The next day dawned bright and early for Ashiya. He awoke to find himself enfolded in Rika's arms as she lay across his chest. She smiled in her sleep, and with the sun that shone through her curtains, she looked like an angel swathed in white bedsheets and radiant light. The Demon General smiled. For all his years of life, and all his tactical expertise, he couldn't grasp when or how he'd fallen for her; this nosy human woman who could rival the most beautiful of angels.
He gently pulled himself out from underneath her and pulled on his cloak, which was draped over a chair, to ward off the chill of the morning. He marched over to the counter and set up a pot of coffee. A buzz came from Rika's bedside table, and Ashiya noticed that her cellphone had chimed, and its screen lit up. He crept over to it and pulled it from the charging cable, sweeping curtains of blonde hair from his weary face as he frowned at the phone.
"My king left a voicemail?" Ashiya wondered aloud. "Why would he be contacting Rika?"
Ashiya shook his head. Maou wasn't trying to get a hold of Rika, he was trying to get a hold of Ashiya, who didn't have a cellphone.
'Curse my inability to think straight without coffee,' Ashiya thought tiredly.
As fast as his fumbling fingers could, Ashiya punched in the password to Rika's phone and tapped through the menus until he came to the voicemail screen. He hit the play icon and held the phone to his ear, profoundly proud of his ability to properly manipulate the mobile device. It was just another step in his quest for mastery over all things technological. Someday, he hoped to be able to use a computer as well as Urushihara, so as to prevent any careless spending on the part of the fallen angel.
The voicemail began to play. Ashiya heard panting, as if Maou had been running. There was urgency in his tone, and for a moment Ashiya thought that Heaven's retaliation had been far swifter than he'd surmised.
"Ashiya… listen, Alas-Ramus woke up and she… she's asking questions… Anyway, I was just explaining where babies came from-"
'Oh no,' Ashiya thought, grimacing at the idea of Maou trying to explain such a delicate concept.
"I managed to get away to make this call. Earlier, Alas-Ramus asked why me and Emi weren't married. One thing lead to another and… well, will you be my best man? Call me back as soon as you get this!"
Ashiya's heart stopped. The phone fell from his hand and clattered across the kitchen floor. His knees gave way, and suddenly he felt a tightness in his chest, like a heart attack. It wasn't exactly how he thought his day would start, nor did he ever think the day would come when Satan finally settled down to be a family man, but then, he never thought to be the best man, either.
Three cups of coffee, a hurried explanation to Rika (whom he'd shaken awake), and a moment of tense silence later, Ashiya heard the click of his return call being answered. Rika quickly took the phone from him and put it on speaker mode.
"Ashiya?" Maou asked.
"Sire," Ashiya answered curtly.
There was an insufferable pause. Ashiya heard Maou say something to someone, and then he heard a door slam, and several metallic footsteps as Maou went outside, and down the steps to the yard of the Villa Rosa.
"I'm outside, but I can't be away for long," Maou whispered, "this wedding can't be a real wedding! I can't afford one, and Emi and I don't want actual laws binding us together! Ashiya, I need your help. I need Alas-Ramus to believe me and the Hero are united in Unholy Matrimony, and I need it to be convincing. For being a toddler, she's far smarter than your average child!"
For all his worried covertness, Maou sounded a little proud at that last part.
Ashiya sighed and shook his head, "My lord-"
He stopped when Rika suddenly looked excited, having been listening in on the call with rapt attention. There was a gleam in her eyes, and she nodded happily, silently clapping her hands as she grinned in her chair.
"We would be more than happy to assist you, my lord."
"We?"
"Rika and I, sire."
"What-NO! Ashiya, I forbid you from getting her involved in this! She's always trying to meddle in things- don't let her-"
"It's too late, Maou," Rika said breathlessly, unable to contain herself, "I know everything! I need to be there as one of Emi's bridesmaids, anyway. I'll make sure this wedding goes off without a hitch," she said brightly.
"NO! NO! Ashiya, tell her she can't do this-"
"I would sire, but I'm afraid it's out of my hands," Ashiya resigned.
"NOOOO-" Maou began to scream.
His yell was shut off by Rika, who quickly ended the call and rubbed her hands together. Her eyes seemed to positively burn with malign intent as the wheels in her head turned ever faster.
"Oh, there'll be a wedding, alright," Rika hissed gleefully, "and I have such a dirty, evil idea that you'll be begging to be a part of it, hun."
Rika, who was absolutely no good at playing the role of villain, met Ashiya's amber gaze. His lower eyelid twitched as she grinned malignantly. Somehow, he found himself doubting that her evil schemes would be all that evil, but he sighed, took a sip of his coffee, and listened to her devious plan, regardless. He had to admit, it was a fairly clever one, and his master would never forgive him for taking part in it… not that Ashiya had any choice in the matter.
"Hey, would you be quiet? Some people are trying to sleep" Acies-Ara groaned, throwing open her window and glaring at Maou. Her silver and violet hair was a rat's nest, and she looked cold, as though she had been curled up beneath a set of warm, comfortable blankets.
Maou stared at her with incredulity before he snapped, "Why are you still sleeping? It's almost midday!"
"Not everyone adheres to the Demon King's stupid schedule," Acies sassed back, sticking out her tongue at Maou before slamming her window shut and falling back into bed.
By the time Maou had gotten back to his apartment, Emi had settled Alas-Ramus down to a certain extent, as the girl had cried when Maou left. Now, however, they were both looking at pictures on Emi's phone.
"What do you think, Alas? What sort of wedding dress should mama wear?"
"A poofy white one!"
"Well, we need something within our budget, but I'll see what they have for poofy white dresses," Emi complied, looking at Maou pleadingly.
"Here, Alas-Ramus, let's give mama a break. She needs to go get everything ready if we're gonna be married today," Maou said, plucking Alas-Ramus from Emi's lap so the Hero could stand up and stretch her sore legs.
"By the way, Rika texted me before you came back in. She said you told Ashiya not to include her in the ceremony," Emi remarked, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at Maou.
"Is that a problem?" Maou asked.
"Obviously! We need all the help we can get if we're gonna pull this off," Emi scoffed, grabbing her phone before marching past the Devil and out the door. Instead of turning right to exit the building, she went down the hall to Suzuno's door and pounded on it before entering the apartment.
Both Suzuno and Urushihara were hard at work. Urushihara was looking up nearby temples that would be ok with doing a short notice wedding while Suzuno took care of all the little things. She managed the flowers, cake, catering, and everything else that would be needed to fool Alas-Ramus into thinking her mama and papa were actually tying the knot.
"Good news, Suzuno, Rika's agreed to look over the wedding vows for us. And Ashiya will be helping to prepare Maou for the wedding," Emi explained hurriedly.
"I may not see eye to eye with that fool Demon General, but his strategical prowess will be an invaluable asset in the battle to wed the Hero and the Demon Lord," the Inquisitor muttered, crossing off another objective from her list of wedding essentials.
"Oh, come on, weddings aren't anything like battles… right?" Emi asked nervously as butterflies did loop-da-loops in her stomach.
"Tch," Suzuno tutted, staring up at Emi with hard eyes. "Prepare yourself, Hero. Marriage is the most difficult battle of all… fake or no, you will be bound to the Devil by forces beyond your comprehension… the fragment of Yesod itself…. Mortal laws hold little sway against something as powerful and mysterious as the Sephiroth."
"Thanks," Emi muttered sarcastically, "I needed a pick me up."
Seeing as it was such short notice, and far more cost effective, Emi and Maou settled for text messaging the wedding invites. The mass sending of the invites was met promptly with violent pounding on the door of the Demon King's Fortress.
"Emilia?! Emilia, let me in!"
"Wha-Mom? Is that you?" Emi asked.
