Chapter 5: The Vows

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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|AZRAEL|

It's a sunny day, and it seems like the weather is on our side to celebrate a special day for both me and Roland.

After his proposal a week ago, we told father about it and he happily agreed to our marriage. We sent a letter to Lionheart and he's so happy when he heard the news.

We also sent a letter to King Luther which Roland looks up to as an older brother, and also to Merlin who's like a sister to him.

But it seems King Luther won't be able to attend today because Queen Igraine will be giving birth to their child and he said he can't leave his wife's side. And Merlin is currently on a mission.

It's sad that they won't be able to celebrate with us but it's fine as long as father and Lionheart is here.

Because today is the day that Roland and I would be pronounce as husband and wife. I can't believe that I will be one with him, be one with the man I love the most.

I am now in a room, waiting for me and Roland's wedding ceremony that will happen few moments from now. I walked towards the window and open it. The fresh breeze blew on me as I close my eyes and took a deep breathe.

"How are you doing, Milady?" I heard a voice coming from behind said so I turned around to see who it was.

I smiled at Lionheart and walked towards him, he immediately kneel and kissed the back of my hand.

"I'm a little bit nervous, but I'm doing fine." I responded.

"Few minutes from now, you and Roland will become husband and wife..." He stated and stand firmly. "He's like a brother to me, please take good care of him." He added. I saw tears starting to build up in his eyes which made me smile. He really love Roland like his own brother.

I hugged him tightly and whispered. "I promise I'll take good care of him, and from now on, I'll become your sister so start calling me that okay?"

He hugged me back and when the two of us separates, he wiped the tears from his eyes and chuckles.

"I'll go first sister, we will wait for you outside." He said and walk out of the room.

I took a deep breathe and prepare myself. I smiled as I looked at myself in the mirror wearing my wedding dress.

"This is it." I said to myself and leave the room.

I saw father waiting for me at the door with a big smile on his face. I walk towards him and gave him a warm hug. I just couldn't express how much I'm thankful to father. I can't stop my tears from falling.

He hugged me back and kissed me on my forehead and said. "It's been more than a year since you came here. I so happy and proud to have you as my daughter."

"Thank you, father." I said while still hugging him tightly.

"Let's go now, they're waiting for us outside." Father said as we separated.

I hold unto his arm and the two of us go out together.

At the front of our door's house, there's an aisle and at the end of it is where Roland stands infront of the altar, waiting for my arrival.

With the bouquet of flower in my hands, I started to walk slowly with father by my side as Lionheart starts playing a pleasant music.

My heart starts to beat fast, I'm so happy I can't express it enough. Tears continues to fall from my eyes as I got closer and closer to him.

I looked at father who's looking back at me while smiling with tears falling from his eyes. I also caught Lionheart's glances as he continues to play the piano with smile.

By each steps that I take, remind of the memories that Roland and I shared in the past year. From the day we first met, the first meal we shared, our first day living in the same roof, to the day he confessed, and today where we will say our vows to each other.

And finally, as I took another step, I can see Roland's tears falling from his eyes that made my heart melt. My heart is pounding real hard every step that I take.

As we reached the Altar, Roland greeted us and hugged Father really tight.

"Take good care of her, son." Father mumbles.

"Ofcourse, father."

He then lay his hand infront of me with a smile on his face which I gladly took without hesitation.

The two of us walk towards the altar of God and hold each other's hands. Tear's kept on flowing from his eyes and mine non-stop. With this, Roland and I will become one. Infront of the altar where we will say our vows and be with each other. I couldn't ask for more...

"At first, the only thing in my mind is to become the strongest hero to protect this Kingdom... I trapped myself into thinking that, there's nothing more important than fulfilling my duties, that I was only born just for the sake of being a hero to save this country... But not until I met you..."

He hold my hands even tighter, I can even feel his hands shaking right now. I smiled at him to make him relaxed and he smiled back at me.

"You showed me what it really means to be happy, what it really means to fall inlove, you turned our house into a home with the warmth of you heart. I used my body as a sheath for my own emotions and you're the one who pulled it out."

