Chapter 159: Wrong Finger

Chapter 159: Wrong Finger

Stryg squirmed in his exorbitant clothes. He had lost track of how many layers, sashes, and belts Lohs servants had placed on him. He would have preferred the simpler regalia of Sylvan tribes, but Loh insisted he wear the traditional clothing of an aristocrat.

Stryg had argued that despite being a mage he wasnt an aristocrat. Loh had argued that he was her apprentice and therefore she had somewhat adopted him into House Noir. Stryg had argued that was not how adoption worked, Loh had threatened to shut him up with a curse spell. Stryg gave up the argument.

He craned his neck behind to look at the black flame crest emblazoned on his white jacket, the symbol of House Noir.

Im uncomfortable with this, Stryg grumbled.

You should be honored to have been given the privilege to wear the colors and crest of a Ruling Family, Elm said.

The high-priest stood a few stony steps above Stryg.

I just wanna get out of these stuffy clothes already, Stryg pulled at his absurdly long sleeve. He couldnt even see his hands for Lunaes sake!

Just relax and try to enjoy the moment. This is your big day after all, Clypeus whispered from beside him.

Stryg glanced at the stony steps under him. He sighed quietly and looked up at the empty aisle. Elm had arranged several rows of chairs to be placed on each side of the aisle. Stryg thought it excessive, he hadnt thought many people would come.

Clearly, he had been wrong. Each chair was occupied, there were even people standing in the back. Felis side of the aisle was filled with mostly unfamiliar faces. Stryg hadnt realized how many of Felis friends he didnt know.

Stryg knew he was busy with school and training, but he hadnt noticed there was such a large part of Felis life he wasnt acquainted with. He should probably make an effort to rectify that at some point.

As for his own side of the aisle, well, Stryg had surprised himself.

There are so many people who came, Stryg mumbled to Clypeus.

The vampire stood beside Stryg and patted his back, They all came out for you.

Callum Veres sat in the front row with the red-headed dwarf, Kithina.

I cant believe Stryg is actually doing this, Kithina whispered.

What do you mean? Callum asked.

I never really took Stryg for the settling-down-kind-of-guy, ya know? Kithina admitted.

Believe me, there can be a lot more to people than meets the eye. If you dont look closely, they may just surprise you, Callum stared at the blue goblin.

Meh, I mean I guess youre right, Cal. But Stryg always seemed more of a non-commitment kind of guy. I mean, just the other day I caught him ogling a bunch of women when we were at the tavern.

Well, whos to say Stryg wont see other people? From what I understand, Sylvan folk are quite sexually liberal.

Ugh, so much for romance, Kithina rolled her eyes.

Not necessarily. Whether it be for politics, business alliances, magical pedigree, or simple lust, at least half of aristocrats engage in polygamy. Although, I admit it takes a special kind of couple to have romance be the center of that sort of relationship. Then again, they may just be that couple.

Or Feli ends up hating him and Stryg gets kicked out of the house, Kithina shrugged.

Callum chuckled, Yeah, maybe youre right.

Loh sat a few seats away, right next to the aisle. She wanted to have the closest seat and view to her apprentice, it only felt right.

She glanced back at the temple entrance. Whats taking so long?

Loh was dressed in a white and black form-fitting dress. Her dark-elf beauty and elegant dress drew the eye of every man in the temple. Yet there was one woman who didnt seem to notice, the one who sat next to her.

Loh took a moment to drink in the sight of the lovely Tauri Katag. How her stunning amber eyes glanced inquisitively at the temples statues. How Tauris silky black hair fell perfectly over her crimson cheek.

Tauris graceful body was wrapped in a high-cut orange dress, much to Lohs appreciation. Lohs eyes wandered over at Tauris breasts, they werent noticeably large, some might even call them small, but Loh couldnt help but stare. To Loh, she was perfect.

Loh leaned over, Thanks for coming on such short notice. I didnt know who else to invite as my plus-one.