"Of course it is! Open this door at once young lady! Your father and I received our invitations to the wedding! This is preposterous! Scandalous! This will not stand! Your father is furious!"
"I'd say politely confused is a better way to put it," Nord chimed in, so quiet compared to Lailah that Emi nearly missed his words.
"EMILIA! Is the Devil holding you prisoner? If he isn't, say nothing!"
"No, he's not-"
"I'm breaking down the door, stand back!" the fallen angel shouted.
Maou felt a demonic power surge on the other side of the door and stood to intercede, not wanting his apartment uninhabitable again. He threw open the door just as Lailah released a powerful burst of violet energy, which beat against the Demon Lord furiously as he stood firm. His jowls and cheeks puffed out, as though he were standing in a heavy gale, and his hair seemed to stick straight up, but other than that, he looked unharmed.
Maou coughed and thumped his chest, looking like he'd accidentally swallowed a bug, "That tasted a little celestial forcey to me."
"Emilia, my darling, come away from this foul beast! He will ensnare you no longer," Lailah growled, staring down the Demon King with something akin to bloody murder in her eyes.
Maou scoffed, "Emi, I'll take Alas-Ramus. You go ahead and talk to this whacko, will ya? I've had enough of crazy, neurotic women for one day."
Emi felt her face flush, knowing full well that her earlier stint with the alcohol played no small part in his frustration. She took her mother by the elbow and forcefully led her from the apartment. Lailah kept up her vindictive glare at the Demon King even after the door to his apartment was closed.
"Ok, I'm assuming you're feeling a little better… now why the hell are you so angry?" Emi asked.
"How could I not be? You're marrying the Demon King! What is it then? Blackmail? Did he torture you? Y-you don't actually love the Devil, do you?" Lailah wondered fearfully, looking as though she might faint if Emi answered affirmatively.
And still the butterflies kept tumbling within her, head over heel, like tiny acrobats that sent shivers down her spine.
"No- I- how can I answer this… Look, we're only doing this for Alas-Ramus' sake," Emi said in an undertone. "She needs to think Maou and I are married, otherwise she bursts out crying! It's maddening! She's practically forcing us to do it!"
"You can't exercise control over a toddler?" Lailah asked Emi, her eyebrows slowly creeping up her forehead.
"Now hold on, dear," Nord cut in, "just last night you spent an awful lot of money on fast food for Acies-Ara."
"She's a growing girl," Lailah said, pouting as she poked he tips of her pointer fingers together shamefully. "That's different."
"You could've gotten her something more nutritious, or cooked for her," Nord smirked, "you only gave her MgRonalds because she threw a fit."
It was Emi's turn to glare at her hypocritical mother, whose forehead became dotted with beads of perspiration. Lailah tugged at her collar, and pulled an old lace fan from her sleeve.
"My, my, it's suddenly so warm," she noted, gently fanning herself.
"Emi… if you truly think this is what's best for Alas-Ramus, your mother and I will support you… right, hun?" Nord asked his wife pointedly. Lailah didn't look happy about that at all, but she heaved a sigh and crossed her arms.
"Fine."
"You're damn right it is. That little girl is the epitome of sweetness when her mama and papa get along. After this false marriage, we're all gonna sit down and have a nice long family chat about a fake honeymoon in Ente Isla," Emi uttered. She locked eyes with her mother, whose face became an inscrutable mask of seriousness.
Emi didn't care how coarse her words were, nor how inappropriate it was to jest about such things with her parents. The magnitude of her words was not lost on them, either: the truth would out itself shortly, but no war plans could be made while the wedding took precedence. As soon as it was over, things would turn grim once again.
"I see," Lailah muttered, closing her fan with a snap and turning away from her daughter. "We'll meet you there, then. And try to smile, dear. Fake or no, your father and I will be bringing a camera for pictures."
"I have a camera on my phone," Nord said happily, "I'm sure Acies would be willing to teach me how to use it!"
The fallen angel and her husband left for the lower apartments once more, leaving Emi's faith shaken, her heart rattled, and her head sore.
"Well, that's the worst of it," Emi mused wearily, holding a hand to her throbbing cranium, "things can only get better from this point."
The Hero did not realize how truly wrong that statement could be, for a being of pure malice and bubbling fury was pounding up the steps of the Villa Rosa as she spoke. The door leading outside opened, and a presence so malevolent and terrifying that it made Emi quake in her shoes stepped into the entrance corridor.
"WHERE'S THAT DEMON KING," Chiho roared, "WHERE'S THAT FLOOZY HERO?! I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS WEDDING TO PROCEED!"
Chiho looked ready to spit fire, and her face was redder than a strawberry. A vein in her neck throbbed frightfully fast as the high school girl stared around with unseeing eyes. Smoke poured from her ears as she heard the sound of happiness and laughter coming from within Maou's apartment. Then she saw Emi.
"I WILL DESTROY YOU," Chiho declared, stabbing an accusatory finger at the Hero, "THE DEMONS OF ENTE ISLA WILL NOT FALL FOR YOUR DECEIT! THIS MARRIAGE IS A CUNNING PLOT TO TAKE DOWN THE DEMON ARMY FROM WITHIN! I CANNOT ALLOW THIS INJUSTICE TO PASS UNCHALLENGED! EMILIA THE HERO, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!"
The door to the Devil's Castle creaked open, and a long shadow was cast between Emi and Chi. Standing in the doorway, bandy legged, with her hands on her hips, came the fierce, diminutive form of Alas-Ramus, who glared up at Chiho with hard amethyst eyes.
"You'we not gonna fight my mama," she announced sternly.
Alas-Ramus charged the deranged high schooler, who immediately scooped up the toddler and raised her up to eye level. Beams of energy unlike any Emi had ever seen arced across their line of eye contact before Alas-Ramus raised a pudgy hand, holding it flat and stiff. With a battle cry that was both adorable and heart-stopping, the toddler karate chopped Chiho right on the forehead. After a moment, the darkness that had gripped Chiho broke, and she squeezed Alas-Ramus to her chest, smiling jovially.
"I can't stay mad with this adorable little cutey around," Chiho sighed, taking the child and pushing past Emi to enter the apartment.
"Glad you could make it?" Emi said in askance, wondering what on Earth just happened, and why Chiho hadn't just disemboweled her with her bare hands.
An hour and a half later, Rika and Ashiya arrived as well, with Rika leading the way, her eyes twinkling as Ashiya trailed along behind her, looking quite underwhelmed by the entire fiasco of the impromptu marriage.
Urushihara had found a temple not too far away from the Villa Rosa that was actually willing to host the ceremony. Ashiya volunteered to take care of the service. After he'd shown Alas-Ramus a rather well forged certificate stating that he was an ordained minister that was able to legally bind her parents in marriage, she gave her assent, though only after wrapping her little arms about Ashiya's neck and giving him a hug that very nearly tore his head off.
"Genewaw Awciew is da best!" she laughed.
Ashiya's response was a rather garbled, "Graawh-gurrrgh-aaacgh."
"Alas-Ramus, you're choking him." Maou muttered absently, pouring over the expense reports in front of him.
As he was the financier of the entire wedding, from the food to the dress, Maou had everyone reporting their cheapest findings to him. It turned out that the actual act of marrying Emi would've cost almost as much as just the ceremony, as it was only three thousand yen for the marriage certificate. Sadly, signing a legal document in a courthouse wouldn't placate Alas-Ramus.
"Is there any way we can cut the cost of Emi's dress? And as for catering, are there any other short term options? Twenty thousand yen for ten two-course meals is just ridiculous! I could feed everyone who's coming to the wedding for a week if I took that much cash into MgRonalds!" Maou exclaimed, his mood going from bad to worse.
"Sorry, man. They're the only catering place that's open right now that handles short term notices," Urushihara muttered.
