News of the royal engagement spread across the continent like wildfire.
The Hero of Tecka.
The man who restored ruined lands.
The inventor who changed the kingdom.
The adventurer who fought demonic beasts.
And now—
The future husband of Princess Irene.
The royal capital transformed completely within days.
The streets were covered with flowers and colorful banners. Magical lanterns floated through the air during the evenings, illuminating the city with soft golden light. Merchants from distant kingdoms arrived carrying expensive fabrics, jewelry, and decorations while musicians performed in every major plaza.
The entire kingdom celebrated as though it were a national festival.
At the royal palace, servants rushed endlessly through the halls preparing for the grand ceremony.
Meanwhile, Henry sat motionless inside a room while several attendants adjusted his formal attire.
"This feels more terrifying than fighting demonic beasts," he muttered.
Nabu stood nearby trying not to laugh.
"My lord, you fought monsters taller than fortresses."
"Yes," Henry replied immediately, "and those monsters didn't require me to stand before half the continent."
Elsewhere inside the palace, Irene sat before a large mirror while royal maids prepared her wedding dress.
For once, the usually confident princess looked genuinely nervous.
"You seem unusually quiet today, Your Highness," one maid teased softly.
"I am not nervous," Irene replied instantly.
A second maid smiled knowingly.
"You have been staring at the same earring for ten minutes."
Irene immediately looked away in embarrassment.
Far across the capital, guests continued arriving.
Representatives from the Fire Pirates entered the city carrying gifts from the Captain and the commanders. Scholars from Vlad Academy arrived to witness the ceremony while merchants from Igdur filled entire districts of the capital.
Even the Elven Kingdom sent royal emissaries.
Queen Diana herself arrived alongside several elven nobles.
Henry's parents could barely believe the scale of the event.
His mother repeatedly adjusted her clothes nervously while his father laughed proudly every few minutes.
"My son…" he muttered emotionally. "A royal wedding…"
That evening, Henry stepped outside onto one of the palace balconies to escape the overwhelming preparations.
The city below shined beautifully beneath the night sky.
Then—
A faint presence appeared behind him.
Henry turned.
Juliene stood within the shadows dressed in the dark uniform of the shadow guards.
For a moment, neither spoke.
"You came," Henry said quietly.
"Of course," she replied with a small smile. "I couldn't miss your wedding."
Her voice remained calm, but Henry could see the sadness hidden behind her eyes.
"You deserve happiness," she continued softly. "More than anyone."
Henry remained silent.
Juliene stepped closer and adjusted the collar of his ceremonial outfit slightly.
"You look terrible in formal clothes," she teased weakly.
Henry laughed awkwardly.
"You sound exactly the same."
For a brief moment, the atmosphere felt just like the old days in Verna beneath the hilltop tree.
Then Juliene stepped back toward the darkness.
"Take care of her," she whispered.
Before Henry could answer, she disappeared silently into the shadows once more.
Henry remained alone on the balcony, staring quietly toward the glowing city below.
Tomorrow—
Everything would change.
The day of the wedding arrived beneath clear blue skies.
From early morning, countless people filled the capital streets hoping to witness even a glimpse of the ceremony. Large magical screens created using Henry's image transmitters had been placed across the city so even common citizens could watch the royal wedding live.
The royal cathedral stood magnificently at the center of the capital decorated entirely in white flowers and silver banners.
Inside, nobles, merchants, adventurers, pirates, scholars, and royalty from many nations filled the massive hall.
Henry stood near the altar trying desperately to remain calm.
Which was failing horribly.
His hands trembled slightly while Nabu adjusted his collar for the tenth time.
"My lord," Nabu sighed, "please breathe."
"I am breathing."
"You look like you are about to collapse."
"This is worse than war."
Nabu gave up trying to respond.
Music slowly filled the cathedral.
Then the doors opened.
Silence spread instantly across the hall.
Irene stepped inside wearing a pure white wedding dress decorated with silver patterns resembling flowing rivers. Her long hair rested gently across her shoulders while a transparent veil partially covered her face.
For the first time since Henry had known her—
She looked shy.
The princess who openly teased ministers and challenged generals now avoided meeting Henry's eyes directly.
Henry himself forgot how to breathe for several seconds.
She slowly walked toward him.
The entire hall watched silently.
Mark smiled proudly from beside the throne while Max crossed his arms with satisfaction. Even Mike, who rarely showed emotion, looked genuinely happy.
Near the back of the cathedral sat Lucian on a wheelchair beside Queen Irwin. Though traces of demonic energy still lingered around him, he smiled softly while watching his aunt.
And hidden far above among the cathedral beams—
Juliene watched silently from the shadows.
Irene finally reached Henry.
The priest began the ceremony.
The vows echoed throughout the cathedral.
"In joy and hardship…"
"In peace and war…"
"In darkness and light…"
Henry looked directly into Irene's eyes.
"No matter what happens," he said quietly, "I'll remain beside you."
Irene smiled softly.
"Even if the world falls apart?"
Henry nodded.
"Even then."
For the first time during the entire ceremony, Irene's confident mask broke completely.
Her eyes became slightly teary.
Then the priest completed the final blessing.
"You may kiss the bride."
The cathedral erupted into cheers.
Outside, fireworks exploded across the sky while magical lights illuminated the entire capital.
The festival lasted deep into the night.
People danced across the streets while musicians played endlessly.
For one brief moment—
The kingdom forgot about wars, demons, politics, and death.
There was only celebration.
Only happiness.
And beneath the countless lights of the capital, Henry and Irene began a new chapter of their lives together.