Chapter 1517: Chapter 167 Wedding Begins_5
Although there was no grand escort from the Fire Phoenix, the two women did not fall. The young girl held the hand of the beautiful woman, and under the embrace of golden brilliance, they slowly floated downward. Ballon’s gaze never left the girl’s delicate figure, his eyes burning with an even greater intensity. His fists clenched tightly, wholly unaware that sweat had already drenched his palms.
"White Robe Priestess Nasha, Red Priestess Xuan Yue, pay our respects to the Pope." Two nearly identical melodious voices rang out. The clergy chanting the Prayer Charm all halted involuntarily, their expressions revealing undisguised joy.
The Pope glanced at his granddaughter dressed in her white gown and nodded, saying, "No need for formalities."
After Nasha and Xuan Yue steadied their positions, Mang Siu proclaimed loudly, "The bride and groom have arrived. Would the elders from both families please ascend the stage to bear witness?"
Xuan Ye floated up to the stage from behind the Light Altar, bowed to the Pope, and then stood beside Nasha. His daughter was about to be married, and his heart couldn’t help but stir with a trace of melancholy. Turning to look at his wife, Nasha gently placed her small hand into his palm. Over twenty years ago, they too had been married at this very place. The sights and sounds brought them back to that moment, as if reliving it all over again.
At this moment, Ballon also guided his wife, Luo Shui, onto the stage. After bowing to the Pope, he stood beside his son. Their faces revealed an uncontrollable joy. Their son was finally getting married, and his bride was none other than the Pope’s granddaughter. How could they not be delighted? Ballon patted his son’s shoulder, signaling him not to become overly excited.
Mang Siu smiled and said, "The bride, groom, and their elders are all present. Next, we humbly request the Pope to oversee the sacred wedding ceremony. Would the elders kindly lead the bride and groom forward?"
Without waiting for his parents’ guidance, Ballon impatiently stepped forward to meet the Pope. Ballon shook his head helplessly. His son—how was he even more anxious than when he himself had married Luo Shui back in the day? Wrapping an arm around his wife, he stood three meters behind his son, looking at Ballon’s upright figure. A sense of pride silently surged within him.
Xuan Ye motioned for his daughter to move forward, but he noticed that Xuan Yue remained frozen in place, her delicate figure trembling slightly.
Nasha also realized her daughter’s unusual behavior. She knew Xuan Yue must have thought of Ah Dai again. Yet at this moment, under the watchful gaze of countless eyes, retreat was not an option. She quickly whispered in a low voice, "Yue Yue, it’s time to step forward."
Xuan Yue’s figure still trembled faintly. It was nearly with the physical support of Xuan Ye and Nasha that she managed to walk to the front of the Pope. At this point, her mind was in utter blankness, struggling only to suppress her tears, incapable of comprehending what else she could do.
Nasha and Xuan Ye retreated, feeling their daughter’s tangled emotions. A trace of worry flickered across their faces. Naturally, Ballon and Luo Shui also noticed Xuan Yue’s distress. The couple furrowed their brows simultaneously, a hint of dissatisfaction forming toward their future daughter-in-law. However, Ballon himself was oblivious to everything. Watching himself about to wed the one he loved most dearly, his heart swelled with excitement and unabated affection, leaving no room for any other thoughts.
Seated below the stage, Xi Wen’s group began to grow tense. They knew that once Xuan Yue and Ballon were officially wed under the Pope’s officiation, they would become husband and wife in both legal and ceremonial terms. By that time, Ah Dai would lose all chances—both by law and sentiment—and would truly lose Xuan Yue. The most anxious among them was Xi Wen. Although the group had devised a plan last night, every part of it depended on Ah Dai appearing in time to disrupt the wedding. Yet, even at this critical moment, Ah Dai remained absent. Could it be that they would have no choice but to watch helplessly as Xuan Yue married Ballon? This thought was something they absolutely could not accept.
The Pope gazed at the pair of newlyweds before him, his eyes revealing conflicting emotions. From every perspective, he did not wish for his granddaughter to marry Ballon. Yet matters had reached a point where even he could not put a stop to them. After all, today’s wedding, held in front of such a multitude of guests, had reached the stage where the bowstring was drawn and the arrow could not be held back. Letting out a quiet sigh, the Pope watched Ballon and Xuan Yue standing less than a shoulder’s width apart. He raised his hands, and two golden symbols manifested, floating above their heads. In a solemn voice, he announced, "Under the witness of the Sky God, I, Pope Xuan Di, will officiate the ceremony for you. May the Sky God bless you both." Turning to Ballon, the Pope asked, "Ballon, as a Judge of Light, do you vow to devote your life to the sacred cause?"