"What about Suzuno? What if we asked her to cook for everyone?"
"She'd probably tell you to sodomize yourself with the largest, most oddly-shaped object she had nearby, which would be her hammer," Urushihara sighed. "She's been helping Emi with wedding dresses, decorations and that other crap for a while now."
"Ask her if there's anything she can do, otherwise people are going to go hungry," Maou insisted, "tell her I'll let her babysit Alas-Ramus or pay her for her services! Whatever she wants! Just get that Inquisitor to cook, dammit!"
"I'll see if she can spare the time," Urushihara muttered, standing from his position at the table and heading for the door.
"Ashiya?" Rika asked, leaning up against the wall with a pen in one hand and Maou's wedding vows in the other, "how do you spell 'yearning'?"
"Rika, I swear that if you mess with those vows I will personally toss you in the oven and serve you at the reception," Maou told her, sifting through the list of possible dress choices Emi had supplied.
"But papa, people don't taste good," Alas said, bouncing on Ashiya's knee as the Demon General memorized his lines as the ordaining minister.
"No, they don't," Maou said sweetly, "so unless everyone is hungry for rack of Rika, she'll refrain from any ad-libbing… got it? Just look them over for errors."
"Whatever you say, Demon Lord!" Rika gave Maou a wink and a thumbs up that made his heart sink as he thought of all the ways should could turn the ceremony south.
"Maybe we should've gotten someone else to do the vows," he said quietly to himself, rubbing a hand over his face.
Over in Suzuno's room, Emi, Suzuno, Nord, Chiho, and Lailah were all having quite the argument. Well, it was actually Lailah and Emi. The others just listened and weighed in from time to time.
"This marriage is a bad idea," Lailah said. Chiho nodded in agreement, looking as though Lailah's words were gospel.
"You only say that because I don't want purple flowers," Emi scoffed, flipping the pages of three separate wedding store catalogues.
"Purple is such a darling color," Lailah exclaimed, her eyes gleaming, "just imagine it! You'll be walking down the aisle past tall columns topped with dozens of violet roses!"
"Roses are expensive," Emi reminded her mother. "When you and dad feel like shelling out the yen for expensive flowers, I'll think about it. Til then, we'll just go barebones with the bouquet."
"Nord," Lailah sighed, "do you think we could-"
"I was saving some of it for after the ceremony," Nord said, scratching the back of his head.
"Saving some of what," Suzuno asked sharply, comparing the prices and size charts on Emi's preferred dresses.
"Money," Nord replied, "I was saving it for the door fee."
"We're not charging a door fee," Emi said.
The door to Suzuno's apartment swung open, revealing Urushihara. He looked quite at home as he walked up to the table and dropped himself into a chair.
"I wouldn't count on that," the fallen angel said, "Maou just saw the list of dresses you gave him, and he's pissed. Also, he wants to know if you can cook for the reception, Bell. I guess the caterers are costing an arm and a leg."
"He wants me to cook?!" Suzuno shrieked, looking rather demented "No! Absolutely not! What's Ashiya doing?! Why can't he cook?!"
"He's watching Alas-Ramus and memorizing his lines," Urushihara shrugged.
Suzuno looked a little less angry and simply scowled as she drummed her fingers against the table.
"The Demon General is talented, but he cannot cook if he is watching the Yesod fragment," Suzuno said, her brow knitting as she tried to think more clearly.
"Suzuno, could you just call her by name," Emi asked, "if you only think of her as a fragment of some fruit that's supposed to help us destroy Heaven, you'll neglect her human side."
"She isn't human," Suzuno pointed out.
Emi shook her head, feeling as though it were being split in two by some ogre with a giant, spiked war-club. Finally, an idea came to her.
"Maou already has a list of dresses," Emi noted slowly, "and seeing as that's done I can take up decorations. Suzuno, if you and Ashiya work together, can you whip up enough food for everyone again?"
"We certainly could, but I'm afraid I'll need to run to the market," Suzuno said. "Who will watch Alas-Ramus while we cook?"
"Urushihara, that's on you," Emi sighed.
"Hey! I never offered-" he began, only to be cut off.
"I'll contribute," Nord said finally. "Here's a little something to accommodate Acies-Ara's appetite."
Nord counted out three ten thousand yen notes and handed them to Suzuno. Emi and Urushihara looked on with envy before Emi rounded upon her parents.
"What the hell?! You guys are holding out on my wedding- your daughter's wedding?" Emi asked, seizing Nord and Lailah by their scruffs.
"We were trying to conserve resources," Nord reasoned, "but we'd decided that we owe it to you… aside from the money we'll put towards food, we have another one hundred thousand yen we can afford to give you."
"We were going to surprise you," Lailah said, "but it's clear you have greater need of it to prepare for the wedding."
Emi's hands shook as she released her parents and accepted the bank notes from her father. She'd never held so much money all at once, and usually she paid all of her bills electronically. Tears began to form in Emi's eyes for a moment before she smiled at Nord and Lailah.
"Th-thanks guys… I'll use this to make sure the wedding is perfect!"
Emi slammed a fistful f money down on the table before Maou, smirking as though she'd just won the lottery.
"Whoa! Emi, where did you get all that?" Maou asked, staring at the notes with a hungry expression.
"My dad had some cash stashed away for after the reception. Speaking of which, no charging people for entrance. Everyone gets in for free, got it?"
"Yeah, uh huh," Maou nodded, counting through the notes, "whatever you say."
"And I have a different dress in mind…"
"Ok," Maou agreed, still counting through the money.
"And Lailah wants purple roses up and down the aisle," Emi said.
"Sure thing," Maou muttered blearily, stunned by the cash.
"Oh, and Ashiya and Suzuno will be cooking once she gets back from the market, so Urushihara will be watching Alas-Ramus… but on the bright side, you don't have to pay for catering."
"How is Suzuno paying for all the food," Maou wondered suspiciously.
"Another little donation from my dad."
Maou rubbed his temples and set the catering brochures and wedding dress catalogues onto the floor, leaving only the venue information, and a rather out of place looking scroll on the table before him.
"What's that?" Emi asked, pointing at the scroll, which was made of the parchment paper most commonly used in Ente Isla.
"Wha-Oh! Nothing! It's nothing!" Maou's voice cracked as he hurriedly tried to tuck the scroll away under the table, only for Emi to snatch it from him. The Hero unfurled the scroll and read for a moment. Maou looked away shamefully, as did Ashiya.
"-a formal command, issued by the Great Demon King, Satan, for the immediate and timely release of his majesty's Royal Artifact No. 13. The code for the vault is seven-seven-seven. Prepare the artifact to ensure safe travel, and send it through a Gate to the coordinates that follow. My most trusted Advisor, Demon Minister Camio, your king bids thee, complete this task as quickly and discreetly as possible. Do not let the artifact, nor the coordinates contained in these orders fall into the wrong hands.
Your ruler,
The Great Demon Lord, Satan Jacob.
(Writ this day by his faithful servant, Demon General Alciel)," Emi read aloud, anger seeping into her voice as she got farther down the scroll.
"What is this 'Royal Artifact No. 13?' Maou, what the hell are you up to?"
Emi's nerves were suddenly ablaze with fear and fury. It seemed her vision was right- the Demon King was not to be trusted. He was using Alas-Ramus to lure her into a setup!
"Well… it's sort of a secret…" Maou muttered, looking ever more uncomfortable.
"Explain. Now." Emi growled at the Devil. She held out a hand and Better Half materialized, glinting brightly in the sun-filled apartment.
"Mama," Alas-Ramus said warningly.
Emi looked at the girl, noting how her eyes were glowing, as though she'd reacted to Emi's power. Her long silvery hair blew in an unfelt breeze, and suddenly Ashiya was holding her like a hot potato.
