Xiran and Aselia announced their decision to their family and they wanted Grandma Asfarla to set the date for their upcoming ritual. The whole family rejoiced at the auspicious news and Aselia showed them her elegant ring.

"Xiran! I love this idea of exchanging rings. That’s a beautiful tradition your world has," Sayla exclaimed, as she examined Aselia’s ring.

Aselia’s heart pinged at the thought that she couldn’t get anything for Xiran so she made a mental note to ask Sayla to arrange something for him. An idea crossed her mind and she knew it was perfect.

"Well, I hope you find your Sera soon and we will bring you some glamorous rings from our world. It’s a promise," Xiran reassured her and she couldn’t help but beam at the thought.

Grandma Asfarla then set the date. It was in ten days when they would be celebrating a festival of flowers. She believed it would be an ideal day for such an occasion. The festival marked the end of the season of flowers and the beginning of the season of harvests and cold.

The next week and a half was then spent in preparation for Xiran and Aselia’s bonding ritual. Grandma Afarla had passed on instructions that every task needed to be meticulously accomplished. Everyone was given specific chores and they were expected to complete them with fervour.

Their ritual attires were being specifically prepared, using the finest materials, jewels and threads. Their sizes were taken and every part of their bodies were measured.

Important guests, clan leaders, and heads of other regions had been invited to attend this prestigious event. The invitations were written out on silk-like scrolls and sent out so people could arrive on time.

A banquet was to be held for the guests after the ceremony so Xiran and Aselia could properly be introduced to the leaders of Tromalius.

The engaged couple had not seen the venue yet and it was kept as a surprise for them. But they had been briefed about all the events that would be taking place and all the rituals they will need to follow. They were in approval of every aspect that had been discussed with them.

Both of them had settled right in and every person in the household deeply loved them. Aselia had started learning their language from Sayla; who had been acting as a splendid guide to Aselia. She hadn’t yet met her soul mate and was excited to find him and settle down.

Sulran had allotted a special place to the dotting couple. It was located near the bank of a river with nature surrounding it. He took both of them there and showed them around.

Aselia and Xiran loved the calm ambience and serenity of it. The gushing sound of the river, the natural beauty of the wildflowers and the variety of trees around won their hearts.

They knew this would be the spot they would need to return to whenever solace would be required. Both of them sat down and designed the house according to how they wanted it and discussed the plans with Sulran. He approved of their choices and construction started on it. He ordered that the house be finished as soon as possible and that the finest of the material be used in its construction.

Xiran was over the moon as days drew near till he would own her when suddenly the tables were turned on him, leaving him agitated and restless.

Two days prior to the ritual ceremony, Aselia and Xiran were separated and given different rooms to stay instead of the one they were staying in. While Aselia didn’t object and happily accepted the decision. She was to be confined to her room and not meet any males including Xiran till the ritual day.

Xiran on the other hand was infuriated, the thought of not seeing or meeting her didn’t sit right with him. The anger surged through him and he decided to be petty.

"Why can’t I see her? How does it affect the ritual?" Xiran went straight to his grandma and complained when Sayla refused to let him meet Aselia.

"Come sit with me," Asfarla ushered him towards her with a grandmotherly warmth, and Xiran obeyed, striding on his lean legs and perching near her with an annoyed look. Asfarla endearingly smiled at his cute frustration. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"My boy, it doesn’t affect the ritual but it’s a tradition we follow. Your heart needs to crave her, to desire her and when you will finally see her on that day, everything will fall into place," she explained, making Xiran slightly nod but the scowl didn’t leave his face.

"I don’t like this tradition," he exasperated, making Asfarla lean close and hug her grandson. She wanted to ease his heart.

"I know my dear, no man does. Your grandfather hated it too when they told him he couldn’t see me till the ritual day," she explained, her serene face reflecting his remembrance.

"He did?" Xiran separated from Asfarla and asked with a hint of surprise.

"Yes, but it was worth the wait for him and I promise you it will be the same for you," the tenderness and reassurance in her voice soothed his heart a bit.

"I will take your word for it," he answered and finally a small smile graced his face making his grandmother rejoice.

"Your mother must have been proud. She raised one fine boy," Asfarla’s words caught him off guard and he couldn’t properly mask the sorrow that got reflected in his mesmerising grey orbs.

"I am not even half the person that she was," the sadness in his eyes mirrored the pain in his heart.

"Can you tell me something about her life there? I don’t want to pry but my heart aches not knowing anything," Asfarla slowly asked.

"Some other time grandma but she was an exceptional wife and a dotting mother. I want to extend my gratitude for raising her the way you did and for her to extend all that goodness to me. And I would endeavour to keep it and extend that to my coming generations," Xiran promised.

"I am positive, you will. Both of you will make exceptional parents. My blessings are with both of you."

Asfarla was excited to see her grandchildren. That’s why she had asked Sulran to offer them a special nature’s nest located on their spiritual tree. It served as a magical abode for newly bonded couples and alleviated the chances of females getting pregnant. Aselia was unaware of this fact.

"I will do my best and I can’t wait to have children of my own," while Xiran was excited about the prospect of having kids and knew about the magical aspects of the place he was about to stay in for Sulran had educated him on the topic.

Aselia, on the other hand, didn’t share his opinions and Sayla forgot to mention this small but important detail to Aselia as she had been instructed to. She was too focused on Aselia’s clothes, comfort and accessories.

Aselia was being daily given traditional baths with special flowers, tonics and fragrances added to the milky water. Her hair was dipped in some kind of silver oil extracted from an Acasia tree sap, which strengthened and further smoothed her luscious hair.

Every extra hair from her body was removed and stripped, leaving her skin baby-soft and delicate. Aromatic oils were fused in her skin, making it extra smooth and glowy.

Aselia had never received such royal treatment before. Xiran had always pampered her with clothes and accessories but this was something very new.

At times she was reluctant to be naked in front of the two girls, who had been appointed to cater to every need and care of Aselia. But their genuine love and affectionate attitude made her ease up and they prepared her body according to their traditions.

One day before the ritual they massaged her body with a shimmering gel which gave her body a shining bronzed touch. The massage also made Aselia relax and she slept soundly.

Lately, the nightmares didn’t plague her anymore and she was getting a lot more sleep than she had ever done.

"Try to get as much sleep as you can," Sayla urged her as she inspected her skin and found it to be near perfection to what she had instructed the girls.

"Why? I feel like some celebrity, all I do is eat, sleep and get rubbed by something floral or fruity smelling," Aselia answered with a sheepish smile.

"Heee! you deserve to be treated like that and he is not going to let you sleep much after. So this is your chance," Sayla nudged her with her shoulder and winked, making Aselia blush like a ripe tomato and she wanted to disappear from the room.

"It can’t be that bad," Aselia mumbled and Sayla pursed her lips.

"Oh! My sweet Aselia, you people will be staying alone for one whole week with no interruptions by anyone from the outside. I don’t think you will be sleeping at all," Sayla explained and Aselia couldn’t even guess what she had signed up for.