chapter 34

"Lili oh my little how beautiful you are, my Lili oh my Lili you are shining like a star..." the sounds of laughter bouncing off the walls filled the room.

"Hey, you've never sung to me before," Ari complained as she walked into the room. Xasha looked at her and froze. She was wearing golden gown with pearls and frills all over, her hair was beautifully done, by lisa no doubt and her face painted.

"You, you're so beautiful, Xasha began singing.

"Stop it, stop stop," Ari burst out laughing, "you have no talent dad."

"Who has no talent? I could have been a world famous singer if I put my mind to it," Xasha declared confidently. Ari came to his side and bowed her head for him to place a kiss on her forhead.

She looked to Lili who was still in her pajamas and held out her hand, "come, it's time to get dressed."

"But I want to stay with daddy,"she complain while gripping her hands into Xasha's shirt.

"He has to go get dressed too, this is a very important day. We don't want to be late and disappoint anyone do we? I mean our job is the most important of them all."

Lili looked up to her father's face with an unsatisfied look. Xasha caught on quickly and placed a kiss on her forehead which made a bright smile light up the room. She jumped from her father's lap and ran to her big sister's side. The two held hands and looked to their father to say goodbye.

Xasha looked at both his princesses and couldn't help but become teary eyed.

"Dad, stop that," Ari declared.

"I know, I know," he said as he wiped his face with his sleeve, "you two have gotten so big, so beautiful, I'm so proud of you both."

Ari's eyes became wet after hearing these words for a millionth time. She grabbed Lili and ran out the room. Xasha sighed and sat back in his seat, he felt so happy he didn't know what to to do with himself.

"Big brother," a little voice traveled through the door Ari had just left through.

Xasha looked over to see a young boy no older than Lili with flashy blue hair all done up. His dapper blue suit fit him well and his shoes were neat and well designed. He looked like a gentleman, the absolute cutest, Xasha's heart warmed up.

"Little man, how can you be so cute? You might take away all the girls in this party, "Xasha said with a bright smile which made Xeik blush.

"If he doesn't then he can't be a Von Creig man," Saxon's playful voice traveled over. He stepped into the room behind Xeik looking just as dapper in his red suit. Xasha like his suit less as it had gold chains hanging from it, ut seemed a bit too over the top.

"Old man, seeing you like this, it warms my heart. Look how carefree you look, all the wrinkles have gone from your forehead, you look no older than 50."

"I am 50 you fool. And how can I not he carefree in this environment with friends and my family, even my grandchildren. But you need to get me a grandson next boy, the other two are too cute, I can't rough them up like I did you."

Xasha rubbed his head in embarrassment, yes those were awful times. Why would I let you anywhere near my son? Your unconventional training methods nearly killed me several times over. You're worse than Megan."

"Don't let her hear you say that," Saxon said with a chuckle.

Xasha covered his mouth and looked around frantically. He let out a sigh of relief after realizing that he was safe.

Saxon chuckled, "besides, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You are who you are today because you did not live a sheltered like where everything was handed to you. Hardships build character, do not forget these things, the hard things make life worth living."

"Ash, it's time, krisan's voice came in through his Ecko.

"Okay," he replied. He then turned to Saxon, "let's go," the two made their way out of the room and down a long corridor.

"So how goes your training?" Xasha asked.

"Ash," Saxon sighed, "you are amazing, this breathing technique. I never dreamed i would ever be so powerful. I've only master the most preliminary of phases but the boost in the quality of my mana is astonishing. Thanks to you the power of Henosis with raise several hundred times over in the next ten years."

"I'm counting on it, I can't possibly march into tne wilderness alone."

"You have already taken over the entire Medicine mountain and your territory now stretches all the way.to the great divide. Once you have that place under you, you will be at the edge of the wilderness. From there the opportunities are endless, I just hope i can be of some help."

"You will be the greatest of assets, I will not be taking the great divide, not yet. When we have taken our power to another level and the entire continent is ready to move, we will take the great divide and Medicine Mountain then expand into these places and make them our own."

"We're here," Saxon said and stopped to fix his attire. Xasha tossed a green ceremonial robe over himself and tidied himself up. The two then walked through the arc. Sunshine lit up their faces as they walked on the white tiles going up to the podium.

On both sides on the ile were seats filled with thousands of invited guests all in exquisite attires. Xasha stepped up on the platform and greeted King Fitzroy who was wearing his familiar white gown with gold trim.

He then stood to the side where Megan was already standing. She smiled at him and he held her hand. Following the two came the parents who stood to the side. Then came Lili, Ari, Zeik and Blossum who was Cherry's daughter. Her pink dress glowed in the sunlight and her small face was filled with pride.

The four stoled down the isle was tossing out flowers for a short scar faced lady in a long green gown to walk upon. Her dress was tight fitting and showed her curves but the lower off frilled off into a long train. Verra stood to the right in from of Fitzroy and by her parents.

She smiled at her mother with tears in her eyes. The looked to Xasha with and gave him a nod which he returned. She then looked straight ahead meeting Fitzroy's eyes and giving a bright smile, which he returned.

Her neck turned and she looked behind her to see a lady coming from under the arc weraping a long white gown. Her gown had all kinds of extravagant looking runes embroidered into it. The gown was sleeveless and her gloves game up to her shoulders.

The lower off of the dress frilled off like Verra's  but her's was coated in silver dust and glistened in the sunlight like diamonds. She stepped slowly along the isle and all eyes were on her. But it was not on her beautifully painted face or her exquisitely dine hair.

Everyone's eyes were on the round watermelon sized belly pushing out from under her dress. She looked to be no less than 6 months pregnant. The crowd looked up to the podium and saw who she was marrying and ended up with confused looks.

The smile on Verra's face was as bright as the sun. Her smile was contagious and made Eloise burst out grinning as well though she was trying to keep a dignified face. She held up her skirt tail and ran to the podium jumped into Verra's embrace and gave her a passionate kiss.

The two broke off and Verra held her belly, "I can feel him moving."

"Him huh?" Eloise said.

She caught herself  and bowed apologetically to Fitzroy after he had to clear his throat to catch their attention. 

Verra looked to Xasha and Megan and mouthed, "thank you."

The two smiled back, "I'm proud of you," Megan mouthed back.

Fitzroy looked down to everyone. We will now begin. Verra and Eloise turned to face each other. He continued, Who gives this woman to this... other woman?"