"Ow, ow, ow," he said, gritting his teeth as held the girl, whose entire form was outlined with an eerie purple light.
"Emi, knock it off," Maou said, "he'll drop her!"
Emi calmed herself and stowed the sword away, noting how the power seemed to fade from her body extremely quickly. It seemed Alas-Ramus was picking up on Emi's released celestial force, and inadvertently absorbing it.
"Rika, could you take her?" Ashiya hissed through gritted teeth. "My hands are…"
Rika put down the notebook she'd been using and took Alas-Ramus from Ashiya, placing her on her hip and looking over the Demon General's hands.
"Holy crap, you're pretty burned up," she observed quietly.
Emi pushed past Rika and examined Ashiya's hands, which were red and raw. Small blisters were popping up all over, but aside from a slightly sour look, the demon looked unaffected. Emi felt something bump her shoulder, and Maou pushed his head between Rika and Emi, staring with disbelief at his General.
"What the hell?" he asked no one in particular.
Maou turned his eyes to Emi, who looked just as surprised as Maou.
"It seems as though Alas-Ramus absorbed the celestial force Emi released," Ashiya noted dryly. "As a result, I am no longer fit to prepare dinner."
"Can't you heal him, Maou?" Emi asked.
"No, I used up all of my power last- I mean, I used up my magic recently…"
Emi looked away. It seemed that she had not only indirectly injured Ashiya, she'd also caused Maou to use the last of his magic night before, when he'd healed her frostbite.
"I suppose I could heal him," Emi said.
"No way! I'm not having an impaired Ashiya operate my stove! He'll burn the entire building down!" Maou exclaimed.
"Like you already tried to do, sire?" Ashiya asked cheekily.
"Hmph… wait, maybe Urushihara and Lailah could help," Maou realized, heading for the door.
The Hero blocked his path, crossing her arms as Maou frowned at her.
"First explain your letter to Ente Isla. What is this artifact? Why do you need it?"
Maou scowled, clenching his fists. On one hand, the artifact in question was one of the most carefully guarded secrets of the Demon World, and was likely the only chance Maou stood at defeating Heaven. On the other hand, if he didn't humor Emi and tell her about it, she might simply call off the wedding, and he couldn't let her do that. Fake or no, Maou needed the ceremony to come to fruition, otherwise he could kiss any and all sleep for the foreseeable future goodbye, due to his daughter's crying.
"Ashiya," Maou said suddenly, looking pained, "you are to tell no one that I revealed this information! And as for you two, neither of you are permitted to share it. To do so would be to incur the wrath of my entire army. Do I make myself understood?"
"What army," Emi laughed, "you don't have one anymore, remember?"
"They'll form one," Maou muttered, "they'll raise one, and they'll come here and try to destroy me, so for the sake of peace, I want all of you to swear upon your lives that you'll never reveal what I'm about to tell you to anyone else. Ever."
Emi was floored by the look on Maou's face. It was a combination of fearful and determined, like someone who had jumped from a cliff. He looked terrified of hitting the ground, but there was a certain comfort in knowing he was past the point of no return. Somehow, this scared Emi more than she thought possible. What could make Maou so serious when he was usually such a carefree smart ass?
"The Crown of the Great Demon King." Maou murmured. "That is Royal Artifact No. 13."
"Your crown?" Emi asked, underwhelmed by the revelation.
"No," Ashiya said, "thee crown. The Crown of the first Great Demon King. The one who ushered our young race into existence and gave his life for ours."
"Sataniel," Maou whispered.
"You have Sataniel's crown," Emi reiterated, thinking hard on what that meant.
"Yes… after his death, it was believed that Heaven took everything of power from his corpse, but his crown was salvaged by a demon. It was lost before the unification of the tribes. I found it sitting atop the head of some weak, fat ogre chieftain. They had never used the power within it, but for millennia it stewed in the filth of the Demon World, and as a result, the incredible amount of demon magic within it became concentrated," Maou told Emi and Rika.
"The crown is likely the most powerful receptacle of demonic magic ever created," Ashiya added, "it was locked away after we recovered it. Now, with war on the horizon, the current Demon King has seen fit to release its power."
"Why? What do you stand to gain from using it," Rika wondered.
"I don't stand to gain anything-" Maou explained exasperatedly.
"Aside from incredible power the likes of which no demon has ever possessed," Ashiya shrugged, interrupting his king.
"So you're after power!" Emi realized, looking as though she'd suspected that all along. "Are you trying to take over the world again?"
"Emi, you really have no idea what we're up against, do you? If you did, you'd understand that I intend to use the crown to maintain the life I've built here," Maou told her, looking rather tired of explaining himself.
Emi frowned, "So you have no plans for domination? Or for destroying me?"
"No," Maou shook his head. "I plan on using the crown to take down Heaven. After that, I'll send it back to Camio, and he'll put it back in my vaults. Beyond that… you know my plans for the future."
Emi knew that the Demon King planned to sacrifice himself for the good of Ente Isla. She knew that it was the most logical thing to do, as the humans would never forgive him, and angels would chase him down for as long as he lived. Even rogue demons had managed to track him down, and that was in another world, entirely. It seemed the simplest, most effective course of action, but for some reason, Emi didn't want the Devil to die. The thought make her erratic and bitter, and she felt her anger boil over once more.
"And you think I'd let you use any means to achieve your goals," Emi asked suddenly, looking quite uppity. "You think I'd just let you draw upon some artifact and absorb unlimited power from it?"
"I've weighed the options, Emi," Maou burst out suddenly, "either Ashiya and I steal people's emotions and we die during an attack, or we use this to level the battlefield. This is war! I'm not putting Alas-Ramus at risk to suit your vanity as the Hero. If you don't like it, you can stay here and babysit while the rest of us take on the threat."
Emi froze on the spot, her mind working fast as she thought of ways to rebuke the Demon King. Somehow, he'd managed to insult her vanity and her resolve in one blow. She felt tears come to her eyes as the Devil stared at her, but she angrily blinked them away. It looked as though his words had stung him a little, too, but there was something else, something odd that Emi couldn't quite put her finger on.
'If Emi stays here with Alas-Ramus they'll both be safe. If our plans fall through, or if something goes awry, I know they'll survive. Emi can take them into hiding… please… please stay with Alas-Ramus… sit this battle out….'
"If you think I'm staying behind, you're dumber than you look," Emi shouted at Maou, stomping out of the room and slamming the door behind her. It was only closed for a moment before she reopened it and glared at her fiancé. "By the way, if you use the power in that crown for anything nefarious, I'll see to it that you're destroyed. Married or no, Alas-Ramus won't stop me from taking you down."
"Mama!" The little girl exclaimed, looking fed up with having to repeat herself, "Stahp bein' mean to papa!"
Maou smirked and Emi paused in the door, taken aback by her daughter's sassiness. Emi and Maou constantly bickering had apparently worn against Alas-Ramus' patience.
"Sorry, sweetheart," Emi said gently. "Tell your papa to stop being such a selfish, annoying piece of-"
"MAMA!"
"Fine," Emi sighed, withdrawing her head from the door and closing it again.
"Sire," Ashiya grumbled, bowing to Maou as he excused himself and made for the door, holding his hands up to keep them from bumping into anything.
Rika quickly handed Alas-Ramus to Maou before getting the door for Ashiya, who tried and failed to grip the handle with his burnt fingers.
"Tell that useless Demon General Lucifer to heal your hands and get in here to watch Alas-Ramus," Maou said, taking the girl into his arms.
"I shall, but there's something else you should be made aware of, your highness…."
Maou waited for Ashiya to finish his statement, but a smell hit his nostrils and made him wince and retch. Ashiya and Rika smirked.
"She needs a diaper change," the blonde Demon General chuckled, "please take her to the washroom while I have my hands attended to."
