All the people turned their attention to the newcomer, a woman with long azure hair cascading down to her waist. She was dressed in a pure white gown that flowed like a river, adorned with delicate lace and embellished with blue flowers that matched her enchanting sea-blue eyes. A transparent veil adorned with flower patterns was draped over her head, connecting to her shawl. However, none of her exquisite attire or accessories could compare to the radiant beauty of her pearl-like skin, which was only visible on her arms. On her right wrist, she wore a water bracelet with tiny floating flowers inside.
Platter, Platter, she began to walk, but instead of stepping on the floor, her feet gracefully moved on the surface of the water.
With a gentle bubble and burble, the water slowly formed a pathway leading to the center hall. It shimmered with a radiant and dazzling light. When the water touched the feet of the people, it was surprisingly warm instead of cool.
Aria walked along the water pathway, creating ripples with every step and causing water flowers to float up. All eyes were fixed on her.
Ella gazed at her and whispered, “You are truly beautiful.”
Saint Rexton murmured, “Blue-River.”
Suddenly, a burst of joyful laughter erupted from behind her. “Hehehe, Oily, I will go first!” exclaimed a child dressed in white, holding a pole with a circular wind chime at the top. He ran ahead of Aria.
Wink! wink, cling. “Joel, we’re coming too!” shouted another group of children, running along the water pathway, causing splashes of water to transform into floating flowers that filled the air.
“Ha ha ha, I’ll be the first!” Joel exclaimed, running even faster.
The sound of wind chimes and the laughter of the children echoed throughout the entire hall. Water balls began to rise from the floor, spinning and creating melodic notes. The instruments came to life.
Suddenly, a group of girls rushed out from behind. “All the boys are so dull, they don’t understand romance at all! We can’t let them outshine us, girls! Let’s go!” said a lovely girl named Lauren. White dress also match her well.
“All right, Lauren,” the other girls nodded in agreement. Each girl held a basket filled with delicate white flowers called Snow Wind, the only flowers that could be found during this winter season.
The girls split off in different directions, forming a circle shape with their movements. The water pathway followed their steps. Some girls sprinkled flowers onto the water, while others handed them to the people. These flowers fell in a unique way, appearing more transparent, but emanating a comforting warmth.
Plat! Plat! Plat! Suddenly, a young child came running from behind. “Kids! You need to let Aria pass through the center hall before running like that,” a clear voice called out.
His attire matched Aria’s, a white suit with long sleeves and pants, a white shawl draped over his shoulder down to his waist. He had deep blue hair tied in a long braid, with tiny white flowers attached to it. At his chest, he wore a white flower made from folded fabric. And of course, his beloved sachet still hung from his waist.
Plat, Plat, Plat, Rain walked over to Aria. “Huh… Kids are hard to handle, running around like frightened fish… Are you okay with all this commotion, Aria?”
Aria looked at Rain, lifted her veil, and smiled. “This is also good, a lively event with people smiling. Don’t worry about it. You’ve done quite well in such a short time.”
“Nah, if I had more time, I would teach these mischievous kids some good manners,” Rain replied, shaking his head.
Aria looked at him with a half-closed eyelid and flicked a water flower that was floating nearby onto Rain’s face. Plop. The water scattered on Rain’s cheek. “You’re the one who needs training,” Aria said.
“What!? Haven’t you seen how I perform?” Rain exclaimed, moving his hand elegantly from left to right. “See, see, like a royal man in the castle.”
“Okay, okay, everyone is waiting for us. Let’s continue,” Aria said. Sweet smiled appeared.
Rain smiled and bowed, extending his hand forward. “Princess, please allow me to be your knight guard.”
Aria giggled, touched her lip with her left hand, and placed her other hand on Rain’s hand. “Thank you, Sir Astra.”
Rain straightened up, with his other hand held upright in front of him. Both Rain and Aria walked gracefully towards the center. When they reached Ella, Aria lifted Rain’s hand and stepped up onto the platform, standing tall beside Ella.
The two princesses looked at each other, smiled, and Ella touched her scepter with one hand while her other hand touched the tip of her robe. She then bent her knee and bowed. Aria crossed her fingers over her chest and bent her knee to bow back.
