Love would guide them through the rest of their lives, for he knew now that their connection was unbreakable, their souls forever intertwined.
His mate. His Ella.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ella stood at the edge of the Twilight Court, her gaze fixed on the figure of Kenji, the source of so much pain and turmoil. His betrayal had shaken the very foundation of her world, but she knew that justice must prevail.
The Darkwalker Council had gathered to deal with the traitor, their stern expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Ryu, his eyes filled with determination and a touch of sorrow, stepped forward to address the council. His voice rang out, carrying the weight of the responsibility that now rested upon his shoulders.
"Lord Hayashi Kenji, for your treachery and the harm you have caused to the Twilight Court and its people, I hereby decree your exile. You shall be banished from these lands, never to return."
The council murmured their agreement, their verdict sealing Kenji's fate. As guards escorted him away, Ella couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and sadness. The threat had been eliminated, but the pain of betrayal still lingered.
As the council proceedings drew to a close, the time had come for Ryu to ascend to the Twilight Throne. Ella watched, her heart pounding with anticipation, as Ryu took his place as the new Twilight Prince. Stepping forward, he placed one hand on the Twilight Throne. There was a flash of light that faded away, and then Ella saw Lord Kaito and Lady Clara smiling proudly as Ryu took his seat on the Throne.
The room filled with a mixture of reverence and awe, as all the Elves present bowed to their new ruler.
Once the formalities concluded, the Council slowly dispersed, with many congratulations to Ryu.
As soon as they were alone again, Ryu turned to face Ella, his eyes shining with a newfound light. The weight of their shared experiences hung in the air, and Ella felt a surge of emotion welling up within her.
Ryu stepped closer; his voice filled with vulnerability. "Ella, throughout these trials, I have come to realize that my bond with you is more than just a twist of fate. It is a connection that transcends worlds, a love that cannot be denied. I love you, Ella, with all that I am."
Tears welled in Ella's eyes as she reached out to take Ryu's hand. The turmoil and uncertainty of their journey had led them to this moment, where they could finally be honest with themselves and each other.
"And I love you, Ryu," Ella whispered, her voice filled with conviction.
Ryu's face lit up with joy and relief, his hand tightening around Ella's.
“Please Ella, will you do me the honor of bidnign your life to mine?” When she only blinked at him in shock, he went on quickly. “Let us bind our lives in a way that is stronger than any magical bond. I want us to become life mates—for good this time—and face whatever challenges lie ahead, hand in hand."
He waited a moment, and Ella finally nodded throwing her arms around him.
“Yes!” she said, and then promptly burst into tears.
In that moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only their love and the promise of a future intertwined.
~
Many moons later, the Twilight Court buzzed with excitement and anticipation as preparations were underway for the joyous union of Ella and Ryu. The grand hall, adorned with vibrant flowers and elegant decorations, emanated an air of enchantment. Elven magic danced through the air, infusing every corner of the room with a shimmering glow.
Ella stood before a full-length mirror, her heart aflutter with nervous excitement. She wore a resplendent white silk kimono embroidered with intricate patterns of cherry blossoms, symbolizing new beginnings and the fleeting nature of life. The delicate fabric clung to her figure, accentuating her grace and beauty. Her hair, adorned with a sparkling tiara, cascaded in elegant waves down her back.
Lady Clara, resplendent in her traditional elven attire, approached Ella with tears of joy in her eyes. "You look breathtaking, my dear. Ryu is a fortunate man."
Ella smiled, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. "Thank you, Lady Clara. I can hardly believe this day has finally come."
Ella was led into the hall where the wedding would take place, only family were allowed into the room. Ella looked around, she could see auspicious symbols such as cranes, turtles, pine trees, bamboo, and plum patterns on the vessels and on the hanging scrolls or screens that made up the décor of the room. Each of the motifs represented longevity and good fortune.
Mizuki and Lady Clara had explained everything that went into the wedding ceremony, from the décor and the outfits, to the rituals.
Now, Ella was dressed in a whitekosodeanda crimson-reduchikakeouter-robe, matched with a white floss silk headdress, called atsunokakushi. When she had wondered what it was for, Mizuki had laughed that it was meant to cover her ‘horns’ of ego and selfishness, symbolizing a new bride’s resolve to become a gentle and obedient wife.
When Ella had frowned, saying that she had no intention of being an obedient wife, Ryu had laughed and taken her in his arms, and promised she could be as contrary as she liked—‘as long as we resolve all our differences the best way we know how,’ he’d said, a sly smirk on his face.
Ella had laughed, and now that she stood waiting for Ryu to join her, she blushed. She didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky to find her destined soulmate, but she would grab this opportunity for happiness with both hands.
