Chapter 98: The Bond That Freezes Time

In Irylia's trial, she stood in the grand court, hearing voices echo:

"You are weak. A pawn. You cannot stand beside him. A girl born to be protected, not to protect."

She was forced to watch illusions of Shisui dying again and again—her powerless to help. She fell to her knees—until she heard his voice in the dark:

"You've already saved me once, Irylia. You gave me hope. Don't believe the lies."

He appeared before her, walking through the storm, reaching out.

She took his hand—and her body blazed with moonlight. Her latent magic surged, shielding them both as they ascended out of the illusion, hearts in sync, minds united.

Back in the Sanctum, the circle of glyphs exploded in brilliance.

The Ecliptic Arbiter hovered above, its voice reverent:

"Trial complete. Soul-thread confirmed. The Bond of Twin Hearts has been forged."

Cheers erupted across the chamber.

Masaki Morinaka turned to King Fenryl and nodded.

"She is worthy of my son. More than worthy."

Queen Lysara clasped her daughter's hands with tears in her eyes.

That night, the twin moons danced over Lunaris—and in the starlit sky, a constellation flickered into being. One shaped like a crescent moon over a snowflake.

The world would remember this union not just as a marriage—but as the joining of two souls, strong enough to withstand fate itself.