The memory dissolved like mist fading in sunlight, and the two of them stood in his memory hall.
Adelasta stood beside him, arms crossed, her ever-present icy composure softened by a rare glimmer of amusement. She tilted her head slightly, her crimson hair catching the soft light of the massive hall.
"You were… impressive, husband," she remarked casually, as if discussing something mundane like tea. "Even then, you held your ground against someone vastly more experienced. I daresay, I might have underestimated your resilience."
Vastarael, meanwhile, was staring at her, completely thrown off by one particular word: husband.
He blinked, his golden-sapphire eyes narrowing slightly in confusion.
"Wait wait, hold on. Husband? When did I sign up for this?"
Adelasta didn't even glance at him. She was still observing the memory, her pale fingers tracing an invisible line through the air as if examining the energy signature left behind.
"Your techniques were sloppy," she commented, completely ignoring his outburst. "Your reliance on raw essence regeneration nearly cost you the fight. A more experienced opponent would have exploited that. But you compensated for it with adaptability. Turning invisible at the last moment? That was… clever. That, I approve of."
"Don't just gloss over the husband thing!" Vastarael exclaimed, throwing up his hands. "You just called me husband like it's a normal thing to do. It's not normal!"
Adelasta arched a single, perfectly shaped brow.
"It's not? You accepted my proposal, didn't you?"
"I—what? No, I didn't! When did I accept anything?! You can't just propose to someone and then skip straight to calling them your husband! That's not how this works!"
Adelasta sighed, brushing a nonexistent speck of dust off her sleeve.
"You're overthinking it, Vastarael. I have decided. Therefore, it is so."
"That's not how decisions work! Two people have to agree on this! You can't just… declare it and expect me to roll with it!"
Adelasta's lips curved slightly.. was that a smile? No, not quite. A smirk?
"I see no reason to argue over semantics, husband."
She turned her attention back to the memory, clearly finding more interest in the remnants of the memory than in Vastarael's mounting exasperation.
"You should be flattered. It's not every day that someone of my caliber takes such interest in someone like yourself. And given your performance back then…" She gestured toward the now-vanished memory of him defeating Ferris. "…you've earned your place."
"My place? What place? And who said I wanted this place? I was perfectly fine not being someone's—" He stopped, his golden eyes narrowing. "Wait. Are you doing this just to mess with me?"
Adelasta's smirk deepened, her icy exterior cracking just enough to show the faintest glimmer of mischief.
"What do you think, husband?"
"Stop calling me that!"
But even as he protested, he couldn't help but notice the faint warmth that crept into her usually cold demeanor. Was it possible she was genuinely amused by him? Or was she just toying with him as she always did?
Either way, Vastarael sighed heavily, deciding to drop the argument, for now. He crossed his arms, his gaze shifting to the now frozen memory.
"Anyway, what did you think of the fight? Be honest."
Adelasta tapped her chin thoughtfully, her expression returning to its usual calm.
"It was raw. Brutal. Unpolished. But effective. You lack finesse, Vastarael, but your ingenuity makes up for it. Though… you should learn to conserve your essence better. Overexertion like that will get you killed one day. If I were in Ferris's place, you wouldn't have lasted half as long."
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," Vastarael replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
Adelasta's smirk returned, just for a moment.
"You'll survive, husband. After all, you have me to ensure you don't embarrass yourself further."
"Why do I feel like I'm the punchline to some cosmic joke?"
Adelasta didn't respond, instead turning and beginning to face the memory once again.
"Come, husband. We have more memories to observe."
Vastarael groaned, dragging his feet as he followed her. "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"
"No," she said simply, not even looking back. "You won't."
As the memory began to flicker and distort, Vastarael placed a hand over Adelasta's head, fatigue apparent in his expression.
"This isn't right."
"What isn't?"
"The implantation went too far," he replied, glancing back at her. "This memory… it's stretching beyond its limits. We'll have to stop here before your brain fries. I've been taking the brunt of the overtime and I can't keep doing it."
Adelasta raised a brow, studying him. "You sound more concerned about me than the memory itself."
Vastarael gave her a sidelong glance, a faint smirk playing on his lips despite the exhaustion etched into his features.
"Can't fight off phantom knights and memory ruptures at the same time, wife."
Her lips tightened at the word, though the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, betraying her amusement. She chose not to respond and instead nodded at him as he disengaged the memory. The memory hall dimmed completely and everything around them dissolved into darkness.
------
When Adelasta next opened her eyes, she was no longer in the memory chamber. Instead, she found herself lying on a massive bed. The room was faintly illuminated by the silvery glow of moonlight streaming through the large, arched windows.
Her eyes widened slightly as she realized Vastarael was there, just inches away, resting on the bed. His white curls were slightly disheveled and the soft light only accentuated his flawless features. Even in sleep, he looked regal, like a painting come to life.
Adelasta's breath hitched as she found herself staring, unable to look away. Her icy composure faltered, her thoughts scattering as a strange warmth spread through her chest. She'd always thought herself above such frivolous emotions, above such distractions. And yet… seeing him now, so peaceful and vulnerable, something deep within her stirred.
Her fingers twitched, aching to reach out, but she held herself back for a moment longer.
'What am I doing?'
Her eyes traced the soft curve of his lips, the faint rise and fall of his chest, and before she could stop herself, she leaned in.
The kiss was deep, unrestrained and full of emotions she'd long buried. Her hand cupped his cheek as her lips pressed firmly against his, savoring the warmth of his skin. Time seemed to stand still, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it might wake him.
Vastarael stirred beneath her touch, his eyes fluttering open in surprise. For a moment, he looked dazed, confused by the sudden sensation. But as his gaze locked onto hers, realization struck, and his cheeks flushed faintly.
"Adelasta…?"
Adelasta pulled back slightly, her icy composure already returning as she straightened herself. Yet, her lips still tingled, and her cheeks burned faintly.
"You should count yourself lucky, husband," she murmured slightly. "I don't do that for just anyone."
Vastarael blinked, utterly caught off guard, his mind racing to process what had just happened.
"I—I'm not sure whether to be flattered or terrified."
"Both," she replied simply, a small, almost imperceptible smirk gracing her lips.
She rose gracefully from the bed as she turned toward the window, leaving him staring after her in stunned silence. He groaned softly, running a hand through his disheveled curls.
"I'm not some kind of toy for you to just kiss whenever you want, Adelasta."
"I would never treat you like a trophy. I promise you that in Spheraphase's name."
For once, Vastarael had no witty retort. Instead, he found himself staring at her silhouette against the moonlit window.
"Let's begin the marriage, Vastarael. Unfortunately, it's not going to be as royal and grand as you think so... I apologize about this. Shall we begin?"