A few hours later, Ashiya and Suzuno were working as a team to prepare enough food for everyone. The reception would be held at the Villa Rosa, as no other nearby establishments were open that late. After managing to double check the vows, and successfully hiding them from Emi and Maou, Rika left to go deal with something else. When questioned, she simply smiled and laughed, refusing to tell anyone where she was off too.
"I'll be back for the wedding," Rika muttered, "and while I'm out I'll grab the dress Emi picked out!"
That left Maou to manage finances, which he went over several times to make sure there were no mistakes in his work. Urushihara was left to watch Alas-Ramus, who sat in his lap and played with the broken laptop keyboard while Urushihara used a cheap plug-in one to actually work.
"I'm doin' the computah!" she squealed.
"You sure are," Urushihara replied.
Maou couldn't help but smirk across the table at Urushihara, who was smiling at Alas-Ramus' antics. He noticed Maou watching him and quickly pouted, returning to his normal moody self.
"What are you smirking at?" Urushihara asked.
"Nothing, man," Maou chuckled.
Nord, Lailah, Emi, Acies-Ara, Chiho, and Suzuno were all in Suzuno's apartment, watching her put the finishing touches on several dishes. Somehow, the Inquisitor managed to do it all without any help or mistakes. Everything looked so tasty and perfect, they couldn't help but wonder how she did it all without magic.
"Alright, my part of the meal is done," Suzuno sighed, wiping her brow and taking off her bandana. "Someone go check on those demons… Ashiya should be about ready as well, if he hasn't messed anything up."
"I suppose I'll go check," Emi groaned, standing from her chair and leaving Suzuno's apartment.
When she came to the door of the Demon Fortress, she knocked a couple times and simply opened the door, not waiting for anyone's permission to enter.
"Wait- no! Don't come in!" Maou shouted.
It was far too late for that, however. Emi walked in to find chaos reigning supreme. Alas-Ramus was pounding on the laptop keyboard while Urushihara and Ashiya struggled to help Maou, who was trying and failing to pull a fine dress shirt onto his head. His black slacks were around his ankles. A pot on the stove was whistling and hissing as it bubbled over.
"I told you sire, this is supposed to be unbuttoned before it's put on!" Ashiya was saying loudly.
"I didn't think my head would get caught in the neck hole," Maou panted, his voice muffled from within the shirt.
"Uh.. is this a bad time?" Emi asked, her eye twitching as she looked at Maou's boxers, which were white with vibrant red heart designs.
"Dammit, Emi, get out! Ashiya, force her out and lock the door!"
"But m'lord, you'll stumble and fall if I'm not here to support you!"
"You said the same thing when I told you to find work, but I've been living here with no one but Urushihara for weeks! Get that Hero out of my castle! I think my underwear is slipping!"
"I'll just let myself out," Emi sighed, locking the door and turning upon her heel. She promptly closed the door; shook her head to rid her mind of the strange numbness that had permeated it the moment she saw the Demon King with no pants on, and then she went back into Suzuno's apartment.
"How goes it?" the Inquisitor queried. "Is Ashiya almost done?"
"It looked like he had more important matters to worry about," Emi mumbled to herself before hiding her face behind a bridal magazine and refusing to answer anyone's questions.
The afternoon turned to evening. It was surprisingly warm for having been so cold the day before. Rika returned shortly before everyone began to depart for the Hokuguji Temple, which had agreed to play host to the ceremony in exchange for a small tithe. The best part, in Maou's opinion, was that it was a fifteen minute walk from the Villa Rosa, which meant that after everyone had buttoned up their sports jackets, done their hair and put on their make-up, they were all prepared for the trek.
"Hey, Emi! Are you guys ready to-"
Maou froze, his eyes unable to grasp exactly what he was seeing as he peeked his head around the door of Suzuno's apartment. Emi was dressed in a beautiful white wedding gown, with long lace sleeves that tapered off and hooked around her middle fingers like rings. Her braid was curled into a bun on the back of her head, but the rest of her hair was left down. She wore a pair of amethyst earrings that Alas-Ramus had picked out, and on her feet she wore a pair of matching white heels.
"Whoa," Maou muttered, his face turning red as he looked the Hero up and down.
Emi looked a little surprised by Maou's sudden appearance, and she blushed a little.
"I see you managed to get your shirt on," she noted.
"Took three people, but I got there in the end," Maou said, his crimson eyes flaring brightly as they traversed the Hero's figure.
"Satan, it is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding!" Suzuno interrupted, spinning Emi around so that she was no longer facing the Devil, and throwing a dirty wash rag in Maou's face.
Suzuno was wearing a different kimono from before. This one was white with gold stitching. She had abandoned her enchanted hair clip and side ponytail, instead putting her long aqua hair into a loose bun atop her head. It was held in place by what appeared to be a pair of fancy chopsticks, and her forelocks framed her face.
"I'm not worried. Our luck can't get much worse, can it?" Maou wondered.
Emi, Suzuno, and Rika all turned to glare at Maou, but their fury was quickly overtaken by seriousness. Could things get worse, even on such joyous, semi-normal day?
Maou clapped his hands and the girls jumped.
"Well, I'm all set. Ashiya and Urushihara will be getting ready in a couple minutes, so I suppose I'll go on ahead with Alas and wait for you guys at the temple… where are Nord, Lailah, and Acies? And what about Chiho?"
"Nord, Lailah, and Acies-Ara are downstairs, getting ready. Chiho went home, but she'll meet us at the temple," Rika said. She was busy applying a thick layer of blood red lipstick that matched the ruby earrings she wore. She'd put on a modern white dress with no shoulder straps. The hem of the dress was lined with gold silk, and she wouldn't have looked out of place at a wedding, or at a night club.
"No, I'm good to go," Emi sighed, looking herself up and down in the mirror Rika was currently sitting in front of, "I think I'll go with Maou and Alas-Ramus. You two can catch us up."
"But-but what about bad luck?" Suzuno stammered. "If you two are in such close proximity before your wedding-"
"It's not a real wedding," Emi and Maou said in unison, rolling their eyes as they turned and walked out of Suzuno's apartment.
"They could at least act like it is," Suzuno snipped, "we need to sell the illusion to Alas-Ramus."
"Oh, I think she'll be plenty happy," Rika chuckled, "after all, I've got quite the surprise for her!"
"Oh, you got Alas-Ramus a gift? Is that normal for a- what do you call it- shotgun wedding?" Suzuno asked worriedly. "If so, I may still have time to get her something!"
"No, there's no tradition. I just wanted to make sure she's happy." Rika examined her work a bit more closely, using her pinky to wipe off any excess lipstick.
"But she wants them married," Suzuno remarked. "And a fake ceremony just seems… wrong."
"There's nothing to worry about, Suzuno! Trust me, I've got everything set up. Alas-Ramus will get exactly what she wants as soon as those two sign the wedding certificate."
Suzuno gasped and put her hands to her mouth as she realized exactly what it was Rika had been up to while she was gone. Rika grinned wickedly, taking pleasure in the way her red lipstick enhanced the effect, and Suzuno's stunned expression.
The walk to the temple was blustery, and the sun was quickly sinking behind Maou and Emi. Between the couple walked Alas-Ramus, holding onto her parents' hands as though she were a living bridge between them. She ran and jumped off of the ground every few feet so it was a bit more like a strange three legged race.
"Awe we thewe yet?" she asked, kicking hard as she ran in mid-air, swinging from her parents' arms.
"Not yet, Alas," Emi told her.
Maou couldn't help but feel exceptionally hot as he walked. The setting sun was warm against his back, and he was all dressed up in layers on layers, as he was wearing the suit he had bought with Ashiya for his date with Emi. His violet silk tie was constricting and hot, and he pulled at his collar with his free hand as he went.