He held my left hand and picked the ring on the altar and slowly put it on my ring finger while saying.

"From this day, and till the day of our last breathe as mortals, I will forever be by you side. I swear upon the mightiest God, that I will be your sword. For this life and to the next, I will forever be yours. Please accept my love, Azrael..."

My heart melts because of the kind and loving words he said. It makes me feel like I'm the most beautiful person in the world. His loving words and gentle smile touches the deep fragile part of my soul. And now it's my turn to express what I truly feel that I've been hiding for a long time.

"When I first came here, I'm just like a lost sheep without a home to comeback to. You become my Shepherd and taught me how to live. You showed me the warmth of the human heart and teach me all the wonders of emotions."

I can't stop my tears from falling, I just want to express how much I love this man infront of me.

"You gave me a family I can call my own, you teach me the true meaning of love and happiness, and as a symbol of my love-"

I held his left hand. I picked up the ring and slowly put it in his ring finger.

"From this life to the next, I will always follow you, as your wife. I seek for the reason of me being sent here but instead you gave me the reason to stay. I will love you till this mortal body of mine wither and die. I can see your love for this country in your eyes. You are their hero, and your hero, will be I."

With a smile on both of our faces, he lift up my veil as we shared our first kiss as a married couple.

A magic circle glows in both of our ring imbued with our love and both of our names were carved. A glittering light coming from the sky showered us with blessing. This is indeed a blessing from my father in the High Heavens.

With a smile on my face, I looked up at the sky and whispers. "Thank you, father."

Father Kojiro walks towards us with a smile pasted on his face. Me and Roland welcomed him with a warm hug.

"I'm so happy for the two of you, and starting from today onwards, you will inherit my Sasaki name."

Me and Roland can't thank him enough for what he did. I can feel that Father really loves us so much. In this world, having a surname is truly an honor and not all can have a family name.

My happiness is overflowing right now, I just wish I could share this with my Father and siblings who are in Valhalla right now.

As if on cue, a blinding light shine directly towards us as seven heavenly beings descends from the high heavens with their glorious wings. I covered my mouth in shock as they slowly descends from the sky.

I can't believe it... They're here... My brothers and sisters are here. A tears full of happiness burst in my eyes as I unconsciously release my divine powers and fly towards them.

"I can't believe you guys are here." I said while tears coming from my eyes as I hugged all of them.

"We heard your call. And we can't miss our sister's own wedding can't we?" Brother Michael says with a smile on his face and brush my hair. "Let's go down and meet your family."

The eight of us descended infront of father and Roland and the two of them kneel to pay respect including Lionheart who's playing the piano earlier rushed beside Roland and kneel too.

"The three of you may Rise, we are here for our sister to celebrate her wedding. Please, think of us as part of your family from now on." Sister Jophiel stated and she and sister Gabriel lay their hands infront of Father, Lionheart and Roland to help them stand.

"It's good to formally meet you brother-in-law and father-in-law, I'm Raphael, The second Archangel of the high heavens, The Healer of God." Brother Raphael introduced himself and bow to Roland and the others.

"I am the fourth Archangel of the high Heavens, the Angel of Beauty, Jophiel. It's an honor to meet my sister's family here in the mortal realm." Just like Brother Raphael, sister bows to them too to pay respect.

"I'm the third Archangel of the high Heavens, Gabriel, The Messenger of God. Pleasure to meet you." Sister Gabriel stated and she too bows to them.

"I am the fifth Archangel of the high heavens, Camael, The Observer of God. It's an honor to be part of your family." Brother Camael too bows to them.

"Sup, I'm the sixth Archangel, the name's Uriel, they say that I'm the light or something like that. Don't mind brothers and father, I just don't like formality that much." Brother Uriel stated while laughing, I just can't help but to sigh. He's always like this even in Valhalla.

"Control yourself big brother, it's embarrassing." Sariel stated as he shake his head in disbelief.

