Alex.

We arrived in Savoyar closer to noon. Sebastian helped me get to my room and went to the barracks. On the way, he briefly explained the situation with the troops stationed in Savoyar and immediately rushed to Peter upon arrival. Enemy mages should not be here. We decided to send back from Savoyar anyone who would not swear allegiance to the future king. Sebastian himself promised to talk to Sem about the servants, and if they did not take the oath before me, they would also have to be sent back to the Kingdom of the Forest.

We discussed my conversation with my father and his affairs in de Forest during lunch in my office, where we ordered food. He informed me about our upcoming plans and insisted that I wear one of the dresses.

After lunch, we mounted our horses and headed towards the border with the Kingdom of the Forest. Sebastian promised to tell me exactly what we needed to do and why. His self-satisfied smile suggested that he had something interesting in mind. We rode into the forest that separated us from de Forest from the rift side. I thought I guessed where Sebastian was heading, but I decided not to voice my assumptions.

The Ancient - the artifact of the Kingdom of the Forest, the place of lovers' vows, was a majestic Tree. It was unique and charming in its beauty. Its branches, adorned with deep carved patterns, rose towards the sky, and the leaves sparkled with green brilliance, as if radiating life force and magical energy.

The trunk of the Ancient was massive and sturdy, as if embodying magical powers and wisdom. On its bark, one could discern delicate runes imbued with ancient spells and symbols, preserving the secrets and history of the Kingdom. It emitted a tangible aura of magic and grandeur, as if the Tree itself was a living witness to many generations.

A lush carpet of soft green grass and wildflowers spread around, creating a magical atmosphere of tranquility. The wind whispered its secrets gently through the foliage, creating a gentle melodious rustle, as if blessing the lovers.

Lovers making their vows next to this majestic Tree felt the presence of ancient power, confirming their promises and binding their destinies with unbreakable bonds. The Ancient was a witness and guardian of all vows spoken near it.

When my eyes fell on this magical place, my heart stopped in my chest. Although Sebastian had already told me about this amazing artifact, listening to his words and seeing all its majesty was quite different. Goosebumps ran over my skin, feeling the power and magic that permeated this place.

I couldn't take my eyes off the majestic trunk, but at the same time, I couldn't help but notice the mysterious smile on Sebastian's face and the gleam in his eyes, which seemed to turn into an ocean, the waves of which were more turbulent than usual. His blue eyes acquired the shade of the sea depth, as if they absorbed all the magic surrounding us.

"It's simply breathtaking," I couldn't help but express my admiration, turning to Sebastian.

"As are you today," he approached closer, leaned in, and lightly kissed my bare shoulder.

He embraced me around the waist and began to kiss gently. "How I missed you, my love. I will never leave you again," Sebastian whispered in my ear, his kisses caressing my neck, face, and cheeks. I tilted my head, exposing my neck to his tenderness.

"Sebastian, this is all so... romantic, but why are we here?" I began to suffocate from his increasing passion, which enveloped my body with passionate waves.

He chuckled softly, pressing against my neck, but soon pulled away. "You're always so impatient, my girl."

Sebastian took my hand and led me to the artifact itself.

"Place your palm on it and don't remove it until we're done," he took my hand and pressed it to one of the runes on the trunk.

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I looked at him with a questioning look but did not remove my hand.

"Just trust me, my joy," Sebastian said, stepping back and placing his hand on the adjacent rune, a little further away.

"Another ritual?" I asked, shifting my gaze from my hand, under which the power of the rune began to awaken, to the exact same rune under Sebastian's palm.

"It's not just a ritual. There are various runes on this trunk, and the right one must be chosen, otherwise the ritual won't work. These runes," Sebastian pointed to ours, "bind our souls and bodies with marital vows. Previously, marriages in our kingdom were concluded this way. But with the advent of contractual marriages, this ritual has taken a back seat, and now the priests of the Ancient bless engagements and marriages. Over there," he nodded to another rune, "is the rune used for engagement. It symbolizes the promise to return here and make vows. These rituals were considered sacred, as they bind engagement and marriage with the power of the ancients and their blessings."

