Arthur and Tess steadily walked back up the aisle as music played, their arms hooked, and the brightest, happiest, most joy filled smiles either of them had ever given were plastered right on their faces. Everyone stood as they left, with their family proceeding behind them. As they came close to exiting the ceremony Arthur saw Sylvie with both of her fingers into Elijah's temples before releasing him then looking at him and Tess with an excited smile. He wanted to check on them, but Sylvie was blocking him out of both hers and Regis' minds. She told him she was going to do this since this was such an important day, and he should only focus on that. Since he didn't feel any significant mana fluctuations he decided to just have faith in them and enjoy the day. After exiting the ceremony they were greeted by two maids. They stood there quietly as they waited for the rest of the family to finish their walk.

"If you would please follow us, your majesties," one of the maids said, then started walking off.

They weren't exactly needed, they all knew where they were going from the rehearsal the night prior. Almost immediately after entering the palace they were brought to a sitting room and the maids immediately opened the doors. Inside were two couches facing one another, two chairs opposite ends, and a coffee table in between. Along the wall were refreshments, which the maids went for as soon as the doors closed.

Tess carefully sat herself down on the couch, as Arthur did the same.

"So how are you feeling, Princess Tessia Leywin?" Arthur asked while smiling.

Tess giggled. "Just fine Prince Arthur Leywin."

The two then kissed as the maids started handing out glasses of water.

"Seriously?" Ellie groaned from one of the chairs. "This is too cheesy."

"Ha, just you wait Eleanor, one day you'll find the man of your dreams and act like that too," Virion teased.

"He's right," Alice chimed in. "Your father loved calling me Mrs. Leywin for about a week after we got married."

"Please keep telling her stuff like that," Arthur teased. "She's looking a little embarrassed. I might not have any boys to scare off for a while."

"Hmph," Ellie huffed as she crossed her arms. "I'll have you know I still plan on dancing with some cute boys at the reception. Maybe one of them will become my boyfriend."

Arthur took a sip of water while staring at her seriously. "Since today is my wedding, this will be the only day I'll be around and not scaring those trolls off for dancing with you. But if I see one even try to kiss you, well," Arthur smiled malesifantly. "I'll just have to get involved."

"Arthur, be nice and let your sister have fun," Rinia scolded.

"I'm all for fun," Arthur replied innocently. "I just don't want those boys having fun with her."

"Tess," Ellie started. "Remember when I said I was too young and poor to be an aunt?"

"Yes."

"Well forget that, I'll survive being an aunt. My brother needs a kid of his own to dot over and protect so I can have a life without his eyes on me."

Everyone laughed a bit at the comment as Arthur and Tess blushed.

"Perhaps I can help with that," Virion said as he withdrew a paper from his dimensional ring.

"I don't like where this is going," Arthur commented, getting a few laughs.

"Trust me, you will," Virion said while handing out the paper. "Even though my people don't give wedding gifts, you are human." Arthur took the paper and examined it.

"This is a gift from the three of us," Alduin said, referring to his wife as well.

"Oh, I've always wanted a map of Elenoir," Arthur replied, trying his best to hide his confusion.

"The map isn't the gift brat," Virion said in fake annoyance, and plucked the map from his hand. "It's to show the gift." He then placed the map on the coffee table. "You see this lake?" Virion said pointing.

"Yeah?"

"It's about an hour outside of Zestier, and has been owned by the royal family for generations."

"Oh, I remember that place," Tess announced in excitement. "This is the lake we used to go to while you were staying here."

"Oh," Arthur said in realization. "I remember that lake. White sand beach, untouched wilderness, beautiful blue water."

"That's the one," Virion replied with a smile. "I remember back in the castle finding you checking maps, looking for a place to build your dream house after the war, and I'm pretty sure the southern shore fits with what you were looking for."

"I can't accept this," Arthur said as he shook his head. "Like you said, this has been in your family for generations. I couldn't possibly take part of it from you."

"Arthur, you do remember you're part of this family now don't you?" Merial said matter of factly.

Arthur chuckled. "I guess it still needs to set in."

"Well get used to it," Virion ordered, then smiled. "Now I know you two will need some time to pick exactly where you want to build your house, but you have the whole lake front to choose from, so I know you'll be able to find the best spot."

Tess wrapped her arm around Arthur's. "You know. We're going to have this whole week together. Maybe we could go to the lake for a picnic and check a few possible locations?" She asked with a smile while looking up at her lovingly.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Arthur replied, and leaned in and kissed her.

"On that note," Virion said as he pulled out a small notebook.

"For the love of the gods, how many books do you carry on you?" Arthur asked, remembering the wedding planning books he kept in his robes.

