PROLOGUE

My satin veil billowed against the wind as I walked down the aisle in the cream-colored wedding gown that the villagers have presented to me. It was their tribute for today’s occasion. My head was lightly pricked by the crown of baby’s breath that kept my veil in place, and I clutched the bouquet of peach roses and lilies nervously and sighed as the wedding march started to play.

I started my way towards the end of the aisle where my would-be husband awaited. It was a slow, steady, but equally nerve-wracking walk; butterflies of every shape and color swirled all around me as flowers started to bloom where I have previously treaded. This was perhaps the final salute of the plants that have grown to love me my whole life. It pains me to think I might leave them all too soon today.

My beloved’s eyes seemed to look at me with awe and anticipation. Thankfully, I did not falter with my walk. I stood high and felt more confident with each step that brought me closer to the altar where I will soon be wedded.

I never imagined my own wedding to look like this. As a young girl, I have always imagined it to be surrounded by so many people – the people whom I loved and the people whom I have met along the way in the perilous journey I have undertaken; but here I am now accompanied only by the Royal Officiator and my own groom.

There was not a single human guest; we could not risk putting anyone else’s life in danger. Only the wind, the trees, the flowers, the butterflies, and the other magical creatures of the island will be bearing witness as we profess our love for each other today. The silence drowned my own heartbeat against the wind, but it did not dampen my spirit even the slightest bit.

My soon-to-be husband – the man that I love, but also the man that many had and will come to loathe and fear - was waiting for my coming. Some might call me mad for choosing him, but my choice rested fully on the fact that I trust and understand him and the fate that has brought us together – the same destiny that I pray will pull us through this ordeal that we are about to face. Other people do not know him as well as I do. They were never privy to all of his struggles – our struggles.

Now that we have reached this crucial moment, I knew there was no coming back to the old ways. If I – or rather if we - can survive this, I know that we will have to become renewed people. We cannot simply go back to our former, wily, and reckless ways and think solely of our own needs. I have to consider my husband’s needs before that of own, and he must consider my own welfare before his. But at this very moment, we are putting aside our own happiness for the happiness of those who are dear to us. I pray that this sacrifice will be all worth it in the end...

This was of course not an ordinary wedding. This can well be my funeral rest. The ritual that we will undergo in a few minutes involves the union of our souls forever. Should I survive this ordeal, it will only be the beginning. Should I perish here, my groom must make the arduous journey ahead alone and persevere with all his might towards victory.

My beloved and I have discussed all the possible scenarios a million times before. I told him I was ready for any of the possible outcome even though, in reality, I was not. I have never feared losing my life, yet my heart quivered in fear of him losing his life should I not come out of here alive. He was resolute in his disagreement to this ordeal, but I convinced him otherwise. I reminded him that before he is my husband, he is the nation’s leader and that he knew the danger that lies ahead if we do not attempt to do the ritual.

People’s lives depended on his success. Should he lack the will to go on in this journey, millions will perish. Thus as his soon-to-be wife, I must make the ultimate sacrifice too. I must be brave enough as he is for we are each other’s only source of strength. I must not look weak or fearful in his eyes, especially at this very moment of our union.

Finally, I have reached the end of the aisle. My beloved stood side by side with me looking dignified and calm as always. In contrast with the thick fabrics and armor that he usually donned, he was wearing a simple white suit that I have weaved myself for the occasion, and this makes me swell with joy and pride.

His face was as impassive as when I first met him, but his eyes that contain the whole of my universe say it all. He took my hand gently, and he walked a little further with me until we stood in front of the Royal Officiator.

“We have gathered here today for the union of two hearts and the forging of two souls,” the officiator turned to me, “Moreover, when this ritual commences, we will begin the purification process that will put your life in peril. Should there be any protests at any point from the two of you, we will cease to proceed further on. Do you both agree?”

I smiled slightly towards the Royal Officiator. He wore a grim look on his face and his brows were full of unspoken worries.

Above everyone else, he knew what was about to happen. He was the one who planted the seed of this possibility in our minds several moons ago. I remembered the countless times he had tried to coax me out of this marriage in the past, but I have always declined his pleas knowing that the apparent pros of my decision outweigh its one and only disadvantage which is losing my soul forever.

“Are you sure about this? From here on, there will be no turning back...” he trailed on in a half-pleading voice.

I met the stare of my groom and saw the eyes that spoke only of love. It was the eyes that knew trust. We are not sure what the outcome of this ordeal might be, but we are sure of each other’s love. Furthermore, we know each other’s strengths and capabilities. We both know that we can pull through this if we trust each other enough. This fact filled my heart with the encouragement I needed to go on.

“I know, and I am ready,” I said, and my dearly beloved nodded in agreement.

The Royal Officiator presented us our wedding rings which he had especially blessed for this occasion. My beloved put the ring on my finger, and I felt a small twinge of electricity coming from it. I did the same, and judging by my beloved’s reaction, he also felt the sudden jolt of electricity emanating from it.

We each took turns and spoke our vows of undying love for each other – something that seemed so in contrast with the possibility of death that loomed over us. We spoke of how each of us has changed each other’s ways and perspective. We spoke of snippets of the special times we have shared together, the fondest memories we have of each other, and we pledged our loyalty – even with death at the forefront – to each other until we meet again in the afterlife.

Later on, the Royal Officiator began tying the red ribbon symbolising our union over my left hand down to my wrist and my beloved’s own left hand down to his wrists. He began citing the rituals of marriage using the Elder Tongue, and our wedding rings began to light up in the most amazing way. Throughout this part, my dearly beloved clasped my hands in a protective manner, just as we have done so countless of times in the past, and I knew that he will protect me no matter what is to come to me today.

Finally, the spoken rituals have ended, and now the final and hardest part of our wedding will begin. The Royal Officiator wiped the sweat that had formed over his brows in a nervous and grim manner.

“Now,” the Royal Officiator said, “the real ritual is about to begin. Starting this moment, you will truly become the bride of the Demon King. If you both concur, let this agreement be sealed with your kiss!”

My body shuddered in a mixture of fright and excitement, but my heart was at peace as my groom, and now my husband and my Lord – the would-be Demon King – pulled my waist closer to his body and planted his soft lips against mine in an apparent kiss of eternal union and death.