My Vampire Little Sister-Chapter 179 Wedding Of The Century (3)
Almost immediately after finishing my talk with Matriarch Innocence, I was swarmed by a horde of people. Most attendees were our close friends and family, so I didn't have to worry about making small talk with people I didn't know.
I tried to pay extra attention to the families of the four girls, but unfortunately, only a handful was present at our wedding.
Irina's immediate family consisted of two parents whom she'd never met and an elder brother that didn't dare to face me after Damien's death. Her closest kin was her maid Luminita, her trusted butler Variel and Matriarch Innocence herself.
Lilith's family were present, but only Capella came over to give her well wishes. While Sirius was present, I could tell he didn't want to talk to me. Even after all this time, the man was still a staunch siscon and couldn't put aside his pride as an elder brother.
On the other hand, Ysablle's family were the ones that I interacted with most. General Enzo had a terrific relationship with Ysabelle; her brothers were likewise caring and protective of her. Therefore, they all came over with broad smiles, happy to see their precious family member fall into my warm and sturdy hands.
It even became troublesome to pry them away as the wedding was about to start, and I still needed to talk to a number of the guests.
And as I was taking a breather from enduring Ysabelle's father's enduring bear hug, two feathery voices sounded out from my side.
"Lord Jin Valter."
"Ah, Eminence Veralyn and High Priestess…"
"Please, just call me Veralyn."
"And you can call me Miriel."
The leader of the Shadowgarden House, Eminence Veralyn and the High Priestess of the Elves, Miriel, came over to greet me like the other guests in the venue. Due to our peculiar circumstances, I never had an opportunity to interact with these two powerhouses properly. However, I've heard many things about the duo.
In the beginning, I found it odd that the Shadowgarden House had such a close relationship with the Elves, given how agnostic they were to Vampires initially. But after hearing how the two entities teamed up to create Rosa, the perfect vessel for the World Tree, I could understand their closeness.
The High Priestess and Eminence Veralyn especially. They were friends who had known each other for over a thousand years, and their close bond showed, given how they seemed to be attached by the hip.
"Then I won't be courteous," I let out my best professional smile as I tried my best to hide my discontent.
Alas, I wasn't much of a poker player. The two thousand-year-old ladies saw through my facade and remarked: "I'm sure you have your misgivings against us."
"Yes, we forced Rosalyn to go through all those experiments after all."
The two immediately showed their remorse and bowed their heads respectfully. After a few seconds, Eminence Veralyn raised her head and said with a bitter smile:
"In fact, I wasn't sure that we would be invited to this wedding."
"Truthfully, I didn't want to invite you either," I responded with my true desires. "The hurt you caused Rosalyn over the years is something I can't forgive. But, ultimately, I'm not the one who can forgive you. You may have done all those horrible things to Rosa, but she never once blamed the two of you."
I was reflecting Rosa's true thoughts. Yes, she may have suffered all those years as their guinea pig, but in her words… Without those experiences, she wouldn't have fused with the World Tree and heard the prophecy. She wouldn't become the powerful Vampire she was now, and most importantly… She wouldn't have met me.
And unfortunately, Rosa didn't have any other next of kin. The two people closest to her were standing right in front of me.
"Rosalyn, that lass… She's a much better person than we are." The Elven High Priestess smiled wryly as she thought of the gorgeous young woman who was about to walk down the aisle in a few minutes. "In a way, I'm glad that she's marrying you. You'll bring her more happiness than we can ever hope to provide."
"I swear on my life that Rosa will never be unhappy ever again."
"I know you would."
The High Elf shook her head and glanced over her shoulder to the Vampire with the emerald hair. Eminence Veralyn sighed and nodded once before finally spurting out something shocking.
"Lord Jin Valter, I know it may be presumptuous of me to ask, but would you accept our allegiance?"
"Our allegiance? Exactly whose allegiance are you referring to?"
"As expected, nothing can escape your eyes." Eminence Veralyn laughed and continued: "I may be its leader, but the entire Shadowgarden House is practically under Rosalyn's thumb. And just because Rosalyn is entering the Valter House doesn't mean we'll relinquish her authority. Rather, we're willing to ally ourselves with the Valter House, in any means you deem necessary."
