The Book Eating Magician Chapter 383:

Chapter 383 - The Marriage of the Century (4)

A few days later, Meltor Palace was submerged in a strange atmosphere .

In the early morning, the officials of each department and the nobles in the vicinity of the capital were given a decree they didn’t understand . Furthermore, the information was really short .

『 For today, any entrance to the palace is prohibited . 』

Regardless of title or position, no one was allowed to cross the threshold of the palace without the king’s permission .  However, this was Kurt III, the best king in Meltor’s history who had succeeded in growing the kingdom . As such, although there were a few nobles who questioned the sudden command, no one was dumb enough to oppose the edict . The central tower magic tower, which shared the duties of the palace officials, was exceptionally silent . Meanwhile, the palace corridors were empty .

Thump, thump .

However, there was the sound of footsteps in the corridor . There was no disturbance in the half-tempo as the sounds which were like those of a musical instrument arrived at a gorgeous door . The master of the footsteps pushed open the door without hesitation .

Kkiiik .

Was the door lacking a bit of oil? The door creaked open, and the people in the room turned to look at it . The middle-aged wife, Isabella Miller, raised her voice first, “Wow, you’re well dressed! I don’t know whose son you are but you are very handsome . Isn’t that right?”

“Hahaha! How do you not know? It is our son . ”

“Mother, Father . ” Dressed in a tailcoat made of luxurious materials, Theodore laughed .  He had expected these reactions, but knowing it in his mind was different from experiencing it .  There was perfume dispersed all over the place, and the makeup on several faces was also unfamiliar . It was uncomfortable to wear the layered, tailored clothes, but it was a courtesy to endure such inconveniences on such days .

“Wait, your tie is a bit crooked . ” Isabella, who was appreciating the appearance of her great son, stepped toward Theodore and adjusted his collar . She straightened his slightly torn tie and then stepped back as she couldn’t see his face unless she raised her head .  Theodore had been one handspan shorter than Isabella when he left for magic school, yet her little child was already getting married now . Somehow, she felt a lump in her throat .

“Mother?”

“Oh, my . ”

As Isabella’s tears fell involuntarily, Theodore wiped them with his thumb and looked at her with his pair of eyes that had been clear since childhood .  There was the depth of a lake in them, and Isabella had to admit that her son had grown up . He was no longer a child to be pitied but one to be proud of .

Soon afterward, Isabella grabbed Theodore and whispered into his chest, “ . . . Shouldn’t you live well? Be happy . Understood?”

“Yes, Mother . ”

“I know that my son is very busy, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t be half-hearted toward your family . ”

“Yes, I definitely won’t forget . ”

After Isabella finished speaking, Dennis hugged Theodore and patted him on the back .  The span of his father’s arms, which had seemed so wide when he was a child, was now narrow . It wasn’t only Isabella who became sentimental . Theodore too struggled not to shed any tears .  

Dennis felt Theodore tremble and said in a calm voice, “From a long time ago, you were a very precocious child . I still remember your small body helping with the housework . You studied hard enough to pass the academy’s entrance exam despite no one teaching you . You also persevered for a few years until your talent woke up . You were such a good child . ”

“Father, I . . . ”

“You don’t need to say it . I know . I believe in you . I believe you will do well if you don’t worry . Still, you should often show your face to us . Think about a parent’s mind . ”

“ . . . Yes, I will visit often . ”

Dennis gave Theodore one more firm hug before standing side by side with Isabella . The atmosphere was joyous but bitter . Their last job as parents was letting go of their grown child .

Knock knock .

At this moment, there came a knock like someone had just arrived outside the door .

“It seems like the ladies have arrived . Theo, open the door for them . ”

“Yes . ”

Generally, a bride and groom wouldn’t see each other until the ceremony . However, this wedding ceremony was a bit different . Theodore slowly approached the door and pulled it open .

“Ah . ” He froze as he saw the appearances of the two brides .

Veronica and Sylvia, the beauties with unique colored eyes and hair, greeted him in pure white wedding dresses . Was it due to the skill of the palace maids . . . ?