"I only keep handy the ones I need regularly." He then opened the notebook and began flipping through the pages. "Ever since you two were little, I've been keeping a running tally of all the trouble and headaches you've caused me." He then gave them both a devilish grin. "And now it's time for you two to make it up to me."

"What exactly are you wanting?" Arthur asked suspiciously.

"Nothing much," Virion replied dismissively. "Just great grandchildren."

"That's all?" Arthur asked as Tess gave a sigh of relief.

"That's right. Taking care of Tessia while her parents were busy running the kingdom brought me so much joy, that I want to experience that joy again with my great grandchildren too." He then held out the notebook. "This is how many I feel you two owe me."

Arthur took the notebook, and his jaw practically dropped to the floor as both his and Tess' eyes practically popped out of their heads.

"Have you finally gone insane old man?" Arthur asked in shock.

"Grandfather, I don't think you'll live long enough for me to even give birth to this many," Tess replied in shock as she shook her head, earning a good laugh from everyone else. Even the maids worked to contain their laughter.

Ellie leaned over and saw Virion's number, and her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head.

"W-when I said he needed a kid to dot over, I-I didn't mean that many. He'll have to retire just to have time to take care of that many children," Ellie said as her voice shook.

"Well according to Arthur I'll outlive the council, and that's not that ridiculous of a number. He'll still have plenty of time for his children and loving my granddaughter after his duties." Virion smirked. "And don't forget, you'll have me to help."

"Not ridiculous?! Tess will have to practically spend years constantly pregnant, and my pelvis will break well before we have half this many!"

"You're in the integration stage," Virion said dismissively. "So I know you're stronger than that. Now then you two better get started."

—————————————————————-

The guests were gathered in the reception area, socializing while some were drinking wine as they awaited Arthur and Tess. Seeing as the reception was an unfamiliar concept for the elves, the human guests gave a brief explanation, which in most cases was more than enough for them to understand the custom.

As everyone awaited Arthur and Tess' arrival, Virion appeared at the top of a set of stairs leading to the reception. Raising a voice amplifying artifact to his mouth, he began.

"Hello everyone and thank you all for your presence. Before we proceed and begin the reception, I'd like to say a few words." Everyone gathered along the edge of the dance floor where the stairs ended, and looked up with anticipation as to what Virion had to say. "I realize that many of my people have voiced their disapproval of several aspects of this wedding already. To be honest, I'm too old to really care about those opinions anymore." There were a few gasps from the elves present. "This is a wedding between two races, a human and an elf, so it is to be expected that there would be a blending of cultures. If you are too close minded to accept this fact, then you're free to leave whenever you desire," he paused for effect. "but I ask for you to stay, and open your minds to what's happening here. This reception might not be of elven tradition, but if you truly see and experience it, you will see a romance in human culture that many of us had overlooked for years. There is no attempt to dismiss elven culture and tradition, just a wedding that is showing a blending of two cultures to create something beautiful that makes both my granddaughter and her new husband happy."

With that Virion handed the artifact to Sylvie, who had come up behind him, and proceeded back to the others. There was a bit of talk about Virion's speech. Some of the older elves still chose to keep their minds closed, still clinging to the hatred they held towards the humans after the last war. Many more however chose to listen to their former king, and whether they approved of what they saw or not, chose to just accept that change was the way of the world, and the old should not stop the young from making the world their own.

Sylvie proceeded down to the stairs. Since she couldn't be a part of the wedding as Arthur and Tess' daughter, she had decided the least she could do was announce their arrival.

"Attention everyone, the bridal party shall be making their entrance." Not many people moved since Virion's speech, so pretty much everyone was there. "Presenting first from the groom's family. His mother and sister, Alice and Elenoir Leywin."

Steadily the two walked down the stairs with their arms hooked. Thankfully for Ellie the staircase was short, because all the eyes on them was starting to make her nervous. Thankfully for her she was able to keep her composure, as she saw two friends in the crowd. Once at the bottom of the stairs they stepped aside, and Sylvie continued and announced Virion's entrance. Despite his advanced age he walked down the stairs with the same distinction and presence that he carried when he was king, while still smiling to show the joy he felt. As he descended the stairs, he showed the younger generations why the elders still to this day held him in such high regard.

"Now presenting the King and Queen of Elenoir, Alduin and Merial Eralith."

Alduin and Merial began walking with their arms hooked and joyful smiles on their faces. They were a stark contrast from Virion as they walked, but still carried themselves with the same authority of royalty as to be expected.

Once they had stepped aside, an excited grin formed on Sylvie's face.

"And now, for the first time ever, the Princess and new Prince and Elenoir, Arthur and Tessia Leywin!"

