[Nightmare]

Chapter 233 The Ceremony

Helix smiled as his three partners walked down the aisleway, stunning every guest in Alzeria.

The smiles on their faces were breathtaking and showed how much they cared about him.

Marie sent him bright smiles and looked at the floor for charming effect.

Riley had light tears in her eyes, confused about how she ended up on the aisle with the other two but eternally grateful.

Charlotte walked with a smirk, knowing that Alzeria was about to have a state-sponsored harem wedding between them.

Better, while Marie and Riley had bright white dresses highlighting their hair and eyes, Charlotte had a crimson cocktail dress that was nothing short of derisive.

Combined with the fake glasses on her face, she was walking around taunting wealthy aristocrats everywhere.

Marie was overcome with emotions. She had never been so happy in her life.

Somehow she got kidnapped from Earth and found her true love.

Someone who was a nerd like her.

He was socially awkward when he arrived.

Treated her well.

And loved her unconditionally.

Riley was overwhelmed by the gazes of everyone.

She was genuinely starting to believe that she belonged with the three.

Somehow, she was walking down the aisle to marry the most famous person in Alzeria and Kozen.

It was a surreal moment.

As for Helix, he was chuckling at his absurd luck.

Despite his constant complaints since he arrived, there were beautiful things that happened.

Helix wasn't living his dream.

He was living his nightmare.

However, every nightmare is a dream.

And.

Right then.

At that moment.

As they walked forward.

Nearing their vows to live forever.

To proclaim their love for everyone to hear.

Helix was living a dream that he never knew he had.

But he didn't question it. He was so grateful.

Grateful to the people that saved his life.

The grandmasters that trained him.

Ice General Tyrene Masney.

His mentor Tilo Salazar.

Linux, his teacher.

And even...

Kylon.

At that moment, and only for that moment, he was grateful to everyone.

He was thankful to Kylon for abducting him to bring him into the moment.

Elsa. Macron. Eliza. Samma. Liliana.

Millie for giving him courage.

Atlas for treating Myriad like a fantasy world by necessity.

The Warpshire, who was gracious enough to lend him its coat.

As for Elise, the Mad Queen—

He still fucking hated her, and no amount of beautiful moments would change that.

But he didn't think about her.

Helix focused every bit of thought on the three women walking toward him in slow motion.

He listened—

To Maze and Miskie riling everyone up from the sides.

To the gasps of the audience.

To the minor exhales of Eliza, who was breathless at that moment.

It was a beautiful moment that no one could stand between.

"Hiya, stranger." Charlotte said sassily, disregarding the priest-like ceremony attendants.

Helix flashed her a charming smile and turned it to his other brides.

"Welcome to the ceremony of King Helix Margrave, Queen Marie Skybolt, Queen Charlotte Kline, and Queen Riley Singer." A brunette presiding over the marriage announced.

"These four are already married by Earthian customs but are here today to affirm their vows and  seal their relationship."

The otakus and weebs exploded in roaring applause, which was extremely awkward because it was not a moment for applause.

Helix chuckled, giving the individuals who screamed a look that read [I expected this—obviously. Thank you].

Charlotte grinned at his lax attitude, and many people that saw his look giggled or laughed.

"In accordance with Earthian customs, the ceremony will be an exchange of vows." The announcer explained, "There aren't set words involved. It's a simple declaration of promises."

Atlas' eyes widened in surprise, and he grinned alongside the other otakus and weebs.

Helix lied about Earthian customs to get the wedding he wanted.

It was indeed a remarkable powerplay.

"We'll begin with Marie Skybolt." The brunette said, turning to the redhead.

Helix walked to the podium opposite Marie, who was blushing.

"King Helix Margrave, please declare your vows to Marie."

He nodded and looked into Marie's vivid green eyes.

"Marie...." Helix smiled, speechless for a moment, "I'm about to make you some promises, and I've realized I've only ever made you one.

Otherwise, I cocktail out of promises that I won't die, or do stupid things, or make dangerous magic...."

Everyone in the audience gasped, chuckled a few times, and burst into bewildered laughter.

Marie giggled, and Charlotte grinned, all under the loving gaze of Riley.

"It's embarrassing to repeat that vow, but it's crucial in a way." Helix laughed in self-deprecation, "I promised our relationship wouldn't turn into an isekai nightmare.

Well, there aren't ancient lolis, cats that can transform into women, or dragon women."

The redhead blushed to the tip of her ears, mortified by his public omission.

