Behind the bride, a little bit away from the front seats was a woman in good looking pink clothes, gazing at the groom with resentment filled in her eyes. Her eyes were silently wet with tears, but she also wore a smile on her face which rather looked... sad.
The groom experienced a quake in his heart, shaking him up from the inside. He closed his eyes and inwardly declared to himself, ’I swear I will never make you feel like this again in the future.’
He could still feel her gaze, however, he didn’t dare look back at her, feeling guilty for his actions.
Suddenly, a womanly voice prompted him awake from his reverie.
"Dear?"
The groom slightly flinched and looked at her as he kept his thoughts to the back of his mind. He let out a harmless smile and spoke, "You are gorgeous..."
The bride blushed as her eyes dodged his gaze while her worried look was replaced by a shy smile that shook his core. His heart trembled as he made a mental note to treat both of them in his life the best.
The woman in the crowd was his first love while the woman in front of him was his first experience which eventually turned into love before evolving into this marriage event.
Although he felt apologetic towards his first love, he was not willing to give them up but was determined to marry both of them in this lifetime, to properly treat them as his wives.
At this time, a woman in normal clothes entered the hall, however, no one recognized her and didn’t even bother with her, thinking that she was just another guest who came to take part in the special occasion.
After all, there were still people entering the hall, wanting to witness the marriage and the festivities.
Soon, as things proceeded in a calm and fortuitous manner, the time to exchange vows to complete the marriage ceremony neared as the gazes of the others turned pleasant.
The one who was instructing the order of events, spoke up, "The groom will now make a vow of marriage."
The groom looked at the bride one last time before instantly spoke with a bold voice, "I, Jackson Lars of the Lars Family, vows to take Katrine Blackwell as my wife and marry into the Blackwell Family by taking to their name."
"The bride will now make a vow of marriage."
The bride stayed silent. Her face was as if she was waiting for those words for eternity. Her silence only lasted for a few seconds before she opened her mouth to speak in a joyous tone, "I, Katrine Blackwell of the Blackwell Family, vows to take Jackson Lars as my husband."
Many people of the Blackwell Family sneered as they looked at the newly marrying couple with a feeling of looking down upon them. The bride being not chaste was no longer a secret and they knew that the one who took it was none other than the groom.
Although it was disgraceful to the family, at least, they were content that she was being married to the groom who had taken her innocence and to add on top of that, he was even talented and competent.
Morn Blackwell looked at his daughter and sighed. He frowned as he didn’t like the marriage ceremony one bit. He was a man who was conservative, strict and traditional.
He couldn’t accept the fact that his daughter lost her chastity even before getting married. It was like a black stain on the family name which he would never be able to clean and that was much was obvious when he viewed the reactions of those people around him.
He glanced at his side but still couldn’t find her. Even her own mother didn’t attend this marriage ceremony.
He had only one wife, and even her conservative attitude told him that she did not wish for this marriage to happen.
He could only sigh and find solace at the fact that the competent Jackson Lars the one who had taken his daughter’s chastity and also the fact he was a worthy son-in-law in terms of talent and cultivation.
Although he was utterly disappointed, he can only make do with this arrangement which had to be done because of his daughter’s selfishness.
"The groom and the bride will now exchange their cups and drink to commemorate their vows."
Jackson Lars and Katrine Blackwell took the small cups that were on the table and extended their hands as they intertwined their arms.
They inclined their bodies to reach closer to each other and be comfortable. They then drank the contents of the cup that were meant for them.
As they savored the taste of each other, they smiled knowingly and let go of their hands as they returned to their positions.
*Clap~*
Suddenly, a clapping sound was heard which garnered the attention of everyone in the hall, including the bride and the groom.
*Clap~* *Clap~* *Clap~*
Young Leader Baris stood up as he clapped, "Congratulations!"
Everyone more or less smiled as they started to clap in an awkward manner.
Giving an ovation wasn’t supposed to be done after the exchange of vows but at the end of the marriage event. This left everyone who knew the occurrence of events with a sense of feeling stupid.
However, they understood the one who was clapping was none other a person from the Royal Loseris Family, so they didn’t dare to refute him otherwise.
But then their faces changed into one of confusion when they noticed his peculiar movements.
Young Leader Baris slowly advanced towards the groom and bride with a smile on his face.
In a few short seconds, he neared them and looked at Jackson Lars in a congratulating light, "The Royal Loseris Family sends its regards."
Saying so, he presented a jade container to Jackson Lars, "Open it and you’ll be surprised..."
Jackson Lars’s eyes lit up as a smile emerged on his face. He truly felt that today was the best moment in his life as he was also recognized by a Royal Family which was a High-Level Sky Grade Power.
He nodded his head and proceeded to open the jade container while Katrine Blackwell peeked from the sides by slightly inclining her body, feeling joy as well as excitement.
*Puff!~*
Instantly, the jade container exploded and a yellow-colored smoke spread around in a small radius which enveloped both the bride and the groom.
It was too quick and abrupt. The moment it was opened, the gas instantly spread.
The ones who turned wary after witnessing the scene in front of them hurriedly moved back as they closed their noses to stop breathing, afraid that they would breathe in that unknown gas.
By the side, in an inconspicuous corner, Nina watched the scene in shock, not understanding what was going on...
Where was Lucas? Why did the disguised Arc Song Mercenaries come to the marriage ceremony?
Looking at the ongoing mess, these thoughts reverberated in her mind.
Morn Blackwell also subconsciously retreated towards the back but he then realized that his daughter also bore the brunt of the unknown gas that hit them in an instant. He then looked at the person who gave the dubious jade container to them and noticed nothing happened to him even though he was near them.
"What is the meaning of this!?" He shouted as he scrutinized that person. He began to deeply doubt if this person was really from the Royal Loseris Family.