Chapter 632 Wedding (1)
Today was her wedding.
Alina stood in front of the mirror, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.
The woman looking back at her was not the same woman who had walked into Little Fang Academy a year ago, nervous and uncertain and desperately hoping she wouldn’t fail. That woman had been tired. Overworked. Hiding from the world.
This woman was glowing.
The wedding was being held in the Shadow Domain, and according to Shadow customs, the bride wore black. Dante had designed the dress himself. He had told her weeks ago, very seriously, that he wanted her to wear something that represented power and eternity. She had laughed and said, "So black?"
He had said, "Yes." And then he had shown her the design, and she had stopped laughing.
Her wedding dress was black, as Shadow customs demanded, but it was the most beautiful black she had ever seen. The lace overlay was delicate, hand-stitched with tiny silver threads that caught the light and shimmered like stars. The bodice fit her perfectly, hugging her waist before flowing into a soft, full skirt that brushed the floor. The sleeves were long and sheer, ending in small pearl buttons at her wrists. A thin black ribbon tied at her back, trailing behind her like a whisper.
Her makeup was soft but striking. Her hazel-brown eyes looked larger and warmer, framed by subtle gold shimmer that made them appear almost luminous. A hint of rose colored her cheeks, and her lips were painted a deep berry shade that made her smile look even brighter.
Her hair was half up and half down, with soft curls cascading over her shoulders. Small silver pins shaped like crescent moons sparkled among the waves, a gift from Dante. A delicate silver chain rested on her forehead, holding a tiny black diamond that caught the light.
She looked breathtaking.
Georgia stepped closer, her eyes wide. "You look like you belong in a painting," she said.
Alina laughed. "That’s too much."
Georgia shook her head firmly. "It’s not enough."
Behind her, Aaron, Georgia’s boyfriend and one of Alina’s oldest friends, stood with his arms crossed, his jaw slightly dropped. He rarely showed emotion, but now his eyes were shining.
"You clean up okay," he said.
Alina raised an eyebrow. "Okay?"
He sighed. "Better than okay."
"Better than okay?"
Aaron cracked a small smile. "You look beautiful, Alina. Happy?"
Alina grinned. "Very."
Aunt Lyla was fanning herself with her hand, even though the room wasn’t warm. "I can’t believe it," she said. "My niece. Marrying a Shadow Lord. In a black dress."
Amelia looked at her sister from her chair. "Lyla, you’ve said that five times."
"Because I can’t believe it!" Lyla exclaimed.
Alina’s mother stood up slowly, her simple blue dress a stark contrast to the dark elegance of the wedding gown. She walked over to Alina and took her hands.
"You look like your grandmother," she said softly. "On her wedding day. She was so beautiful."
Amelia remembered her mother’s wedding photos and felt Alina looked so similar to her today.
Alina’s eyes filled with tears. "Mom..."
Amelia squeezed her hands. "She would be proud of you. I’m proud of you."
They hugged.
The door burst open.
"TEACHER!"
Boo floated in first, his cap slightly tilted, his ribbon trailing behind him. He stopped mid-air when he saw Alina. His silver eyes went wide. His mouth fell open.
"Teacher," he breathed. "You look like... like..."
He floated closer, circling her slowly.
"Like a ghost fairy," he announced.
Georgia choked.
Aunt Lyla burst into laughter.
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "A ghost fairy?"
Boo nodded seriously. "The most beautiful ghost fairy. Very rare. Very sparkly."
Alina looked at him helplessly. "Thank you, Boo."
Drake pushed past Boo, his wings flapping. "How dare you say Teacher looks like a ghost! Teacher looks like a fairy! A real fairy! A fairy queen!"
Boo crossed his translucent arms. "I said ghost fairy!"
"Same thing!"
"Not the same thing!"
Felix appeared behind them, arms crossed. "Ghosts and fairies are completely different species," he said flatly.
"Nobody asked you," Boo and Drake said together.
Felix sighed.
Vlad Jr. stepped forward, adjusting his collar. "You’re both wrong," he said.
Everyone looked at him.
Vlad Jr. looked at Alina. He studied her for a long moment.
"Teacher looks like a midnight rose," he said. "Rare, elegant, and strong. The kind that blooms in darkness and surprises everyone who sees it."
The room went silent.
Then Aaron whispered, "Did he just...?"
Georgia’s mouth hung open. "He wrote a poem. On the spot."
Vlad Jr.’s ears turned pink. "I read books," he mumbled.
Luna appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, her black tutu dress puffing out around her like a small cloud. She looked miserable.
"I hate this dress," she announced.
Alina smiled. "You look adorable."
Luna’s ears flattened. "I look like a balloon."
"A very pretty balloon."
Luna sighed. "I’m only wearing this because it’s your wedding."
Alina nodded. "I know. Thank you."
Luna nodded and stood beside Boo.
Boo grinned at her. "You look like a ghost cupcake," he said.
Luna stared at him. Then she sighed. "...I’ll take it."
The room filled with laughter.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Shadow Domain, Dante stood at the altar.
Well, it wasn’t really an altar. It was a large stone platform covered in dark velvet, surrounded by ancient trees whose leaves shimmered with silver light. The sky above was deep and rich, filled with stars that hadn’t yet faded, and the air smelled of night blossoms and something sweet.
Dante looked devastating.
His black coat was fitted perfectly across his broad shoulders, embroidered with subtle silver thread that matched the stars above. His dark hair was tied back, revealing the sharp line of his jaw and the elegant curve of his horns. His crimson eyes were soft, softer than anyone had ever seen them, and he kept glancing toward the path where Alina would appear.
He was nervous.
The Shadow Lord, who had faced armies and monsters and ancient kings, was nervous.
Beside him stood Lucien and Sable.
They wore matching black suits with silver buttons, their little horns peeking out from their hair, their red and silver eyes bright. They looked like tiny versions of their father, serious, composed, and unbearably cute.
Sable kept tugging at his collar. "It’s itchy," he complained.
Lucien didn’t look at him. "Don’t touch it."
"I’m not touching it."
Lucien turned his head slowly. "You’re touching it right now."
Sable pulled his hand away. "I’m just adjusting it. Brother..."
Lucien sighed.
Nearby, Kelpie and Rocky stood together. Kelpie was wearing a black suit that somehow remained dry despite the water droplets still forming around him. He was bouncing on his heels, grinning at everyone who passed.
"Principal looks so happy," Kelpie said.
Dante’s lips twitched. "I am happy."
Kelpie tilted his head. "You look like you’re going to cry."
Dante’s jaw tightened. "I am not going to cry."
"Your eyes are wet."
Dante looked away. "The light."
Kelpie squinted. "The light is not wet."
Dante said nothing.
Rocky stood beside Kelpie, also wearing a black suit, but his expression was anything but happy. His stone face was pale. His eyes were downcast. His small hands were clasped behind his back, and his shoulders were slumped.
He looked like someone had canceled his favorite holiday.
Sable noticed first. He stopped tugging his collar and tilted his head.
"Rocky?" Sable said. "What’s wrong with you?"
Rocky didn’t answer.