"Hey, Emi, is your dad walking you down the aisle?" Maou asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"Is he bringing a shotgun?"
"That joke is kinda played out," Emi sighed.
"I was just wondering if I need to fear for my life," Maou said, "besides, Urushihara was the one who made that joke. I find it just as annoying as you."
"If my dad took any sort of weapon down the aisle, it'd be Acies… or possibly a wheat scythe," Emi reasoned, smirking at the way Maou suddenly became pale and nervous.
"Your dad with a scythe, huh? Tell him to wear some black robes, too. That way, he can reap the soul of my dignity for marrying the Hero."
"Seriously? We're getting married in half an hour! You're gonna take shots at me, now of all times, in front of our daughter?!" Emi proclaimed, looking furious.
"I gotta get in my punches now, seeing as I'm going to spend the rest of my life listening to you nag. And Alas-Ramus doesn't mind, do you, darling?"
"Be nice to mama!" the girl said shrilly.
"Geez, when did this family become so uptight," Maou wondered as he saw the temple come into view, marked by a large, old fashioned gateway. The mother, father, and child all stood in front of the temple, shuddering, not from the cold, but from the foreboding suspicion that their lives were about to change forever.
"Come on," Maou said quietly, tightening his grip on his daughter's shivering hand as a rogue breeze brushed past them all. "Let's go inside."
The interior of the temple was homey and warm. Incense burned in the air, and gave it a strangely familiar smell, sort of like the frankincense in southern Ente Isla. The caretaker of the temple greeted the Devil and the Hero with kind smiles and much handshaking.
"Your tithe will be put to good use," he smiled, "when will the guests be arriving? Will they be in need of refreshments?"
"No, that's fine. The rest of the guests will be here in a few minutes. I think they were right behind us. Where will the ceremony take place?" Maou asked.
"In the shrine garden. Please, follow me! I will give you a small tour, then you may wait in the entrance hall to greet your guests. There are bathrooms if you need them, but please ask. Don't just go wandering off," the monk said.
They stopped by a doorway to a small courtyard that was paved with stone. Plants grew all over, and small shrines lined the plant beds and edges of the yard. The stonework was inspiring, and it looked to Maou like the grand courtyard of a castle.
"I'll let the guests know about the bathroom policy," Maou bent down to pick up Alas-Ramus, as she had been eyeing an old stone tablet that looked rare, and was well within reach of her powerful little hands.
"Excellent. Technically, we are closed for the day, so you needn't worry about other visitors. I only ask that you leave the temple in the exact same condition you found it. Other than that, please, enjoy yourselves, and feel free to look around. We are a small temple, but we offer many of the same insights and services as most others. Should you need me, I will be down this hall, meditating."
"Uh, thanks," Emi smiled, "we appreciate your hospitality."
"It was nothing."
Once the monk was out of earshot Maou tutted and murmured, "Nothing my ass. Ten thousand yen tithe…guest fees. Five thousand yen for the ceremony…"
"Why awe you upset, papa?"
"I'm not, honey, I promise. Papa just needs a nap. When we get home, do you wanna take a nap with papa?"
"Mama too?"
"If she's up for it," Maou smirked at Emi.
The Hero looked exceptionally pale, as though she'd realized just how far she had fallen. At one point, she'd considered killing the Demon King. Hell, she'd very nearly managed to do it… now here she was, dressed in white, and pretending to get married to the Devil- the demon that she'd once fought for dominion of Ente Isla. Emi wondered how she'd gotten to that point. Where had she gone wrong?
Her time with the Demon Lord flashed before her eyes: she was holding a knife to his throat, and beating on his chest. The vision changed, and she was sitting on a bed with him, holding hands and staring into his glowing eyes. The next, they were kissing passionately in the darkness of a ruined museum. Countless battles raged behind her eyes. Train rides filled with sadness and fear. Going on dates together. Late night phone calls. Meals shared. Allies lost. Long talks filled with hushed whispers. Moments of tenderness. Memories of fear and bitterness. Shopping together. Living together. Sleeping together. Drinking together. Laughing together.
It had all happened so fast, she found that it almost felt unreal. She snapped back to reality, where she was minutes away from being married, all to keep her newly adopted daughter complacent. Somehow, any and all bad blood between the Devil and the Hero had become water under the bridge that now connected them- a bridge that had large violet eyes, long silver hair, and the biggest, cutest grin Emi had ever seen.
"Howd me, mama!"
Emi shook her head to clear it before standing from a bench and taking Alas-Ramus from her papa. In the moment they were connected, Emi noticed the look of affection in Maou's eyes as he gazed at his daughter. Emi felt as though a spark had jumped from Maou, through Alas-Ramus, and into her. Their faces were inches apart. Maou smelled like deodorant and baby powder, which was an odd, but not entirely unpleasant combination. His hair was not quite as messy as normal, and his suit had been meticulously cleaned and groomed until it looked brand new. His dress shoes were shiny and black, and he looked excited and nervous, as though he were the happiest man in the world. Was he faking it for Alas-Ramus? Was he simply selling the wedding to her? If so, Emi felt she needed to step up her game.
She grinned and smiled, noting how much better it felt than sitting down and moping. Alas-Ramus looked quite pleased as well. It seemed that Maou and Emi had certainly taken a step in the right direction. Raphael's death was still fresh in Emi's mind, but somehow, Alas-Ramus' happiness seemed to manifest itself in Emi, rather like how Emi had activated her celestial force, and manifested it within the resonating Yesod fragment.
"Sister!"
Acies-Ara appeared in the doorway leading into the temple. Behind her stood everyone who had been invited, which included Chiho, Nord, Lailah, Ashiya, Rika, Suzuno, and Urushihara. All of them were dressed in formal clothes. Nord and Lailah didn't do much, except perhaps bathe and freshen up, seeing as they usually wore fancy clothes, anyway. Acies wore a frilly purple dress that made her look like a high-schooler going to prom. Chiho was wearing a dress similar to Rika's, and would be acting as one of Emi's bridesmaids. Urushihara and Ashiya both wore slim fitting suits, though Ashiya had parted and combed his hair, whereas Urushihara had simply done his into a ponytail.
"Everyone's here," Chiho said happily, "let's get this show on the road!"
The ceremony began with Maou, Ashiya, and Urushihara standing at the altar that had been placed in front of the temple courtyard's primary shrine. Ashiya was positioned behind the podium, preparing himself for what was to come while Maou and Urushihara stood off to one side. Maou looked a little nervous, but the fallen angel looked like he'd rather be on his laptop. Lailah sat at the piano, cracking her fingers as she prepared to start the tune which would bring Emi and her bridesmaids down the aisle.
'I hope that you're right about all this, Rika,' Ashiya thought to himself, pulling a cheap pocket watch from within his vest. It was only ten seconds from nine o'clock in the evening, which meant that the ceremony was about to get underway. Lailah's gaze met Ashiya's and she gave a small nod before lifting the lid on the piano keys and playing a slow, baleful tune. It was not nearly as upbeat as 'Here Comes the Bride,' and it sounded like something Ente Islan, where marriage was a very serious oath between two lovers. The music reflected that commitment, and bespoke of sorrow in days past, but ended with higher notes, as though hopeful for the days to come.
"All rise," Ashiya called.
Emi heard the solemn sound of the piano, playing a tune that seemed to pluck at her heartstrings. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and she felt a tugging from the back her head, where the veil was clasped to her bun. Her father stood before her, smiling as he lowered the veil.
"Are you ready, Emilia?" Nord asked.
"Not at all," Emi laughed quietly.
Nord laughed and outstretched an arm. Emi wove hers through it, using her other to clutch a bouquet of royal purple roses to her chest. Rika and Chiho took up the flank, and as one, the procession made its way out of the temple and into the courtyard. Emi paused in the doorway, her eyes lighting up as she looked around.
