The news of Max and Rosalia’s sudden wedding swept through the entire village like a tidal wave. Everyone was stunned. A wedding between the two of them was something people could accept, but not like this, not so suddenly. They had barely even opened their eyes for the day before learning that there would be a ceremony at dawn, while the first rays of sunlight were already starting to rise over the village.

Panic spread like wildfire. Clan women rushed to prepare food for the feast, their footsteps and voices filling the village with chaos, while those closest to Rosalia hurried to do her hair and dress her for the ceremony.

Some women were sent to Max before dawn to bring him the ceremonial clothes Henry had prepared. There were talks that Henry had slipped out during the night, digging through the ruins of the old village as if searching for some hidden treasure. Before long, the old chief returned with a box in his hands and headed straight back to his home.

-----

A few loud knocks banged against Max’s door, ripping him out of bed. He had not slept at all through the night, only finally drifting off a few hours before the ceremony.

"Young Master, we’ve come with your ceremonial robes," a few elderly women called out from outside, making Max lift a brow.

"Young Master?" he muttered under his breath, stunned by the sudden change in treatment. "Sure, come inside," he called back.

The door opened, and the two women stepped in carrying a basket of fruit and a white robe decorated with purple accents.

"Good morning, Young Master." They did not waste a second. The moment they entered, they rushed him, grabbing him by the shoulders and starting to strip him down.

"Mrs. Violet, Mrs. Aldonza, what is the meaning of this?" He tried to cover himself, but every time he did, another slap landed on his wrists.

"Don’t struggle, kid. We have to make you look even more handsome than you already are for Miss Rosalia. What do you think this wedding is for?" A loud slap landed on his butt, the sound echoing through the hut and making Max wish the earth would just open up and swallow him whole.

Meanwhile, Rosalia was panicking.

"Father, can’t we postpone this for a few days? I—I’m not ready, it’s so—" Her face burned crimson. She was marrying Max today. Did she want this? Did she not? Her heart was in such turmoil that she no longer knew where to hide from it.

"Nonsense. Your mother and I were married that very same night, and here I am giving the two of you an entire night of rest..." Henry clicked his tongue. "Besides, the ceremony and the feast will take the whole day." He stepped forward and lifted a fancy white dress with purple patterns from the old wooden box. Several accessories rested on top, placed there with surprising care.

"These belonged to your late mother."

The shift in his voice made Rosalia rush toward him without even thinking. A deep sorrow stirred in Henry’s chest. No matter how he acted, he had loved his late wife more than anything. If he had been asked to die for her, he would have done it a million times over. Sadly, he had never been given that chance.

"These belonged to her?" Her eyes moved carefully over the dress, and a tear slipped from one of them. "I don’t understand. You’re willing to give me this, you’re willing to allow an outsider to marry me... what is this change of heart, Father? Is it truly because you care for me? Or is it because you don’t want to lose Max, and I’m only a tool for that?" she asked with a straight face. She knew her father better than anyone, and this was not the man she knew.

"Will you hate me if I said you’re right?" he replied with a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Rosalia fell silent for a moment. "No. I would have chosen the same for the sake of the clan." Her eyes shone with determination, and with the hidden longing she carried for Max. She understood that this marriage was born from both politics and the unexplored feelings growing quietly inside her.

-----

As the first rays of the sun washed over the village in bright golden light, Max and Rosalia were led into the middle of the square, where the clan was already gathered and waiting.

The instant Max saw Rosalia, his throat tightened. She looked too perfect, too unreal. Her face was lowered toward the ground, her hair crowned with a golden and purple tiara, while matching bracelets rested around her wrists.

The white dress, touched with purple accents, hugged her curves so beautifully that his heart began pounding with violent force. It was time. Today was the day he would become a man. Today, he would take the first step toward building a family that would never have to suffer the way he had growing up.

The square had been prepared with dried hay and fresh flowers, and in the very center stood a podium waiting for them.

"Take the bride’s hand and lead her onto the podium, where you will swear your loyalty before the entire clan." Henry patted Max’s shoulder as he whispered into his ear, then pushed him gently forward until he stood beside Rosalia.

She still could not bring herself to look at him, but her hand was already there, extended for him. Max took it with care, and the moment he touched her, her softness and warmth washed over him like a tide. "Shall we?" Max asked gently. Rosalia gave only a small nod and followed him.

Henry stepped up to the highest point and raised his voice over the gathered clan. "Today, we have gathered to celebrate my daughter’s and our savior’s grand wedding. Let us drink to their union. Let us feast until the sun itself goes silent. Today, I declare Max my son. Today, I declare him my right-hand man!"