Chapter 622: Man of His Dreams

    Thanks to the skillful hands of the make-up artist, Gu Luoxin managed to make himself look somewhat presentable right before the ceremony started—or at least that’s what he thought because his eyes no longer looked swollen and bloodshot, his hair had become neat and glossy, and a little color had been added to his overly pale cheeks. He even applied rouge and perfume!

    Gu Luoxin had never had such an exquisite make-up done on him before, not even for his stage performance since every role he had played so far had been minor ones.

    Now, however, he almost could not recognize the person staring back at him through the mirror. Somehow, he looked less like ’Gu Luoxin’ and... resembled ’Young Master Ares’ more, almost to an uncanny degree. And the notion sent a surge of courage and confidence swelling in his chest, giving him a brief respite amidst the constant anxiety.

    If he walked out like this, he was certain that even Young Master Ares’ servants wouldn’t be able to tell that he was a fake!

    Alas, it was apparent that the make-up artist begged to differ, for his frown had not lessened a bit since he took in Gu Luoxin’s appearance from the very first second. Simply ’presentable’ was not enough for the Young Master of the Sky and one of the leading protagonists for the day. He had to look the best. He had to be able to capture the crowd’s attention at first glance. He had to charm and bedazzle them with his mere presence.

    Too bad they were running out of time.

    After stressing for a while, the make-up artist hurriedly went to rummage through his bag before pulling a white veil out of nowhere, draping it over Gu Luoxin’s head. His eyes brightened at once at the sight.

    "This is it!" he clapped in delight. "You will make the loveliest groom, Young Master Ares!"

    "..." The corner of Gu Luoxin’s lips twitched.

    Are you sure I still ’look’ lovely with my face covered like this? He wanted to ask, but in the end he simply smiled without giving a comment. Firstly, because he was still trying to keep up the young master’s reserved and elegant persona, and secondly because he knew himself best. The make-up could only cover his flaws and blemishes at most. It was impossible to transform him into a dazzling beauty who could turn heads. He was just above average, if he could be honest. And so, he didn’t blame the other person’s last-ditch effort to salvage the situation.

    Sighing, he stood up and adjusted his sleeves out of nervousness, asking, "Is it time?"

    "Should be soon..." the other person mused as he checked his watch.

    Just then, a knock sounded on the door and the staff politely announced that the ceremony would be starting soon, was Young Master Ares ready or would he be needing some more time?

    With Gu Luoxin’s nod of approval, the make-up artist flung the door open with haste. "He’s ready—of course, he is!" he exclaimed with a grin.

    In a whirlwind, Gu Luoxin was led through the corridor, barely registering the turns and footsteps until he was brought to a halt right outside the ceremony hall.

    Through the closed double doors, he could hear the muffled voice of the MC and scattered applause that sounded every now and then, yet none of it truly registered into his mind. He tried and tried to focus to no avail; it was as though there was a thick frosted glass standing between him and the outside world, turning all noises indistinct and muffled in his ears. His palms began to turn clammy, and cold sweat dripped down his back. His heart pounded so fast that he felt a little sick in his stomach.

    Clutching the small bouquet in hands, Gu Luoxin suddenly found everything surreal, like he was drifting through a sea of cotton.

    Am I really doing this...?

    From discovering Noir was the Eldest Young Master of the Land and Ares’ soon-to-be fiance?, to the shock of Ares’ abrupt passing, to disguising himself as the said young master—only half an hour had passed.

    Everything happened so fast that he was not given a chance to process the sudden turn of events. And it wasn’t until now... now that only a single door separated him from the betrothal ceremony, that it finally dawned on him that he was going to marry Noir, his senior, the person he liked, and above all... the man of his dreams.

    Even if it’s only a roleplay forced onto them by the circumstances... even if it’s only a fake scenario that lasted until the end of the Cycle, it did not change the fact that he would soon become Noir’s fiance?.

