Book Eater

A few days later, Meltor Palace was submerged in a strange atmosphere.

A short decree was sent out in the early morning to all the officials of each department and the nobles in the vicinity of the capital. Furthermore, the information was really short.

『 Any entrance to the palace is prohibited for the day. 』

Regardless of title or position, no one was allowed to cross the threshold of the palace without the king’s explicit permission. However, this was Kurt III, the best king in Meltor’s history who had succeeded in growing the kingdom. As such, although there were a few nobles who questioned the sudden command, no one was dumb enough to oppose the edict. The central magic tower, which shared the duties of the palace officials, was exceptionally silent. Meanwhile, the palace corridors were empty.

Thump, thump.

However, there was the sound of footsteps in the corridor. They almost sounded musical as their owner reached a gorgeous door and pushed it open without hesitation.

Kkiiik.

Was the door lacking a little lubrication? The door creaked open, and the people in the room turned to look. The middle-aged woman in the room, Isabella Miller, smiled first, “Wow, you’re well dressed! I don’t know whose son you are but you are very handsome. Isn’t that right?”

Dennis chortled happily. “Hahaha! How do you not know? It is our son.”

“Mother, Father.” Theo laughed. He had expected these reactions, but knowing it in his mind was different from experiencing it. He was dressed in a tailcoat made of luxurious materials; there was perfume dispersed all over the place, and the makeup on several faces was also unfamiliar. It was uncomfortable to wear the layered, tailored clothes, but it was a courtesy to endure such inconveniences on such days.

“Wait, your tie is a bit crooked.” Isabella, who was looking over her handsome son, adjusted his collar and straightened his slightly torn tie. She then stepped back as she couldn’t see his face unless she raised her head. Theo had been one handspan shorter than Isabella when he left for magic school, yet her little child was already getting married now. Somehow, she felt a lump in her throat.

“Mother?”

“Oh, my.”

As Isabella’s tears fell involuntarily, Theo wiped them away with his thumb and looked at her with his clear eyes. They had always been as deep as a lake, and Isabella had to admit that her son had grown up. He was no longer a child to be pitied but one to be proud of.

Isabella hugged Theo and whispered into his chest, “... Shouldn’t you live well? Be happy. Understood?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I know that my son is very busy, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t be half-hearted toward your family.”

“I definitely won’t forget.”

After Isabella finished speaking, Dennis hugged Theo and patted him on the back. The span of his father’s arms, which had seemed so wide when he was a child, now felt narrow. It wasn’t only Isabella who became sentimental. Theo too struggled to keep from shedding tears.

Dennis felt Theo tremble and said in a calm voice, “You were always a very precocious child. I still remember your small body helping with the housework. Then you studied hard enough to pass the academy’s entrance exam despite no one teaching you. You also persevered for a few years until your talent woke up. You were such a good child.”

“Father, I...”

“You don’t need to say it. I know. I believe in you. I believe you’ll do well if you don’t worry. Still, you should come around more. Think about a parent’s mind.”

“... Yes, I will visit often.”

Dennis gave Theo one more firm hug before standing beside Isabella. The atmosphere was joyous but bitter. Their last job as parents was letting go of their grown child.

Knock knock.

At this moment, there came a knock at the door.

“It seems like the ladies have arrived. Theo, open the door for them.”

“Yes.”

Generally, a bride and groom wouldn’t see each other until the ceremony. However, this wedding ceremony was a bit different. Theo slowly approached the door and pulled it open.

“Ah.” He froze when he saw his two brides.

Veronica and Sylvia, the beauties with unique eyes and hair, greeted him in pure white wedding dresses. But the palace maids had done something amazing.

Veronica’s neck glowed in sharp contrast to her crimson hair as she exemplified the ideal of a bewitching beauty, while Sylvia had fairy-like white skin and moistened lips. Despite the abundant lace, the two women’s curves were on full display, creating a tempting atmosphere.

“What, did you fall in love with us again?”

“Huhuhut, Theo. You have a funny expression.”

They seemed pleased with his response as they grabbed Theo’s arms with a smile. The thin lace didn’t obstruct the dizzyingly soft and warm texture of their bodies. Dennis and Isabella chuckled as they saw the three of them. For the brides, their new in-laws were like new family members. So, the brides approached the Miller family and talked for a few minutes.

Then a servant entered the room. “Everything is ready, Chief Tower Master.”

Everyone in the room grew tense, as they checked the mirror to make sure their makeup and clothes were alright. It was finally time for the reason Kurt III had forbidden access to the palace. It was time for the wedding of Theodore Miller and his two brides.

***

Truth be told, Meltor’s palace wasn’t that gorgeous. The practical nature of magicians had left the palace relatively unadorned, but the hundreds of years of war with Andras had sapped the palace budget of luxuries. They had needed the funds to fuel weapons development and soldier training, so their civilization had only advanced one or two steps. If they had spent money on the luxuries of the royal palace, Meltor would be ruined. However, to celebrate the day, they had put aside their normal frugality.

“Ohh, His Majesty did quite well? The decorations of the palace are more attractive than those of the magic tower.”

Theo and Sylvia nodded at Veronica’s surprised words.

The almost austere white palace had been transformed by a variety of statues and garlands. It seems Kurt III had procured them from someplace and instructed workers to install them without anyone knowing.

Thump, thump, thump.

The three of them walked leisurely inside, heading for the grand hall where people were waiting.

One step followed by another…

The three of them walked together without speaking, as they enjoyed this moment that would only come once in their lives. They could feel the warmth of each other’s hands and hear their quiet breathing.

