The moment the Ritemaster placed the black crown adorned with draconic symbols upon Asher's head, the air in the room seemed to shift, charged with a newfound reverence and authority, "Hail King Asher Drake, the Bloodburn King, Protector of the Demon Kingdom, Master of the Kraken, and Lord of House Drake!" the Ritemaster's voice boomed, echoing throughout the grand hall of Demonstone Castle.
The gathered crowd responded in unison, their voices melding into a powerful chorus that resonated with loyalty and recognition, "Long live the king!" they chanted, their words filling the expansive space with an energy that was almost palpable.
The nobles from the three great houses, acknowledging the gravity of this historic moment, rose from their seats. Their bows were deep and respectful, a symbol of their acceptance and acknowledgment of Asher's new role and authority despite some of them not liking this.
Asher, now crowned and recognized, stood tall, feeling the weight of the crown and the responsibilities it symbolized.
He gazed out over the sea of bowed heads, a surge of power coursing through him. This was a sensation unlike any other – a feeling of being elevated, not just in status, but in spirit.
He understood, perhaps for the first time, the intoxicating allure of power that had tempted rulers throughout history.
Yet, amidst the grandeur and the ceremonial pomp, Asher remained acutely aware of the reality that lay ahead.
The crown was not just a symbol of power, but of duty and challenges yet to come. He knew that true power was something he had to work for, just like Rowena said.
Beside him, Rowena observed the scene with a glow on her face. In her eyes shone pride and anticipation for the future they would build together.
"Finally, my future is looking bright!" Kookus was about to howl in excitement, but suddenly, a nervous hand covered his mouth, only to see that it was his mother, "Mmmmthher!"
"Don't be loud, Kookus," Merina looked around worriedly as she placed a finger against her lips to try to silence her unruly son.
However, her eyes couldn't help but land on her Master again, and seeing him crowned king made her chest well up with untold emotions.
"You did well, Master…" Merina mumbled softly, and her eyes teared up as she remembered the painful years he suffered as a helpless cripple who couldn't even let out a whimper while suffering.
But now he was standing tall above all, and nobody would dare to bully him again.
Kookus was trying to speak, wanting to ask her when he was going to get an upgrade to noble status, either through her or his sister, though the latter might take time. Even if his mother can't marry him, all she has to do was get pregnant, and Asher will have no choice but to grant him a higher status.
But her hand was still sealing his mouth, and he could only helplessly tug at her hand.
As the coronation ceremony transitioned seamlessly into the wedding rites, the Ritemaster, with a wave of his gnarled hand, beckoned Isola forward.
The entire hall quieted, their attention shifting to the captivating figure of the Umbralfiend Princess. Isola moved towards Asher with a grace that seemed to match her status.
The marriage ceremony, steeped in the ancient traditions of the Bloodburn Kingdom, began with the Ritemaster chanting in a deep, resonant voice that echoed through the stone walls.
The words, old and powerful, spoke of bonds that transcended time, of unity forged in fire and darkness, of love that would endure the trials of their tumultuous world.
Asher and Isola stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a connection that seemed to bridge their souls. Despite the grandeur of the ceremony and the weight of the eyes upon them, in that moment, they were in a world of their own, bound together by an invisible thread of mutual understanding and deep affection.
The Ritemaster called upon the ancient spirits of the realm, his words creating a spell that seemed to make the air around the couple shimmer with an ethereal dark light.
Asher took Isola's hands in his, feeling the warmth and strength in her touch. A bowl of dark, iridescent liquid was brought forth, a symbol of the depth and mystery of their union.
"In the eyes of the eternal darkness, and under the gaze of the devils and ancient ones, drink this elixir, and let your souls be entwined for all eternity," intoned the Ritemaster.
Asher and Isola each took a sip from the bowl, the liquid tasting of the ocean's depth and the night's mysteries.
As they drank, a gentle, but powerful energy enveloped them. The crowd watched in awe as tendrils of dark energy spiraled up around the couple, symbolizing the unbreakable bond being forged between them.
Finally, the Ritemaster declared, "Let the shadows bear witness, and the darkness bind you. You are now united in the eyes of all. May your union be as enduring as the night and as deep as the abyss."
With those final words, Asher gently lifted Isola's chin, and their lips met in a kiss that sealed their bond. Isola's eyes closed with a look of contentment and happiness, unable to believe she was living a reality like this after all those years.
She couldn't help but remember the stories her late maid used to tell her when she was a small girl, one of which included marrying a king. Stories like those sometimes helped her keep going, and now all of them came true. If only she was here to witness this.
'Lira…thank you…'
The hall erupted in cheers and applause, but for Asher and Isola, the noise faded into the background.