    Gu Luoxin discreetly pinched his arm and—ouch! Holy shit, this was not a dream... he, he was really going to be engaged to Noir?! What were the odds—?! It felt like only a moment ago he mused to himself how he was willing to take Young Master Ares’ place to attend the betrothal ceremony if he was so unwilling to do it, who could have guessed his wish would come true so soon?!

    The corners of Gu Luoxin’s lips twitched into a smile he couldn’t quite suppress, though it soon faded when he recalled what had led him to his current situation.

    Granted, he had become Noir’s fiance?, but at what cost...?

    Before the heaviness could weigh down on his chest once more, the huge double doors before him swung open as the MC announced his presence, and in that instant, all the thoughts and doubts in Gu Luoxin’s mind were swept away.

    His breath, his heartbeat, his world—everything came to an abrupt halt.

    He didn’t even register the sheer grandeur and magnificence of the hall, or the eyes of thousands snapping toward him all at once, not even the camera flashes going off like endless strikes of lightning. His gaze instantly gravitated toward the man standing on the far end of the red carpet, whose deep emerald eyes were similarly gazing at him.

    Everything else faded away as their gazes intertwined across the hall, shrouded by a white veil akin to a hazy dream.

    Under the soft wedding march and the delicate petals fluttering in the air, Gu Luoxin took his first step forward... and almost stumbled as his knees buckled beneath him.

    Up ahead, Noir subtly flinched, his hand twitching as if to reach out and catch him by reflex, but he kept himself still when Gu Luoxin righted himself in the nick of time, clutching the bouquet a little tighter.

    Steady, Xinxin, steady... Gu Luoxin repeated to himself again and again with gritted teeth.

    He knew in his mind that if he wanted to catch Young Master Ares’ murderer, now was the best timing. With everyone’s attention on him, he could easily pinpoint who was acting strange among the crowd. After all, ’he’ was supposed to be dead, only to show up well and unharmed in the ceremony hall. Surely, the perpetrator couldn’t have seen this coming. How could they ever foresee that Young Master Ares would bring his doppelganger along? For that reason, he should maintain the highest level of vigilance and catch the culprit red-handed!

    Gu Luoxin knew he should have done that, and yet...

    And yet he couldn’t take his eyes off the gorgeous specimen of a man called Noir who appeared all the more dazzling under the spotlights. He simply couldn’t.

    He did not even have the space of mind to ponder whether his slight clumsiness was captured by the camera or how it would look in Master Grinu’s eyes who was a perfectionist freak, for his entire focus was absorbed into those breathtaking, piercing emerald eyes that held his own so intensely, so unwaveringly. He was not even sure whether he was still breathing as he continued walking down the red carpet—almost floating—all the way toward Noir.

    The procession seemed both endless yet fleeting at the same time, and throughout it all, Noir never took his eyes off him. It was almost like... like...

    Like he was marrying Noir for real.

    Gu Luoxin couldn’t tell whether he was disappointed or relieved when he finally reached Noir’s side. It wasn’t until his vision turned a little blur that he belatedly realized he had been holding his breath all this time, which resulted in him feeling light-hearted due to the lack of oxygen. But just as his body swayed, Noir placed a strong and reassuring hand behind his small back, leading him to the side where a couple seat had been prepared for them, out of the spotlights.

    Once Gu Luoxin walked down the aisle, the betrothal ceremony could be considered finished. After all, the event was less about the two grooms and more about the union of the two main territories.

    What came next was official business.

    As the MC invited Master Grinu and Master Nasser up the stage, Noir pretended to adjust Gu Luoxin’s veil while seizing the chance to whisper to him, though the words he said was akin to icy water jolting Gu Luoxin back to his senses,

    "I’ve found the servants. Both of them are dead." Then without a pause, he added, nearly giving Gu Luoxin a whiplash, "You look nice."

    .

    .

    A/N: Noir, a pro when it comes to mixing official business and personal affair HAHAHA