The Sacrificial Bride

Back in Hell...

Though the glass had turned dim, reflecting nothing now, her eyes remained locked onto it as if her sorrow could bring the image of her sister back. Her delicate hands trembled, clasped close to her chest, and her breath came in uneven shivers.

Her voice broke through the silence, soft and trembling. "Elder sister... It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I trusted them. I should have listened to you and run away. I'm sorry... You always worked so hard as Crown Princess. You never deserved the blame."

Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks, warm trails of guilt and longing. Her sobs were quiet, muffled by her shaking hands, but the pain within them was deafening.

Luxion stepped forward, his presence was calm. He knelt beside her and, without a word, used the sleeve of his robe to gently wipe away her tears. His crimson eyes were unusually soft.

"Shhh... It's okay, dear," he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of comfort. "You'll meet her again."

Esther turned toward him, eyes wide and full of despair. "But..."

"May I hold you?" Luxion asked gently, his voice dipped in care.

Esther gave a shaky nod.

He pulled her into his arms, cradling her carefully as though she were made of glass. She melted into his embrace, gripping the fabric of his robes. For a moment, time seemed to pause.

"Don't cry, my little wife," he whispered. "After our marriage, you'll return to your world. Perhaps a year into the past. And then, you can choose how your story continues. You can take your revenge."

Esther nodded wordlessly, her fingers tightening slightly.

"You must be stronger now," he said, pulling back slightly to meet her eyes. "Let your heart remember this pain, but don't let it consume you."

Luxion looked up at Life and Death, who stood silently in the corner. Understanding his signal, they nodded and vanished.

Lifting Esther gently, he carried her to the bedroom and placed her onto the soft velvet bed. She looked away, her voice barely audible.

"Angel... am I cruel for wanting revenge on them? They are still my family."

Luxion knelt beside her, his fingers brushing a strand of her hair away.

"No. You are not cruel," he said firmly. "They are your family, yet they betrayed you. They sacrificed you. You deserve love and care. And, you shouldn't be deprived it because you are slow, dumb or some shit happened on your birthday. So, it's okay for you to take revenge."

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"It's okay to want justice. And if anyone dares to say you don't deserve it... well," he added with a smirk, "I will have a very, very lovely conversation with them."

Esther blinked up at him, overwhelmed. Her chest tightened, but not with grief this time. His words wrapped around her like a protective spell.

No one had ever spoken to her like this. Only her elder sister and now, Luxion.

With a wave of his hand, he conjured a tray of food, gently setting it beside her. "Eat something, love. You can't faint before your wedding."

Later, in the Thaloran Realm...

Esther sat before a mirror in a starlit chamber carved from moonstone. She barely recognized the reflection staring back- a girl no longer human, not entirely, adorned in a gown woven of midnight blue and stardust. Fine embroidery shimmered along her skirts in golden vines and starbursts. Every inch of her looked celestial.

"You look breathtaking," Celiene, the Moon Goddess, whispered with a smile as she adjusted the veil. "This gown was made for you." 

Esther pressed her hands into her lap, her voice barely audible. "I... I'm nervous."

"Because you're marrying Luxion?" Merlin, the Ocean Goddess, teased lightly as she arranged the glowing gems, luminous pearls in Esther's hair. "I know humans misunderstand devil, but he's different."

"No," Esther said quickly. "I trust him. He doesn't feel evil. His aura is powerful... but I feel safe beside him."

Merlin grinned and gently squeezed her shoulder. "You're lovely. And brave. You don't even realize how much."

Esther blushed. "Thank you, Ocean Go—"

"Merlin," she interrupted. "You're one of us now. Call me by my name."

Esther smiled shyly, but inside her heart raced. How could someone like her… be treated like an equal by divine beings?

On groom's side...

Luxion stood still as the life and death helped him into his ceremonial robes. Nathan leaned against the pillar, arms crossed, smiling. "Luxion, my friend, you are finally getting married. You found the woman who will be with you forever. I'm so happy for you." 

"I am happy too." He spoke lightly. He was truly happy to have someone as life partner.

"Marriage does change everything. Even devil gave soft expression." Nathan burst out laughing.

Luxion rolled his eyes. "Tsk... so annoying."

Nathan pouted while looking at him. "I was just kidding. Do you need my help with anything?"

Luxion looked at him and nodded with serious expression.

"Nathan, I do need help. I want you to go to Esther and be by her side for the wedding. Her family is absurd and I can't bring her elder sister here. So, I want you to be her family for this precious day."

Nathan blinked. Then smiled warmly. "Sure, I will be by her side."

On bride's side....

Nathan entered the bridal chamber to the scent of sweet blossoms and divine incense. Goddess Celiene greeted him with a knowing smile. "You look handsome, Star Keeper."

"You look lovely as always, Moon Goddess," he said playfully. "And Ocean Goddess, you steal the sea's grace."

Then his gaze fell on Esther, and he paused.

"Oh my stars..."

Esther stiffened. "Do I look strange?"

He approached and pinched her cheek softly. "You look divine. So beautiful and adorable. So cute I might cry. I came to escort you to your wedding, dear sis."

She blinked in confusion. "S-Sis?"

Nathan smiled and said, "From now onwards, I am you big brother. Your favorite family member." 

"That's right," he said proudly. "From this day on, I'm your big brother. Your favorite family member."

Esther's eyes filled with emotion. "T-Thank you..."

Nathan gave a mock pout. "No thanking. Just call me Big Bro. That's my only condition."

Esther smiled through shimmering eyes. "Big bro."

Nathan's heart squeezed. This girl… how did she endure so much and still smile like this?

He extended his hand. "Shall we?"

Esther placed her delicate fingers in his, rising to her feet. "Yes, big bro."

The goddesses giggled softly at their banter. And beyond the door, every celestial being was waiting to witness a marriage of the devil and a human.