(The Wedding Day – Royal Palace, Velmoria)
Inside his chamber, Eyan stood before a tall mirror, dressed in the regal attire of a groom—an embroidered white coat trimmed with gold threads, a ceremonial cloak draped across his shoulders, and his hair slicked back to reveal the sharp line of his forehead.
Hans stood beside him, straight-backed as always, though his lips twitched as though he'd been holding back laughter for a while.
Eyan adjusted his collar. "Hans… how do I look?"
Hans bowed. "Your Majesty, you look very handsome."
Eyan frowned slightly. "Are you sure? Maybe if I styled my hair like thi—"
Hans let out a long-suffering sigh. "Your Majesty, this is the tenth time you've changed your hairstyle today. And the twentieth time you've asked if you look good."
Eyan glanced at him, stubborn. "Hans, today is my wedding. I need to look perfect."
Hans muttered under his breath, "You already do…" but was cut short when the chamber doors burst open with a loud bang.
Both men startled.
"Eyan!" Luca's voice rang cheerfully as he stormed in. "Are you ready, my friend?"
Eyan's jaw tightened, glaring. "Luca—you scared me! And because of you, my hairstyle is ruined. Now I'll have to fix it again!"
Luca blinked, then laughed. "Why are you panicking over a hairstyle? This is your wedding day—you should be happy, not glaring at me!"
Eyan scowled, still fussing with his hair. "Well, I'm trying to."
"Let me see." Luca grabbed his shoulders and turned him. His eyes softened. "Eyan, you look good."
Eyan searched his face. "Really?"
"Of course. Do you think I'd lie to you?"
Eyan frowned faintly. "Then why does it feel like something's missing?"
Luca smirked. "nothing's missing. You're just overthinking. And besides…"
He leaned in with a grin. "No matter how good you look, you won't outshine sister-in-law today."
Eyan blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I went to see her before coming here," Luca said proudly. "And let me tell you, Eyan—she's looking breathtaking. When you see her, you won't be even able remember how to breathe."
Eyan froze, his heart suddenly quickening. "…Really?"
"Yes," Luca said with a chuckle. "I'm telling you, when she enters, you won't be able to take your eyes off her."
Eyan swallowed hard, his nerves tightening. "Luca, stop—you're making it worse. I'm already stressed."
"Alright, alright." Luca grinned but backed off.
Hans stepped forward. "Your Majesty, it's time. You need to go."
Eyan let out a heavy sigh, steeling himself. "…Very well. Let's go."
---
Trumpets sounded, and the herald's voice echoed through the decorated hall, announcing the Emperor's entrance.
Eyan walked in, every eye in the room following him as he ascended to the altar. Though he stood tall and regal, his palms felt clammy. His heart refused to calm.
From the side, Luca leaned in and whispered with a grin, "I've never seen you this nervous before. Just don't faint, alright?"
Eyan hissed through his teeth. "Shut up."
The next announcement silenced the hall.
"Her grace, Lady Eva Elvaris."
The great doors opened.
Eva stepped in, draped in a gown of ivory silk embroidered with silver threads that caught the light like starlight itself. The veil cascaded softly over her shoulders, and jeweled pins glimmered in her hair. Her every step was graceful, her every breath making her glow.
Eyan turned to look—and froze.
His breath caught in his throat. His heart stopped.
"…Beautiful…" he whispered, almost inaudibly.
Eva's eyes met his from across the aisle, and she hesitated, waiting for him. But Eyan couldn't move, his feet rooted in place, his gaze utterly lost in her.
Luca cleared his throat. When that didn't work, he tapped Eyan's arm gently. "Eyan."
No reaction.
Finally, Luca barked louder. "EYAN!"
Eyan snapped out of his daze. "What?!"
Luca gestured pointedly toward Eva. "You think she's going to walk here herself? Go. Escort her."
Eva lowered her gaze quickly, hiding the small laugh.
Luca, smirking, gave him a push. "Go on—she's waiting."
Eyan straightened himself, composing his breath, and walked toward Eva. When he reached her, he extended his hand with quiet reverence.
Eva smiled softly, sliding her hand into the crook of his arm. Together, with measured steps, they walked toward the altar—side by side, as the hall watched in silence, witnessing the union of Emperor Eyan and his future Empress.
The hall fell quiet as Eva and Eyan reached the altar, the high priest of Liora standing before them with the ceremonial book in hand.
The priest raised his voice, solemn and steady.
"Before the eyes of the Goddess Liora, and before the people of Velmoria, we witness the sacred union of His Majesty, Emperor Eyan Lucien Therald, and Lady Eva Elvaris. Today, their bond shall be sealed not only by duty, but by devotion, respect, and trust."
Eyan glanced at Eva from the corner of his eye. She looked radiant, yet her lashes trembled faintly as though her heart was racing just as fast as his.
The priest turned to Eyan.
"Your Majesty, do you take Lady Eva Elvaris as your lawful wife, to protect her, cherish her, and honor her for as long as you shall live?"
Eyan inhaled deeply, his voice steady but softer than usual.
"I do."
The priest turned to Eva.
"And Lady Eva Elvaris, do you take His Majesty, Eyan Lucien Therald, as your lawful husband, to stand by him, support him, and honor him for as long as you shall live?"
Eva lifted her gaze, her voice clear yet touched with trembling emotion.
"…I do."
The priest nodded to Hans, who stepped forward with a velvet cushion holding two rings.
Eyan took one ring, his fingers brushing lightly against Eva's as he slid it onto her hand. His voice was quiet, only for her ears.
"With this ring, I bind myself to you."
Eva's cheeks warmed. She picked up the second ring, her slender hand trembling slightly as she placed it on his finger.
"With this ring, I bind myself to you."
The priest raised his hands.
"By the blessing of Liora, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your vows with a kiss."
The hall erupted in soft applause, but for Eyan, the sound blurred into silence. His entire world had narrowed to the woman standing before him.
Slowly, he lifted the edge of her veil. Eva's eyes met his, His hand lingered at her cheek.
Then, without hesitation, he bent down and captured her lips in a kiss.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't tentative. It was slow, tender, Eva's fingers curled against his chest, clutching the fabric of his coat as her heart raced.
The world seemed to stop.
When they finally parted, Eva's cheeks were flushed, her lips tinged with warmth, and Eyan still leaned close, unwilling to let go. Their eyes lingered on each other, filled with unspoken promises.
The applause grew louder. Luca cheered from the side with a grin. Hans smiled faintly. And above them, the bells of Velmoria rang, announcing the union of Emperor and Empress.