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ASTERI'S POV
Tempestians and Rajariens were streaming into Star Island for the big day. The crowd was alive with chatter, excitement, and curiosity.
It would've been even bigger if I decided to bring someone from Tempest into the mix—Princess Shuna, for example—but today was simple. No grand palace venue. Just canopies, chairs, and a few decorations scattered around to mark the occasion.
Even with the minimal setup, the energy of the island made the day feel monumental.
The time had come. Over thirty thousand people from three nations were seated, filling the makeshift grounds with a quiet, anticipatory buzz. A proper venue would've been ideal, I knew—but floating magic screens hovered across the island, ensuring no one would miss a single moment of the ceremony. Rimuru had insisted on it, so I had no choice but to go along.
As the crowd settled, music began to play—Tempestians had been practising since that day, composing specifically for this occasion. The melody swelled through the air, deliberate and grand, marking the moment when the most important family members would walk down the aisle.
The path itself gleamed underfoot, made of golden bricks that caught the sunlight and seemed to pulse with the weight of the day.
I had Atlas and Elaine step in as my 'family members.' Elaine protested at first—but I found a way to make her comply without too much fuss.
Most of the brides didn't have many family members to walk them down the aisle, except for Elfaria, so the rest were covered by bridesmaids.
After Elmesia took her place, the bridesmaids began their walk: Mikasa, Annie, Majo, an elf, and a woman chosen by Towa herself. Each moved gracefully, a quiet elegance in step with the music.
Then it was time for the groomsmen. I wanted five of them, to mirror the bridesmaids. I selected Issei, Mimu, Scarlet King, Tokito, and Raiden.
They stood out immediately—every one of them draped in garments far richer than most people would ever see. Even the slime had it's own outfit.
Aside from the brides, the groom, and the two Stars, those five were an overdose of splendour and colour, their presence impossible to ignore.
After a moment, the music shifted, signalling that someone was about to step forward. Every gaze turned toward the light at the end of the aisle.
I drew a deep breath and took the first step, letting the glow frame me, projecting calm and grace.
I wore a pure white morning coat, the edges accented with transparent crystal detailing that caught the light as I moved. Step by step, I walked down the aisle, measured and composed, until I reached the altar and paused.
"Are you nervous?"
Rimuru whispered beside me.
"Do I look nervous?"
I replied evenly, without even glancing at him.
"Nah… you look just fine."
He murmured, a hint of relief in his tone.
The music shifted once more—softer this time, a gentle signal that someone important was about to appear. Every eye, including mine, turned to the aisle, the air thick with anticipation.
A few whispered, a few leaned forward, but everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting.
The first to step forward was Hinamatsuri. She was clad entirely in white, from head to toe. Her gown flowed flawlessly behind her, each step measured and graceful, catching the light just so.
At her side, Aoi walked slowly, cradling a small box in her hands, as if carrying a secret meant only for this moment.
'No flowers, so she's a ring bearer. Now that I remember, who the hell is my ring bearer?'
Hinamatsuri walked steadily down the aisle, her eyes forward, composed yet radiant.
She reached the altar and took her place, standing opposite me on my right-hand side, the folds of her gown settling perfectly around her feet.
She kept her gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact, yet I couldn't tear my eyes away from her—every movement, every subtle shift of her expression held me captive.
That is, until my senses caught the presence of the second person I had fallen for.
Then came the second bride, Queen Towa. She, too, wore a white gown, but the style was entirely her own.
Unlike Hinata's long, flowing dress, hers was shorter, elegant without being ostentatious. Walking beside her was someone unfamiliar—a ring bearer, I supposed. Towa eventually took a stand next to Hinata.
Third on the list was Lady Athena. After a long night of coaxing, I had convinced her to appear in her real body. Even in her true form, she retained her youth, delicate and poised, stepping forward with quiet grace.
(Not a child.)
Dressed in a white gown accented with delicate Kiryu touches, Athena followed, her movements fluid and composed. Glace, her ring bearer and guardian, walked beside her—she was more comfortable with him nearby, so it felt natural.
Together, they took their place next to Towa, Glace standing ready as the ring bearer.
Last, but certainly not least, was Elfaria. Her gown struck a balance between Hinata's long elegance and Towa's shorter style, flowing just right.
At her side were a little elf as ring bearer and Anna as flower girl, completing the trio as they made their way to the altar. Elfaria was the final bride to take her position, standing gracefully on the left-hand side.
