Chapter 68: Vacation
After a long and rather noisy trip, the carriages stopped at the last stone platform. Ahead of them was pure sand and simple but beautiful cottages. Yellow lanterns and beach torches lit up the place in a warm glow as tourists and locals walked around.
By this time, the sun had completely set and the first stars in the summer night sky had appeared. Fresh air immediately met Dhein as they stepped out of the carriage.
Servants immediately passed them by, carrying the baggages and other things they carried for their stay in this tropical beach. As the horses were led to the stables, the rest of the people had walked over to the edge of the stone platform.
A staircase led down to the sand. Turning left from here would take them to the spot Vedis had rented for the wedding, including their hotels right on the giant tree’s branches.
Few moments later, the other scions stood at Dhein’s right side. To his left were Shina, Zarria, Neral and Fiorelle.
Vedis ran ahead like a child, excited to see the moon-reflecting ocean. Well, it was understandable. As an emperor, he worked tirelessly to make everything function properly, and a vacation like this was much needed.
Though it made Shina and her mother facepalm in embarrassment.
"Welcome to Mavir Port City," Augros mumbled proudly.
"Our island domain could be seen from here. I proposed to Emperor Vedis that we should visit it, and he accepted. The reception after the wedding will be held at our manor."
Dhein turned to him with no particular emotion on his face.
Then he said:
"You seem to be very enthusiastic about my wedding, Lord Uthalonica. That is something I didn’t expect from a warrior like you."
Augros chuckled.
"Please forgive me. But lovely occasions like this, especially one between two lovers, is one of my favorite things to witness."
Dhein glanced at him, dumbfounded.
Then, without much talking, they took the steps down to the sandy beach. They turned to the left where the giant tree was located.
Docked fishing boats were lined up by the shore, and more returning ones could be seen on the waters. As night approached, the workers also prepared to head home.
Everyone they met congratulated them. Indeed, the news about the imperial princess getting married was bound to spread throughout the whole continent very quickly, and very few people wouldn’t know about it. They were even setting up a night party for them.
In the distance, the areas the emperor rented was visibly the most decorated spot. Balloons, colorful flags and beautiful lanterns were arranged aesthetically.
They had reached the gigantic trunk of the ancient tree. Around it, humans had built an aesthetically pleasing wooden staircase that went around the circumference of the trunk. Using these spiraling stairs, humans went up and down to the suspended circular platform that served as the lower level of the peculiar massive establishment that was the ancient divine tree.
Led by the servants and the hosts, Dhein and the others began walking up the wooden staircase. Then after a while, they arrived at the pulley system lifts that brought the people to the higher levels of the giant tree. And after a few moments, they had reached the giant branches.
Looking down, everything looked miniature. The tiny spots of torchlight arranged in a stylistic manner contributed to the beautiful view.
Connected by bridges, the branches served as paths to different buildings mounted on the thick twigs. Rooms were also drilled and carved into the thicker wood stems, serving as the luxurious wooden hotel rooms.
The giant tree looked like a massive colony, except people weren’t here to work. They were here to have a fun and relaxing stay.
Wooden pathways and railings were built on the gigantic branches to make it easier for humans to walk on. At the end of the particular branch Dhein and the others were on, a huge building stood.
It was the main venue of the wedding.
But before that, its upper level also served as lodging for the guests and servants.
They started walking towards that building. Below them, hundreds of branches with people roaming them could be seen. At the ground level, it became very hard to even spot humans being this high up.
Staff welcomed them into the elegant building made out of polished wood and metal. Balloons, colorful flags and warm lanterns adorned the walls and the path.
Dhein couldn’t help but feel fuzzy and overwhelmed at the same time. The sense of belonging with all these people celebrating and the festive atmosphere lingering in the air made him somewhat happy.
Stepping inside the grand wooden hall, Dhein and Shina were immediately met by an energetic little dragon. Remi jumped around them while rubbing his head on their legs.
As Shina bent down and hugged the hyper reptile, several servants walked forward, catching their breath.
"Finally... that thing’s out of our hands..." they muttered with tired voices.
Shina bashfully thanked them.
Philip Wixorn, the heir to the Spirit Clan, and Oliver Wixorn, the clan head, also greeted them.
Raven Luxier, the head of the Light Clan, as well as Damian Hemmethe, the head of the Craft Clan and their kin, were also already there, while the other representatives of the Rock Clan were still busy cleaning up the aftermath of the war. Herros Uthalonica and their father, the head of Rock Clan, Kairos Uthalonica, were still investigating and figuring out what to do with the demonic weaponry and titans they had discovered in Callex.
Formalities between the nobilities had begun. Neral handled the representation of their family most of the time, but Dhein also had to make small talk here and there. He didn’t even notice when Shina, Zarria and Fiorelle were grabbed away and disappeared into the crowd.
By the time he did, they were already gone.
Seeing as he was too late, Dhein just handled the nobles who were politely greeting him.
Then, a couple of minutes or so later, the crowd had thinned out. They just chatted over wine while dinner was being prepared.
But out of the blue, Neral called his name from afar. Dhein turned to his mother and she was standing in front of a door leading to the dressing room.
She wore a strange smirk when their eyes met. And then, she opened the door.
Three breathtakingly beautiful women stepped out one by one. The whole room was instantly stunned at the sight.
Zarria gracefully walked forward. An elegant beach hat rested on her head, covering her braided dark hair tied to a high bun. She wore a white two-piece, boasting her perfect curvy figure, and a silky, see-through robe draped her rosy skin.
Covering herself with a white robe, Fiorelle hesitantly walked out of the dressing room. Despite this, Neral pulled her arm and encouraged her, but Dhein knew she just wanted to showcase Wammy’s fashion skills, the same artist who designed his obsidian suit.
The child of spirits wore a cherry red bikini that accentuated the shape of her attractive body. Her blonde hair was left flowing to her back, blending beautifully with her bright summer outfit.
Then, who showed herself next got Dhein’s heart pounding wildly against his chest.
Shina’s silvery white hair cascaded gracefully like silk. Her alluring sapphire eyes instantly landed on Dhein, but his gaze was pulled downward for some reason.
This might have been the first time he had seen her like this.
Her white, porcelain skin looked ethereal, no gaze could escape from taking in its magnetic beauty. Revealing her surprisingly attractive body, Shina wore a light blue two-piece. The top was a bandeau-style piece with thin straps cinched at the center into a graceful knot. For the bottom, She wore a light blue skirt that was... very short. It was also ruched at the sides, showing more of her long, flawless legs.
Everything about her was incomprehensibly beautiful. It was almost hard to believe someone like her really existed.
Dhein swallowed, he couldn’t even blink.
He felt a strange sensation rising within him.