Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 128: Nightmare

The melodious and sacred hymns, doves soaring in flight, countless neatly dressed guests with smiles on their faces, and a girl in a pristine wedding gown standing before a priest, seemingly waiting quietly for her turn.

Strange, how time flies so quickly? Am I really about to marry Aeloria?

As Darn's thoughts sluggishly turned, he struggled to recall how he had suddenly arrived at the Temple of Light. Oddly enough, he could remember nothing, as if all memories were consumed by the grand wedding scene before him, save for the slender figure of the girl, her back turned towards him.

Hmm, I must have drunk too much. After the ceremony in the temple, I must remember to drink less at the banquet... Wait, did I drink a lot before coming here!?

A sudden thought flashed through his mind, but before Darn could grasp its content, he refocused his gaze on the girl's back and slowly began to move forward.

Step by step, he approached the altar at the deepest part of the temple, beyond which stood the statue of the Supreme God and the altar for sacrifices. Yet, both the statue and the altar, as well as the surrounding guests, even the priest waiting to officiate the wedding, appeared blurred in Darn's eyes. The only thing that remained clear was the increasingly distinct silhouette of the girl, enveloped in her white wedding gown.

Aeloria looks so beautiful today. They say a girl is at her most stunning when she wears a wedding gown, and that saying couldn't be more accurate...

As thoughts of admiration slowly turned in his mind, Darn finally reached the girl's side. Oddly enough, what seemed like just a few short steps felt like an eternity, yet in the blink of an eye, he had arrived. However, before Darn could ponder the reason behind this, the girl slowly turned to face him.

Ah-how is the bride not Aeloria, but... Jesseta!?

Darn's eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed ahead, where the blissful priestess looked at him tenderly, her radiant smile illuminating the space.

This... is so confusing! Why do I feel so disoriented? Shouldn't I be marrying Aeloria first, then find a way to prevent Jesseta from passing the saintly trials, and only then marry her? Why am I entering the temple with Jesseta before Aeloria has even wed me!?

Though his heart swelled with joy, Darn sensed something was amiss, especially when he turned to survey the guests around him and found not a single familiar face, which only deepened his unease.

However, when the priest loudly proclaimed the marriage vows and turned to ask Darn, the boy cast aside all doubts and anxieties. What does it matter? I'll marry Jesseta first! With that thought, Darn heard the priest's final question.

"Do you wish to take this lady as your wife?"

"I do!"

Huh? Why was there only one question? This is too simple and careless! Isn't there supposed to be a blessing in the name of the Supreme God and an inquiry about any objections?

I'm somewhat dissatisfied as I glance at the priest, recalling the numerous solemn words spoken at weddings I've attended in the past. Darn felt discontent with the simplicity of his own wedding ceremony.

Yet when the priest asked Jesseta the same question and she softly replied, "I do," Darn cast aside his grievances and eagerly prepared to place the ring, symbolizing their sacred union, on the hand of the woman who had just agreed to the marriage.

Hmm, when did this ring come into my possession? It seems like an ordinary platinum band, without even a single gem embedded. How shabby... Hmm, could this ring be a deliberate choice by my grandfather and the others because I'm to marry Jesseta first? If that's the case, I must get Jesseta a better one!