Chapter 19
Written By Illuminet
Disclaimer: Refer to the first chapter
"..."-Indicate Speech
'...'-Indicate Thought
:TWF:
Celestia, Seraphic Sanctuary, Dressing room (Laharl)
"Uh, Laharl, are you ready?"
Aramis asked from behind the large ornate door with golden trim. Not hearing anything Aramis opened toe door and stepped into the room. He saw the black formal suit with white tuxedo sprawled along the high chair.
"Laharl, where are you? You should be wearing your suit by now."
Aramis said with a groan. He turned when he heard the door that led to the bathroom opening.
"Damn it. Can't I have enough privacy just to take a piss at least?"
Laharl said with a small growl of annoyance. He was wearing a formal suit, one that was even darker than the suit bought for him, and had a long black tux on. He straightened the red crest tied closely to his neck, before fixing the two crests of Demon royalty that adorned the bottom sleeves of his black coat. The pants he wore were slightly loose, so that air could circulate.
"Uh...well I guess it'll work for the wedding ceremony, but where did you get it?"
Aramis asked.
"It belonged to my father. Not sure what he used it for, but It's definitely more comfortable than the suit I was given originally."
Laharl stated. Aramis hadn't noticed it before, but across Laharl's shoulder was his black cape, which was looped together to form a kind of sash. The overall effect of Laharl's clothing was still appealing for the wedding, and still made him seem to hold a regal feel about him as well.
"Anyway, let's get going. You got the ring?"
Laharl asked. Aramis nodded.
"Good. Let's go. But what else do you have there?"
He said, turning swiftly from the exit to look at the long item wrapped in a royal purple cloth that Aramis had in his left hand.
"Don't worry. You'll find out after the wedding is complete."
Aramis stated. Laharl did not look satisfied with the answer, but didn't question further as he proceeded out the door.
:TWF:
Celestia, Seraphic Sanctuary, near the Sacred Altar
Laharl walked stiffly, his face adorned with a slight frown.
"I know this is necessary, but I still don't like it. I mean, I've already mated to her, so why do I have to go through the process of getting married? Especially when they are both the same thing."
Laharl grumbled. Aramis shrugged.
"Well, the Seraph did bring a good point that it would be the best way to show all the worlds your also going to ascend to the title of Overlord...again."
Aramis stated.
"Yeah...I have to remember the old ways are beginning to fade...they might even be reshaping into even older ways when Humans, Angels and us Demons still lived together in peace. It was so hard to imagine when I was a child, and even now, it still is somewhat difficult. I wonder how long the peace will last."
Laharl began rambling, more to himself then Aramis.
"We should all do as Etna had said. We must cherish the peace we fight for and do our best to keep it strong. Regardless peace is never an assured cause."
Aramis spoke. Laharl knew this all too well and could only nod in agreement.
:TWF:
Celestia, Seraphic Sanctuary, Dressing room (Etna)
Etna felt slightly nervous. Although both her and Laharl had agreed to it, getting married was something neither one knew much about, as it was a practice done only with the Humans and Angels. Both she and Laharl had been mated for nearly three years now since the day she confessed her love to him. He had agreed that he would give her the chance she had wanted for quite some time. Luckily, he had grown to love her the same way, though the process had been a slow one. But her patience had payed off quite nicely. Etna went back to her thoughts about the wedding that had been planned in Celestia. Seraph Michaelangelo had stated it would be a good idea for the two to wed since it was a binding custom that was recognized by all three races, although far more recognized by the Humans and Angels since Demons only accepted the custom on a very minuscule level, never adopting it as their own. The only Demon to ever get officially married thus far had been Overlord Krichevskoy.
"Hey Etna! The wedding's about to start. We should get going."
Etna heard Priere say from outside the room. Etna took a deep breath to dispel any more nervousness.
"It's time, then?"
Etna said as she walked out of her room to greet Priere. The fellow Overlord nodded.
"Hm, you decided to wear a black dress instead of the white one?"
Priere observed. Etna nodded.
"Yeah. Sorry, but white just isn't my color."
Etna told her.
"Yeah, I agree. You have to keep something Demon made for occasions like this, anyway.""
Priere said, nodding her head.
"Let's get going. I want to get this whole marriage thing done with, and I'm sure Laharl would be too. I still can't believe the Seraph talked us into getting married in the first place."
Etna stated with a sigh. At least it was on Celestia and not on Earth. Earth marriages seemed to be wound by all sorts of legal documents and the like which both Laharl and Etna found to not be a very appealing kind of marriage. Angel marriages were a lot less strenuous so it became obvious which wedding type they would have.
:TWF:
Celestia, Seraphic Sanctuary, Sacred Altar
'This is it.'
Etna thought to herself, placing the black veil on her head. She could already hear the piano playing for the occasion. With one final deep breath, she nodded towards Priere who opened the doors to allow Etna access. The light that filtered from the large fired braziers combined with the light of the sun made everything seem so bright, and Etna was glad she decided to wear black, or the light might have made her go blind. She walked steadily forward, holding onto her bouquet firmly. She was not escorted by anyone one since she had to father figure to do so. The crowd around her consisted of a mix of the three races, as all eyes were on her but she only payed attention to the one who stood by the altar along with the Seraph who had a large golden bound book in his hand. She was a bit surprised when she saw Laharl actually wearing pants rather than shorts, and from what she could see, the suit he wore was a Demon crafted one, as was her own black dress. Laharl stared at her, his expression calm. Of course, the veil over Etna's head prevented them from making direct eye contact with one another. She soon found herself by his side and looped her arm with his own as they both faced Michaelangelo. The music stopped. Michaelangelo opened the large book.
