5

The big day had finally arrived. The wedding's celebration would be at midday, and everyone in the whole Realm was excited about the wedding.

In the previous days the people who was away from their homes returned and in consequence, the people started travelling to the capital city.

Although every effort to make the Palace shine was something Astreia was pleased about, she was still worried for her sister's intentions.

—Lady Astreia! —Shiva walked directly to her, catching her attention—. 

—Shiva, why were you there? I need you in the gardens. —Astreia half smiled at her—.

—We want you to start dressing in a couple of hours. You have to eat still and —Shiva looks at the Sun— my goodness! It's going go be late! Milady, you must hurry!

Within seconds, Shiva took Astreia's arm and started walking towards the enormous bathroom inside the couple's bedroom.

Shiva made Astreia submerge in the huge bath —a bath that could be considered as a small pool—.

She took Astreia's favourite flowers —lavenders and lilies— to spill in the water for her.

After she was sure Astreia would relax, Shiva made her way out the bathroom, smiling.

She told her sprite to go and search for Az'rune and inform her if anything was bad or mistaken.

Then she teleported herself into Astreia's chapel.

She had some work to do before the wedding. And it was going to be a day to remember.

Back in the Palace, Az'rune was walking all around their bedroom, not sure if he could enter the bathroom and see Astreia. He was sure he couldn't help himself if Astreia was pleased in the bath.

So, deciding not to enter, Az'rune finally went directly to the Palace's gardens. He was sitting at the shadow of an ancient tree, when he started feeling sick.

A shiver went down his spine, and he knew something bad would happen in the following days.

As a premonition, he saw a horrid vision of Astreia's death while protecting someone. And she was smiling at him, for some unknown reason. 

—Lilith, appear now. 

A small black fairy appeared in front of his master, smiling and bowing at him.

—What do you need, Master? —Lilith was preoccupied about her urgent invocation.

—I need you to start guarding the Void's prison.

—Why would you need it, Master? 

—I've had a vision. I can only entrust this to you.

—I will do it with my life if necessary, Master.

—I thought of you —Az'rune talked, giving her a small obsidian stone— because you are strong enough to resist Neesa's lure.

—I'm pleased, Master. —Lilith bowed—. Anything else I can help with?

—Use the stone to communicate everything to me. Even the smallest of the changes.

—Yes, Master. 

The black fairy bowed and disappeared into a blacky fog before teleporting herself to the Void's Realm. There, she could see nothing but emptiness. 

A sadistic voice resounded all over the empty space, making Lilith stay more aware of her surroundings.

—Oh, my beloved brother sent his little fairy to control me, how sweet. —Neesa spoke.

—He fears you can escape, Neesa. And I don't fear you. You can do nothing to me.

—You think of yourself as an immortal fairy, don't you? —Neesa smiled— You are so mistaken. 

—Say whatever you want, Neesa. You can't lure me. —Lilith stood half conscious, half distracted thinking about the wedding.

Neesa's power wasn't strong enough for her to eliminate the prison, but she still had other plans for her brother.

To her misfortune, Az'rune sent his little fairy to his sister, and the fairy knew well of Neesa's tricks. Neesa had one more opportunity to lure the fairy. She could not fail herself again.

—Do you know, Neesa? —Lilith spoke happily, smiling at the prisoner— Today's Astreia and Az'rune's wedding.

—And are you telling me this because you want to make me angry, don't you?

—I just thought you needed to know, beasty.

—Oh wow, that's pretty irrelevant. —Neesa smiled at the nothingness.— But I do appreciate it, Lilith. 

—Wow, I didn't know you had feelings. 

—And I do. —Neesa lied in the middle of the prison— But you are nothing to me, little fairy.

—Appreciate it, Neesa. Plus, I don't really care. —Lilith smiled looking at the obsidian stone. She could see the wedding into it and it was fascinating.

.

.

Meanwhile, in the Palace, the Gardens were already filled with people of all races dressed in elegant clothes.

They had taken a seat and they were waiting for Lady Astreia to appear.

Az'rune was dressed in a fine, elegant white and silver tuxedo. He was waiting for Astreia's appearance. Though he was growing nervous, he tried to occult it the best he could.

A few seconds later, a black and golden silhouette appeared at the entrance. And the music started being played by the bards.

Astreia was nervous behind the veil on her face. She stood there, recomposing herself while the music was played.

As a purple lightning appeared in her shoulder, she knew it was her time to go straight to her beloved brother.

She had dreamt about this all her life, and now she was blessing by their fate.

—You should go! —A tiny voice shouted—. Everyone is waiting! Hurry up!

—I know Kel. It's just… —She was nervous enough to think she could fall in front of him.

—I know! It's normal, milady. You should hurry! I'll be there, you will be alright.

With that words being said, Astreia started walking through the Gardens, until she met Az'rune's gaze. She felt nervous under his gaze. She walked towards him, and Az'rune took Astreia's hand in advance.

—You look astonishing, as always.

Az'rune's soft voice made Astreia blush.

—It's just because of the make-up.

—Silly girl. —Az'rune kissed Astreia's hand—. 

—Just walk, I'm stressed enough, dear.

—I can distress you, later, my dear. 

—Oh Rune, shut up. —Astreia's face blushed even more, making her make-up shine.

The couple walked straight to the little wedding altar Shiva made for them both.

Shiva greeted them smiling, and the little purple fairy that accompanied Astreia was now on Shiva's shoulder.

—I, Shiva, the first Goddess and Guardian of this Realm, have the pleasure to have this couple married. As you know, this wedding marks a new beginning to everyone of us.

As Shiva started, all eyes were fixated into the reigning couple. Everyone thought of this as the start of a new era. As the start of prosperity. And everyone forgot the problems they had, only sharing joy for the couple.

—As they are going to say their nuptial votes, if a single soul has something to say, the moment it's now. —Shiva spoke louder—. As I thought, milord Az'rune, you can speak your votes.

—I, Az'rune, promise you, Astreia, I will not leave you until I die. I promise to care you, and as you know, I will protect you with my life. I hope you can love me as I do love you.

Astreia started crying with a smile, and as Shiva looked at her, she started her votes, looking at Az'rune's eyes.

—I, Astreia, promise you, my dear brother, that I will always love you. I will always take care of you, and care for our future child to come. I will protect you from all dangers you may face. 

And with the votes recently said, Shiva looked at the couple with pride.

—You can kiss your wife, milord. 

Az'rune made the veil that covered Astreia's face disappear. He was proudly in love of his now wife. While he was absortly looking at his wife, Astreia took enough courage to kiss her husband.

As she kissed him, everyone in the Gardens started cheering and applauding.

This was a new beginning.

And they were all happy to have their finally promised happy ending.

At least, for the moment.