TRANSMIGRATED AS A GHOST

Several days had passed since Jaela and Ardea’s abrupt appearance at Marcus’ estate and now it was the day of his wedding to Mrazivý.

He had received several veiled complaints from the officials planning the wedding when he suddenly added two unknowns to the guest list, but frankly if Jaela and Ardea wanted to attend, no one could physically stop them except Boreas. And if they did come to blows the royal capital would not be left standing.

Of course, it did not come to that and with the king’s approval Marcus’ two unexpected guests were added to the list of attendees.

It was currently only around an hour before the wedding began, and Marcus was being dressed up by a number of attendants.

He was still not quite comfortable being dressed by other people, but as it was something that was expected for the status he had attained. So, he just gritted his teeth and got through it.

Once his suit was finished being put on, he stood in front of a mirror and examined it at the behest of his attendants to make sure everything was to his liking.

“Yes, everything is good.” Marcus said as he looking over the suit.

It was a dark blue, like the color of the royal family’s crest, and was nearly the same color as Mrazivý’s hair.

There were also a number of ornaments that ordained the suit to show his status.

One was actually a medal situated proudly on his chest that was proof of his outstanding service to the kingdom, which he had been awarded for being instrumental in taking down the criminal syndicate known as Permafrost.

‘To think the day would come when I would be getting married. In another world and to a princess at that.’ Marcus thought as a sad smile formed on his face.

In this moment he could not help but think about his family back on Earth and how they would not be able to be here for him.

He had always envisioned them congratulating and sharing in the revelry with him should he have ever gotten married, but that was not going to be possible.

A barrier greater than anything he could breach separated them, and it was almost certain that he would never see any of them again.

‘Still, I have the family that I have found here in my second life.’ Marcus thought as he fought back tears.

During the time he had spent on Mirrion he had made many close friends, and even found an old one from Earth, who he counted among his new family. And all of them were going to be at the wedding to celebrate with him.

“Your highness, are you ready? It is nearly time.” The head attendant said to Marcus.

With a nod of acknowledgement, Marcus turned around and followed his attendants to the grand hall where the ceremony was going to be happening.

‘I still can’t believe it would be nearly identical to what I knew from Earth. I suppose I have Boreas and many other people from Earth to thank for that.’ Marcus thought as he stood on top a raised platform with an alter on it and waited for his bride to enter.

Soon the massive doors to the grand hall opened up, and Mrazivý escorted by her father the king came in. With guard knights at their sides of course.

Staring at Mrazivý, Marcus was stunned by how beautiful she looked.

Her elaborate white dress was clearly made specifically for her and brought out the best of her features without being so gaudy that it drew attention away from the one wearing it.

Sitting atop her head was an amethros circlet that Marcus had made for her after the interest she expressed in Frostine’s crown.

Naturally Marcus had made it look less ornate than Frostine’s to prevent any discontent, though the enchantments packed into it were actually quite a bit stronger.

The music that had been being played abruptly changed and the traditional song played at royal weddings that Marcus had never heard before the rehearsal resounded through the area.

When the king and Mrazivý reached the platform, he gave her a few words of encouragement and congratulations, and left her to ascend to the top of the platform where Marcus and a priest from the church of the great spirit of light were waiting.

After that, the king went to sit next to Frostine at the head of the those in attendance.

The ceremony then continued on with the priest introducing Marcus and Mrazivý and retelling a brief and mostly made-up story about how their love had blossomed. For obvious reasons the true story could not be made public.

Following that, a number of speeches from people that knew both Marcus and Mrazivý were given.

‘This certainly is taking a while. I really wish we could just get on with it. But I suppose that no one is going to tell one of my siblings to stop talking.’ Mrazivý said to Marcus with telepathy while her fourth brother, who was not actually on very friendly terms with her, gave a long-winded speech.

Hearing this, Marcus had to rein in a chuckle and agreed with the sentiment.

In fact, those that actually were close to them kept their words brief, and only those that were trying to make a political show were giving drawn-on speeches.

While neither Marcus nor Mrazivý held any real political positions, it was clear by how extravagant their engagement party and wedding were that the kingdom highly valued them.

And everyone in attendance knew that it was because of the military power the two brought with them.

Hundreds of people had witnessed their battle and victory against the demons at their engagement party. This went to show that both Marcus and Mrazivý were well above the average knights in the kingdom and were at the same level as even the elites. Except that was more than two years ago and both of them were now easily within the top ten most powerful combatants under the kingdom’s influence.

Eventually the politically motivated speeches ended, and it was finally time for the ceremony proper.

The priest began with the classic address to the couple, where he spoke of the responsibilities of marriage and the sanctity of the vows they were about to take.

Most of it was what Marcus had heard from Earth during the couple of weddings he had attended. Though a bit of it was different. Either because those similarly originally from Earth that certainly brought this ceremony over did not remember exactly how it went, or from cultural changes over time.

Once the priest was finished with his part, Marcus and Mrazivý recited the words that they had been forced to memorize that were said at all noble and royal weddings.

It was mostly about upholding their duty to the kingdom rather than their love for each other due to the nature of many weddings being for political reasons.

However, they both had already agreed to add to the end their true feelings and say what they wanted.

“Marcus, in my time of greatest danger and greatest despair you were there as a shining light for me. Without you I would have either died or become a hollow husk of myself. You gave me a chance to experience what love is really like, and for that it will be eternally grateful. Every day I am truly glad that I was able to meet you and look forward to the many days we have to come.”

“Mrazivý, when I was aimless and still trying to find myself, you acted as my guide. You taught me much about this world, and without you I am unsure where I would be today. The bond I forged with you in the pits of hell is one I will treasure for eternity, and the time I spend with you is some of the most enjoyable. You stand as a pillar that holds me up and keeps me grounded at the same time. We have already promised to go on a grand adventure together and see all that this world has to offer, and today I wish to reaffirm that promise.”

The two of them having finished their vows gave each other exquisite smiles and the priest began the last part of the ceremony.

Yet while he was saying his last lines, Marcus reached out to Mrazivý with his telepathy.

‘I could not say this out loud with so many listening, but I wanted to make sure to thank you Mraz. There was a very real future in which I could have turned into a vicious and cruel monster, but my connection to you and Lilia especially kept me grounded. I have been able to keep some part of my humanity in large part thanks to you.’

After Marcus said this to Mrazivý the priest finished up the last of his speech and announced that it was time for them to seal their marriage with a kiss.

Applause and cheers echoed through the hall as they kissed, and finally the two of them after much time and many hurtles to overcome were joined together for all eternity.