"Shall we begin?"

Stella was kneeling at the side of the small table where the loyalty orb was placed. She didn't wear her usual outfit; no, she was fully dressed for the occasion.

Her dress was a long, red gown, along with a veil that covered her head, as followed by the custom of the kingdom.

The girls were dressed the same as well. Maria, Seraphina, and Ishtar all wore the same red gown and a red veil covering their faces.

If it wasn't for their difference in height, it would be almost impossible to tell them apart.

The small number of guests present in the building all watched with joy. Or at least most of them did, because deep in their hearts, they knew their daughters' futures were certain just from marrying Dorian.

In their own words, he was an exceptional man who had continued to show time and time again that he was worthy to be called the Barony's Miracle.

Snatching such a man into their family was the wisest decision any of them could make before he grew beyond their reach.

While this was going on and Stella was casting a small spell to activate the orb, Seraphina glanced at Maria. She had been watching her for a while. Since even before they entered the hall, she had noticed something.

Maria had a smile on her face throughout.

Perhaps it was because she was certain the veil would hide her features, but not once had that smile faded.

"You must be really happy if you're smiling this much," Seraphina whispered.

Maria, who was the only one who could hear her, turned her gaze towards her after wiping the smile from her face.

"You've been smiling as well."

"Yeah, but I always smile. You don't. It's quite surprising to see you smile this much."

"..."

"Not like I don't understand. We are getting engaged to Lord Dorian. The single thing you and I have been chasing all this time," Seraphina giggled. "Looks like we are going to be sisters."

Maria was silent for a while.

"We are."

"You bet, and I'm hella glad it's me and you. Can you imagine if I was the only one? And Lord Dorian married some other home-wrecker instead?"

Seraphina's face was leaned close to Maria's.

Just as Maria wanted to give a response—

"Please, place your hand on the orb."

Before any of them could react, Ishtar took the chance and placed her hand on the orb.

"Yes, Mother," she replied.

Seraphina couldn't help but throw a stare at Ishtar. However, she quickly composed herself, refusing to let her happiness slip.

With her hand now on the orb, a bright light glowed right under her touch.

Stella then uttered, her voice calm, loud, and almost excited. The smile on her face was enough evidence to prove that she was truly happy about the engagement.

"Under the name of the Goddess of Love, by her guidance and love, you, Ishtar Forane, promise to walk this path with my son, Dorian Aurelian, through thick and thin, good and bad, and worse and better times?"

"I do."

There wasn't a hint of hesitation in Ishtar's voice.

After she responded, the orb glowed a bit, allowing a small red dot to show at the back of her hand, which was supposed to act as proof that the goddess acknowledged the engagement.

A relieved smile showed on Stella's face. She never knew Ishtar well, but if the goddess accepted her, then Ishtar had to be the one for Dorian.

Moving on, Stella looked at Maria, since she was the one next right after Ishtar.

Slowly, Maria placed her hand on the orb.

"Yes, I do," she replied as well.

The glow appeared, and with that, a red dot at the back of her hand.

Stella smiled with pride. If anyone was supposed to marry her son, Maria would hundred percent have to be the one.

With that done, Stella turned to Seraphina.

She as well placed her hand on the orb and uttered,

"Yes, I do."

But the orb showed no reaction.

Panic settled on her face, her eyes solely fixed on the orb.

But then—

Shrrr!

It glowed, the light shining brighter than for the other two women. Then, the red mark appeared at the back of her hand, a large red dot.

Stella was surprised, but even she didn't know what it meant. However, she didn't dwell on it, especially after seeing how relieved Seraphina was. It was as though she had just managed to escape death.

Once this was done, Dorian stepped forward.

The crowd all clapped as he walked down the hallway and to where the girls were. Halfway there, he was certain he heard a woman's voice call out to him.

It sounded dark, grim, and quite scary at the same time. But even more shocking, he was certain the voice came from one of the three women seated on the small altar.

'Was I just hearing things?'

He shook his head and continued walking.

Getting to the altar, he settled right beside his mother, dressed in his own red suit and tie.

"Welcome, my son. And here I thought you would sleep in," Stella teased, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I can be responsible when I need to be," Dorian replied, all while his eye was focused on his three soon-to-be wives.

Their faces were covered, as such he couldn't see them fully. However, he could tell them apart easily.

Ishtar was grinning under the veil, Seraphina's eyes were sparkling, and Maria was smiling so softly. He could tell this much.

"You've made me proud, my son. Right now, I am the happiest mother in the entire world. Hehe~" she giggled. "Looks like your fans showed up too."

Dorian looked towards the crowd and noticed some of the villagers, both men and women, were crying, carrying a sign that read, "Please take me as your lover too."

A nervous look instantly played on his face, especially when he noticed they were quite numerous as well.

"In any case, these beautiful women have chosen to remain by your side. Treat them with care, okay?"

"You have my word."

"Then let us proceed."

Since the vow had been made to the Goddess of Love, all Dorian needed to do was finalize it by putting a ring on their finger and kissing the mark at the back of their hand.

He started with Ishtar, and then Maria, before lastly Seraphina.

As the ring slid onto their finger, the mark disappeared, as though it was never there to begin with.

"Congratulations, the engagement has been successful. We welcome you to the Aurelian family."

"YAYYYYYY!"

A loud cheer echoed from the crowd at the announcement, many of which had pulled in drummers and instrumentalists.

The very same second, Gatty rolled in wine and snacks, turning the entire place into a party in a matter of seconds.

The fiancé and fiancées were drawn into the crowd, forced to dance with everyone in order to celebrate their new engagement.

For the first time in a long while, everyone was gathered in a single place with the sole purpose of having fun and celebrating. It was truly a miracle.

...

[A/N]

I decided to use this chapter to do the engagement, to balance future chapters.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.