She used the chance to stare at Tauris shapely legs for half a second, before leaning back.

Tauri turned her attention to Loh with a smile, Anytime. Thats what friends are for.

Im glad youre my friend, Loh smiled painfully.

Tauri stared at Strygs eyes that kept glancing all around the temple, Stryg looks nervous. Ive never seen him like that, crazy sure, but not nervous.

I guess love changes people, Loh grinned.

...I wonder if Aizel would have been that nervous, Tauri mumbled.

Lohs smile died as she noticed the pain that flashed through the orcs amber eyes. The look of pain was gone as quick as it had appeared, but there was no denying it was there.

Im sorry, I shouldnt have brought you here. I didnt mean to bring back bad memories, Loh sighed.

...Yes, well, moving on. Elm raised his hands, What is marriage? What is love? These are the questions we have come here to answe-

Yeah, lets skip all of that, Stryg said without breaking eye contact with Feli.

Elm sighed, Ahem, very well. The groom may speak his vows first.

Vows? Stryg tilted his head.

Felis eye twitched.

Please for the love of Stjerne, tell me you wrote your vows down, she whispered angrily with a strained smile.

I didnt need to, Stryg blinked. They are simple enough, I always remember them.

Go on then, Feli raised her eyebrow.

I will keep you safe from the enemies of our tribe. I will make our tribe the greatest in the Realm so that no one will ever try to harm you or anyone else in Ebon Hollow.

Stryg grabbed her hand, I will stand by your side no matter what monster comes into our lives. I will be here, right next to you, until the end. This I vow with my life.

Stryg stared up into her eyes, Human from the City of Shades, beauty from the Merry Crescent, girl who makes me smile, Feli... I love you.

The crowd sat in stunned silence. The orc, Kegrog, wiped a tear from his eye, Nora Azol looked at him in surprise. Kithina was slack-jawed, she had never expected to hear such words from the blue goblin. Callum felt genuinely happy for Stryg. Loh found herself smiling from ear to ear. Karen was proud of her friend and how far he had come from the wary goblin she had met on the street over a year and a half ago.

So, howd I do? Stryg whispered.

Hm Not as long as I had hoped, but itll do, Feli smiled and gripped his small hands tightly.

The bride may now say her vows, Elm nodded to her.

Feli laughed, Where do I begin? Its been a crazy year, things have changed a lot from when we first met, Stryg. We got together because we both wanted something from each other, we werent interested in anything more. But then I got to know you and everything changed, I fell in love, and -

Thats enough for me, Stryg cut her off.

Huh? Feli furrowed her brow.

You love me, right?

Obviously, Feli rested her forehead on his.

And youll stand by my side?

Like I told you before, we are in this together. Ill stand by your side to the end, no matter what.

Then thats enough for me, Stryg said firmly.

Elm sighed to himself, The ring please.

Oh, right, Clypeus checked his pocket and pulled out a gold ring with a large amethyst.

He handed it to Stryg and stepped back.

Feli offered Stryg her hand, he slipped the finger on her pinky.

Wrong finger, Feli whispered.

Huh?

The finger next to it.

Sylvan goblins dont even use rings, Stryg grumbled and slipped the ring on the other finger.

Nice, Feli winked.

Elm opened his arms wide, By the power vested in me by our great ebon gods, Stjerne, Bellum, Caligo, and Lunae, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, buuut, you already are

Stryg didnt want to wait anymore. He pulled Feli down and kissed her the moment Elm started talking. The crowd cheered and clapped.

Feli yelled in surprise as Stryg picked her up into his arms.

Youre mine forever now, I wont let you go, Stryg whispered.

I wouldnt have it any other way, Feli smirked.

Rhian knelt down without a word, Stryg hopped on her saddle.

Rhian made a valiant pose and pointed her finger to the temple doorway, To the Merry Crescent tavern!