The songs stopped, and the kids and people stopped talking. Hearts raced as all eyes were fixed on this moment, not knowing what would happen next.
“Greetings, Life of the Blue River, Princess Astaria,” Ella said.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, Light of Lestria, Princess Elmyra,” Aria said.
Both of them lifted their heads. Aria turned her head to Saint Rexton, who was standing behind her, and said, “Greetings, Marquise Rexton of WhiteRey. It’s an honor. That have Marquise welcome this little river as well.”
Saint Rexton was momentarily shocked, but then he smiled widely and laughed out loud. “Hahaha! This old man is overjoyed! I feel truly sorry in my heart that the other saints, elites, and royals could not witness this event. Even King Lestria would shed a tear.”
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He touched his heart, making a cleng sound, and then sat down with one knee on the ground. “I, Haig Rexton of WhiteRey, am honored to greet the life of the blue river, Princess Astaria.”
All of the followers and knights were shocked by their master’s behavior. They quickly followed suit and sat down with one knee on the ground. However, Saint Rexton stood up agilely, prompting the knights to stand up as well.
Saint Rexton turned his body and stepped down from the platform.
“Grandfather! What’s happening? Where are we going?” Follower Willna asked.
“We’re looking for a seat! Hahaha! Thank God I’m still alive. I never thought I would have the chance to see this again.” Saint Rexton walked to the last row and luckily found one seat left. One knight had reserved this seat for him. Saint Rexton bowed and thanked the young knight. “Thank you for your kindness, young man.”
Follower Calder looked at Rain, who noticed him and smiled. Rain performed a horizon cross fingers gesture, bowed, and greeted Calder.
Calder was taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. He touched his heart and returned the greeting with a bow. He then turned his body and walked after Saint Rexton, muttering under his breath, “She is a male, why? My heart… it hurts like this.”
Ella looked at Rain with half-closed eyes. “Raccoon, you broke his tiny heart.”
Rain’s eyes widened. “What!? Who? When? How? What are you talking about?” He raised his hands in front of him, signaling that he needed more explanation.
Ella continued speaking. “If you had just worn a dress or some beastkin apparel, or at least put on a little red lipstick, his heart wouldn’t have been broken like that.”
“What? Ella, is your heart hurt because I didn’t wear a costume?” Rain was even more confused.
Aria stirred swiftly, mimicking Rain’s speech. “I’m also sad, you rejected me like that. You said, ‘No, I don’t wear girl dresses or don ears and a tail of a beastkin. everyone has misunderstood me. Just mistaking me for a kid is enough. But to mistake me for a girl, I will die of shame and live underground forever.’”
Ella nodded in agreement. “What a waste, not knowing your own value.”
Rain exclaimed, “Aria! Ella! Why are you both so mean to me like this? Argh—“
“Argh, women are dangerous,” Ella and Aria said simultaneously.
Rain looked at both ladies, there was a moment of silence… then he burst out laughing. The two ladies also covered their mouths and giggled along.
The onlookers were pleased with the scene, finding it adorable to see these princesses and a young man. Smiles appeared on their faces.
Aria touched her hair gently, and tiny water flowers bloomed. “At least, he accepted our flowers as decoration.” She picked a flower and stepped closer to Lestria Princess and attached it to her hair.
Ella gently touched the flower, pleased with it, and smiled slightly. “If not, I would have smashed his head back into his body. We were looking for it the entire hour before dawn.” Ella rotated her scepter, Wink, wink, It changed back into the White Regalia Sword.
Rain looked at Ella with half-closed eyelids and said, “I also helped you both look for it.”
Ella looked at Rain and replied, “Humph, Raccoon. You only found one flower. That doesn’t count.” Ella removed the gems that adorned her sword and stepped closer to Blue River Princess, and attached them to her hair.
Both Aria and Ella repeated this process, while continuing to talk like ladies. Rain also chimed in from time to time.
From the back row bench, Follower Willna asked, “Grandfather, what are Saint Ella and Saint Aria doing? Why are they trading items like that?”
Saint Rexton replied, “Little Willna, they are playing.”
“Playing?” Follower Willna confused.
