CHAPTER 338: THE WEDDING MARCH

The soft crunch of claws against snow echoed over the wide, frost-covered boulevard.

Two massive grey beasts, fearsome enough to unnerve even the seasoned guards, pulled the carriage with surprising grace.

The gleaming armor on their bodies showed their majesty.

However, what was even more impressive was the person who could domesticate such wild monsters.

The grand royal carriage was deliberately left open-roofed for this special occasion.

Etched with thorny vines of gold, two swords were carved at the sides. The emblem of the Darkhelm Archduchy.

Red banners fluttered from each corner, showing the successful happy wedding of their ruler. A trail of mounted knights in their gleaming silver armor followed behind with weapons.

Among them was Noxian, looking like a warrior.

At the head of the vanguard rode Raymond Eldritch. Stone-faced and regal, he rode with his back straight. His dark cloak billowed behind him like a war banner.

He hadn’t spoken a word since sunrise. Not even when Allen silently patted his back.

His piercing blue eyes were focused on maintaining perfect order for the long-delayed monarchial procession.

The marriage parade.

Xion shifted on the plush seat. His thin fingers clenched tightly over the fabric in his lap.

Despite the fur-lined silver cape draped over his shoulders, he felt a slight chill running down his spine.

Darius was seated right beside him with a slight smile. This time, he had specifically asked Nazia for matching attire. And now, both Xion and he were dressed in black.

He even personally added the golden chain around Xion’s waist. That was a different story that he earned a smack for getting a little handsy.

But looking at his beautiful baby, the beating was worth it.

Just as he was admiring his baby’s quivering raven lashes, others were looking at both of them with respect and awe.

The sound of people cheering flooded the air. Both lords could hear chants, songs, and praises—each carrying their names.

"Long live the Archduke!"

"Hail to the Archduke’s consort!"

"Blessed be the House of Darkhelm!"

Xion dared to raise his gaze and peek out again.

Lining both sides of the street were hundreds of people. Children held flower petals and as the carriage crossed them, they would sprinkle them toward the road.

Nobles were waving from their designated place. Common folk even kneeled as they thanked piously.

His name was sung alongside Darius’, as though the people saw them as equals.

The thudding in Xion’s chest increased. Although he couldn’t exactly see them, those loud voices were enough to tell these people truly loved their lord.

The system could hear his internal thoughts and rolled its eyes. If they don’t praise this lunatic, how are they supposed to live?

It was indeed true that they respected Darius and were willing to fight for him, but they were also equally afraid of him. This devil was even scarier than the snow beasts pulling on the royal carriage.

But looking at its silly host, the system remained silent.

Xion tugged at his partner’s sleeve.

When Darius leaned down, he whispered in a voice only they could hear, "Why... why are they cheering for me too?"

Archduke looked down at him with clear amusement. "Should they not?"

"I mean, I understand them loving you," Xion muttered, his eyes quickly darting away from a group of ladies shrieking his name. "But me? I didn’t do anything for them. They don’t even know who I am."

And if this was all because he had married Darius, then no wonder people were so crazy to become the consort. The feeling of power was indeed a bit exhilarating.

Green eyes darted toward Xion’s lap and without waiting he took the clenching hand into his own. My silly baby gets nervous so easily.

"Well, to begin with, you are the blessing of a goddess which I managed to snatch," Darius finally said while rubbing the cold fingers, trying to warm them up.

"And then you killed a creature that could... shake even the earth." There was clear laughter in his voice as he emphasized ’shake the earth’.

Xion, "..." I am the one who shook the earth with that grenade.

As if he could read all those little thoughts, Darius chuckled.

"There is also that cure of yours. Healing everyone without caring about their status. It was supposed to be..." His Grace playfully tapped on the scrunched nose, "a secret that somehow made its way into every tavern, bookstall, and noble court in all regions."

Their action seemed to stimulate the crowd as the cheers grew louder. Xion could even hear the voices calling them a perfect loving couple.

He tilted his head to look at the culprit of all the commotion and couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

You must have noticed how anxious I was, he mused. Despite not being fond of talking, His Grace was doing it just to keep him calm.

How had someone like him ended up with someone like Darius? Whatever fortune guided that fate, he hoped it never ran out.

"What?" Darius smirked. "Got mesmerized by your husband’s handsome face?" his voice was low with a hint of seduction, obviously intended.

Sure enough, just as he guessed, the delicate ears turned pink.

Having no response to the teasing, Xion pursed his lips and started looking toward the people. All he could see were the blurry shadows dancing in his vision.

"Besides," Darius still didn’t let Xion sit still. His arm was already wrapped around his waist as he played with the delicate golden chains. "You’re ridiculously adorable. That alone is enough to win them."

"You’re being silly." The embarrassed healer muttered.

But the Archduke was not entirely wrong.

The nearly blind healer wasn’t sure if it was true, but praises for his face were spilled continuously all the way.

Children ran alongside the carriage for a few steps before being pulled back by guards.

[Host, look to your left. They are giving you treats.]

"Are they... throwing sweets?" Xion squinted toward where his system had pointed.

Indeed, some children were tossing wrapped candies toward the carriage. "Should I catch one?"

"You’re not catching anything." Why would his sweetheart eat something given by some brat? "You’re their lord, Xion. You wave like one."

"I don’t know how to wave like royalty."

"Then wave like someone who knows I’ll ravish him later if he looks too attractive in public."

"Darius!" Blue eyes widened and the pink on his cheeks deepened.

It was tempting Darius to lean down and take a bite, though he held back.

As Xion tried to protest against such words, the fingers on his waist dug into his skin. The tickling made his words halt and a breathy laugh slipped from his lips.

The crowd cheered, clearly pleased at the interaction.

His baby was finally at ease. And that was when Darius noticed it—how the crowd’s eyes were locked onto his Xion. Not him. Not the Archduke. But at his darling.

The possessiveness stirred in his veins. Perhaps he should have just ignored these old rules and kept Xion in the castle.

But then Nazia would bother him again.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for her continuously reminding him, and even saying that Xion might like it, he wasn’t going to schedule this damned parade.

Actually, rather than a march, it was more of a show of power. A subtle and manipulating way to remind people who their real king was.

With the way he had been ruling with an iron fist, there was no need to go to extra lengths to do this.

"His Grace Xion had been hit hard due to the loss of his eyes. He will like it if you take him out more often." Nazia had said so.

Indeed, Xion was now looking at the people with innocent curiosity. When someone called his name, he even started to wave happily toward them, making the crowd erupt with cheers.

Of course, they would be happy. After all, there were attendants throwing gold coins toward them. It was like a reward for making Xion happy.

But... I want him to look at me. Only me.

Without missing a beat, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to his forehead—firm and lingering, for all to see.

The crowd erupted.

The flustered kitten squeaked. "You did that on purpose!"

"I did." Darius looked smug.

"You know they’re all looking—"

"I want them to look." His voice dipped to something darker. "And I want them to know exactly whom they’re looking at. Mine."

Xion’s heart skipped too many beats in a row.

Before he could form correct words, Darius leaned again, closer to his ear.

"I’ll take you to the night market tonight." So, don’t give them too much attention, my sweet. I only want... "Just the two of us."

Xion’s entire face lit up, brighter than the gold threads woven into his sleeves. "Really?"

"Yes, darling. Really."

This time, Xion didn’t fight the smile that spread on his entire face or the way he leaned his head briefly on Darius’ shoulder.

The cheering seemed to fade behind him. As long as he was with this person, everything became bearable, everything became...warm.