YM778.TV Chapter 709: From This Day Forward, I Am Yours
"I understand what you\'re feeling right now, Ethan." Benjamin rested his hand on his grandson\'s shoulder. "I was also like that when I married your Grandma. It was truly a nerve-wracking experience for me."
Ethan smiled because Benjamin had always been one of his staunchest supporters.
The old man would back him up anywhere and anytime, though he would mysteriously disappear whenever Agnes would show up to discipline Ethan for being mischievous.
"Grandpa, what is it like to get married?" Ethan asked out of curiosity. "What does it take to live a happy married life just like you and grandma?"
"Getting married is more than just living together under one roof," Benjamin replied. "It also gives you a feeling of comfort and security, knowing that you will not be alone when it comes to facing the hardships of the world.
"I was lucky with your grandma because she was a very wonderful wife. We had our share of quarrels and arguments, but as you can see, we are still together now, which proves that our feelings for each other are very strong.
"Communication is very important because your partner is not a mind reader. Sometimes, talking to sort things out is a much better solution than keeping your silence. In a relationship, silence can cause misunderstandings, so you should talk a lot with Lily. That way, you will understand what\'s on her mind."
The old man gave his grandson more life advice that he had accumulated over many years.
As Ethan listened to his grandpa seriously, he momentarily forgot his anxiety.
Suddenly, the sound of lyres and flutes reached his ears, making him look in the direction where a procession of young ladies and their escorts were making their way towards the altar.
Ethan felt as if all the air in his lungs disappeared when his gaze landed on Lily, who was wearing a white ceremonial dress exclusive to the Beastkins.
Behind her were five other ladies who were wearing white veils that covered their faces.
Just like Lily, they were also wearing the ceremonial dresses of the Beastkin, making Benjamin chuckle and nudge his grandson to break free from his trance.
No matter from what angle one looked at it, the scene seemed like Ethan was going to marry six young ladies.
Lily had insisted that her sisters also wear the same dress she\'d be donning on her wedding day.
Because of this, the seamstress of the Beastkins worked hard to finish five more dresses just in time for the wedding ceremony.
They didn\'t have to do much since there were already readymade dresses in their inventory, and all they needed to do was add the finishing touches to them.
Lily walked down the aisle, escorted by Seff.
When they reached the altar, Seff handed his daughter to Ethan and gave him a smirk.
"Take good care of my daughter, Ethan," Seff said. "If not, I\'ll make you regret it."
"I will, Father," Ethan replied. "Thank you for giving us your blessings."
Seff nodded before walking toward his seat of honor.
Two meters behind Lily, five other ladies stood side by side and looked at Ethan with expectations.
Although he looked calm on the surface, his heart was thundering inside his chest, due to the overflowing feelings of love and affection that he felt towards his lovers.
An Old Beastkin wearing a simple robe stood in front of the Altar and smiled at the young man and women who were about to take the next step in their relationship.
Raising his hands, the Beastkin Priest addressed everyone who had come to witness this special event.
"Welcome, friends and family, to this sacred celebration of love and unity. We gather here today under the watchful eyes of the Earth Goddess, whose blessings nourish our lands and spirits."
The Beastkin Priest\'s words were calm yet firm, resounding across the venue and reaching the ears of one and all.
"Today, we join Lily Langley and Ethan Gremory in the sacred bond of marriage."
The priest then picked up the scepter lying on the altar and used it to tap Ethan\'s and Lily\'s shoulders once.
"In the heart of nature, we find the essence of love, for it is the Earth Goddess who teaches us that love is the root from which all life grows. As the trees reach for the sky and the rivers carve their path, so too does love guide us and shape our destinies."
Agnes, who was watching from the front, started to tear up because she never expected that her grandson would be marrying so soon.
"I just hope I will see my grandkids before I kick the bucket," Agnes said softly, making Benjamin hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Of course, you will see them," Benjamin replied. "We still have many years ahead of us, so make sure to not rush Ethan into having kids. They should take time to nurture their feelings for each other."
