Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess-Chapter 289 - 288- Wedding

"Are you nervous?" Rhea asked, gently adjusting Valerie’s dress.

The violet-haired bride took a deep breath. "Yes... a little bit."

It was understandable. After all, today, she was going to become a bride.

The bride of her Lord.

It had all happened so suddenly. Just a few days after their parents’ funeral, her Lord had proposed to her—asking her to marry him.

She was stunned. But even then, rejecting him never crossed her mind.

So, she nodded. With a quiet, trembling smile.

And now, here they were, in the church—Valerie getting ready for the ceremony.

She glanced at the pink-haired girl kneeling before her and softly asked,

"Hey... how are you holding up?"

Rhea paused for a moment, flinching slightly. Then she resumed fixing the hem of the gown.

During the ambush, every place even slightly connected to Austin was attacked. Rudolph’s home, Sebastian’s family—it was as if someone searched through Austin’s head to dig out those names.

The Academy was one of them.

The headmaster, most of the students, and even Morkel... all lost their lives.

Valerie’s parents hadn’t been spared either. Just two days ago, she held their funeral.

Everyone they loved, everyone they shared memories with—

Either clinging to life... or buried beneath the earth.

"It’s probably the worst thing to say on your wedding day, Valerie..." Rhea murmured, her voice low and cracked. "But I don’t think I’ll ever recover from this."

Not just Morkel—but all her friends at the Academy. The memories, the laughter, the bonds—torn apart by demons.

If it weren’t for Austin asking her to come today, Rhea would’ve locked herself in her room again.

Valerie gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You can talk about it if you want."

Rhea let out a small chuckle.

Who would’ve thought she’d be comforted by Valerie—the same girl who once couldn’t stand her.

"I will. But not today," she said with a soft smile as she stood up. "Today is a happy day. You’re becoming one with the man you love. No crying. Just smiling."

Valerie smiled too and rose to her feet. "How do I look?"

Rhea took a step back, giving her a proper look. She scanned her from head to toe, then nodded.

"Pretty enough to make me fall for you."

Valerie laughed gently, shaking her head. And then—

Knock knock.

"The ceremony is about to begin," came a voice from behind the door.

Valerie exhaled a long breath and looked at Rhea, who stepped forward.

She fixed the veil, carefully placing it over Valerie’s head.

And then, arm in arm, the two of them stepped out of the room.

....

Austin was pretty much nervous as he stood on the stage in a crisp black suit and waited for his beloved.

There were a few people gathered in the church. Mostly from Valerie’s side.

The only person Austin could identify was Caroline—one of the maids he saved.

She smiled at him and gave a brief nod to be confident.

Austin smiled in response before he heard the Father saying, "It’s very assuring to have you on our side, Sir Austin."

Austin hummed, "What do you mean?"

"News about the Demon Lord’s demise has spread like wildfire." He added, "And the Council gave you full credit on it."

Austin’s brows elevated. It was ...slightly concerning that the Council had declared the ultimate enemy, dead.

"Did they not mention anything else? Something concerning?" He asked.

The Priest nodded, his expression turning grim, "The last obstacle still remains. The broken last fragment of his soul still persists."

Austin heaved a sigh of relief. At least, humans won’t start celebrating yet.

"But I know," the older one added, "...that until you and warriors like Valerie and William are on our side, we will never lose."

Austin had a dejected smile on his face, "Well, there is nothing much to protect now."

The Priest’s smile faltered for a moment as he realized what grief the boy was hiding behind that smile.

He approached Austin and rested his hand on Austin’s shoulder before saying, "I am in no position to say this, but sacrifices are a sign that we are on the path of peace."

"My heart breaks whenever I remember all those funerals I have attended, thanks to their efforts, the human race still exists."

Austin softly smiled, "Sacrifice means a path to peace, huh?" Well, he got another push to do it.

To go back in time.

It was then,

The heavy doors opened.

Valerie stood there, framed in soft light. Her gown was white as winter snow, smooth and flowing, with a long veil that trailed behind her like mist. The fabric clung gently to her frame, catching the light with every step. She held a small bouquet of white roses in both hands, her fingers trembling slightly. But her face—her face was calm, proud, and impossibly beautiful.

Even the silence seemed to pause for her.

Her eyes stayed fixed ahead. She wasn’t rushing. She walked slowly, each step measured, graceful. The small crowd watched as if afraid to blink and miss something.

Beside the aisle, Rhea stood in a soft blue dress, holding Valerie’s trail. Her expression was soft, proud, and full of quiet joy. Her hair was neatly tied, her hands careful and steady as she helped her friend move forward. She glanced at Valerie’s face—so steady, so radiant—and smiled to herself.

There weren’t many guests, but that didn’t matter.

In that moment, with the gentle sunlight touching her gown and the hush of the church wrapped around her like a blessing, Valerie looked like something out of a dream. Not just a bride—but a queen, walking toward a new Chapter with quiet fire in her eyes.

All Austin could do was stare at her in silence as she stood before him.

Somehow Valerie could feel his thoughts at the moment. And she couldn’t hold herself from smiling at how much he was admiring her with his eyes.

"Val...I...will you marry me?" He asked again, a little nervous that this angel might not feel him worthy to stand by her side.

She was just breathtaking.

Valerie leaned closer before softly relaying, "Even if you ask a hundred times, the answer will be the same." With her bright eyes looking into his, she said, "Yes...I will marry you."

Austin took a deep breath as he calmed his heart rate.

God...why does she have to look so gorgeous?

"Should we begin the vow?"

Austin tore his eyes away from Valerie, barely, before telling the Priest, "Is it important to follow the lines?"

The Priest blinked in surprise before closing the small book and urging, "It’s the promise

"I don’t promise a perfect life.

But I promise you my whole heart—on the quiet days, on the stormy ones, and on all the days in between.

I vow to hold your hand when it trembles,

To listen when words are hard to find,

To stand beside you when the world feels heavy,

And to laugh with you when it’s light again.

I will not try to fix you,

But I will love every broken, shining part of you.

You are my home,

Not because you make things easy,

But because you make them matter.

From this day on, I walk with you—

Not behind, not ahead—but beside you,

As your partner, your shelter, your constant.

I may not always have the right words,

But I will always choose you—

In every season, in every breath,

For the rest of my life."

When he finished, there were tears in Valerie’s eyes and so were in the eyes of the audience.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride now," The priest said.

Austin slowly lifted the veil, now being able to see her face clearly.

Slightly red cheeks, moist eyes, and a face that brought serenity to his heart.

"I have imagined this moment over a thousand times."

Valerie lowered her gaze shyly then she slowly looked up.

Austin leaned toward her.

Valerie closed her eyes and tilted her head.

Their lips soon met in a soft embrace.

Tears began to well in her eyes as Valerie felt her heart melt at the touch of his lips.

It felt like they had crossed a very tall hurdle to reach here.

So many obstacles. So many times Valerie believed that they might not become one. At one point, they nearly drifted apart, Valerie lost all her hopes to be one with her Lord.

However, things changed for good.

They grew closer, closer than she could have ever prayed for and now, they were standing here, taking the oath to be always together.

She can never be more happy than this.

However, at that time she didn’t know that the black clouds of gloom were approaching.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Next Chapter would be their wedding night and after that some tears.

Thank you for staying with me so far. Drop a comment.

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