Veronica’s neck contrasted with her crimson hair and presented a bewitching beauty, while Sylvia had wintery, fairy-like white skin and moistened lips . Despite the abundant amount of lace, the feminine lines of the two women weren’t concealed, creating a tempting atmosphere .

“What, did you fall in love with us again?”

“Huhuhut, Theo . You have a funny expression . ”

The two beauties seemed satisfied with his response as they grabbed Theodore’s arms with smiling faces . The thin lace didn’t obstruct the soft and warm texture, making him dizzy .  Dennis and Isabella chuckled as they saw the three lovely people .   For those who had no family, the parents-in-law were like new family members . So, the brides approached the Miller family, and they talked for a few minutes .  

Then a servant entered the room . “Everything is ready, Chief Tower Master . ”

The people in the room became pale and tense . They looked at their clothes and looked in the mirror to check their makeup . The reason why Kurt III had forbidden access to the palace at once was that it was now time for the wedding of Theodore Miller and his two brides .

 

*     *     *

 

Truth be told, Meltor’s palace wasn’t that gorgeous .  The absence of luxuries was influenced by the practical nature of magicians, but the main reason was the war with Andras which had lasted for hundreds of years .  They had needed funds to expand the armaments and raise soldiers, so their civilization had only advanced one or two steps . If they had spent money on the luxuries of the royal palace, Meltor would be ruined . However, today, they lay off on the frugality for a while .

“Ohh, His Majesty did quite well? The decorations of the palace are more attractive than those of the magic tower . ”

Theodore and Sylvia nodded at Veronica’s surprised words .

The clean, white palace, which didn’t have great merit, had been transformed by the presence of a variety of statues and garlands which had come from an unknown place . Kurt III must’ve instructed workers to come to the palace today without anyone knowing .

Thump, thump, thump .

The three people walked leisurely inside the palace toward a special room in the palace where people were waiting .

One step and another step . . .

As if to enjoy this moment in life that they wouldn’t experience twice, the three of them walked without speaking . They could feel their body temperatures coming from the palms of their hands, and they could hear each other’s breaths as they were wrapped in calmness .

Finally, they looked at the door of the wedding hall .

“ . . . Go?” Theodore asked his two brides without looking back .  Sylvia’s silver hair shook on Theodore’s left side, while Veronica was warm on his right side .  There was no need to speak, and their intentions were clear .

Kuoooong―

There was no need to use their hands . Telekinesis magic, the power that obeyed Theodore’s will, pushed at the pair of big doors .  Then there was a massive noise, and the guests turned to look at the three people . There were only familiar faces present . After all, they had only invited people close to them .

There was Vince, the middle-aged magician who had a busy schedule, Randolph, the swordsman who changed from casual clothing into formalwear, and Titania, the high elf who had waited without returning to Elvenheim . The members of Quattro who had dissolved after the war in the north, William and Paragranum in the female avatar, were also present .

‘No, wait a minute . I thought Paragranum wasn’t invited?’ 

Theodore looked at her blankly, and she just shrugged . She had used her own method to be in this position .  So, he ignored Para and carried on looking ahead .  Theodore, Veronica, and Sylvia passed by the guests and family members, arriving at the podium .

“ . . . Haha . ” When Theodore saw it, he couldn’t help laughing .  It wasn’t a sound that should be made at this place, but the two brides and other guests were laughing like they understood his reaction . After all, his reaction was natural .

“You look good, Chief Tower Master . ”

It was because Kurt III, who wasn’t wearing his usual crown, was standing in the palace to officiate the wedding .  Veronica snorted while Sylvia was just embarrassed because she didn’t know what was going on .  Theodore thought the king’s appearance was absurd and asked, “Your Majesty, don’t tell me . . . ?”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to officiate this marriage . What are the thoughts of the three tower masters?”

The groom and brides looked at each other, but Kurt didn’t seem willing to step down unless he was outright refused .  In retrospect, it wasn’t like there was no precedent to this .  The last time a marriage was officiated by a king had been several hundred years ago .  The three people laughed and made their decision .

