#456 Exchanging Vows Before a Dragon

“First of all, I want to say that I will not pledge myself to either of you two gods.”

There will always be some hard feelings if I pick either one.

Both parties are to blame in a quarrel, as they say.

“What?! Then to whom shall thee take an oath?!”

“Surely not the gods of heavens? Think this through, saint!”

Ignoring the panic of these two gods, my gaze turns to...

“Veil.”

“Hm?"

I say to the dragon about to bring her ramen cart into the scene, “We vow to you that the bride and I will walk together as husband and wife.”

“WHAAAAAAAT?!”

The gods raise their voices in unison, but what’s the problem?

A dragon is the most powerful creature in the world. I think it’s fine to make it a substitute for a god.

“And the one who has been watching over me and Platy’s life all this time is her.”

Oh, and Sensei too.

“It’s only meaningful to pledge our vows to Veil.  I’m sure she will continue to watch over us and ensure our vows are fulfilled.”

After what I said, Veil’s face gradually lit up.

At first, she looked weirded out, but then she started piecing things together and eventually brightened up like a dog that had just found out it would go for a walk with its master.

“I like that idea, Master! I, Grinzel Dragon Veil, will see to it that you do! That is the duty of the absolute mighty dragon! Wahahahaha!!!”

Looks like she’s motivated to do this.

In contrast, the two gods...

“Aww, but...”

“Wait a minute! It is true that the dragons may be our equal, but all original purpose shall be lost...!”

They don’t know when to give up, do they?

“I am aware of your godly might, but our farm does not welcome those who bring strife with them. Please understand.”

“NOOO...”

A confused murmur of confusion rose from the onlookers.

“Lord Saint is lecturing the gods...!”

"That’s some guts...”

“I knew it; Lord Saint is this world’s strongest...!”

"We must not anger him at all costs...”

Some were in awe, and some were horrified.

....

No, there’s no need to be overdramatic over this.

I’m just a cowardly, weak farmer.

“Allll right! Swear whatever it is that you want! In the name of the mightiest race of dragons, I’ll acknowledge everything! Come!”  

Veil is going out of control, with her good mood skyrocketing.

I watch her silly behavior with a smile until...

The real star of the show arrives.

“You’re too hyper, Veil.”

The bride makes her appearance.

Here comes Platy in her wedding dress.

"Woah...”

She’s gorgeous.

The gown she’s wearing is Batemy’s new creation: the Light wedding dress.

I’m not sure what the “light” part means, but it surely makes Platy look radiant and glowing!

I can feel Batemy’s pride overflowing from her work, putting everything she has cultivated so far into this dress.

“Y-You’re pretty! Like, for real!”

“Thank you... I actually thought it was too late for me to have a wedding now that I’m a mother. It turns out I worried for nothing. This will be a memento that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Platy is embarrassed but happy.

I guess any woman would be happy to be dressed as a bride.

As she says, even if they have become a mother.

“...Hm? Where’s Junior?”

“Mom’s going to watch him during the ceremony."

Indeed, behind her is an old man and woman.

It’s King Nagus and Queen Mahi!

Oh, they’re no longer the King and Queen since Arowana succeeded the throne with his wife.

Still, they’re Platy’s parents, which means they are Junior’s grandparents.

“Thank you so much for coming all the way here despite your busy schedule...!”

“It’s all right, dear. We’ve been rather free since we retired from the throne.”

“Ahem!”

It’s hard to think Lady Mahi is Junior’s grandmother with how young she looks.

But there is no one more reliable to take care of Junior during our wedding ceremony than her.

“You’ve come up with quite the marvelous idea, dearie. I had already given up hope of ever seeing Platy in her bridal gown.”

“Aheeeeeeeem...!”

Lord Nagus?!

He’s crying...tears of joy!

Is it because he saw Platy in a wedding dress?

He didn’t seem emotional at his legitimate son Arowana’s wedding, but he has made a complete 180 with his daughter?!

A father-daughter and mother-son pairing are special relationships, after all.

If we follow Junior with a baby girl, then maybe...

...Ah, just the thought of it is making me cry.

"Hey, no more dawdling around, you guys! Let’s get this ceremony started!"

Veil is jumping up and down and rolling around.

Her motivation increased dramatically after knowing she was playing an important role in today’s event.

“Oh, all right, you stupid dragon... Okay, Mom, take care of Junior during the ceremony, will you?”

“Of course, sweetie.”

After leaving Junior in the care of the most reliable person, Platy and I belatedly make our way to the biggest day of our lives.

***

The attendees line up in a hastily prepared outdoor chapel on our farm.

Most of them are residents, but some of my close friends, such as the Demon King and Prince Arowana, took time out of their busy schedules to be present on this auspicious day.

We had planned to hold the wedding quietly with only people from our circle.

Platy and I have been married for some time now, so it’s kind of embarrassing if we went all out.

Anyway, we walk side by side down the aisle, laid flat on the ground, to the altar where we will make our vows.

“If you would be so kind, Sensei.”

“Of course.”

Sensei is our pastor.

A Lifeless King’s dignified appearance is dependable.

“How many times have I performed the role of officiating at a marriage ceremony like this? It’s really been a dizzying experience since I met you, Lord Saint.”

“Sorry for the trouble.”

“Oh, think nothing of it. I can’t imagine myself staying holed up in my cave and having nothing to do anymore.”

As I engage in light conversation with Sensei, someone speaks from behind him.

“Heyyyy! Stop wasting time chit-chatting and get on with it!”

There’s Veil, perched on the top of the altar, legs outstretched.

“Don’t be conceited, you pseudo-corpse! Master and Platy will swear an oath to me! You’re just a bridge to that!”

“Yes, yes. You’d better be more proper and solemn in that case.”

Exactly.

Platy and I stand in front of god... I mean, the dragon.

“Okay... take the oath!”

“That’s how you’re going to make us swear?!”

“I’ll do the facilitating; you just sit tight and be quiet.”

In short, Veil was shut up.

Once again, Platy and I face Sensei.

"So, you two are now... or rather have been... husband and wife for some time now.”

Sorry for being such an atypical case.

“Do you swear to care and respect each other in sickness and health, love and honor each other for all the days of your life... though you’ve been doing this already?”

“I do.”

“I do.”

We exchange our vows.

“Don’t forget, to me!”

Veil, please be quiet for a moment.

"All right, you may now kiss the bride.”

Kiss?!

I know it’s part of the ceremony, but it’s embarrassing doing it in front of all these people!

But... the Demon King and Arowana did it, too, right? I’m going to do it now so that Platy won’t hold it against me for the rest of our lives...

Smooch.

The entire venue erupts in cheers.

Our wedding ceremony is complete.