“Yes, they are playing a princess game. They have started creating an empire alliance treaty. The princesses are trading their precious possessions to acknowledge each other’s existence.” Rexton said as he touched his beard. “What have she discovered that gives her confidence in choosing Blue River…”
“...” Follower Willna gently touched her chin as she thought of something.
Aria and Ella finished trading their items and both turned to look at Rain, saying at the same time, “Your turn.”
Rain shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Yes, yes, this humble one will perform the rite for these two pretty princesses.”
Aria giggled while Ella touched her forehead and swayed her head.
Ripple, Ripple, Faye walked out from the shadows. She was still wearing her usual long red dress, her eyes shining like rubies. However, today she had her long hair tied up in a bun and adorned only with a ruby pin that matched her earrings. Her white collarbone and shoulders were enticingly revealed, catching the attention of many men.
She approached Rain, held a crystal chalice in her hand. It was clear and transparent, almost disappearing in the darkness if without any light reflecting on it.
Ripple! Faye stopped and handed the chalice to Rain.
Rain grabbed it and tilted it left and right, peering inside. There was nothing inside, so he looked at Faye and asked, “Does it have a curse?”
Faye’s mouth lifted slightly as she replied, “Yes, plenty of curses.”
Rain smiled and said, “Wow, I like it—”
“Rain, do I look beautiful today?” Faye asked.
Rain’s eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself and tilted his head slightly. In a language that had never been heard before, Rain replied, “El, le, fay, eye, der, traeh, taeb.”
Faye smiled gently, lifted her dress slightly by bending her knee, and said, “Thank you, Rain.”
Rain placed his fist over his heart and bowed gracefully.
Ella tugged on Aria’s dress and asked, “Aria, what did he just say?”
Aria replied, “I don’t know either, but judging by how Red Witch looked pleased, it must have been something good, very good.” Aria looked at Rain with sharp eyes.
Sensing the coldness in the atmosphere, Rain quickly raised his hands and said, “It’s just a normal compliment in the far northern language.”
However, Faye playfully glanced at the two princesses with teasing eyes.
Jiggle, She lightly touched her earring, then grazed her lip with her fingers.
Ella and Aria immediately turned their attention to Rain and simultaneously exclaimed, “Liar!”
“I’m telling the truth, Faye. Why did you do that?” Rain retorted.
Instead of answering, Faye simply smiled and took a step back, leaving Rain alone in front of the two princesses.
“Ugh, you’ve left me with a bomb once again, and this time, two bombs!” Rain complained.
“Huh! Raccoon, do you think of me as a bomb? Your father is a bomb, and your ancestors are bombs too!” Ella retorted, gripping her blade tightly.
Rain raised both hands in defense and said, “No, no, no! I misspoke. I meant to say ‘bloom,’ as in a blooming flower.”
“Slippery mouth! I want to cut—“ Ella began, reaching for her blade.
“Cough, cough, Lady Ella, it’s time. People have been waiting for us for so long,” Rave interjected, trying to calm everyone down.
Ella crossed her arms and huffed, “Humph! We’ll discuss this matter later.” Aria also shot a sharp look at Rain to confirm what Ella had said.
Rain felt a shiver down his spine, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded at Rave. “Thank you,” he whispered. Rave nodded back, indicating that everything was fine.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Rain took a few steps forward towards the two princesses, holding out a chalice. As he did, water and floating flowers filled the entire hall, creating a radiant glow.
“I’ll ask one last time, are you really sure to go through with this…”
Aria and Ella’s eyes glowed as they answered, “Yes.”
In the darkness, Faye whispered, “Yes.”
The girl behind the rain said, “Yes.”
Even some people in the church hall responded with, “Yes.” Saint Rexton also agreed, saying “Yes.”
A bird perched on the edge of a window let out a “Tweet.”
A crouching dog barked with a loud “Woof.”
The shadows of the people raised their hands.
The woman living in the reflection of the water nodded.
The faceless man standing on the opposite side of the rain smiled widely.
“Huh, all of you are so mean to me… So be it.” He slowly closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, his hair glowed with a sea color and his eyes shone brightly, reflecting the sky. “This World is beautiful, right?”