Oh? First, the Everwinter House and now the Shadowgarden House? Well, I can't say I didn't expect this. Since I had become the new Progenitor, the entire Vampire World would gravitate towards me, whether I liked it.
"What about you, High Priestess Miriel? I doubt you've come all this way just to be a supporter in the Shadowgarden's request."
"How astute," the Elven beauty giggled. "Us Elves have been neutral in World politics and have largely stayed out of the conflicts between Vampires and humans. However, with the World Tree's spirit serving you, I don't think we can remain neutral anymore."
"Are you saying the Elves will follow me?"
"To be precise, we're still serving the World Tree." The High Priestess reminded me. "However, if the World Tree decides to follow you, we have no choice but to abide by its will."
The Elves and the Shadowgarden House.
Two influential groups of people that would make my life in the mortal world that much easier. Other than my intrinsic bias against them, I saw no demerit to declining their offer. One was an ancient race that included numerous influential individuals that could help further my causes. The other possessed the largest, most sophisticated intelligence agency known in history.
Tch, these snakes… Matriarch Innocence, Eminence Veralyn, High Priestess Miriel… They're all the same. They knew I wouldn't refuse such an offer on my wedding day.
"Let's discuss the terms after my wedding."
Hearing my defeated tone, the faces of the two beauties lit up with pure jubilation. Wrapping their hands together, they gave me a firm bow.
"Thank you, my lord!"
"The Elves will strive hard to meet your expectations!"
I let out a huge sigh as I checked my watch. As expected, all these conversations had dragged time, and it was finally time…
"Okay, go to your seats. The ceremony is going to start soon."
"With pleasure!"
I gestured nonchalantly as my body naturally moved towards the altar. No matter what the great Houses offered me, I had no interest in them right now. Every conversation I had, every gift I was given, every compliment I heard… They were all at the back of my mind.
Bells chimed, and white doves flocked.
The boisterous cathedral was now deathly silent as everyone rushed to their seats. In time, there was no movement, only the sounds of distant gasps. 𝒇r𝙚𝙚𝓌𝙚𝑏𝗻𝑜𝘷𝗲𝘭.c૦𝑚
And soon… An ethereal melody was played.
Harps and violins' harmonies resonated within the cathedral's walls. The Angels sang a beautiful chorus within the choir, and a dazzling, feathery aura descended from the top of the sanctuary.
The sapling of the World Tree swayed from side to side as if congratulating me on accomplishing a nigh impossible task. And given the context, what I've pulled off really was near-impossible.
The guests closest to the doors were the first to react. All of them had their jaws opened, regardless of gender or race. However, not one of them contained lust in their eyes. Rather it was fascination as if they were looking at a piece of art or a breathtaking scenery that no picture or drawing could ever hope to recreate.
And naturally, I knew why they were reacting in that manner.
The first woman appeared from the horizon and breached the marbled chamber with shy, jittery steps. Her pure white satin dress laced with snowflake embroidery caught everyone's eye as it latched on tightly to her hourglass figure. Her complexion was as pale as Winter itself, yet a tinge of red could be seen hanging over her sharp, defined cheekbones.
Holding onto a bouquet of flowers, the woman seemed to be taken straight out of a fantasy simulation. She was perfect from head to toe, making her the ideal bride for everyone to see. Even from afar, I could whiff her sweet fragrance, which fully complemented her distinct natural aroma.
The woman who caught everyone's eye was none other than Irina… 𝐟𝓇ℯ𝒆we𝒃𝘯𝒐νe𝑙.co𝚖
My little sister and now, my first wife.
The first to walk down the aisle, Irina was a head-turner. You could hear everyone's hearts accelerating as she fully flaunted her Goddess-like good looks for all to see. Not many people here had seen the girls since they'd transformed, and even fewer of them had seen them all dolled up. So it was natural for them to have this reaction.
Nonetheless, Irina didn't care about the opinions of the sheep.
Her eyes were firmly attached to me and the altar I was waiting on.
And before she made her march down the aisle, her crystalline grey eyes started to water.
"Brother…"
Irina didn't say a word, but I could read her lips. She was holding back her tears as she was happier than most words could describe, and her legs were shaking wildly. I could tell all Irina wanted to do was run into my arms and put a ring on my finger. But like the good girl she was, she endured.
Yes, my love… Please just endure.
For if you don't…
Neither could I.
