The World Is Mine For The Taking

"I see..." Princess Myrcella said with a calm smile. "But you don't have to worry about Leon. He's not going to hurt me."

"H-How can you be so sure about that?" I asked, my voice tinged with doubt.

I had already told her how dangerous he was—someone capable of taking down powerful beings, even those not of this world. Not to mention, he owned the largest corporation on the planet, with people under him who might be leagues stronger than I could ever hope to be.

"I just don't think Leon would do anything like that to me," she replied, her smile unfaltering.

Her confidence in that man was baffling.

"You don't have to worry," she continued. "We're bound to keep each other alive. After all, we both stand to gain from one another. It's only natural Leon wouldn't harm me." She paused, giving me a knowing look. "But if you're so worried, I want you to protect me as much as you can. You can do that, can't you?"

I swallowed hard, lowering my gaze. "I don't think I could even defeat him if it came to that…" I admitted.

"Oh? So, you've already faced him and lost?"

"Yes," I muttered. "It's practically impossible for someone like me to win against him. Even sending soldiers wouldn't be enough."

"And yet, you're thinking of giving up just like that?" she said, her voice cutting deep.

Her words struck a chord, and I shook my head.

"No. I won't give up," I said firmly. "Even if it's just me standing between you and a monster like him, I'll do everything in my power to protect you. I won't let you down."

Her smile softened, and she nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit."

With that, she turned and began to walk away, leaving me to wonder what made her so certain that man wouldn't harm her. But for now, I had one job—to keep her safe.

***

Leon's POV

The event was extravagant, overflowing with indulgence. Food and drink were in abundance, and the guests looked like they had bathed in luxury their whole lives. It was the epitome of excess. Not that it surprised me—this was, after all, a wedding.

Though, calling it a "wedding" might've been a stretch. There was no church, no priest presiding over vows. But, then again, this wasn't Earth. Here, a marriage was little more than an agreement between two families. Once the union was acknowledged, the couple exchanged vows, and boom—they were officially husband and wife.

I swirled the wine in my glass as I scanned the venue. The gathering of elites here was staggering. This wasn't just a wedding—it was a spectacle. It had to be. When the families involved included one of the most powerful in Milham and the legendary Sword Saint's bloodline, you'd expect nothing less. Even a commoner with no clue about nobility would recognize the gravity of this union.

Taking another sip, I couldn't help but wonder how much of this was genuine celebration and how much was calculated politics. Either way, it was just another day for people of their stature.

Johanne wasn't by my side now, as he was preparing for his marriage. The ceremony was almost about to begin, after all.

I waited for a bit, and soon enough, the event officially started.

The chatter among the guests died down as everyone turned their attention toward the front of the Whitlock Manor. The couple emerged, their presence commanding the gaze of every attendee. Johanne and Tristina stepped out together. Johanne looked dashing in the black suit he'd been wearing earlier, his slick white hair styled to perfection, exuding a graceful and gentlemanly aura.

Tristina, on the other hand, wore a black wedding dress—a choice I hadn't expected. Back in my world, black dresses at weddings were seen as bad luck. Brides typically wore white, but this wasn't my world, and I needed to stop comparing its customs to Earth's. Despite the unusual choice of color, Tristina looked stunning. I hadn't interacted much with her before, but there was no denying her beauty.

I'd heard from Johanne that she was a fujoshi, and her usual casual attire reflected that quirky personality. But seeing her in her wedding dress felt like looking at a completely different person. It was a reminder that the right outfit could transform anyone, bringing out their best.

As the couple stood before the crowd, everyone erupted into applause. I joined in, even though I didn't fully understand how marriage ceremonies worked in this world. I figured it was safest to just follow the lead of the people around me.

But then, the atmosphere shifted. A figure stepped forward, commanding instant attention. It was the Sword Saint, Duke Whitlock. The clapping ceased as soon as he appeared.

"We are gathered here tonight to witness the union of two families," he began, his voice deep and authoritative. "These two families have shared a bond of friendship for many years. Tonight, that bond will solidify as their heirs unite in marriage."

The crowd fell into a reverent silence, his words hanging heavily in the air. Even when he stopped speaking, the echo of his voice seemed to linger.

"I want to thank everyone who has come here tonight to bear witness to this union," the Duke continued.

For some reason, his gaze landed on me. He stared for a brief moment before moving on, sweeping his eyes over the rest of the attendees. Was that his way of excluding me from his gratitude? Typical. The man valued status above all else, and I clearly didn't measure up in his eyes.

"Now," the Duke said, turning to the man beside him, who I assumed was Tristina's father, "before the couple exchanges their vows, is there anything you would like to add?"

Tristina's father offered a warm smile. "Yes, of course. I'm grateful for this opportunity, not only for our family but for yours as well. This union is a blessing, and while I know challenges will arise, I trust that our families will work together to overcome them."

The Duke returned his smile. "Indeed, there will be challenges. But united as one, we will face them with strength. Now, shall we proceed with the exchanging of vows?"

The crowd leaned in with anticipation as Johanne and Tristina faced each other, their hands gently clasped together. The tension in the air was palpable, the kind that comes when two lives are about to intertwine forever. The Duke stepped back slightly, allowing the couple to take center stage.

With a subtle nod from the officiant, they began speaking in unison, their voices harmonizing perfectly.

"Before the eyes of our families and all gathered here, I vow to honor you, cherish you, and stand beside you, no matter the trials we may face. In moments of joy and in times of sorrow, I promise to be your partner, your confidant, and your unwavering support. I give you my trust, my loyalty, and my heart, as we walk this path together, not as two, but as one. May this bond bring strength to our families and unity to our lives. Together, we will face the future with courage, love, and hope, forging a legacy that will stand the test of time."

Their voices, clear and steady, carried the weight of their commitment, resonating with everyone present. As they finished, the crowd erupted into applause once more, the sound of their cheers echoing through the Whitlock Manor.

The married couple brought their faces together and kissed. In that moment, Johanne and Tristina were officially husband and wife.

***

Johanne's POV

I was seated at a round table alongside Tris. Across from us, our family members were gathered, including my father and Tris's father.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Triss. And you too, Johanne," Tris's brother greeted us warmly, a smile on his face.

"You're the one who should be here, brother," Tris replied with a teasing smile. Then, as if some wild fantasy was unfolding in her mind, her breathing quickened. "I mean, two hot guys like you and Johanne getting married? That would've been a sight for me! Honestly, I think it'd be much better than me being here." Her face flushed a deep red, and a strange, almost delirious smile spread across her lips as she practically panted.

Her brother ignored her antics and turned to me. "Now that you're married, I want you to take care of her for me. Though she's... well, like that," he gestured toward Tris, who was still lost in her thoughts, "she deserves to be happy. Even if I think she doesn't deserve someone as upstanding as you."

I glanced at Tris, who was clearly in her own world, then smiled back at him. "You don't need to worry about that. I plan to cherish my marriage with Tris and make her happy. Though I know I'm not perfect, and I might not be enough to satisfy her completely, I'll give it my all."

"You don't have to give it your all," he said with a chuckle. "Just be yourself. And don't forget—I'm your older brother now. If you ever have problems with her, or anything else, you can come to me."

With that, her brother left, his smile still warm and reassuring.

Soon after, people began approaching to congratulate us. It was an entirely new experience for me, this kind of life, but I found myself looking forward to it—looking forward to a marriage that would last forever.

However, my gaze drifted to Leon, who stood off to the side. He smiled at me, raising his drink in a silent toast. My own smile faltered, and a sharp pang spread through my chest.