"Now then, I'm honored to see so many faces here in Celestia to commemorate this special day. This wedding ceremony is not just another wedding of which we celebrate and recognize the love between two Angels as it has been in the past, for so many centuries now. No, this wedding ceremony holds so much more significance then many may truly realize...this day will be marked as the first where all of the races live in harmony and our cultures and customs that have been developed by each of us in solitude from another will finally begin to intertwine. As it once had. Somewhere along the line back then, we had forsaken each other, but I hope that this union between these two Demons within this world where we Angels thrive will hopefully bring a peace between all the races by showing that everyone can live peacefully with one another, no matter what the race the other is from. And without further ado, let the final act of this ceremony be concluded. Of course before I begin, I ask you all in the audience now if you object to the union of these two individuals? If so, speak your claim now or forever hold your peace."
Michalangelo stated. No one said a thing.
"Very well then. Do you, Laharl, take Etna to be your wife, to hold and to comfort until your dying days have come to pass?"
Michaelangelo asked, looking at Laharl. Laharl held out his hand towards Aramis, who deposited a simple golden ring with intricate carvings along it's surface. He took Etna hand and slid it on her ring finger.
"I do."
Laharl said with a nod. The Seraph then turned to Etna.
"Do you, Etna, take Laharl to be your husband, likewise to hold and to comfort until your dying days have come to pass?"
He asked of her. Etna held out her hand for Priere to give her the ring before she did the same to Laharl, putting an identical ring on his finger.
"I do."
She said, also nodding. Michaelangelo closed his book softly after she said that.
"Then I pronounce you both Husband and Wife. Laharl, you may kiss the bride."
Michaelangelo said. Laharl and Etna turned to one another, Laharl moving the veil back to reveal Etna's face. He looked at bit timid and shy for only a moment before he kissed her fully, since he wasn't really used to public shows of affection. The crowd roared in celebration. Laharl began to move, but Etna halted him. He turned back to give her a questioning look. Etna raised her hand, indicating she wanted silence. The crowd obliged and quieted down. Etna handed the bouquet to Priere before she turned towards Aramis, and took the wrapped up item he had been carrying earlier. She faced the crowd.
"There is one more thing I wish for you all to witness on this day. And that is my wish to pass my title as Supreme Overlord over to my husband."
Etna said in a regal tone. Even Laharl hadn't expected that to occur here during the wedding ceremony, so he was caught off guard. Etna undid the wrapping of the purple cloth letting it fall to the floor where Aramis picked it up.
"First, I will bestow this sword upon Laharl as a gift from me as your wife."
Etna stated, and Aramis handed Laharl a sheathed sword, one Laharl recognized quite quickly.
'This was...the sword I dropped back here after killing Lamington all those years ago...'
Laharl thought to himself, not even needing to see the blade as he only inspected the hilt for a brief second.
"And now I will pass down this legendary spear favored best by our previous Overlord, King Krichevskoy. The Longinus."
Etna came close to Laharl handing him the living weapon.
"And now for the full recognition. The Overlord's crown."
Etna stated. Laharl stared wide eyed as she placed the golden relic on top of his head, pulling the long tendrils of hair through the top opening of the crown. This brought memories of when he became the Overlord for the first time so many years ago. The Demons amongst the crowd shouted the mightiest, and soon everyone joined in declaring that Laharl was the new Overlord of the Netherworld...again.
:TWF:
Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Balcony
"Something tells me he foresaw this whole event would eventually unfold..."
Laharl said to himself. He was facing out into the night sky as he often loved to do. He and Etna only got home recently after the many hours of celebration on Celestia. He had already placed his crown by a small pedestal in their room, as he didn't need to wear it anymore except for that one rite of succession. Longinus was leaned against the side of the balcony, and Laharl had his old sword strapped to the belt of his shorts, though there was no true reason to have to use it anymore since his powers made him so formidable already.
"Who are you talking about?"
Laharl turned his head slightly to regard Etna as she stood beside him. He then turned his head back to the sky.
"My dad. He had been here a few years back. It was on the same day of your confessions to me. He said you probably would tell me eventually and after he left, it was only an hour before you came to me."
Laharl explained to her. Etna turned her head from him to gaze at the night sky as well.
"He came all the way from the spirit world just to tell you that?"
She asked him. Laharl shook his head.
"No. He came for another reason. To tell me of the truth behind Flonne coming to the Netherworld in the first place."
He said.
"She had some kind of ulterior motive to coming here?"
Etna asked, her voice hinting on slight disbelief. As far as she had known, Flonne didn't seem like the type to do such things.
"No. She had no idea of the hidden plot being devised in the first place. She thought she was sent here to kill my father, and we had all assumed the Angels didn't keep sufficient knowledge that the Overlord had died two years prior. In reality, not only did Lamington know my father was dead, but the two were working together to bridge the gaps that had formed between the races over the passing centuries. Things had gone well until Volcanus decided to destroy us by using the Humans as a shield. Lamington never had any intention of killing Flonne, but I had assumed things too soon, and you know the rest that transpired on that night."
Laharl explained. Etna lowered her head.
"Do you regret it? Not having her here with you?"
Etna asked. Somehow she thought she knew he would answer yes to her question. If that would be the case, Etna would step down as she promised she would. Laharl surprised her by shaking his head.
"No, I don't. Many years ago I would have probably said yes, but I have matured quite a bit since then. Flonne will always hold a special place in my heart, but I must move on to make progress in my life. I love you Etna, and I always will for as long as live."
Laharl said, turning to face her. Etna had a slight blush spread across her face.
"Laharl..."
She began, but never finished, at a loss for words. Laharl wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his other hand grasping around Longinus before he hefted the weapon across his shoulder.
"We've done enough sky gazing for one night. Let's go to bed, shall we?"
He said. Etna only nodded and the two made their way back to their room.
:TBC:
