Chapter 185: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Chapter 185: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Life is filled with significant moments, each second etched in our memories.
Take now, for example, when Luk was dressed in a pure white tuxedo, enduring Lady Roine's endless chatter.
"Do you remember when you first came here, so small and adorable, with Laniel carrying you in her backpack?"
Lady Roine held Luk's hand, her eyes reflecting fond memories.
Following her words, Luk also recalled his arrival. Back then, he was nearly starved to death by Laniel, who, realizing she couldn't properly care for a child, brought him from the cave to the Campbell Manor.
The first time he met Lady Roine, she was dressed in a dark golden gown, seated regally at the top of the grand hall, radiating elegance and grace as she managed the Campbell family with poise.
Time, however, is unkind. Today, Lady Roine's hair is mostly silver, wrinkles have crept onto her face, and her spirit is weary. Only her dignified and composed demeanor hints at her youthful charm.
"Back then, Amir would run to your room every day, always telling me how much he wanted you to grow up so he could play with you. It seems like only yesterday, and now he's been away for a year, and you're all grown up, about to start a family."
Luk gave an awkward yet polite smile. "I understand your sentiment, but please, don't act like you're giving me away."
Lady Roine sighed softly. "It's just that Trela has been so assertive in planning the wedding. That girl is very independent, and I'm relieved she'll be taking care of you."
"It's the other way around."
"I don't believe someone who studies magic and has an irregular schedule can take care of others properly. So, she'll take care of you."
Lady Roine closed her eyes, gently touching Luk's cheek, her voice tender.
"Still, don't be too much of a handful. Both of you need to be considerate. It's hard for one to always accommodate the other."
Luk nodded in agreement, glanced at the sky, and bid farewell to Lady Roine.
"There's a lot to do for the wedding. I should go make other preparations."
Lady Roine smiled and waved. "Go ahead, I'll be waiting for you at the ceremony."
Leaving the room, Luk reviewed the wedding process and entered the room labeled "Dressing Room" by Trela. Inside, he found two makeup artists and a drowsy Fliyan, who was rubbing her eyes.
"What are you doing here?"
Fliyan, half-asleep, replied, "Trela said she needed someone to carry the rings, so she picked me."
"How do you want to look?"
The makeup artist stared at Luk's flawless face, unsure where to start.
"Something ordinary."
The makeup artist hesitated, finding no imperfections to cover, and finally applied a light lip gloss to Luk.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, accompanied by the shocked cries of the servants and maids outside.
"Miss Trela, it's not time yet, please wait!"
"I won't wait, get out!"
The door was kicked open, and Trela, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, entered, holding up her skirt.
"Are you in a rush?"
Luk looked at Trela, a bit surprised.
"I'm afraid you'll be nervous, so I came to calm you down."
Trela bit her nails, looking a bit anxious.
Seeing her like this, Luk furrowed his brow, pursed his lips, and nodded. "Indeed, my heart is racing a bit. Seeing you helps."
"Don't worry, it'll be over soon."
Seeing Luk equally nervous, Trela felt better, her mood gradually calming. She walked up to him, the elf in the white gown looking like a prince from a fairy tale.
But after a moment, Trela's expression turned cold.
"Who did his makeup?"
The makeup artist nervously approached, knowing the bride was dissatisfied.
"Redo it. Darken his skin, and make his features more rugged."
Trela was serious. She wouldn't be outshone at her own wedding, especially not by the groom. If that happened, her pride would be irreparably damaged.
"Ah?"
The makeup artist had never heard such an outrageous request in her career.
Luk didn't object. "Do as she says."
With the groom's consent, the makeup artist had no choice but to start over.
When everything was done, Trela still felt something was off. "His hair is too long. Cut it shorter."
Luk frowned, glanced at his somewhat guilty fiancee, and nodded after a moment. "Do as she says."
After everything was complete, Trela, satisfied, left, holding up her gown.
Luk looked at himself in the mirror, feeling a bit critical.
Fliyan, who had been silently observing, spoke up. "You weren't nervous. Why did you pretend to be?"
"It's a kind lie, to provide emotional support to my partner."
"I just heard that." Fliyan's gaze shifted, and she placed a small box in Luk's hand.
"Exchange the rings yourselves. I have something to attend to."
The wedding followed all the usual formalities, with the only notable differences being the outdoor venue atop a hill and the ceremony being scheduled for the afternoon. Trella’s preparations seemed rather ordinary.
As time passed, the guests gradually arrived.
There weren’t many attendees. Since Luk had not become Lady Roine’s adopted son, he couldn’t invite other nobles under the Campbell family’s name. The guests were old friends of Lady Roine, invited in her personal capacity.
The bride’s side was equally small, limited to immediate family, which seemed to be the result of Trella’s insistence on minimizing boring social obligations, considering Luk’s aversion to them.
Adding the mansion’s butlers and servants, this was the entire gathering.
Accompanied by the melodious strains of a violin, the two newlyweds made their grand entrance.
The elf, with a face darker than usual and a buzz cut, walked arm in arm with Trella, who was dressed in a luxurious wedding gown. Despite the odd contrast, they still made a handsome couple.
"That’s Luk, the one who developed the flying magic, right? Quite an impressive talent, to achieve such a feat at such a young age."
"He does look good, but he’s a bit... dark. I thought elves who spend all their time indoors would be much paler."
"The bride is beautiful, isn’t she? I remember she’s Trella from the Grier family."
Lady Roine was clearly surprised by Luk’s appearance, but the few old friends beside her couldn’t stop praising him.
"Both of them are beautiful. Your elf child has grown up so well."
"He’s not usually like this."
"It’s normal to dress up a bit for a wedding!"
Lady Roine couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, understanding the situation.
The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly, with the officiant delivering a moving account of their love story.
A young man from the Campbell family, upon seeing the Grier family’s daughter in the capital, fell deeply in love at first sight. He pursued her fiercely, gradually winning the heart of the noble lady. To prove himself worthy, he dedicated himself to developing flying magic.
The elf worked tirelessly, day and night, and after a long period of research, successfully completed the flying magic. This earned him the necessary fame and wealth, allowing him to marry the woman he loved.
The simple story, told with the officiant’s professional flair, became a touching and moving tale.
The only problem was that none of it was true.
"Isn’t this a bit too much?"
Luk spoke in a flat voice.
Trella’s face was slightly flushed as she whispered, "It’s just a small embellishment. Do you want me to say I tricked you into this?"
"That’s the truth."
"The truth isn’t romantic enough."
The ceremony continued smoothly, reaching the ring exchange. Luk pulled out a box from his pocket.
Trella was taken aback. "Where’s Fleurian?"
"She had something come up last minute and couldn’t make it."
"That’s a shame. I was hoping a thousand-year-old elf would bless our marriage to last forever."
"This elf has been single for a thousand years. Are you sure you want her blessing?"
Luk took out a ring and handed it to Trella, holding the other one between his thumb and forefinger, bringing it close to Trella’s hand.
"Be good, focus. This is the most important moment."
At this point, even Luk’s voice softened, and his movements were incredibly gentle as he slipped the silver mirror lotus ring onto her slender, beautiful hand.
This tender gesture made Trella stop complaining, her face turning slightly red as she placed the man’s ring on Luk’s hand.
"It would be nice if you talked to me like this more often."
"Am I not usually like this?"
"Not by a long shot!"
"Sorry, I’ll try to improve."
With the ring exchange complete, the officiant enthusiastically announced the final part of the ceremony.
"Now, the groom may kiss his beautiful bride!"
Luk and Trella’s eyes met, then quickly looked away, only to meet again.
Strangely, despite having kissed before and even shared more intimate moments, this moment truly stirred Luk’s heart.
"You’ve done a great job with the wedding."
Trella blinked. "So far, it’s all been standard stuff."
"Is there anything else you’ve planned?"
Luk chuckled softly, then kissed Trella, who was about to speak, eliciting a loud cheer from the crowd.
At the same time, a meteor streaked across the sky, its azure tail breaking the tranquil night.
Then came a second, a third...
Countless meteors, like silver ribbons, rained down, as if the stars themselves were cascading from the heavens, painting the dark sky with bright, silvery strokes.
"A half-century meteor shower. It’s a rare sight that only happens once every fifty years."
Trella, nestled in Luk’s arms, peeked out. "Not a bad touch for a wedding, right?"
Luk’s lips curved into a smile. "There are other touches too."
A sea of flowers began to bloom around them, countless blooms bursting through the earth, their intoxicating fragrance filling the entire venue.
"Flower field magic."
Luk stroked Trella’s stunned face. "No need to wait fifty years. If you want to see it, I can create it for you anytime."
(End of Chapter)
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