When you look at this situation from anyone else's perspective it would possibly be the greatest day of their life, but from King Gardon Bloodclaw's perspective it all seemed to be such a grand waste. The most impressive cathedral was found painstakingly restored for a ceremony that is pretty much a political show, his most important officers that could be pulled from their duties were all here, did he mention the amount of people here? Well he should have, there is an incredible amount of people here, his subjects, idly wondering how many were spies and if they would try anything. It would certainly make this farce interesting if one of enemies tried to have him killed.
'Tried'
Merlon made the suggestion that he should paint his armor a mix of white and black since no one ever sees him without it. Surprisingly even the cold void that was Thanok laughed at this, a passing memory comes to the front, didn't they despise eachother during the war? Unimportant, there hasn't been an issue.
Standing at the altar for such a long time how much longer was this going to take? He could have killed a Demonlord in the amount of time he was being forced to wait. Hmm, how did those wretches all seem to have the ability to bring themselves back from death at least once? The experience must be painful, your body goes through complete failure and then you come right back right as rain. Possible torture technique if it's not just a one time deal.
Ridiculous, his foremost officers were all sitting in the first rows. Looking at them he could see the smiling and laughing if not physically then in their eyes. Laugh it up, this won't last forever.
...This was taking forever, he turned and glared at the "priest" no not the combat healer a certified individual with the authority to marry people off. The priest had the audacity to shrug at the King, this was how it usually went no point in complaining.
Perhaps they all had certification in these matters, he never really asked.
Perhaps an infernal will come crashing through the roof or something, just make this waiting---
*The music begins once more.*
Finally, and with this thought on his mind the whole cathedral turns towards the isle and the bride.
----
----
"Hmm, she's adequate." Perhaps this seems ridiculously underwhelming but he has served with the best of the best of the known world and fought the most deadly of enemies. One more woman that was stunningly beautiful that could stop a man's heart at a glance was just another day to him.
Did he say that out loud, perhaps, the priest is staring in disbelief at him. Irrelevant it's time to get this show on the road, he had a kingdom to rule and had to get back to it.
The priest seemed to get over his disbelief as she got near the altar. Without a word she and Gardon's hands came together and they walked forward together.
"I can't believe I lost that bet."
"I told you it was a political show, now pay up."
The priest went through the usual routine, and he said I do and she said I do whenever it was needed but when the moment finally came to kiss the bride he looked into her eyes.
Ambition, pride, perhaps a hint of cruelty she could be a challenge to him and easily be proclaimed a hero by the known world if she just killed him. Perhaps he did indeed find some sort of equal, another passing thought came to the forefront could he possibly love this woman? It seems to be a real possibility at this point, if she was to reign with him there would always be the distinct possibility that his world could come crashing down. Years of work, of happenstance, of suffering all by the means of a woman who was much more than she appeared.
Her eyes were searching his as well, perhaps she found something worthwile because she smirked.
And with anticipation in the air nearing a breaking point they finally came together to kiss, with actual feeling it seems.
Several mages dropped their crystals that were recording the wedding, enemy spies did not know how they were going to report this to their commands, and the people oh the people didn't believe what they were seeing.
But in the midst in all of this a man in the first row began to laugh, his insane laugh sounded like a dozen voices at once and with barely any control of his own humor Lord Brian the Fallen said, "Alright, assholes pay up I WON THE BET!"