A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing-Chapter 650 - - Ceremony: Emma

The three others glanced at each other and, under the crowd's cheering, Emma stepped forward first, a gentle smile on her lips. They'd agreed to do this in the same order as they'd gotten their husband's mark, so she went first.

Naeku stepped over to the side to hug her grandparents and step-mothers, as well as greet her new mother-in-law, while Emma took her place in front of the altar.

Her movements and expressions were confident, but gentle and soft. She looked innocent and sweet, yet there was an aura of determination around her that only caused people to admire her more. That evening, Emma awakened the desire to protect her from all harm in the spectators.

Yet, despite the feelings she awakened in the crowd below, Emma's eyes were laser-focused on Erik.

"You look beautiful, Glimmer," Erik greeted her, a smile on his lips. "Radiant, even."

A slight blush of joy appeared on his youngest wife's cheeks, and she smiled shyly at him. "Thank you, Master…" she whispered hoarsely, her head bowed slightly. When she stood in front of him, she actually performed a small, respectful curtsy by lifting the edges of her dress.

Her words and actions were funnelled through the sigil stones around them for the whole crowd to experience. They reacted with surprise, curiosity, and some misplaced antagonism towards Erik. How dare he make that adorable girl treat him like that?

Chuckling, Erik grasped her chin and lifted it, forcing her to look at him. "I know you wanted this dynamic between us, Emma, but why not call me by my name, at least for this?"

Emma pursed her lips with surprising playfulness. "I've gotten used to calling you Master, and I like it…" Slowly, her lips then curled into a slight smile. "But I suppose I can, at least for today."

Releasing her chin, Erik grinned and pulled back his hand. "Good." Then, he raised an eyebrow. "You know, this is also a good time to re-evaluate what you want from our relatio—"

"No," Emma interrupted him with a determined shake of her head, knowing what he wanted to ask. She looked up at him with her signature bright smile. "Even if I stopped being your maid, as your wife, I wouldn't treat you any differently. I like taking care of you!" ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Feeling a wave of warmth at Emma's adorable factor, Erik smiled lightly. Yet, before he could answer, Emma's bright smile turned a little embarrassed. "As for the maid thing…" she mumbled as she poked her index fingers together in front of her modest chest, "I just like that part…"

Arrows of adorable power pierced everyone's heart as some even stumbled due to the sheer force of impact. Some wondered how she could admit such a thing so easily, in front of so many people. Yet one good look at her would provide the answer: the rest of the world didn't exist for her.

Meanwhile, Erik was no different. Emma's feelings hit him like a brick wall, not only through her words and actions, but also through their bond. He actually staggered a little, but quickly recovered with a short cough.

"R— Right…" he muttered as his thoughts rebooted. "Well, far be it from me to take away something you like."

"Hehe, I didn't think you would," the younger Ashcroft sister giggled, before extending her hands, palms up. "So… should we get started?"

Slowly, Erik nodded and placed his hands over hers. "You know…" he muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've seen much of your influence in this wedding, so far?"

Emma giggled like a clear bell and shook her head. "No, you're right." The bright smile returned when she looked at him. "But, you know, before the awakening, I still had ideas of marrying a prince in a large white cathedral with all my friends and family there."

"Obviously, that's not exactly happening," she continued, still smiling brightly, despite the sad subject. "But the most important elements are there!"

She glanced at Emily and made the amulet around her neck float a little with aetherium. "My sister and my parents are here…" She turned back to Erik, her smile even brighter now. "And so is the man I love! What more could I want?"

The crowd reeled. They could sense tragedy in Emma's past, as well as the extraordinary mentality she was using to face it, and it amazed them.

"Besides," she continued with a cute wink. "I was put in charge of the reception."

Erik sighed as the love he'd fostered for Emma over the past year or so flowed from his heart. "Then I'll look forward to that," he smiled.

Meanwhile, Ankhur had approached them with another ribbon. It looked similar to the one they'd used with Naeku, but it was white and displayed the Ashcroft family crest, as well as Erik's wolf's head symbol.

Once again, he wrapped it around the couple's hands as they looked into each other's eyes.

"To say that I love you would be an understatement, Erik," she whispered softly, emotionally. "You came into my life when the world had already turned to grey hopelessness… and when you did, colour returned. You gave my sister and me our lives back. You… you gave me purpose in a world that I knew nothing about."

"I don't just love you," she continued solemnly, now seeming truly serious as none of her brightness remained. "You are my world, my everything, my universe. I want to spend the rest of my life giving your life just half the amount of light you've shone into mine. And believe me… I've barely made a dent."

Erik blinked. The sheer weight of her words pressed down on him, and he needed a moment to react properly. "I…" he muttered, before shaking his head.

Rather than say anything that would cheapen her declaration, he nodded his head with the same solemnity as she showed. "In that case, I'll spend the rest of our lives making sure I'm worthy of you, Emma."

Emma's solemn mood melted like snow in the sun as her bright smile returned with a cheerful nod. At the same time, the ribbon was created, and the two newlyweds kissed passionately. Soon after, a second ribbon was placed on the altar, and Emma joined Naeku.

The latter immediately hugged her tightly, eyes wet with unshed tears.

Meanwhile, it was time for the next ceremony…