Everyone arrived in Zephyria. The air was heavy with tension and excitement all at once. Adris and Carliet had a fight again and hadn't spoken to each other, even though their wedding was tomorrow. Xavi and Josephine already had a plan, watching quietly and trusting that love would find its way back.
Adris was training in anger, striking hard and fast, his jaw clenched. Velara saw him from a distance and approached calmly.
"Hey boy, why are you mad?" she said while patting her six-months-old son gently in her arms.
"It's Carl. She doesn't believe me at all. I didn't sleep with anyone—that brat lied to her," Adris said angrily as he broke the stick in his hands.
Velara looked at him steadily. "Listen, child. You should have explained it calmly and better. Show her some evidence and prove that brat was wrong, not you. You're getting married tomorrow. I advise you to talk to her again—no yelling, no fighting too," Velara said.
Adris looked at her, sighed deeply. "Fine. I will. Thank you," he said.
She smiled at him.
He stayed outside for four hours, and Carliet slept in her room too, both of them hurting in silence.
By sunrise—
"Big Brother Adris wedding!" Novara said, giggling loudly as she ran into Adris's room. "Get up, sleepyhead!" she said, hitting him playfully with her toy.
Adris smiled in his sleep. "Nova baby, let big brother sleep more, please," Adris said softly.
"Nope!" Novara said.
Adris laughed and carried her downstairs, where Josephine and the family were already making arrangements for the wedding. By 3:00, they ate breakfast.
Adris took breakfast to Carliet's room. She was sleeping peacefully.
"Wake up, sweetheart," Adris said as he kissed her cheeks.
She slowly opened her eyes. When she saw him, she turned to the other side and covered her body with the duvet cover.
He chuckled softly and lifted the sheets off her body.
"Hey!" she said.
Adris grabbed both her legs and gently pulled her closer.
"Adris!" she said.
He held both her hands over her head with one hand, the other cupping her face. "Morning, my love," he said, smiling at her.
"I am still mad at you," she said.
Adris kissed her deeply, making her moan into the kiss. He smiled at her, but she made an angry, cute face.
"Come on, love. It's our wedding day. I have waited years for this. I am sorry, and I will accept any punishment you give me," he said.
She grinned and nodded quickly.
They kissed again and ate breakfast together.
By 3:00, the wedding began.
Alruna saw Carliet and was speechless. "Mama will be so proud today," Alruna said.
"What about your dad?" Magnolia asked.
"Oh, that fucker—well, he is around unfortunately," Alruna said.
Carliet's smile faded. "If he hadn't killed mom, she would've been here with us…" Carliet said quietly.
Adris knew about Carliet's father. She had told him how her father killed and burned their mother alive. He squeezed her hand gently.
Meanwhile, Adris wore a black, well-designed suit with golden jewelry on it, his hair perfectly gelled. Xavi held his hand.
"I am so proud of you, my son," Xavi said, wiping his tears.
Adris hugged him. "Thank you, Papa," Adris said.
Josephine opened the door while holding the twins. She smiled at her son, kissed his forehead, and he smiled back at his mother.
"Thank you very much, Mama," Adris said.
Everyone in Zephyria—and all the kingdoms—were seated in the hall as the doors opened.
Adris's heart softened when he saw his bride, his Queen.
Carliet walked in wearing a black and gold ballgown-style wedding dress. The strapless bodice was fitted and featured delicate lace detailing. The skirt was extremely full and voluminous, made of smooth satin fabric. Large dramatic satin puffs or wings extended from her shoulders. She wore a black jeweled headpiece and a long black veil.
Everyone watched her.
"Woah, she's so pretty," Tess said.
"Yeah!" Nyx added.
Josephine wiped her tears as she watched Carliet walk down the aisle. Carliet reached the steps and turned to King Xavi and Queen Josephine. Adris and Carliet bowed to them, then faced each other. Adris smiled at her.
The priest cleared his throat and spoke a few words.
Orion and Opehila smiled proudly at their big brother, while Novara sat on Bluey, humming and staring at Basil.
"Nova has a crush on him," she whispered into Bluey's ear and giggled.
"You may now say your vows," the priest said.
Adris took a deep breath and began:
"I loved you before I knew what love was called.
Before the world taught us fear, before life asked us to grow up too fast, you were already my safe place.
I remember you as laughter in small rooms, as shared secrets, scraped knees, shy smiles, as a name my heart learned before my lips ever did.
We grew not apart but together.
Through seasons that tested us, through silence, distance, mistakes, and forgiveness, my heart kept finding its way back to you.
Today, I do not promise you a perfect man, but I promise you a faithful one.
I promise to protect your heart as I would my own, to listen even when words are hard, to choose you not once but every day.
I promise to love you in the way you need, not just in the way I know how.
To stand beside you in joy, to carry you through sorrow, and to grow old still holding the hand I first held as a child.
You were my beginning.
You are my present.
And you will be my forever.
I will love you for eternity."
"Wow, that was so beautiful," Agana said.
"Amazing," Bernard said, holding Princess Agana's arm—his wife. There were two Aganas: Bernard's wife and the Gang Agana married to Reva, same name but different creatures.
Carliet sighed and wiped her tears beneath her veil, then began:
"I have known your soul longer than I have known fear.
Before the world made us careful, before love became complicated, you were already written into my story.
You were my childhood comfort, my quiet strength, the familiar face my heart always trusted.
We changed—our dreams, our fears, our understanding of life—but somehow loving you never changed.
It only grew deeper, stronger, wiser.
Today, I promise you my heart—not the flawless version, but the real one.
The one that will fight for us, forgive, learn, and choose patience.
I promise to walk beside you, not behind you.
To build a home where peace lives, where love is spoken softly and often, and where laughter never feels unsafe.
I promise to love the man you are now and the man you are becoming.
To honor your dreams, to stand with you in storms, and to remind you of who you are when life tries to make you forget.
You were my first love in innocence.
You are my truest love in understanding.
And you will be my last love in this life and beyond."
They both smiled at each other and said at the same time:
"We grew up loving each other, and today we grow old promising each other.
From childhood memories to forever vows—this is us, always."
"Beautiful," Xavi said, holding Josephine's arm as she rested on his shoulder.
"If anyone wants to say anything, say now or forever hold your silence," the priest said. Nobody spoke—not that anyone dared, knowing that anyone who moved or spoke out of turn would be killed on sight.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Adris lifted her veil and pulled her closer, kissing her deeply. Everyone clapped as flowers rained down all over the hall.
After the grand wedding dinner, Adris's carriage was ready to leave for his kingdom.
Carliet hugged Alruna tightly. "Bye, my love," Alruna said with tears.
"Bye, Mommy," Carliet said.
Adris hugged his mother. "I will be back soon, Mama," he said, wiping his tears.
Josephine kissed his forehead.
Carliet threw the flowers. They split into four—one landed on Novara and Basil, one on Ash, and one on Kester.
"Byyye Auntie CARL!" Ryu cried as Carliet waved.
"Goodbye," she cried in Adris's arms.
"Shhhhh, love," Adris said as he lifted her face and kissed her deeply.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too," he replied.