"I know." Agnes nodded.
The priest continued the ceremony, binding Ethan\'s and Lily\'s hands with a special vine native to the Northlake Forest.
"Ethan Gremory, Lily Langley, you stand before us today to declare your love and commitment. As you pledge your hearts to one another, remember that your union is blessed by the Earth Goddess and that your journey together is part of the eternal dance of nature."
The priest then picked up a small bell and rang it.
"With the strength of the mountains and the patience of the trees, do you, Ethan Gremory, vow to protect Lily Langley and cherish her for the rest of your life?"
"I do," Ethan replied.
"Do you, Lily Langley, promise to honor Ethan Gremory with every breath that you take and share the joys and sorrows together as a married couple?"
"I do," Lily answered.
The priest nodded and once again rang the bell in his hand.
"By the light of all that is good in this world, and under the watchful eyes of the Norns, do you, Ethan Gremory, recognize Chloe Gremory, Luna Oswald, Emma Harper, Lilith Offrid, and Lilian Raylight as your future brides, becoming their shield in times of strife and comfort in times of sorrow?"
"I do." Ethan nodded.
"Do you, Chloe Gremory, Luna Oswald, Emma Harper, Lilith Offrid, and Lilian Raylight recognize Ethan Gremory as your future husband, to honor and cherish through all the seasons of life, just as the Earth Goddess supports and nurtures all living things?"
"""I do."""
The Priest smiled and raised his hand.
"Bring the rings," the priest ordered.
Joanne approached the altar holding an ornate box, where the rings crafted by the Crystal People lay, sparkling in the sunlight.
Colt was riding her shoulder, and the little flying squirrel gave Ethan a wink as soon Joanne reached the altar.
"These rings are a symbol of eternity, a circle unbroken, just as your love is enduring," the Priest said as he placed his hand over the rings as if blessing them with the power of the Earth Goddess.
"As you exchange these rings, may they serve as a reminder of the vows you have taken here today. As Yggdrasil connects the nine worlds, so shall your love connect your hearts and souls."
The Priest then made a gesture for Ethan to take one of the rings to give to Lily.
"I pledge my heart to you," Ethan said softly as he slid the ring on Lily\'s ring finger. "From this day forth, I am yours, and you are my beloved, now and always."
Lily then took one of the rings from the box, and gently slid it onto Ethan\'s finger, while saying her own vows.
"I promise to be your strength in times of weakness," Lily said. "Your shelter in times of storm. From this day forward, I am yours."
The Priest then gestured for Ethan to give the other rings to his "Promised Ones," which was the reason for the Promise Ceremony.
"Together, we shall write our saga, filled with valor, love, and endless adventures," Ethan said with a smile, for that was what he truly wished to happen. "From this day until the end of days, I am yours."
As he slid the rings into Chloe\'s, Luna\'s, Emma\'s, Lilith\'s, and Lilian\'s fingers, he felt as if the hidden shackles in his heart were undone one by one.
His lovers, who had accepted the Rings of Promise, looked at their lover with smiles on their faces.
When he was done, Ethan once again stood beside Lily and faced the priest who was smiling back at him.
"By the power vested in me by the Earth Goddess, and under the sacred sky, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared. "May your love be as enduring as the ancient forests, as nurturing as the fertile soil, and as boundless as the open sky.
"United in love and blessed by the Earth Goddess., you may now kiss the bride"
Ethan lifted Lily\'s veil and gave her a kiss, making everyone cheer.
Of course, the priest also asked him to kiss the rest of his lovers, which made the cheering even louder.
Agnes clapped her hands, as her tears fell like rain.
She was already counting the number of grandchildren that she\'d be having in the future, the mere thought of which made her feel giddy inside.
Catherine, who was also getting emotional, wiped the tears in her eyes.
She was very happy that her son was loved by many, and she believed that there would come a time when she, too, would be able to hold her grandkids and give them the love that she was unable to give her son during the time when he needed her the most.