Chapter 388: Chapter 349 – The Grand Ceremony

“In history, it was nearly unheard of for a monarch or noble’s second or later marriages to be grander than the first, outside of cases where the relationship between the subject in question and their first spouse were on horrible terms.

 

But one where the first spouse not only gave their permission, but even encouraged for a much grander second ceremony was definitely something unique to be noted in the history books. In many ways I’m glad I got to attend the ceremony and witness it for myself.” - Garth Wainwrought, Dean of the Levain Institute for Higher Learning, circa 690 FP.

The day of Xain’s second wedding ceremony with Ying Xiao fell on the last day of autumn of that year, a conscious decision on Xain’s part, partly because he heard how the commoners had gone through the trouble to set up all sorts of festive lanterns and other decorations to celebrate his wedding with Layla several years ago.

 

It was customary in Al-Shan to hold a celebration to celebrate the year’s harvest and to pray for a mild winter in the last week of autumn, however. As such, by holding his own wedding ceremony on the last day of autumn, Xain had indirectly given the commoners an excuse to re-use the same decorations for both festivities, which saved them time, money, and effort.

 

When the time for the ceremony itself came - held at the same seaside cliff where he held his first wedding - the day was clear, the sun shining brightly on the late autumn day, giving warmth to the otherwise chilly air. Many of the more superstitious attendees thought of it as a good omen from the deities, a blessing to the union, and other such things.

 

As for the attendees themselves, where his first wedding mostly brought ambassadors from the nations that had reconnected with the Empire after the civil war, this time around actual monarchs from all around the world were in attendance, as they sat primly and watched someone they now considered their equal in standing celebrate his second marriage.

 

The Ceremony itself started quickly, though unlike the previous time, where Cal had delivered Xain to the altar as his family, Layla had undertaken that role herself this time. In contrast, Cal was the one who delivered Ying Xiao to the wedding altar, as her master and the closest thing to family he had at the moment.

 

Unlike what most expected, Ying Xiao had not arrived to her wedding in a bridal outfit as was the norm. Instead, she came wearing the formal outfit of an Imperial General as befit her position. A statement that basically claimed that she was a General first and an Empress second. That had drawn some curious looks from the attendees, but nothing further at the moment.

 

Much like the previous time, old Halmout presided over them as the master of ceremonies, and the ritual exchange of words and bows were short as was the norm. When he proclaimed them wed - and Ying Xiao as the second Empress of the Empire - though, a surprise for many of the attendees arrived.

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Some people screamed in fright and panic as Ragiula’s massive form rose past the cliff’s height, though the locals who had seen a similar - if less showy - spectacle in the previous wedding were quick to calm the panicking ones. Like the previous time, she proffered a gift to the newlywed couple, one proffered with a pair of tentacles much like the way a human would proffer an item to their lord.

 

A select few people in the know like Cal understood all too well that the gesture was merely theater on their part, since the relationship between the Empire and its monstrous guardian was more a contract of mutual benefits amongst equals than anything else. For the others however, the scene was impactful and even made a few forget to breathe as they watched.

 

Ragiula presented the couple with a scepter, which from the looks of it - and the grin on Silas’ face that Cal noticed - must have been crafted with the aid of the local merfolks. The scepter itself gleamed with iridescent light under the sun, its entire form gleaming as if it was a perfectly cut and polished piece of jewelry.

 

It might as well be one.

 

Cal recognized the material the scepter was made of, that of Coral Core, the aquatic equivalent to Heartwood with many similar properties to it. The cores, only found in the hearts of ancient coral formations deep within the oceans - far deeper than even the regions inhabited by the Deepfolk - was beyond prized due to its rarity and beauty, and a scepter made entirely out of it would easily be the envy of monarchs all over the world.

 

After the wedding ceremony itself, the festivities commenced, as food and drinks were brought out in quantities enough to satisfy all the attendees present for the ceremony a couple times over, both the important delegates and the lucky commoners who were picked to attend as well. At roughly the same time, in every city of the Empire, imperial soldiers and ministers held large, public feasts that encompassed entire cities - even the smaller villages held such feasts as well - as the Empire joined the celebration at large.

 

One of the most talked-about displays for entertainment from the ceremony was when Cal herself went up the stage and performed what looked to most like a horribly vicious sparring match with Aideen, who had volunteered as well. Despite the impression it gave to the thrilled audience though, every move in their spar had been calculated and planned out by the two veteran warriors, and they purposely fought with more flourish than usual as well, to further enliven the situation.

 

Al-Shan celebrated from noon to midnight and well into the next morning that day, even long after the Emperor and his new Empress - along with the rest of his family - had retired to their private chambers. For many civilians of the Empire, that particular day would be a celebration that they would never forget for the rest of their lives, as it etched itself permanently into their memories.

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