CHAPTER 639: THE DAY OF MARRIAGE 3

"For all beings under the heavens who are watching this sacred ceremony at this very moment. In a moment, we will be witnessing a historic moment—a historic moment for two human beings who will bind themselves in a sacred bond before the heavens, a bond that ties them together forever," Pope Claudius began his speech.

"A bond strengthened by their love for each other. With that love, this bond is something that can carry them through every challenge, even the toughest ones in the future, just as it already has in their past."

"They have successfully maintained their love all this time despite the tough challenges and circumstances. Even when we thought that what they did was impossible, they still carried on until this point. From them, we can learn an important lesson, that the feeling of love is not just a mere emotion. It is a force that can help any of us overcome the tests and obstacles of life." Pope Claudius then slightly paused as he swept his gaze across the mass.

"Now, at this moment, we will witness the union of these two human beings, a union that will make them officially one family, not only under mundane laws, but also before the heavens. They will become a pair of husband and wife."

"Aldrey Flamecrest and Irene Rivas," Pope Claudius said as he looked at Aldrey and Irene with a smile.

"Are you ready to build your new relationship status, Aldrey Flamecrest?" he asked as he looked at Aldrey.

"I’ve been more than ready for a long time, Your Holiness," Aldrey answered with a joking tone, which made those who heard it chuckle softly.

The Pope smiled at this and turned to look at Irene.

"Are you ready to build your new relationship status, Irene Rivas?" he asked the same question, which Irene answered with a nod.

"I’m ready, Your Holiness," she said.

Pope Claudius nodded, but then his expression turned slightly solemn.

"With the heavens as the witness, the heavens that brought the fate of you two together, I will now begin the vow-taking procession," he said. Suddenly, a long red scarf appeared in Pope Claudius’s hand. He controlled the scarf with his energy, guiding it to drape over Aldrey and Irene’s shoulders, connecting them through the red scarf.

This was a traditional custom symbolizing that the two beings were fated by the red thread of love. There is a saying that if two people are married while connected by the red scarf and truly love each other, their feelings will never fade. They will continue to love one another as if they are forever in the first bloom of their love.

"Face the heavens. Bow once to the heavens that have already given you their blessing, allowing you to come this far," Pope Claudius said. Aldrey and Irene obeyed, lifting their gaze upward for a moment before bowing deeply. After two seconds, they straightened their posture.

"Bow once to your parents, the ones who gave you life and have cared for you since you were children," Pope Claudius said. Aldrey and Irene turned to face their parents and bowed to them.

Watching this scene, the two grand dukes and their wives were truly moved and held back their tears.

After two seconds, Aldrey and Irene straightened once more.

"Now, face and bow toward each other, to the one who has stood beside you to reach this point. To the one who has overcome many tribulations with you, so that each of you can now stand here as a couple, supporting and loving each other," Pope Claudius said again.

Aldrey and Irene then turned to face one another. Their smiles could not be hidden, and Irene’s eyes had already reddened, she was truly happy in this moment. Aldrey, too, was deeply moved and wanted to cry, but he held it in. At that moment, both of them were drawn back to their past, to the time when they first realized their feelings for each other.

They had each been fighting for their own family, yet they fell in love because of one moment in the past, a moment that shaped the future they now stood in. When they decided to confirm their relationship, they had to hide it from their families.

When they missed each other, they would secretly use their private methods to communicate. Sometimes they relied on a third party to deliver messages, and at other times, they used the traditional method, a handwritten note tied to a trained bird.

Those were the moments filled with struggle, the trials that shaped their bond. Then came the day they were trapped inside the secret realm, where they finally had Aldrian. The son they were proud of, the one who made all of this possible.

"To Aldrey Flamecrest, you may now say your vow to Irene Rivas," Pope Claudius said.

Aldrey’s expression softened as he looked at Irene. In his eyes, at that moment, there was no one else, only her.

"I Aldrey Flamecrest take you, Irene Rivas, to be my lawfully wedded wife,

to have and to hold, from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,

until death do us part.

This is my solemn vow.

If I break this vow, may the heavens punish me with their worst tribulation," he said seriously, causing those present to gasp.

That last line, invoking the heavens, was actually unnecessary, it would truly bring about his end if Aldrey were ever to break his vow. Pope Claudius looked at him, astonished. With such a vow, it was clear just how deeply serious and committed Aldrey was to Irene.

Before the Pope could say anything, he heard Irene’s voice.

"I Irene Rivas take you, Aldrey Flamcrest, to be my lawfully wedded husband,

to have and to hold, from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,

until death do us part.

This is my solemn vow.

If I break this vow, may the heavens punish me with their worst tribulation," she said as her tears finally began to flow.

This was the moment she had waited for so long, these were the words she had dreamed of saying in front of so many people, to show how deeply she loved Aldrey and how serious she was about their bond. At last, she could say them confidently and aloud.

Many in the crowd could not hold back their own tears, including both Aldrey and Irene’s parents, and Eleine. For Eleine, who knew the hardships Irene had endured for the relationship she had committed to, this moment felt like all of that struggle had finally been repaid.

She then stood up, already holding a pair of beautiful rings on a golden plate, and approached Aldrey and Irene. Aldrey, knowing what to do, looked at the rings with a smile, took one, and stepped toward Irene.

Irene offered her hand, and Aldrey gently took it, slowly slipping the ring onto her ring finger. Once he finished, Irene picked up the remaining ring and did the same for Aldrey. When they were done, they looked into each other’s eyes.

"From this moment on, Aldrey Flamecrest and Irene Rivas are officially husband and wife. May you uphold your vows until the end of your days," Pope Claudius said with a smile, followed by the sound of applause.

Everyone in the church stood and clapped their hands. But not only the attendees in the church and those nearby, in that very moment, across the continent, the sound of clapping could be heard.

Under countless clapping hands and watching eyes, Irene and Aldrey finally kissed. It was a soft kiss that lasted for five seconds.

Aldrian watched it all with a smile, and he couldn’t help glancing beside him, where Sylphia also looked touched, her eyes slightly red.

He leaned toward her right ear and whispered,

"We’ll be like that in the future."

As he said it, he gently took her soft hand. Hearing his words and feeling his touch, Sylphia’s touched expression froze, shifting into shyness as her cheeks turned red. She glanced at Aldrian, but he was already looking back at his parents.

She looked at his side profile for a moment, then suddenly smiled. Without saying a word, she gently tightened her grip around his hand, and the two of them held hands together.

After that, Aldrey and Irene received many words of congratulations from the attendees.

Aldrian and Sylphia were the first to congratulate them. Aldrey and Irene didn’t hesitate to hug Aldrian, showing the complete harmony of their little family. Sylphia stood by and smiled warmly, giving them space.

Once they separated, the leaders of the major territories were the next to have the opportunity to offer their congratulations. All of them were truly eager, which left Aldrey and Irene feeling a little overwhelmed.

After receiving well wishes from close family and acquaintances, Pope Claudius turned to address the crowd.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen. We know the main event, the vow-taking procession, has just concluded, but there are still other festivities to enjoy. The celebration will continue, and don’t forget, we have an event when our most honored guest will deliver his lecture to us all!" he said with a smile.