"Don't worry little bro, they won't mind, right brothers? Father?" Brother Uriel is being difficult again, he's really a trouble maker.

"Yes Brother, my family won't mind..."

"See? Even little sis, says so."

"But I do..." I glare at him. I'm loosing my temper all the time whenever I'm with him, I'll definitely split him in half with my scythe if he cause any more trouble.

"Calm down little sis, I won't cause anymore trouble. And please continue with your introduction little bro." He stated while laughing as he taps Sariel's back. I looked at Roland with a troubled eyes saying to please let my insolent brother's rude behavior slide, but he just smiled at me and signaled 'it's fine' using his hand.

"I'm the Eighth Archangel, Sariel the Prince of God, please look after my Big Sister, Azrael." He said and bow, I can't help but to pat his head. He's the closest to me afterall.

Then brother Michael moves forward and all of us are shocked when he kneel infront of Father, Roland, and Lionheart.

"I'm the Eldest Archangel of the high heavens, Michael The Chief of the Angels, the one closest to God. I truly am grateful for your kindness towards my sister." He said.

"Thank you all for coming to our special day brothers and sisters. I'm truly blessed to be in your presence." Roland stated and bow infornt of them, and my siblings smiled at him.

"This is my Master and also Father, Kojiro Sasaki, the sword saint. And here is the one I consider my brother, Lionheart Pendragon of Camelot, The hero of Flames." Roland introduced both Father and Lionheart to my siblings and they bow to them as respect.

"It's a pleasure to meet my daughter's siblings." Father said and shake hands with my brothers and sisters.

I noticed that Lionheart is still standing stiffly not making a move which made me chuckle a bit. He's so nervous he can't even move a muscle.

I walk towards him and tap his shoulders.

"Calm down Lionheart, my brothers and sisters don't bite." I said while chuckling. His face is weird, as if he have seen a ghost.

He immediately bow to my siblings and said. "It's an honor to meet all of the eight Archangels of the High Heavens, I'm Lionheart Pendragon of Camelot."

Brother Uriel taps his head to make him rise and shake his hand while laughing.

"Calm down man! You're so stiff! We're family now remember?" He said while laughing out loud. Lionheart looked at my other siblings and they're smiling at him to make him feel more relieved.

While they are talking, I sat on the chair where father was sitting earlier to take some rest. As I watched how my siblings and my new family have fun, it makes my heart at ease. I hope this will continue forever.

"Are you happy? Living in this realm I mean." I was a bit startled when sister Gabriel taps my shoulder and talks behind my back. I didn't even notice she was there.

I hold her hand and gave her a warm smile.

"This is the happiest time of my life."

"I see... Take care of yourself okay? We'll wait for you in valhalla, but don't rush it. I wan't you to enjoy your mortal life here in midgard." She kissed my forehead and flew towards the others.

"Hey, join us, this is our special day." Roland lay his hand infront of me.

I gladly took it and we went to where the others are while holding hands.

We talked and eat with my siblings and when the twilight came. They must bade goodbye. It might be short, but it was fun.

"Before we say goodbye, on behalf of Father, he asked us to grant you this gift." Brother Michael stated as they slowly ascends to the sky. "We'll send you somewhere you can take rest, Camael and Sariel will stay here for a while in place of Roland's absence. You'll be teleported back here after a week." Brother Michael snaps his fingers and a golden light covers Roland's body and mine.

"Our Father wishes you a happy life, Azrael." He added as the five of then ascends to heaven leaving brother Camael and Sariel behind.

Me and Roland will be teleported somewhere any minute now. I looked at Father and held both of his hands.

"We'll comeback after a week, father."

"Enjoy your vacation, I'll be alright here." He said and kissed both mine and Roland's forehead.

"Brother Camael, Sariel, please take care of them while we're away." I said and hugged them both.

"Don't worry, we got it covered." Brother Camael said in response.

I hold Roland's hand and close my eyes. I wonder where this teleportation spell will take us. But I'm looking forward to it since it was a gift from my family from Valhalla.

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End of chapter 5