72 – Wedding preparations
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
The warmth from the wine rolled down my throat, leaving a satisfying burn that chased away some of the day’s tension. I leaned back, bottle in hand, letting out a sigh as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Slow down already,” Rose's tone was sharp as usual, though I could see her brow arch in mild concern. “That’s your third bottle. Need I remind you that this wine is for blessings only?”
I smirked, raising the bottle in a mock toast. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m blessing my stomach.”
Rose snorted, shaking her head, muttering something about lost causes and wasted blessings. But for now, her chastising felt like background noise—just a part of the scenery as I tried to escape the whirlwind of the last few days.
Ever since the formal announcement that Naja would be my bride, everything had taken a sharp turn. Like Saphira predicted, that decision was the final nail in the resistance's coffin. With Naja’s backing, even my loudest critics had mostly shut up. The alliance was seen as a powerful move, proof that I could bring even the fiercest clans under my rule. But it was no small task—and one that came with its fair share of headaches.
When I brought Naja back to Bloomhaven, I barely stepped foot in the city before… well, let’s just say the welcoming committee wasn’t exactly warm. Saphira, Leona, Lydia, and Rusalka practically threw daggers at me with their eyes. They’d never been shy about their feelings, but that day, it was as if every suppressed thought they’d had about Naja was etched on their faces.
Naja, for her part, had been unshaken by their glares. She didn’t have any religious leanings herself, so she didn’t mind getting married under the Goddess of Lightning’s rituals. And when I explained the polygamy arrangement to her, she just shrugged and said to the other girls, “I’ll be in your care from now on.” Calm, diplomatic, like a practiced leader—as if it were just another political deal.
But that was only half the story. Somehow, introducing Tia had managed to stir up even more of a storm.
A loli familiar that calls me “papa”… yeah, that went about as well as you’d expect. Tia’s high-pitched “Papa!” the moment we got home sent every one of them into a frenzy. Each of them thought I’d lost it, especially when I explained that I’d inherited Tia through Ophelia’s staff. I half-expected Saphira to throw a lightning bolt at me on the spot.
Luckily for me, Tia wasn’t exactly ready to be an agent of chaos. She was still getting used to walking, stumbling around excitedly at first. But it wasn’t long before she was fast asleep, curled up in the first corner she could find. That peaceful scene saved me a lot of extra explanations.
I took another swig of wine, hoping it’d smooth out some of those lingering nerves. All said and done, I was about to marry all the girls. The idea felt heavy, like a load I wasn’t sure I’d manage to carry. But the bonds we’d forged… each one felt just as vital as the next, each promise just as necessary.
And if these people could put their faith in me, maybe, just maybe, I could do the same for them.
Rose leaned back in her chair with her usual air of confidence, propping her boots on the table like she owned the place. Her crimson gaze flicked toward me, sizing me up as if she were debating whether I deserved mercy.
“So,” she began casually, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, “want to go over the wedding ceremony rituals?”
I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Not really,” I muttered, already dreading where this was heading.
Rose rolled her eyes. “Look, I know you translated the Codex of Storms into for everyone, but you’ve admitted yourself that you were multitasking at the time. You probably don’t remember half of what’s written in there. Do you really want to mess up in front of the entire kingdom?”
“Please spare me,” I pleaded, slumping further into my seat. “Or help me find another way.”
Her head tilted, and for a second, she just stared at me in disbelief. Then, with a dramatic groan, she threw her hands in the air. “Ugh, you’re really such a big baby! Fine. I suppose I could make some adjustments and guide you through the ceremony so you don’t make a total fool of yourself. Happy?”
“Thanks,” I muttered, my tone a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. “I appreciate it.”
Rose snorted, clearly unimpressed. “You’d better. And remember you can always show your appreciation with more money.”
"Noted."
The temple preparations back in Bloomhaven weren’t helping to ease my nerves. The place was practically drowning in luxurious flowers and intricate ornaments, each piece more extravagant than the last. It was a shrine to Iseria’s glory, sure, but it also felt like a testament to the weight of the responsibilities I was about to shoulder.
Rose’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “By the way,” she said, her tone sharp, “you still need a proper outfit.”
“What’s wrong with my mage robes?” I asked, genuinely confused. “They’re comfortable.”
At that, Rose bolted upright, her feet slamming off the table with enough force to rattle the wine bottles. “Oh, for crying out loud! Are you really that dense? Those are something I picked up from a storage room and gave you when you turned into a fucking lizard! You can’t wear those to a wedding—or your coronation, for that matter!”
I blinked, stunned by her outburst. “Is it really that big of a deal?”
“Yes, it’s that big of a deal!” she snapped, pacing now. “This isn’t just your wedding—it’s the moment you officially become Ephiria’s ruler! You need to go to a proper tailor and get some fancy clothes. Something regal. Something that says, ‘I’m not just a mage; I’m your damn king!!’”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. The idea of spending hours being measured and fitted sounded like torture, but I knew better than to argue. “Fine,” I said at last. “I’ll go see a tailor.”
Rose crossed her arms, a victorious smirk playing on her lips. “Good. It’s about time you started taking this seriously.”
Looks like there's no escaping this one. I just hope they won't go over the top though. I’m not fond of flashy clothes. Even in my own life I had pretty casual clothes. I especially avoided tight clothes like jeans or other fabrics. I'm more of a loose person, and I don't like to feel so… constricted. The skin has to breathe and you gotta walk around comfortably.
That aside I don't think I’ll have to worry about that in this world. If anything, I just have to avoid using a cape. I tried wearing one when I was a kid… but I always managed to trip in it.
Before I could have any other thoughts, Rose snapped me once more back to reality with one last question.
“By the way, did you prepare the rings?”
“What rings?”
“Do I seriously have to beat up that lizard skull of yours for your brain to start working? Sheesh. How can you be so skilled in battle and strategy, yet hopeless under normal scenarios? The wedding rings, obviously. According to the rituals… your main wife has to have a golden ring and the others a silver one. Considering how close the date is…
You did get their finger sizes at least and placed an order at blacksmith, right?”
…
“Hey! I’m talking to you!”
…
“Earth to Magnus!!”
…
“Great. He’s out cold. Should have guessed he would be too shocked. Just my freaking luck. Oh well, at least I know how to wake you up and feel better myself.”
Rose’s knuckles cracking was the last thing I could remember…