testament to our love."
Cifera stared blankly at the ring on her hand. "Little cat..."
Just as she was about to say something, you suddenly knelt on one knee.
"?! Cifera," you looked at her earnestly. "Marry me."
She froze completely. "You... what did you just say?"
"Marry me," you repeated. "I want to marry you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"I didn't mishear, did I?" Cifera pinched herself hard. "Hiss—it hurts! It's not a dream!"
"So, what's your answer?"
Cifera looked at you, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes. She threw herself into your arms, sobbing breathlessly.
"You silly little cat... Wuwuwu... Of course, I will..."
You held her tightly, feeling her warmth. This time, you would protect this happiness.
The news quickly spread throughout Okhema. The Demigod of Deceit was going to marry the Rogue Cifera! The entire city was buzzing.
"What a perfect match!"
"Childhood sweethearts who grew up together!"
"How romantic!"
The wedding was held a month later. It was the grandest wedding Okhema had ever seen. The entire city was adorned with flowers, and blessings floated everywhere.
Aglaea personally designed the wedding dress for Cifera—layers of white gauze as light as clouds, with exquisite Golden Thread patterns embroidered on the bodice.
"Cifera, you look so beautiful like this," Aglaea said, adjusting her veil.
"Is it too exaggerated?" Cifera nervously tugged at her skirt.
"Not at all," Tribbie laughed. "You're marrying our great hero!"
Trianne and Trinnon also helped nearby. "Yes, yes, Fei'er is super beautiful!"
The wedding bells rang. Cifera, arm in arm with Aglaea, slowly walked down the red carpet. Guests filled both sides; almost everyone in Okhema had come.
And at the end of the red carpet, you stood quietly, dressed in a sharp suit. The moment you saw Cifera appear, your eyes saw only her.
The pure white wedding dress clung to her figure like flowing water, lace trim adorning the hem. Her cat ears wore an exquisite white floral wreath, and her short gray hair was meticulously braided into small plaits, adorned with tiny pearls. A thin gauze veil fell from the top of her head, blurring her delicate features, yet unable to conceal her lively eyes. Her tail, uncharacteristically well-behaved, swayed gently, a white bow tied at its tip.
Gasps of amazement came from the crowd. "Oh my God... Is that Cifera?"
"She's actually... so beautiful?"
Aglaea also showed an approving smile, while Tribbie and the others stared at Cifera with wide, surprised eyes. "Our little kitty has grown up..."
Cifera seemed a little unaccustomed to such attention, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she still held her head high, walking step by step towards you with her unique smile. Finally, she stood before you.
"You are truly beautiful today," you said softly.
"Thank you..." she responded, blushing.
The officiant began the ceremony. "Under the witness of the Twelve Titans, and in the radiance of kephale—"
He solemnly read the vows. "Lord Orion, do you take Cifera as your wife, to protect her when the Black Tide surges, to accompany her when the eternal night descends, until the embers burn out and the soul returns to the earth?"
"I do."
"Miss Cifera, do you take Orion as your husband, to journey with him on the path of seeking fire, to never abandon him in the trials of fate, until the final dawn arrives?"
"I..." Cifera choked up for a moment, then nodded forcefully. "I do!"
"By the witness of Amphoreus and romance, by a vow of golden blood, may your union be eternal and immortal. Now, the two of you may complete the final vow."
You gently lifted her veil, seeing her tear-streaked smile.
"Don't cry today, Fei'er."
"These are... these are tears of joy..."
You gently wiped away her tears, then kissed her lips. The square erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
Aglaea stood in the bridesmaid's position, a hint of envy in her eyes, but more so, sincere blessings. Seeing you both happy, she also felt happy.
The banquet after the wedding was even more lively. Cifera drank a lot of wine and was completely dizzy.
"Little cat~" She leaned against you. "Are we really married?"
"Really."
"So I'm your wife now?"
"Yes."
"Hehehe..." She giggled foolishly. "Orion's wife... Cifera... sounds really good..."
You looked at her dotingly. "You're drunk."
"No, I'm not!" She stood up defiantly, but her steps were unsteady, and she stumbled back into your arms. "Alright, maybe just a little..."
You picked her up. "Let's go home."
"Home..." she murmured. "Our home..."
"Yes, our home."
From then on, you lived a loving life. Cifera would still go be a Rogue, but she would always come home on time.
"Little cat, I'm home!"
"Did you have any gains today?"
"Of course! Your wife is on the job, is there anything she can't handle?"
Ordinary yet happy days passed one by one.
Soon—at 1,010 years old, the extraterrestrial visitors arrived.
Star and Dan Heng arrived as scheduled. Looking at the gray-haired girl, you knew... it could begin.
This time, you would rewrite Cifera's... and everyone's fate. Including the world itself.
[Inorin Note:
If you wish to support me so I can continue to survive and afford proper food, you can join my membership on Patreon [patreon.com/InorinTL]. Be sure to check out "The Founding Pillars"—a special, limited-time tier that offers all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" at a discounted price! Slots are limited, so grab yours before they run out. Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]