Fairy lights were floating above everyone's heads, and two long rows of violet roses lined the walkway to the podium. With a snap of Nord's fingers, a bright red carpet unfurled, giving Emi a safe path to the altar in her high heeled wedding slippers. Torches burned as well, but they seemed to burn with special oils that smelled of her home in Ente Isla. It reminded Emi of nights spent with her father under the stars, catching fireflies and making up constellations.
"My goodness, it seems the Demon King cleans up nice," Nord remarked quietly into Emi's ear.
The Hero grinned, knowing exactly what her father was talking about. The Demon King was never the best dressed, but tonight he seemed to have put in a modicum of effort. Everyone had. Suzuno used some of her celestial force to create a flock of glowing white doves that shot into the night sky and streaked off in all directions like shooting stars. Emi caught her breath and continued her slow march to the altar.
"Wow," Maou muttered, his eyes fixed on Emi, who looked quite embarrassed beneath her veil.
"You can say that again," Urushihara breathed, staring at Suzuno, who took a seat on the bench to the left of Emi's runway.
As the affair was quite small, there were only two long, hard wooden benches placed on either side of the carpet, but it was more than enough for everyone to sit comfortably. It also meant that everyone got front row seats.
Emi and Nord arrived at the podium, and the music slowly keened out of existence as Lailah stopped playing and took a seat on a bench. Nord placed a gentle kiss on the back of his daughter's hand before turning to join his wife. Ashiya cleared his throat and began the sermon, speaking rather longwindedly about the romanticized aspects of marriage, and how it would apply to the couple before him. It seemed rather modern, considering Emi had been expecting something a bit more indicative of demons, or of Ente Islans, but she found his words could've applied to anyone, in any world. At the very least, they gave her something to ponder.
"Now then, the bride and groom have both prepared vows for each other, which they will read before a witness. Who will bear this solemn duty?"
"Me! Me! I'm da witness," Alas-Ramus said, "that's me! Hooray! Witness!"
Suzuno carried Alas-Ramus to the podium and set her between her parents, where she beamed back and forth between them.
"Traditionally, the bride recites her vows first, however, as we are in the presence of royalty, the groom must be given precedence!"
Maou smirked at Emi. He had told Alciel to say that. It seemed Rika had no plans to sabotage his wedding after all. Now that he'd passed the first test, things were in the clear. The Devil felt his breast pocket, but he couldn't find his vows. It seemed the bride was having trouble finding hers as well. With a start, Maou remembered the last person to have them.
"Rika, what the hell?" Maou hissed, "You hid our vows! They're most likely back at the Castle!"
"Oops, sorry," she grinned, not sounding sorry at all, "it's a good thing I drew up these spare ones for you guys to use!"
Ashiya produced two folded bits of paper and held them out for Emi and Maou. They glanced at each other before hesitantly reaching out and taking the proffered vows.
"You traitor," Maou whispered to Ashiya.
"Just this once," the Demon General smirked, "and I promise it will never happen again, sire."
Maou's eye twitched as he scowled fiercely, but he choked back his anger and exhaled, "See that it doesn't, Alciel."
Maou and Emi unfolded their vows, scanning them as they realized their plight. Rika gave a nod to Chiho, and the girl cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Get a move on! Read your vows! We're getting cold!"
Maou and Emi looked at their guests to find them all nodding appreciatively at Chiho's words. Maou glared at Rika, but aside from a smile that twitched suspiciously, she looked quite unfazed. Her eyes shone brightly, though, almost as if she were about to burst out laughing.
"Go on," she muttered, "read your vows, you two."
Maou shook his head, and without knowing exactly what his vows contained, he began to read aloud.
"My name is Sadao Maou. In my original vows, I talked a lot about myself. I've recently had a change of heart, and I will now talk about how much my dear, sweet Emi means to me," Maou recited in a flat monotone, his face turning redder and redder the farther down the page he went.
"As you all know, Emilia the Hero is a total hottie. Like, super-mega-foxy-awesome hot. Still, when I first met her, I wanted to destroy her because I'm a stupid Demon King that can't plan an invasion to save my life."
Maou glowered at Rika, "Not only is this juvenile and offensive, but your spelling is atrocious."
"Suck it up and read on," Rika managed to say, covering her mouth to stifle her giggling.
"I came to this world by accident, and in doing so I managed to regain my humanity. Over time, Emilia began to mean more and more to me as I relied on her to get me through many hardships."
Maou's embarrassment faded as the words he read struck him at his core. Did Rika plan this? Was she simply grasping at straws? How could she have come so close to the truth? He cleared his throat and pushed onward.
"We've fought many battles, faced many foes… and all the while we've harbored a secret affection for each other. Alas-Ramus was the final nail in the coffin for our faux abhorrence and estrangement. I want Emi in my life, now and forever. I hereby vow that I will keep her safe from harm to the best of my ability. I will care for her, in sickness and in health. I will treat her as a Hero, as is her title, and expect that she treat me as I am due by my own title. Together, we will bridge the gap between humans and demons, and heal a world overrun by despair. To death and far beyond… I pledge my love to you, Emi, and ask you to become my wife."
Maou watched Emi carefully. Through the veil she wore, her face was an expressionless mask. It was nigh impossible for Maou to determine what she was feeling. Even her emotions seemed to be flaring and burning out like a roaring bonfire, where each flicker of the flame was an emotion. So fast did they rise and fall that the Demon Lord himself could barely get a read on them. Emi stared at Maou for a moment before realizing it was her turn to read. Alas-Ramus tugged on Emi's dress and frowned at her.
"C'mon mama, teww papa how much you wove him!" she insisted.
Emi observed Maou, who appeared frightened, or shocked. It seemed Rika had taken some serious liberties with writing the backup vows, and now it was Emi's turn to feel the burn. She glanced back at Rika, who gave her two thumbs up, before licking her lips and reading the vows.
"I am Emi Yusa. In my original vows, I did a lot of bargaining and haggling, as though trying to worm my way out of this, or distance myself from Maou… but I've had a change of heart."
Emi took a breath and scanned the next few lines, her hands shaking as she prepared to continue.
"Sadao Maou is a strange man, but that may be because he's not a man at all. Still, he fought his demons, and he came out of the Gate a changed person. When I found my old nemesis, I was sure I would have to destroy him… but I didn't. To this day, Maou has been a hardworking, down to earth guy who cares deeply about many socio-economic issues plaguing both this world, and our own. He's soft hearted, kind, and he-"
Emi paused to turn to Rika.
"Do I have to read this?" Emi whispered.
"Yes."
"-he also has a really nice butt. It's firm, like mutton, and it looks even better in black slacks."
Emi felt as though she might be sick from how nervous she felt, but she took a moment to regain her composure before pressing on.
"In this world, me and my former enemy were returned to our base human forms. We found that our awesome powers were no match for the undeniable power of love, and as two people are wont to do in the heat of battle, we fell into it headfirst. Through thick and thin, ups and downs, and tumultuous circumstances the likes of which no normal person could ever understand, this man who is not a man has been my one and only constant, and for that I thank him. I vow to be a good wife, whenever I am able. I vow to bear and raise many children, and I will keep your finances in order-"
Emi paused again, but this time, her face was flushed, and she didn't bother to whisper.
"This is degrading and sexist! I'm the Hero, dammit, not some stay at home mom!"
"I'm pretty sure I threw in a little something about you defending your home," Rika smirked, "keep reading, I'm sure it's in there somewhere."
"Oh… yeah, here it is. 'I will defend the home you build for us… I will defend the life we will build together. And I will fight so that our loved ones will have a world in which they can live peacefully, without fear of discrimination or war. I am your sword and shield, and you are my King. Together we will change the world for the better, and also have thirty-three babies."