Rowena couldn't help but feel moved by the bubble of warmth and love that was enveloping these two. She was now even more motivated to keep him happy and content like this and never ever let him revert to how he was in the past. She didn't even want to imagine something like that happening again.
Her only regret was that she never got to take part in a ceremony like this with him since he was soulless at that time.
Ceti had a complicated look as she saw them and lowered her gaze, feeling happy yet envious of Isola for getting to stand beside him before all like that.
But she felt her mother's comforting gaze and warmly smiled, feeling bad that she had it worse than her. And yet she was standing strong and smiling.
A drop of tear trickled down Narissara's eyes before she realized it. But she quickly wiped it away and composed herself while her gaze shifted around to see if anybody saw her.
"No need to hold back your happiness for a moment like this. Our daughter can finally live the life she deserves," Moraxor's hand rested on Narissara's shoulder, making her lips press together as her eyes glistened once more.
Silvia was puffing up her cheeks, though her mother's hand on her shoulder was stifling any impulsive feelings that were tempting to form in her mind.
Sabina was licking her upper lip, already cooking up schemes to make him addicted to her pussy only. Now, what was that enlightment she had yesterday regarding a potion?...
Once the ceremony was completed, the Hall Elder loudly announced, "Those who want to pledge their allegiance to His Majesty should step forward now!"
As the senior and young nobles stepped forward to pledge their allegiance, the atmosphere in the hall was brimming with anticipation and a sense of historic change.
One by one, they approached Asher, each kneeling in a gesture of fealty and respect. Asher, with a regal and composed demeanor, accepted their pledges, appointing each as his vassal with a few well-chosen words and a solemn nod.
Rebecca's hand rested heavily on Oberon's shoulder, her voice a strained whisper of encouragement, "Don't worry. I won't let it last too long. Consider this as part of our custom."
Oberon's fists were shaking, and his neck had veins popping as this entire ceremony was torture to him.
But hearing his mother's words, he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before he moved forward, his steps measured and deliberate.
Seron looked at his son, and Silvan followed suit before giving a subtle nod, adding his weight to the line of nobles.
On the sidelines, Caelum and Leonidas, already sworn vassals of the king, watched the proceedings with a mix of amusement and pride. Leonidas's smirk was evident as he commented, "These newbie vassals are too late."
"Can't blame them for not being dedicated enough," Caelum said with a half, knowing smile.
The tension in the hall seemed to peak as Oberon took his turn, kneeling before Asher.
His body was barely containing the storm of emotions within, but he managed to maintain a facade of composure. Asher, catching the subtle signs of Oberon's inner turmoil, leaned slightly forward, a sardonic smile playing on his lips.
"Well, well, Prince Oberon," Asher began, his voice laced with a mocking warmth, "It feels good to see you coming forward. I must say, I'm rather touched by your... devotion."
The words hung in the air, heavy with irony and unspoken history.
Oberon's jaw tightened visibly, but he remained silent, his pride battling against the circumstances he found himself in.
Asher extended his hand, signaling Oberon to rise, "Rise, Prince Oberon," he continued, his tone softening just enough to mask the edge in his words, "Your allegiance is noted. May your loyalty to the throne be as unwavering as your resolve."
"The honor is mine…" Oberon somehow coughed out those words and deeply bowed before walking away in a hurry as if he may not be able to control himself if he stood there a second longer.
The hall, still reverberating with the echoes of newly sworn allegiances, grew quiet as Rowena's voice, clear and authoritative, broke the silence, "You may now choose more than one of the Bloodborn Guards to be your sworn guards," she said, her gaze fixed on Asher with an expression that hinted at the gravity of her offer.
Asher could see that she was practically offering him all of them and felt moved by her gesture, though he had already made up his mind.
He scanned the line of formidable Bloodborn Guards, all of them standing proudly and stoically but with deference.
His finger rose, pointing decisively towards the only female figure among them, a towering presence clad in black armor and with a small moving bump under her cape, "I only need one," he declared, his voice resounding through the hall.
Eradicator turned her blood-red slitted gaze towards Asher, then glanced at the queen, receiving a subtle nod of affirmation.
With a fluid motion that belied her imposing frame, Eradicator knelt before Asher, her voice resonating from behind her helmet, "My sword and my allegiance are yours, my King. I vow to protect you with my life until my last breath."
Asher acknowledged her pledge with a nod and lightly smiled, "Rise, Eradicator. Your loyalty is invaluable," Finally, he got a powerful warrior who was now only loyal to him and did as she was told without question.
Now, there was a lot to do with his newfound auth—
*BHOOOM!*
A deadly silence suddenly struck the hall as an earth-shaking sound came from above, making everyone look up with widened eyes.
