The auspicious hour of the day finally arrived.
Jubilant wedding music filled the streets surrounding Zion's Manor as the long-awaited procession began to move.
The gates of the manor opened, and Zion stepped outside.
He was surrounded by attendants from his own household, dressed in elaborate crimson wedding robes embroidered with golden patterns. His hair had been carefully arranged, and several pieces of ceremonial jewelry completed his appearance.
Today, he would leave Zion's Manor and enter the royal household as Princess Callista's husband.
The thought felt strangely significant.
Zion had spent more than a decade being treated as though he did not truly belong anywhere. The General's Residence had been his home in name, but never in affection. After severing ties with that household, Zion's Manor had gradually become the first place he could genuinely call his own.
Now he was leaving it behind.
Not because someone was forcing him out.
