170: Husband and Wife

Husband and Wife

Music Recommendation: Canon in D Major- My Little Lullabies  2

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The ceremony was held in the palace's main hall. 

The guests had already taken their seats, and the priest delivered his sermon to unite Dante and Anastasia in matrimony. The couple gazed lovingly at each other, and Anastasia was glad that the veil hid her blush, which showed no signs of fading from her face. Dante looked at her as if she was the only one in the room, as if she was all he needed to exist. 

When a tear spilled from Mr. Flores's eye, Mrs. Flores passed him a handkerchief.

"My future great grandbabies are going to be exceptionally good-looking." The Mother Queen had already begun designing outfits for the yet-to-be-born little ones. She remarked, "They make a stunning couple, don't they?"

"They do, milady," Aziel agreed, standing beside her. 

As the priest carried on, the minister's gaze swept across the guests, and he remarked, "It appears the invitation didn't have the desired effect."

The Mother Queen emitted a soft harrumph and commented, "At least we know he is a compliant devil who listens." It seemed that the Devil had likely discerned her ploy and decided to ignore her. 

Princess Emily discreetly shook her head upon hearing her grandmother's words. She smiled as she watched her brother and Anna getting married. While she was engrossed in watching the wedding ceremony, something suddenly caught her attention. 

A smoky aroma wafted through the air as if someone had brought a hookah into the hall. She frowned. Were they unaware that a wedding was taking place here? Her eyes scanned the guests and settled on an individual with dark red hair. As if sensing her gaze, Raylen's blue eyes met hers, and he offered her a smile. 

Emily gave him a subtle bow from where she stood before her gaze continued to scan through the room. It was then that her eyes locked onto a pair of captivating eyes set in a handsome face that stared back right at her with a hint of curiosity. The man had dirty-blond hair, which was elegantly combed to the side. 

"Do you, King Dante Blackthorn, take Anastasia Flores to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the priest. 

"I do," Dante replied, and he heard Anastasia's heart skip a beat. 

The priest turned to address her next, asking, "And do you, Anastasia Flores, take King Dante to be your lawfully wedded husband?" 

"I do," Anastasia responded with ease. 

She had spent the previous night and even this morning tossing and turning, consumed by anxiety about how things would unfold. However, with Dante by her side, it had become more manageable. The priest then declared, 

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The room erupted in a chorus of cheers and applause before music began to fill the air. However, Anastasia paid no attention to the celebration, her focus entirely on Dante as he drew near. Gently, he lifted the veil that had partially concealed her face, pushing it back. 

Anastasia's heart didn't stop racing, and a surge of emotion welled up within her, not because she was sad but because she was happier than ever before. She felt Dante's hand snake around her waist, drawing her close before he leaned in and kissed her lips. She kissed him back, sharing a silent vow to always be there for each other. 

"We now belong to each other in every word and form," Dante whispered against her lips, and he slowly pulled away. "I love you, Anastasia."

Anastasia couldn't prevent her eyes from welling up with tears, quickly blinking them away. She said, "I love you, Dante. My husband."

"Completely yours." Dante couldn't help but press his forehead against hers, feeling as though he had been blessed, a sense of tranquillity washing over him. He whispered, "My rabbit," and her smile warmed his heart.

"Only yours," Anastasia replied, while the cheers in the room carried on. 

"Let's give another round of applause to the King and Queen of Versailles," the Mother Queen declared, and the cheers continued. 

Shortly after, a variety of drinks and appetisers were served one after another as the guests took their turns approaching the newly married couple to offer their personal congratulations. After the Mother Queen finished bestowing her blessings, it was time for Mr. and Mrs. Flores to step forward. 

"Congratulations, Dante and Anna." Mr. Flores offered his well-wishes and warmly embraced his daughter's husband. "I know you will take good care of her." He affectionately patted the young man's back. 

Dante hugged Mr. Flores back before they pulled away, and he said, "Thank you for entrusting her to me. I will always cherish her, Mr. Flores."

"You don't need to call me Mr. Flores anymore. We are family now," Mr. Flores said to Dante, and then he added, "You can call me 'papa'."

Dante's eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected gesture, and for the briefest moment, he teared up. He smiled and said, "Thank you. Papa," and hugged him once more. 

Anastasia flashed a grateful smile at her father, silently mouthing a heartfelt 'Thank you' to him. She knew that these gestures might seem small, but they held great significance for Dante, whose father had kept him at arm's length, denying him the privilege of having a father figure in his life, despite being alive. 

Aiden, standing beside his sister, remarked, "Who would have thought that she, the same woman who used a pan to strike a man in the Bazaar, would end up becoming my sister-in-law?"

Emily smiled and mused, "They had a connection from the very first day they danced together. If you think about it, it is quite remarkable, isn't it? The fact that Brother Dante is now a married man."

"You are right, Lily," Aiden nodded, and he then noticed his sister frowning. "What has caught your attention?" 

"I've been detecting the smell of smoke," Emily said before her eyes returned to the individual with dirty-blond hair that was just leaving the room. She added, "I will be back soon."

Stepping out of the hall, Emily followed the scent to another corridor, where she finally located the same man. He stood there, tall and impeccably dressed. As if sensing her presence, possibly due to her footsteps being louder than usual, he turned to meet her hazel eyes. 

Emily could feel her heart rate quickening as realisation began to sink in. She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and it was finally here. Could this person truly be her destined soulmate?

As if wanting to touch him to confirm, Emily took a step forward, but the man clenched his teeth before saying, "Don't get any closer."

Emily's initial eagerness began to wane, giving way to confusion in her eyes. She said, "I don't understand…"

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