Chapter 567 – The Succubus Hero’s Third Marriage

Kanae and Runald's special day had arrived at last, and with it the drone of excitement vibrating in the air. For her, it was manifesting as goosebumps across her skin. Runald must be feeling the same way. Probably worse, since this was his first compared to her third. They had been separated to different rooms on opposite sides of the Basilica of Saint Rue. The ceremony would begin shortly.

"Hopefully, you don't get into a bunch of trouble beforehand and come back a mess," Arenade teased as did up Kanae's hair.

"You're never going to let that down, are you?" Kanae sulked.

"Absolutely not! You were supposed to look your best, but you arrived looking like a used cunt. That's not happening this time on my watch. There! Don't you look gorgeous?" She beamed, turning her to face the mirror.

Instead of the usual ponytail, Arenade and the other servants insisted on Kanae letting her hair down and somewhat curly. It looked stunning with the veil.

"Say, uh… I know we haven't really talked about it since Runald's proposal came so suddenly… You're not angry about me taking another spouse, are you?" Kanae asked nervously.

"Why would I? You and Noah wedded first anyway, and I didn't mind then. Besides, I know where I stand." Arenade lifted her left hand, revealing the Ring of Destined Matrimony.

The paired silver band was on Kanae's ring finger, too. Proof of their love and union. Soon, another wedding band would join her finger. She never did receive one from Noah. Highgreen culture apparently didn't exchange rings. They had hunted a giant dire beast prowling in the snow-swept forests instead as was tradition.

A soft knock came to the door.

"Saint Priests Camilla and Ulric have come to visit, my lady. Shall I send them back to the worship hall?" a servant on the other side asked.

"That's alright. Let them in," Kanae said.

The door swung open to the feline beastman and dark elf cruising in. Both of them were dressed in beautiful gowns. Camilla in a flowing red dress and Ulric in a slim black top with a skirt.

"Well, if it isn't the bride to be!" Camilla exclaimed.

"I'm glad you two can make it! I know it was probably hard to find time as Saint Priests," Kanae said.

"Ah, we wouldn't have missed it!" Ulric grinned. "Our duties have slowed down a bit though. And the Grand Eye compromised by assigning us as her guards today."

Grand Eye Analise would be conducting the ceremony. The Archbishop had previously volunteered, but it sounded like something had come up. Kanae only heard whispers among the clergy around the basilica. Patrice had been called away to speak with the Ortesian delegation, likely about the prisoner exchange. She hoped nothing went awry.

"Hey, Camilla. Just wondering, did the archbishop give you a hard time about forfeiting against Edina?" Kanae asked.

"Just a teensy bit." Camilla nodded.

"What? No, she was furious! Danito and I thought Archbishop Patrice was about to rip you a new one!" Ulric exclaimed.

"Shhh!" The beastman hushed him before turning back to Kanae. "Alright, yeah. It was pretty bad. I think she really wanted me to go all out, but Edina had me beat. Trust me. I tried telling her there was a difference between hypothesizing a victory and actually being out there fighting."

"The ceremony's starting soon! Get out of here, you two!" Arenade butted in and pushed them both back out the door.

Well. There was always later.

Kanae's other three bridesmaids entered soon after the Saint Priests left. Alicia, Claudia, and Hilde were ready to walk out with her. All of them cooed about how cute she looked. The five of them emerged from the room one less than she had hoped. Edina was missing, though it couldn't be helped given the squirreling's current state. Her chest beat faster with every step.

Suvee stood near the entrance with baskets of flower petals in her hands. She was brimming with eagerness to do this again in her cute dress. They waited for the music to swell, then Arenade signalled their girl first.

Instead of entering from the basilica entrance, they stepped out from the west and east wing corridors. Kanae's group emerged from the east, and Runald's from the west. Kanade tossed petals and led the way from the other end, and Suvee did the same on this end.

Unlike Kanae and Arenade's wedding, only the frontmost row was occupied. Friends and families watched with the biggest smiles on their faces. However, one section appeared particularly empty. It was the area designated for Runald's family. The groom himself casted a somber glance at the unoccupied seats. But when he lifted his gaze to meet Kanae's across the cathedral, that sadness vanished and his face took on a deep red tint. She offered a reassuring smile.

Kanae walked past many loved ones. Teana, Mikki, and Nelly. Esta, who was tightly holding onto Feraline to keep the drakeling girl from running up to her. Aisha, Moira, and Mitty, too. Rog and Lina, but it was the husband who was bawling his eyes out and his elven wife comforting him. It seemed the orc was the more emotional of the pair. One of the Sisters of Sin Tabitha had also taken time out of her busy schedule as High Priestess of the Radevic Branch for the occasion. One seat did remain empty on her side. Master Marwin Fransk. Although her heart ached for the passed mentor, she knew he was probably happy for her nonetheless.

As soon as Suvee and Kanade reached the center point, they emptied the flower baskets and went to their seats. Behind Runald, his groomsman of Joap, Oswald, and Reginald, fell in line beside him. Kanae's bridesmaids did the same to her side. The bride and groom walked up to each other, with Grand Eye Analise presiding over them.

Runald was having such a hard time maintaining eye-contact with Kanae. She was amused by how cute he was.

"Shall we begin?" Grand Eye Analise smiled.

The two of them nodded.

As the Grand Eye recited the familiar words of devotion and love, Kanae and Runald held each other's hands, gazing at one another. His were wet and clammy.

"Sorry," Runald whispered.

"About what? Your sweaty hands? I'm used to them by now, you nervous wreck." Kanae giggled.

Analise cleared her throat, and they both tensed up.

"Will the ring-bearer bring forth the rings?" the Grand Eye called out.

"Y-Yes, I got it!" Joap bumbled up to them anxiously, handing it over to Runald before going back to the other groomsmen.