Rimuru, acting as officiant, stepped forward with a warm smile, welcoming the assembled guests and setting the tone for the ceremony to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends, family, honoured guests welcome! Today is a day of celebration, not just for the two or in some cases, more people standing at the altar, but for all of us who get to witness something rare, something beautiful: the choosing of love, not once, but every day from here onward.
Now, I know weddings usually start with big speeches full of philosophy or ancient texts about love, but let me speak from a place a little closer to home.
You see, love, real love is not always fireworks and fairy tales. Sometimes, it's learning to listen when you're exhausted. Sometimes, it's choosing patience when you feel like shouting. It's waking up next to someone and deciding, 'I'm still choosing you.'
And speaking of choosing... let me share a little story about a very good friend of mine: Benimaru.
For those of you who know him and how could you not? Tall, flame-headed, strong but quiet, you might think he was always confident when it came to matters of the heart. But when it came to Momiji and Albis, even he found himself caught off guard by how much he cared.
I remember watching it unfold, awkward stares, mutual respect, the occasional sword fight (don't ask) and then, somehow, understanding bloomed. Not just love, but the willingness to build a life together, all three of them.
It wasn't simple. It wasn't perfect. But it was real. And that's what we're here to honour. Not the idea of love, but the living of it. The way it bends and adapts and grows to fit the people in it. Whether it's two people, or three, or four, what matters most is that the bond is sincere, mutual, and nurtured.
So today, let us celebrate not just a wedding - but a promise. A promise to build, to cherish, to grow, and sometimes, to laugh even when things don't go according to plan.
Thank you all for being here to witness this bond. Now, without wasting time, let's continue with the ceremony."
After taking a 2-second break, he continued.
"Now, we come to the heart of this union, the exchange of vows. The promises will shape the days to come. These aren't just words. They're threads that bind souls. And if you don't have a soul, well, they'll be something else to bind. So, let's begin."
He turns to me, Asteri, the groom.
'I can't believe this is happening.'
'It's part of the experiment, so don't worry.'
'I don't. The OG is entirely focused on this event. That's my problem.'
'Don't worry, everything will be alright.'
"Asteri, son of the Stars, you stand here today before the heavens and your chosen ones. Do you vow to cherish Hinamatsuri, Elfaria, Towa, and Athena, to protect them, trust them, walk with them through time and trial, and to love them wholly, without division, in strength and softness, for as long as your soul endures?"
He asked and waited for a reply. After five seconds of no thinking, just wasting time,
"I do."
I answered.
Then he turns to Hinamatsuri. With a gentle smile, he proceeds.
"Hinamatsuri, fierce as the wind and warm as spring, do you take Asteri to be your husband? Will you stand beside him in truth and tenderness, challenging him, supporting him, loving him as he grows, and as you grow together?"
"I do."
She replies with a soft and loving voice. Rimuru nodded before walking to the Queen.
"Queen Towa, flame of the future and calm within chaos, do you take Asteri as your chosen one, your first husband, promising to weave your fate with his, to nurture his heart and let him nurture yours, through light and shadow?"
"I do."
Then Athena.
"Athena, quiet strength with limitless depth. Have you chosen to share your soul with Asteri, your destined one?"
Athena nods quietly.
"A nod is a yes. Now..."
He turned to the last. With a soft and playful tone, he began.
"Elfaria, Queen of the Land and light of olden wisdom. Do you vow to walk with Asteri, to share your heart and your strength with him, to uphold peace in your bond and be his balance through storm and stillness?"
"Yes. Yes, I do."
Smiling, he stepped forward, facing us all.
"The vows have been spoken or nodded, and the citizens and stars themselves bear witness."
Excellent! Here's the ring exchange portion of the ceremony, narrated by Rimuru, adapted for Asteri and his four wives - with elegant, poetic lines for each, and again, with Athena's part handled quietly and respectfully.
Rimuru is holding out a hand gently, signalling for the ring bearers to approach.
"Now, we seal these vows with rings or tokens forged from trust and worn close to the heart. Each ring is not just an ornament but a symbol of unity, devotion, and eternity."
As usual, he began with me. I snapped my fingers, and Eto materialised with a box in his hand. Rimuru nods and begins.
"Asteri, take Hinamatsuri's hand... and repeat after me."
A ring made of nothing but diamonds flew out from the box, positioning itself ready before me. I took it in her hand and slowly placed the ring on her finger.
"With this ring, I bind my flame to yours. In passion, in battle, in every breath. I am yours."
She smiles, hands firm and eyes steady. Aoi stepped forward, and Hinata did the same. She inserted her own made ring with a symbol of a dragon's head on it.
"I'm yours too."