"It was a ridiculous, extremely unnecessary promise to make." He laughed, "But... I kept it.

So... that's kinda... a one-hundred-percent promise to keep the ratio."

Marie's eyes widened in surprise at his charming awkwardness, and she burst into embarrassed giggles with everyone else in the audience.

The otaku and weebs were dying.

"Despite our lack of promises." Helix continued, "I've vowed to love you forever and to be honest with you. To treat you well and make you happy.

I like to think that I've done an excellent job of that so far. And... I want to do that forever."

Marie burst into happy tears alongside most of the bridesmaids and audience members.

Helix's relationship with the three was extraordinary. It ran deep and was filled with strife.

They earned their relationship, so it wasn't the same as college lovers or political marriages.

It had real meaning.

"You protected my life around the clock when I came here." Helix continued with light tears in his eyes, "And I'm still here.

Now it's my turn. I also promise to share the burden of protector, to protect you as much as you protect me from now on."

Marie choked up and nodded.

"I love you Marie." Helix said with a warm smile, "I'll let those feelings drive actions far more significant than any promise could ever present."

He stopped speaking, and after a short emotional moment, the audience met them with thunderous applause.

"Marie Skybolt, please present your vows." The announcer requested.

The redhead nodded and looked at Helix with happy, teary eyes.

"Helix..." Marie choked, laughing to release pressure, "I know your personality better than anyone, so I'll prove that right now."

A wave of excited anticipation washed through the audience.

"I promise to love you forever, and...." She said, "Love is an action, not an emotion.

So I'll spend my life constantly proving my love for you."

After that simple statement, the audience watched in disbelief as Helix moved forward, embraced Marie's cheek, and kissed her lightly yet passionately.

They couldn't believe that the charismatic leader Marie Skybolt summed up her vows so simply.

However, Helix truly believed that words and feelings were irrelevant.

Promises were meaningless.

Only proving your love with actions would prove it.

When a person approaches relationships from that perspective, they will constantly act in the best favor of the other, and it will work the best.

When people comprehended the power of the statement, they gave the new couple a round of thunderous applause.

"Charlotte Kline, it's your time to exchange vows." The brunette announcer stated.

Charlotte nodded with a slight grin and swiveled her hips up to the podium in her derisive dress.

Her appearance captivated everyone, especially the otakus and weebs.

While many people changed their appearances at the beginning, few changed their style, let alone their personalities.

The blonde had transformed from a quirky trickster into Loki's enchantress. She was horrifying yet captivating, charming, and charismatic.

Helix smirked at his wife-to-be with a slight smile, and she matched it.

"I want to go first." Charlotte announced bluntly, shocking everyone.

"Of course." He replied, easing everyone's concerns about the strange [potential] custom.

"Ahem." She coughed dramatically, "I pledge full-time."

After that, she bowed slightly and stepped away.

Dead silence.

However, the king gave her a beaming smile.

"Charlotte, when you told me you'd join my harem part-time and that you'd join but not be a girlfriend, I told you that was every man's dream." Helix laughed.

Waves of understanding washed through the crowd.

Charlotte's statement abruptly made a lot more sense.

"Well, I'm here to announce that I was wrong." He smiled, sparking whispers, "My dream is full-time. Forever."

Gasps and smiles washed through the crowd.

Charlotte gave him a charming smile but awaited the crescendo.

"Charlotte." Helix laughed in amusement, "When I asked you to be my partner, you non-committal agreed.

It wasn't good enough for me, so I asked for a dating sim walkthrough on how to earn your willingness to join my harem."

After a second of stunned silence and confirmation whispers, the otakus and weebs exploded in roaring laughter.

Charlotte grinned, amused by the confused faces of the royals.

"You didn't give me one." He smiled bitterly.

More laughter detonated. It became contagious, and soon most of the audience was laughing.

"However, I promised that I'd earn your full-time love." Helix smiled, "Well, that doesn't end now that you're my wifey.

I promise to continue to earn your love and the right for me to be at your side."

Charlotte's mouth fell open, and her eyes trembled.

She instantly touched her face to check the temperature and found she was burning up.

The blonde was bright red to the tip of her ears, and light tears welled in her eyes.

"Then don't embarrass~me... jerk." Charlotte huffed, making the audience members burst into merry laughter.

Helix smiled and stepped forward.

The announcer gave the strange couple a warm smile before turning to Riley.

"It's your turn, Queen Riley. Please step forth to exchange your vows."