Chapter 38: Wedding
[London]
Dylan adjusted the cuffs of his black tuxedo, exhaling deeply as he stood inside the city hall. He had never felt this nervous before—not during adoption, not during rebelling, not during exams—but now, in less than an hour, he would have something he had never truly had before: a family.
His friends—Max, George, Kyle, Neil, and Liam—stood by his side, sensing his unease.
"Why are you fidgeting like this is an arranged marriage?" Kyle teased, elbowing him.
"Seriously. You've known her since you were five. Calm down," Neil added, smirking.
Dylan sighed and gulped down a glass of water. Just as he steadied himself, Liam leaned in from behind and whispered, "You stocked up on condoms for tonight, right?"
Dylan turned around in exasperation. The teasing had been relentless for the past five days.
"I even bought some toys as a wedding gift," Max chimed in with a mischievous grin.
Toys? What did they think he was, a kinky adult film star?
"You idiots," Dylan muttered, rubbing his temples. "Just don't say anything like this in front of Isabella."
"Don't tell me you're just planning to hold hands and sleep," George scoffed.
Dylan shot him a warning glare but was cut short when the doors opened, and Isabella walked in with Bianca.
His breath caught in his throat.
She was stunning.
Isabella wore a long, elegant one-shoulder gown in white and olive green, a delicate balance of purity and elegance. Tiny embroidered white flowers trailed across the fabric, accentuating her natural grace. Her golden hair was styled into a sleek bun, secured with delicate pins, and her slender neck bore a simple emerald pendant that matched the ring on her finger.
And then, there were her eyes—evergreen, deep, and filled with unspoken promises.
For a moment, the world around them faded.
Isabella's heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight of Dylan, standing tall and composed in his wedding suit. He had always been handsome, but today, knowing he was about to become her husband, he looked impossibly perfect.
Neil's whistle snapped them out of their trance.
Dylan stepped forward, extending his hand toward Isabella, who took it without hesitation. Their fingers intertwined, warm and sure.
"You two can stare at each other all night. But right now, the registrar is waiting," Max quipped, making the others chuckle.
Dylan turned to Isabella. "Are you ready?"
Her grip tightened around his hand as she nodded. "Always."
The ceremony was simple—just signatures on a document—but the significance of those inked lines was immeasurable. Their friends cheered as soon as the papers were signed, and the registrar congratulated them, mentioning that their official marriage certificate would arrive by mail.
"Isa!" Bianca pulled Isabella into a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you, Bia," Isabella replied sincerely. Bianca had been her unwavering support through everything, reminding her time and again that no matter what happened, she would always have someone by her side.
The boys tackled Dylan in a rough, celebratory hug, making him laugh.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" The group began chanting, pushing the newlyweds toward each other.
Isabella blushed under Dylan's gaze. His eyes held nothing but adoration.
Dylan cupped her face gently and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, as if sealing a sacred vow. Isabella closed her eyes, savoring the moment, etching it into her heart.
"I love you, my wife," Dylan whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
A radiant smile graced Isabella's lips. "I love you too, husband." She stood on her toes and kissed his chin, making the crowd cheer louder.
Liam, self-proclaimed wedding photographer, began taking pictures from every weird angle possible—some beautiful, some downright ridiculous.
A few familiar faces from the orphanage had also been invited. Dylan and Isabella greeted them warmly, their small wedding celebration filled with laughter and heartfelt conversations.
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[Mythiopia]
Lawrence's fist came down hard on the table.
"That is not a wedding," he growled, his piercing gaze locked onto the magical projection before him. "They signed a piece of paper and now they're married?"
His daughter—the crown princess of Mythiopia—deserved a grand celebration. If either of his daughters ever married, the entire kingdom would be draped in gold and silk, the sky itself painted in fireworks.
But this? No priest, no sacred vows, no elders,no blessings, no proper venue. Not even an heirloom adorning her. Just a simple dress, a modest ring, and a casual dinner party.
Aliza placed a calming hand on his arm. "Lawrence, look at her. Isabella is happy."
Though she, too, had envisioned something grander, there was no denying the light in their daughter's eyes.
"That man must be scamming her," Lawrence muttered. "He didn't even present a love token. How dare he claim to love her?"
Aliza sighed. "We don't know the customs of the human realm. Perhaps this is their way of showing love."
In the corner of the room, Dexter and Stella watched in silence.
Stella's emotions were tangled—relief, unease, and something she couldn't quite place.
She had always imagined Isabella as weak, just another commoner. But the girl standing beside Dylan in the projection radiated confidence, calmness, and an air of quiet authority that even a crown couldn't bestow.
Her green eyes—though devoid of magic—seemed to hold entire worlds within them.
If Isabella had been raised in Mythiopia, Stella might have felt truly threatened. But she wasn't. She was just an ordinary girl from the human realm. Even the palace servants here would hold a better wedding than that. That thought reassured Stella.
As Dexter and Stella left, Lawrence and Aliza continued watching.
The wedding celebration had transitioned into a small dinner gathering, filled with laughter, warmth, and love.
Lawrence sighed, his anger dulling into something else—something dangerously close to reluctant acceptance.
One thing was clear: Isabella loved Dylan with all her heart. And from the way Dylan looked at her, it was evident—he felt the same.
As the king looked at Isabella smile and laugh, he more firmly decided in finding a way to bring her back home. He would bring her husband too, but will not let her suffer in the unknown world.