"Marriage ritual?" I asked, beginning to breathe faster. Everything is happening so swiftly. And he didn't even ask if I agree. Apparently, my thought process was clearly readable on my face.

"You're not intending to refuse, darling," Sebastian asserted rather than asked.

"Don't you think you're a bit too confident, Sebastian?" I looked at him, feeling confused and uncertain about whether I was ready to bind myself to him with unbreakable bonds so soon. I loved Sebastian, but our relationship had always been so ambiguous and unstable. I wasn't sure how long I could endure such fluctuations in the future.

"More like deeply in love with you, my joy. And ready to bind my life to yours here and now with the strongest and most unbreakable bonds I've ever known," Sebastian said with a smile. It seemed his doubts about the correctness of this decision didn't trouble him, as he had already pondered and decided for himself.

"Sebastian, I..." I didn't know how to explain my doubts to him without causing pain. But apparently, he saw my confusion.

"Alesandra de Savoyar, before these ancient powers, I, Sebastian de Forest, promise to love you, cherish you, and remain faithful. I promise to be your support and protection, in joy and sorrow. I promise to respect and value every day of our life together. Becoming a part of your soul, I promise to cherish and treat it gently. May our union be as strong as the roots of this tree and grow with each passing day, like its branches reaching for the sky. I accept you with love and devotion and promise to stand by you through all trials. As long as I breathe and my heart beats, as long as my soul lives, I will belong only to you, my queen, from this moment and forever," Sebastian spoke his vows confidently and calmly, and the rune's magic flared up when he finished.

I didn't know what to say; his words resonated with a sweet melody in my soul, and my doubts melted away, for I believed that every word he spoke was true.

"Sebastian, I... I love you, but this is so sudden," I said, feeling my heart beating faster. "Our relationship is so ambiguous, your fiancée, the king, all these unspoken things, it seems we hardly know anything about each other, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for this step right now. I want to be with you, but I don't know if we'll regret it when all external threats disappear, and it's just us," I spoke, feeling tears filling my eyes. I wasn't ready to let go of Sebastian, but I wasn't ready to give vows either, not yet.

Sebastian listened attentively, his expressive eyes penetrating my soul. Without removing his hand, he said with tenderness in his voice, "My dear, I understand your doubts and fears, and they matter to me. I would gladly give you as much time as necessary, but unfortunately, we don't have it. The vows at the Ancient are the only way to bind your life and mine inseparably. If my plan fails, after the ritual, no one will be able to harm you without harming me. You know Father's and the Count's plans; I haven't come up with another way to give you even a ghostly chance of preserving your life. Forgive me," his voice still sounded gentle, but there was pain in his eyes.

He lowered his head. "Alex, my dear, the ritual won't work if you're not sure, if you're really not ready to accept me. Just remove your hand, and we'll return to Savoyar," Sebastian didn't look at me anymore; he breathed heavily, waiting for my decision.

"Sebastian..." I stood there and watched his chest rise and fall, his disheveled hair covering his face. My feelings mingled inside me, seeing him so sincere and vulnerable. I asked myself only one question, "Will I allow my fears today to put an end to our shared tomorrow?"

"Sebastian, I won't promise that it will be easy with me, that I will never ask silly questions or make you angry. But I know for sure that I can't imagine my life without you, that I love you, and I'm ready to take this step and accept your marriage vow to be by your side, support you, and love you always. Today, I choose you and give you my heart and soul. I promise to be your wife, a devoted friend, a faithful ally. As long as I breathe and my heart beats, as long as my soul lives, I will belong only to you from this moment and forever," the rune under my hand flared up.

The Ancient accepted our vows; now Sebastian and I are married.