Finally, they reached the wedding hall.

“... Shall we?” Theo asked his two brides without looking back.

Sylvia’s silver hair shimmered on Theo’s left side, while Veronica was warm on his right side. There was no need to speak, and their intentions were clear.

Kuoooong―

There was no need to use their hands. Telekinesis obeyed Theo’s will and pushed the pair of big doors open. As the doors opened, the guests turned in unison. There were only familiar faces present. After all, they had only invited people close to them.

There was Vince, the middle-aged magician who had taken time out of his busy schedule; Randolph, the swordsman who changed from casual clothing into formalwear; and Titania, the high elf who had waited without returning to Elvenheim. The members of Quattro, which had been dissolved after the war in the north, William and Paragranum in her female avatar, were also present.

No, wait a minute. I thought Paragranum wasn’t invited?

Theo looked at her blankly, and she just shrugged. She had used her own method to make sure she was present. So, he ignored Para and looked ahead. Theo, Veronica, and Sylvia passed by their guests and family to arrive at the altar.

“... Haha.”

Theo couldn’t help chuckling. It wasn’t a sound that suited this place, but his two brides and the guests were chuckling with him. After all, his reaction was natural.

“You look good, Chief Tower Master.”

It was because Kurt III, who wasn’t wearing his usual crown, was officiating the wedding. Veronica snorted, while Sylvia was just embarrassed because she didn’t know what was going on. Theo thought the king’s appearance was absurd and asked, “Your Majesty, don’t tell me...?”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to officiate this marriage. What are the thoughts of the three Tower Masters?”

The groom and brides looked at each other, but Kurt didn’t seem willing to step down unless he was outright refused. In retrospect, there was a precedent for this. But the last time a marriage was officiated by a king had been several hundred years ago. The three of them laughed and made their decision.

“Please look after us.”

“Yes! Of course.”

Pleased that he wasn’t refused, Kurt III laid his left hand on the book of laws with an excited expression and the other on his heart. It signified a sincere pledge to law and to the heart.

Kurt’s face grew serious. “As time flows eternally, today we know that the fates of three people have flowed into one stream. They were born with different names, lived in different times, and met with different meanings. May their ends one day come together, so that they may be beautifully completed in their own way.”

After completing the words of blessing, Kurt III turned to the three of them and said, “You are a hero who stepped onto the path of magic and elevated your name. Will you swear to love and cherish your brides for the rest of your life?”

Theo placed his right hand on his chest and answered firmly, “Yes, I swear.”

“You are one with a dragon’s bloodline who has decided to live among humans. Will you swear to love and cherish your groom for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, I swear,” Veronica replied in an unusually polite voice.

“You who have been loved and raised as the family of a wise man—will you swear to love and cherish your groom for the rest of your life?”

There was no need to mention who the wise man was. Sylvia’s eyes were slightly red as she replied one beat late, “... Yes, I swear.”

Once the brides’ and groom’s vows were over, Kurt spread his hands over the open book of laws. It was time for the expected ritual at a wedding. 𝘣𝑒𝘥𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝑙．𝘤𝘰𝘮

“Then can the brides and groom please give each other the kiss of oath.”

The ceremony was based on the idea of sharing words with each other, but it didn’t have much weight. It was an event where the guests enjoyed seeing the shy bride and groom. Kurt and the guests smirked. Sylvia, who still wasn’t immune to skinship, was busy cooling down her red skin. However, there was someone with a passionate pedigree in this place.

“Theo.”

“Huh? Ah―”

She released his hand and tugged on his waist. She was strong enough that Theo couldn’t stop himself from being dragged into Veronica’s arms. In a flash, the lips of the two people touched each other as their breaths and tongues entangled. It wasn’t a ceremonial act but a kiss that would be done by those in a relationship.

“Oh, my! It is really genuine!” Isabella laughed and clapped as she saw Veronica’s unbelievable kiss.

The partnerless male guests sighed and cleared their throats, while Dennis was relieved that he hadn’t brought Leo to the wedding. After nearly ten seconds, the two separated.

“Huhu, I ate well,” Veronica said, licking her lips like she had eaten something delicious. Then she whispered, “If you aren’t in a hurry, shall we do it once more?”

“T-That!”

“If you keep hesitating, I will continue eating. Isn’t it good?”

She was as provocative as ever. Theo realized the meaning of Veronica’s words, while Sylvia barely maintained her composure as she stood before Theo. This was Sylvia’s limit. Theo smiled, held Sylvia’s cheeks, and kissed her.

Chu.

He didn’t use his tongue like Veronica, but the kiss lasted a long time. That alone caused Sylvia to stop breathing, before flushing red. Once the kiss was over, the guests raised their hands and started to clap.

Clap clap clap clap clap!?

The sound of applause filled the palace. The three of them stood next to each other and bowed to the people who had come to the wedding. The wedding ceremony was completed. Theo held his brides’ hands again and walked down the red carpet.

“Veronica, Sylvia.”

The two turned to glance at him. He laughed and pulled them toward him by the waist.

“Aing.”

“Ah, what?”

Veronica was playful while Sylvia was embarrassed. With the two beautiful brides in his arms, the mightiest magician of the material world proclaimed proudly, “Now, we can go anywhere and do anything. I will give you anything you want.”

He would show them every beautiful scene and give them every treasure of this world. For the first time in his life, the man moved for self-interest. Theo laughed as the eyes of his wives’ widened.

“Now, let’s go on our honeymoon.”

.

It was time to enjoy the springtime of a lifetime.