“Please look after us . ”

“Yes! Of course . ”

Pleased that he wasn’t refused, Kurt III laid his left hand on the book of laws with an excited expression .  He placed one hand on the book of laws and one hand on his heart . It signified a sincere pledge to the laws and to the heart .

Kurt started to speak with a serious expression, “As time flows eternally, today we know that the fates of three people have flowed into one stream . They were born with different names, lived in different times, and met with different meanings . May their ends one day come together, so that they may be beautifully completed in their own way . ”

This was the officiating so far .  

After completing the words of blessing, Kurt III turned to the three people and said, “You are the hero who stepped onto the path of magic and elevated your name . Will you swear to love and cherish your brides for the rest of your life?”

Theodore placed his right hand on his chest and answered firmly, “Yes, I swear . ” 

“You are the one with a dragon’s bloodline who has decided to live among humans . Will you swear to love and cherish your groom for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, I swear,” Veronica replied in an unusually polite voice .

“You who have been loved and raised as the family of a wise man—will you swear to love and cherish your groom for the rest of your life?”

There was no need to mention who the wise man was . Sylvia’s eyes were slightly red as she replied one beat late, “ . . . Yes, I swear . ”

Once the brides’ and groom’s vows were over, Kurt spread his hands over the open book of laws . It was time for the expected ritual at a wedding .

“Then can the brides and groom please give each other the kiss of oath . ”

The ceremony was based on the idea of sharing the weight of the words with each other, but it didn’t have much weight . It was an event where the guests enjoyed seeing the shy bride and groom .  Kurt and the guests smirked .  Sylvia, who still wasn’t immune to skinship, was busy cooling down her red skin . However, there was someone with a ‘passionate’ pedigree in this place .

“Theo . ”

“Huh? Ah―”

She released their held hands and tugged on his waist . The force was strong, but the momentum was so great that Theodore couldn’t reject and was dragged into Veronica’s arms . In a flash, the lips of the two people touched each other, with their breaths and tongues entangling . It wasn’t a ceremonial act but a kiss that would be done by those in a relationship .

“Oh, my! It is really genuine!” Isabella laughed and clapped as she saw Veronica’s unbelievable kiss .  

The partnerless male guests sighed and cleared their throats, while Dennis was relieved that he hadn’t brought Leo to the wedding . After nearly 10 seconds, the two mouths separated .

“Huhu, I ate well,” Veronica said, licking her lips like she had eaten something delicious . Then she whispered, “If you aren’t in a hurry, shall we do it once more?”

“T-That!”

“If you keep hesitating, I will continue eating . Isn’t it good?”

From the beginning, it was a provocation . Theodore realized the meaning of Veronica’s words, while Sylvia barely maintained her courage as she stood before Theodore . This was Sylvia’s limit .  Theodore smiled, held Sylvia’s cheeks, and kissed her .

Chu .

He didn’t use his tongue like Veronica, but the kiss lasted a long time . That alone caused Sylvia to stop breathing, then she flushed red for other reasons . Once the kiss was over, the silent guests raised their hands and started to clap .

Clap clap clap clap clap! The sound of applause filled the palace .  

The three people stood next to each other and bowed to the people who had come to the wedding .  The wedding ceremony was completed . Theodore held his brides’ hands again and walked down the red carpet .

“Veronica, Sylvia . ”

The two people turned at his call . He laughed and pulled them toward him by the waist .

“Aing . ”

“Ah, what?”

Veronica was playful while Sylvia was embarrassed .  With the two beautiful brides in his arms, the mightiest magician of the material world proclaimed proudly, “Now, we can go anywhere and do anything . I will give you anything you want . ” 

He would show them all the scenery of the world and give them all the treasures of this world .  The man with the power to do so moved with self-interest for the first time . Theodore laughed as the eyes of his wives’ widened .

“Now, let’s go on our honeymoon . ”

It was time to enjoy the springtime which wouldn’t come again .