Let the Games Begin

A Marriage

A heavy silence weighed in the air, Lord Gowns' words almost echoing in the hallway. Instead, they were echoing in all our heads.

I have found my true love is what he said...

I was internally screaming; my face beet red. Panic was an understatement.

"T-true love, your excellency?" Demiurge hesitantly questions the undead, looking rather flustered.

Lord Gown stood still for a moment, silence still filling the rather empty hallway. After the excruciating second passed, a green light flashed over him. Coughing, he quickly composed himself, straightening his poster and standing up tall once again. I'm guessing that the green light has something to do with resetting some of his stats.

"Yes, uh, true love. This woman," Lord Gown turned towards me in the blink of an eye, pointing his bony finger towards me. "Has captured my heart, it truly was true love at first sight."

Suddenly, all eyes were on me.

I could feel the panicked eyes of Noface, probably questioning his reality at this very moment. I could also sense some bewilderment from Demiurge, and some judging eyes further from the room where a well-dressed butler was standing. His gray hair was swept back, his eyes a cloudy gray, a sharp gaze on him.

Like Lord Gown said, time for the performance of a lifetime.

I curtsy to the group whose eyes still haven't left me. Nofaces mouth is probably sweeping the floor by now if you could see anything into that void.

"Greetings everyone, my name is Asteria, the Goddess of Dreams."

"The ten Originals..." I could hear a whisper escape from someone's mouth. I smile gently, placing my cloaked hands on top of my heart, hoping my sweet performance soothes them into a false sense of trust.

"Yes, one of the ten Originals." Almost like in movies, perfectly on cue, a flash of lightning strikes the ground, lighting the room as bright as a cloudless morning sky. A halo engulfed my figure, giving me a heavenly glow. A thunderous crash shook the rundown building, forming new cracks in the walls, and sprinkling dust down from the creaking corners of the room.

"Your Excellency, what is the undead talking about?" Noface hesitantly steps forward. "You, his true love?"

"An undead?" Demiurge scoffed.

"You should be so lucky to be in my master's presence, unknown monster." He snaps at Noface, his voice sharp with scorn.

"Monster?" Noface recoiled in shock. "Know this, demon, you are in the presence of the great Goddess, you should hold your tongue."

"I bow to no master, let alone a Goddess, other than my own." Demiurge nudged his glasses that were resting on the bridge of his nose. The jeweled eyes that crowned his face glinted in the dark and dusty hallway.

I understand his standing, but I am standing right here. Your words hurt, you know?

I guess the irritation was visible from my mood since Lord Gown had turned his attention towards me, nervously sweating.

"I beg your pardon?" Noface shouted at the demon, inching dangerously closer.

"Then beg."

This is bad, the hostility from both sides was like warning sirens inside my head blearing on full blast.

I have to do something.

Shooting daggers at Lord Gown, signaling my message. Do something!

Understanding the situation, especially from the threatening aura from the lady, Ainz Ooal Gown stepped between the two feuding NPCs.

"I think that is enough, Demiurge." His large figure loomed over the two, an aura of dead coming off him.

"I apologize, my Lord." Demiurge bows to the undead, at an almost perfect ninety-degree angle.

"Goddess Asteria, I apologize on behalf of my guardian." Lord Gown bowed his head slightly, gentleness in his voice.

"Lord Ainz!" Demiurge protested, shocked to see his Lord apologize to someone. By his mistake as well.

"Silence!" Lord Gown stretched his hand out, silencing the demon who bowed his head down once again. Amazed, all I can do is nod my head slightly, it seems like my future husband is much more commendable than I had originally thought.

"He has shown you and your subordinate disrespect. Although I have just introduced you to them, they still seem to be weary of others. This is my fault as well since they look up to me for guidance. Allow me to right this wrong. Ask for anything you want." Lord Gown spoke, moving towards me. He grabbed my hand once again, holding it gently, how lovers would hold each other. I guess he is taking this marriage thing more seriously, so I should too. There are just the two of us after all in this world after all, at least that we know of.

I smile at him, relieved. "Then, a wish. That is what I want from you."

"A wi-." He stuttered for a moment before he began to laugh out loud. A flash of green flashed over him again.

"A wish, huh?" He hummed. "That seems like quite the ask."

Maybe I asked for too much since a wish can mean anything, or any amount of anything. But I can't miss the opportunity of having a favor from him. The future is untold, and my powers can only do so much.

"Alright, a wish it is." He placed a hand on my shoulder, almost like he was comforting me.

"Sadly, our time together is short. As you can see, we are in the middle of an attack on the Re-Estize Kingdom. I must go for now, but I hope to find you again soon." Lord Gown snapped his fingers, transforming his regal robes into plates of armor. He was quite the handsome adventurer.

Handsome? I realized my thoughts were already tipping the scales toward his favoritism. Get a grip, Asteria.

"Of course, I shall move my fortress closer to yours, that way we can keep better contact. Safety in numbers." I say, moving closer to Lord Gowns' plated chest. I straighten his adamantite nameplate, placing my palm on his cold and dark armor. Cold armor, despite this, the heart inside is still so warm.

The hairs on my arm stood up, feeling eyes on me. I turn to look, Demiurge, Noface, the striking butler and a human maid were all staring at me. Panicking, I take my hand off Lord Gown.

"What? What did I do? Why is everyone staring at me?" Questioning rapidly, I look around as if seeking for answers from thin air.

A cough could be heard from my side, Lord Gown covering his helmet with his hand.

"It's nothing," He spoke. "I have Sebastian, my butler, give you the coordinates of the fortress. I will see you there."

"Yes," I smile at Lord Gown. "Be safe, dear."

No other words were exchanged between the two players, Ainz Ooal Gown only turned around and walked away from the Goddess, in silence.

Yet to him, the pounding in his chest was deafening and the heat on his cheekbones burning.