"Runald Aespir, do you take Kanae Toyomi as your lawfully-wedded wife?" she asked.

"I do!" Runald's voice cracked, drawing some soft laughter from the audience.

"And Kanae Toyomi, do you take Runald Aespir as your lawfully-wedded husband?" she asked.

"I do." Kanae squeezed his hands to bring his attention back to her.

"Then with the powers invested in me as the Grand Eye, I pronounce you two joined in matrimony!" Analise shouted loud enough that her voice carried through the basilica.

Kanae and Runald slipped the gold bands onto each other's ring fingers. A gust of magical wind kicked up the petal pile, showering them in red, pink, and white. Runald hesitated, so Kanae yanked him in by hand and sealed their marriage with a kiss.

Applause rang across the hall. Claudia whistled sharply from behind them. Arenade especially clapped the loudest.

"That's my stupid succubus!" Arenade exclaimed, wiping a tear from her cheek.

When their lips parted, Runald looked dizzy and his eyes were spinning.

"Did this really happen? We're m-married now?" Runald stammered.

Kanae leaned in and whispered, "I'm going to fuck you silly later just to hammer it home for you that we are."

That somehow snapped him back to his senses.

"This is supposed to be a wholesome occasion. Don't ruin it with your dirty talk!" Runald groaned.

With the private ceremony ended, the wedding reception moved on to hold a dinner banquet for the guests held in a separate smaller hall in the basilica. Chefs hired from the finest restaurants in Brighton whipped up a five-course dinner. The most eye-catching showpiece, however, was the large wedding cake Arenade had commissioned that was as tall as a grown adult. Standing at the very top were little figurines of Kanae and Runald.

Everyone was seated at round tables, but the groom and bride had their own smaller table to dine together for their first time wedded. Kanae studied her guests closely, hoping no one felt out of place.

"Kanae."

"What?" Kanae turned to her new husband, only to have a spoonful of cake shoved into her mouth. A very sweet and savory vanilla flavor spread across her tongue.

"You okay? You look distracted," Runald said.

"I'm fine." She swallowed the mouthful. "What about you? Your old man didn't make it today."

"Yeah, but I expected that. Even if he wants to, and that's a huge doubt, it wouldn't reflect well on him to attend a wedding involving succubi. The empire wouldn't like that. I might be disowned, but I'd rather not cause my family any more problems," he explained.

Across the night, the wedding guests came up to the table to offer congratulations. To no surprise to Kanae at all, Suvee jumped onto Runald's lap and asked when he was going to give her a baby sister.

"Is she going to look like mom? Or maybe closer to Kanade because you're a high elf? Hmm? Hmm? HMM?" Suvee interrogated him.

"I-I-I don't know! I'm also still too young to be thinking about having children… Maybe eventually?" Runald turned to Kanae for help.

"We can get started right away, if you want," Kanae offered.

"You're not helping." He glared.

"Leave them alone, Suvee. You're ruining the mood." Kanade pulled her away by the ear.

"Awww." She sulked.

The next to come up was Esta and Feraline. Their drakeling daughter trotted up to Kanae for a bear hug.

"Feraline couldn't stop saying 'mom' and 'pretty' in the same sentence earlier." Esta chuckled.

"Awww. Did you really think so, sweetheart?" Kanae pinched the girl's cheeks, but the scales were beginning to grow in and her fat was diminishing.

Feraline nodded and snuggled into Kanae's chest. But her wrinkling nose led her to the unfinished slice of cake on the table. She grabbed it whole and shoved it down her throat.

"Feraline…" Esta groaned.

"Haha. It's alright. Feraline's a growing girl. She's going to be eating a lot more from now on. Won't you?" Kanae bounced her daughter on her knees.

The Knight of Silver shot her subordinate a tense look.

"Should I take it that you will be gone for a period of time, Runald?" Silver asked.

"Just for one night should be fine, right? I already submitted my leave of absence!" Runald reminded her.

"I know." She smirked. "Come, daughter. Others wish to see your mother, too."

Pouting, Feraline butted horns with Kanae once before returning to Esta.

The rest of dinner continued without a hitch. At the very end, Arenade toasted them with a heartwarming but teasing speech mostly directed at Kanae's insatiable hunger. As the night went on, the children and young departed first to turn in.

Kanae's succubi bridesmaids hooked up with Runald's groomsmen, who had no idea what they were in for. Although, Joap might be more prepared than the other two.

Grand Eye Analise insisted that Kanae and Runald retire for the evening, promising to tidy things up with the clergy's help. They gladly took her up on the offer. After all, the best part of a wedding was what happened after.

Runald had bathed first and climbed into bed. Kanae washed herself up next, coming out in only a bathrobe. Her new husband twiddled his thumb, visibly red despite the dim light.

"J-Just to be sure. We're not… trying to get you pregnant tonight, right?" Runald gulped.

"You do know how low of a chance that is, don't you? We would have to do it a lot." Kanae laughed.

"Yeah… low chance… Wait, but you and Mitty have four." He counted off his fingers to be sure, slowly coming to realize what that meant.

She shrugged. "What can I say? We had a lot of free time back then. But don't worry. Tonight, we can just focus on each other. I'll be as sweet on you as you want~"

"Boo! Vanilla sucks boo!" Isabella shouted from deep within a locked cupboard.

Kanae winced. Damn it, Isabella.

"The peanut gallery's going to be here all night, too?" Runald groaned.

"Ignore her and look at me." Kanae disrobed in front of him, revealing nothing underneath. The moon and stars bathed her in their soft light, outlining and accentuating the curves of her body in a silvery glowing.

Runald pitched a tent underneath the sheets.

"Oh, and you're going to need this." Kanae hoisted a lockbox of stamina potions onto the nightstand.