I nodded before moving to my next.
"To Towa, the horizon is yet to come."
Rimuru spoke. With a similar pace, I inserted a similar diamond ring into her finger.
"With this ring, I walk into tomorrow with you. In change and constancy, in fire and calm, I am yours."
Towa's lips curl in a soft smirk, her fingers warm in his. Her ring bearer stepped up, and Towa gave me a golden ring.
"It's not your style, but it's unique to me."
It gave her a warm smile and attempted to move forward...
"I'm not done yet."
She spoke in a low voice. The ring bearer brings another box. In it was a bracelet of gold and other gems. It's not my style, but it's unique. Now I get that.
"Thanks."
"No need."
"And now, to Athena, the quiet moon above the tides."
Rimuru spoke in a low, quiet voice. I crouch, giving her the same ring.
"With this ring, I respect your silence. In peace, in stillness, in knowing without words, I am yours, my Lady."
Athena nods once, eyes deep and unreadable. A frozen ring appeared in front of her, and she gently inserted it.
Last but not least,
"Now to Elfaria."
I followed the same trend.
"With this ring, I honour your grace. In wisdom and wonder, in growth and stillness, I am yours."
Elfaria lowers her gaze gently, eyes shimmering. Aoi and Anna step up, each holding a different token.
"Circle of promise."
Elafria said, inserting the emerald root like a ring.
"And flower to your heart."
A necklace of the same species, alien flowers from Lady Elara's garden. This is Elaine's doing. Four rings, same finger, nice.
Rimuru, standing in his previous position, looked at us all from his view.
"Four rings, four bonds. One heart, many facets.
The stars smile upon you all, and so do I, honestly."
<
Rimuru grins with mock-seriousness, spreading his arms.
"Now, by the power vested in me by... well, myself, but let's pretend there's a council involved... I hereby pronounce you, Asteri, as the husband of Hinamatsuri, Elfaria, Towa, and Athena bound by heart, by will, and by cosmic levels of patience.
You may now... well,"
He pauses, glancing at the brides and then at me.
"...you may now kiss your wives, one by one gently, Asteri, we're still in public."
'I'll go get some fresh air.'
Enta said, taking a break.
I turned to Hinamatsuri. She tilts her head slightly, eyes playful. They share a confident, fiery kiss brief but charged. We've done it a lot, so I'm used to this one.
Rimuru spoke, grinning.
"Ah, the storm meets the flame. And neither of them backs down."
I approached Towa, whose cheeks were red and eyebrows raised, waiting. This is her second time, and she's still a bit embarrassed. But Hinata has spoiled me, so I'm used to this. I chuckled and kissed her, with that mix of flirtation and deep connection only they shared.
Rimuru smirks.
"The future's looking pretty affectionate. It's official. There's nothing stopping Asterians and Rajariens from having a baby now."
He may not know, but there may be a couple with a hidden relationship.
I turned to Athena. No words are exchanged. She's my 'destined one'. This process is needed. I leaned in gently, slow and respectful, expecting something foolish like Elaine interrupting, but there wasn't anything.
Athena didn't shy away, although her face was red. She simply nods again, accepting. A brief, delicate kiss is shared, light as breath, silent as dusk.
Rimuru spoke with a soft, almost whispering tone.
"And in silence, even the stars blink slower."
'There he goes again. STARS.'
Finally, I moved to Elfaria. She closed her eyes as I took her hand and leaned in for a slow, reverent kiss, calm, graceful. She's been waiting for this now she's got it.
"As if time paused just for them... beautiful."
Rimuru now raises both arms.
"I present to you, not just husband and wives but a bond of five, forged across worlds, choices, and lifetimes. May your days be loud when needed, quiet when sacred, and always full of something worth holding on to. Now... let the celebration begin!"
The music swelled once more, gentle yet commanding, as my four brides stepped forward together.
Hand in hand, they moved down the aisle, each stride measured and poised, their presence drawing every eye. (Elfaria, Athena, Me, Hinata, Towa.)
A big celebration was held in the afternoon as well as in the evening after sunset. It was a busy and loving day, no fights, no destruction, just peace, talks, laughter, and love among us.
Thanks to this marriage, Hinata won't be draining me every day. I decided to make turns for each and every one of them.
With Lady Athena off the hook for now, I just have three baddies to satisfy. Starting from today, Hinata will have her night followed by a day of rest for me before attending to Towa with a free day off before attending to Elafria.
After that, I'll take two days off before repeating the cycle. Thank goodness for my limitless stamina, I can replenish it overnight and get something to work with during the day.
To be continued...