Emi and Maou both glared at Rika, who positively shook with suppressed mirth.
"Oh my god, I may pee myself," she chortled privately.
"As is my right as the minister of this wedding, I grant you permission to marry. Do you have the rings?"
Maou took one of Emi's hands in his own and held out the other towards Alas-Ramus. From within the folds of the girl's dress, she brought out a slim golden ring. It was the same one Maou had given Emi before, but now it was set with a large pale emerald.
"With this ring, I bid you to be mine… for all eternity," Maou said loudly, placing the ring on Emi's finger.
Emi admired the ring for a moment, considering Maou's words before Alas-Ramus passed Emi a ring. It was large and gold, with a faceted scarlet ruby set in it. She took the ring and took Maou's hand, carefully sliding it into place.
"With this ring, I accept, and bid you to guard my heart for as long as it is yours to have and to hold," Emi recited.
"Now then, after you two sign this totally fake marriage certificate, you may kiss and be on your way," Ashiya said. Rika glared at him, but Maou picked up the pen, dipped it in the ink bottle, and signed. Emi followed suit, gracefully carving her name into the document.
"Then it is done! I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride," Ashiya announced.
Everyone put their hands together and clapped. Emi and Maou faced each other, their cheeks burning red. Maou raised his hands and lifted the veil, revealing Emi's face. She looked radiant and beautiful. Her makeup had been perfectly done, and her red lips were lusty and kissable… but Maou hesitated. He wondered what would happen. What did Emi expect? What did his guests expect?
Alas-Ramus stomped a foot and put her hands on her hips, pouting at her parents, who looked down to face her.
"Kiss her, papa!"
"I- but what-"
"Tch. Don't be such a wimp, Maou," Emi sighed, shaking her head. She tossed the bouquet over her shoulder, and Rika caught it as Emi charged the Demon Lord. Before Maou could escape, her arms had wrapped around his neck, pulling him into her kiss. Their lips met, and Maou's eyelids slowly drifted down with pleasure before they finally closed. He hooked his hands behind Emi's waist and pulled her into him. Lailah played a tune on the piano, something upbeat and positive. Doves flew once more, fairy lights danced over everyone's heads.
"Just in case you guys haven't figured it out," Rika muttered, causing Emi and Maou to break apart, "you two are actually married now, according to Japanese law. Congrats, you two!"
"Ashiya," Maou asked, his arms still pressed into the small of Emi's back, "is this true?"
"It is, sire."
"So you've betrayed me again?!"
"No. I only did as I was instructed," Ashiya shrugged.
"By whom?!" Maou demanded.
Ashiya looked at Rika, and Rika looked away bashfully. Then, her eyes fell upon the girl who was standing on the train of Emi's dress.
"Alas-Ramus?" Emi asked.
"Surpwise," the girl shouted happily, "Rika hewped me set it up!"
"You're grounded for a month," Maou said suddenly.
Emi frowned and shook her head at the Demon King.
"A week?" Maou asked.
Emi shook her head again as Alas-Ramus looked to be on the verge of tears.
"A day?"
Again, Emi vetoed the idea. Maou sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Time out, then. You have to sit with Rika for five minutes…"
"Okie," Alas-Ramus said happily, taking Rika by the hand and leading her towards the benches so that she might begin her punishment.
"She's quite smart, you two," Ashiya smiled, closing the book on the podium, "you'd do well not to underestimate her."
"You'd do well to treat her like a normal child," Emi said sternly to Ashiya, "if you treat her like a Sephirah, she'll grow up only knowing how it feels to thought of as an object, or a tool."
"You would be the expert on that subject," Ashiya rebuked, "though your words carry more wisdom than they entail… if you two will excuse me, I am off to sit with Rika until she and Alas-Ramus are through with their time out. Perhaps you two should begin leading people to the dance floor?"
Emi stepped away from Maou and cleared her throat, "I don't think there'll be a dance, tonight. It's too cold out, now."
"As you decree," Ashiya smiled, looking as though he knew something Emi and Maou didn't.
"Why is he so damned smug all the time?" Emi asked.
"He's been around for fifteen hundred years," Maou said thoughtfully, "I suppose he's earned the right to be a little cocky."
"Don't remind me," Emi muttered.
Maou stepped down from the raised platform they were on and extended a hand to Emi, smiling as best as he could, given his heart, which was beating so fast he thought it might give out on him.
"Well then, dear? Shall we lead the way back to the reception, or should we enjoy a dance beneath these lights?" Maou asked, his red eyes glowing with happiness.
Emi extended her hand, and the emerald on her ring caught Maou's eye. He'd spent a long time creating that jewel, and as he looked between it and Emi's eyes, he found that he'd done well in managing to match the color.
"I suppose one dance couldn't hurt," Emi said finally.
They made their way to the dance floor, which was little more than a very flat, tightly laid stone patio. Smaller shrines lined the edge as Maou and Emi cut through the milling crowd and came to a stop on the open square of stone. All eyes followed as they slowly began to dance. It was a simple two-step, back and forth, to and fro, with Maou holding Emi's waist as she gripped his bicep and his other hand.
"So, what do you think?" Maou asked suddenly.
"Huh?" Emi wondered, having been lost in her thoughts.
"Dancing with the Devil. Is it all you cracked it up to be?" Maou smirked.
"Honestly, no. I was expecting you to be tall, dark, and handsome… and you're not even that good of a dancer," Emi said cheekily, raising an eyebrow and smiling in a devious manner.
"I'm holding back," Maou explained hurriedly, "if I were to dance in my demon form, you'd be trampled into oblivion."
"I suppose I should've invested in steel-toed heels," Emi winced, "because you seem to be doing a fine job of trampling my feet, regardless of your form."
Maou smiled, but it wasn't cruel or evil. It wasn't sarcastic or demeaning in any way. He spun Emi around, and their eyes locked as the world around them blurred. Emi felt her heart slamming against her ribcage as she stared at Maou. Somehow, those bright red eyes and that handsome, roguish smile seemed to capture her mind and hold it hostage. In that moment, the butterflies in Emi's stomach lit on fire, and seemed to fly in a synchronized formation.
'Oh crap,' Emi thought, her eyes wide and disbelieving.
Maou dipped Emi, and his shadow fell over her, but his expression, far from being demonic, was ecstatic and cheerful.
'I can't believe this,' Emi whispered mentally, trembling in the arms of the Devil as he held her parallel with the ground, 'I fell for him. I fell in love with the Demon King.'
Author's Notes:
Clocking in as the longest chapter I've written for this fic, we have the wedding ceremony! Lots of things happened, and it was a bit tough to write because I had to do a little digging as to the traditions of Japanese weddings. Turns out, western styles of weddings are popular in Japan, as traditional styles are a bit pricey. Hence, I sort of mixed and matched until you have what you see here. Again, the plot get a little more fleshing out, but ultimately takes a back seat for the wedding. And how about Rika's little plot with Alas-Ramus? I swear those two are too pure for this story. Rika is my muse, as she allows me to channel my MaouxEmi without any sort of literary machina. Did anyone else like that ending? I know I sure did. I guess it was a long time coming, and I tried to sort of punch myself in the feels. Poor Emi's got them butterflies, and they only dance for Maou. Still, the chapter is primarily filler, with a few bits of humor here and there.
MUSIC!
Stolen-Dashboard Confessional
Restless Sea-Louis Futon
Hollow-Jome
We Move Like the Ocean-Bad Suns
Friends-Chase Atlantic
Thing Called Love-NF
Lose My Mind-Dean Lewis
The A-Team-Ed Sheeran
Rude-MAGIC
Fall For You-Secondhand Serenade
Better Together-Jack Johnson
Give Love-Andy Grammer (still waiting for the version with no rap)
No Other Way-Jack Johnson