Arthur and Tess began their descent, arms hooked, hands held, and fingers intertwined. Despite what anyone would expect from a commoner, aside from his excited smile he shared with Tess, he walked with the presence of a king, something he never expected to have to do again.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they immediately walked to the center of the dance floor. As Arthur placed a hand on her hip and Tess a hand on his shoulder, the music began. The two had danced several times through the years, however for Tess it was never enough.

Being held close in front of everyone, as they moved and spun to songs about romance, Tess' heart was always filled with a happiness that she couldn't get enough of. As their song ended it was then time for them to have a dance with their parents. The song was far less romantic, but still perfect for easier ballroom dancing. Alice smiled the whole time as happy tears escaped her

eyes. Aside from the pain she felt for Reynolds not being there for their son's wedding, this was the happiest she had felt since her husband's death. He dances ended, signaling the dance floor was now open to everyone, and Arthur and Tess stepped off.

"Ugh, why is that everytime I see you at a party," Gideon said, announcing his presence as he walked up. "I have to be subject to witnessing such disgustingly beautiful displays."

"Perhaps if you found yourself a beautiful woman of your own you'd appreciate it more," Arthur replied as he held Tess a little closer.

Gideon cringed. "No thanks, I'm already married to my work, and I'm quite happy with that. Anyway, can I have a word with you two in private?"

"Master Gideon, it's our wedding. What could you possibly have to say that couldn't be said in front of our guests?" Tess asked.

"Technically I don't need to tell you about it princess, but since he'll probably tell you anyway, I don't see a point in hiding it, but I can't give you any hints. Too many ears around here."

"Let's step outside then," Arthur replied, having a good idea what this was about.

They stepped outside, greeting and thanking people as they went. Soon they were outside and walked into the garden, further away to avoid being overheard, then Arthur cast a sound canceling spell around them.

"So what is it Gideon?" Arthur asked.

"This," Gideon replied as he held out his hand, and pulled a small wooden box out from his dimensional ring.

Arthur opened the box to find a silver coin the size of his palm, with six different colored jewels.

"That is my rendition of the Alacryan artifact you brought me." Gideon then gave an arrogant smirk. "I noticed a few flaws in the design. Plus some unnecessary components."

"Should you really be trying to improve upon an artifact you've just figured out?" Arthur asked with obvious doubt.

"Your lack of confidence is appalling," he replied flatly.

"What if those components actually serve a purpose that you don't see yet? It's not like you can test it."

Tess placed a hand on his shoulder. "We should have some faith in him. He's the number one artifactor for a reason, I'm sure he wouldn't just recklessly remove parts without understanding the artifact completely."

"That's right, listen to your wife! I might not be able to test it, but since I knew what it does it made it a lot easier to figure it out."

Arthur had full faith In Gideon, and that it would work flawlessly, after all, in the last timeline he figured it out and reproduced the artifact in a cave using spare artifacts for parts. That said, it didn't hurt to keep his ego in check.

"If it was only my life I wouldn't be worried, I've survived it before. But there are alot of people whose lives will depend on this artifact working correctly, and most of them won't be combat mages."

During the last expedition, Arthur was operating under the impression that when entering the first floor they wouldn't be separated, but he was wrong. Only his team going on the dive stayed together, as dozens of miners and a few other combat mages were scattered throughout the relic tomb's floors. Thanks to the Dijin he met in the bottom floor, he learned that the only reason people who entered the first and second floors weren't scattered in Alacrya, was because they had cleared them so thoroughly so many times, that the floors were essentially broken. Knowing this, Arthur modified his plan to include an artifact for everyone.

"I understand," Gideon said seriously, not even the slightest hint of his usual arrogance. "These artifacts will work as intended, without any trouble."

"Alright," Arthur said, sounding like he was giving in.

"Alright?" Gideon repeated.

"That's right. If you say it'll work right then I'll believe you. So how long until all of them will be completed?"

"Hmm, I've already built nearly half, so I'll say ten days."

Arthur looked to Tess. "Do you mind extending our honeymoon a few more days? I mean, we might as well relax as much as we can till the dive at this point, and it's only three more days."

"Are you kidding me? Of course we can extend it!" Tess replied with a happy enthusiasm.

"Alright then. We'll tell your grandfather right away." Arthur then looked back to Gideon. "Thanks for the update. Why don't you mingle and just enjoy yourself, I'm sure you could use the break."

"No no, there's far too much work to get done."

"Come on, it's only one evening," Tess pleaded.

"Yeah, besides, free meal, free alcohol, and cake at the end. All provided by the royal family, so you know it'll be the best."

"Fine," Gideon replied, sounding like he was giving in. In reality however, the fact that he'll be eating food prepared by royal chefs had already made him want to stay.