Tale of the Lotus Heart
Chapter 40

"Greetings, great-godfather," I greeted the Emperor with Yong. It had been a week since I came back. I spent all my time with the twins on Floral Island, but it was time to make my existence known to the Emperor.

"Aivi? You're alive?" The Emperor said in shock as he stood. He descended the stairs that led to his throne before standing in front of me. He touched my arm gently.

"It's really you. You're not a ghost. But how did you survive the Abyss? Dying there is unavoidable," he asked. Yong and I had agreed to tell the Emperor everything.

"There's something we've been hiding from you. It's also the reason I survived unharmed," I started nervously. "I possess the Lotus Heart. Yong sealed its scent to avoid unnecessary attention, so I've been hiding it," I admitted.

"The Lotus Heart? It resurfaced?" The Emperor asked in disbelief. I nodded.

"It's my life force, so it it's taken from me, my soul will really disappear," I explained. The Emperor did a internal search of me before smiling.

"That's even more of a reason for you to marry my son as soon as possible. In a way, he has captured the Lotus Heart, and he will rule the tree realms. This couldn't have worked out more perfectly," the Emperor said excitedly. Yong chuckled before taking my hand in his.

"Let's hold our wedding tomorrow. I've been over 800 years and want to make you my legal wife as soon as possible," Yong said.

"I'll tell the fairies to start preparing," the Emperor agreed. I smiled gently as I looked to Yong. I didn't want to jinx anything by talking out loud, but I was finally felt happy and safe.

~

The next morning, I was surrounded by fairies at Eternity Palace as they dressed and prepped me. I was dressed in an exquisite gold ball gown with crystal detailing and a red robe. My hair was done in a complicated updo before a tall crown was placed on my head. My lips were stained with red rouge before a solid red veil was draped over my head and face. I couldn't see anything but my feet as I was led out to the carriage. Tase and Zinnia met me at the gates. I pulled my veil back and smiled sadly at him.

"I guess I'll have to call you Second Brother from now on," I said sadly. Zinnia was tearing up a bit as Tase hugged me gently.

"I'm happy for you, Aivi, and I'll always be your godfather," he assured me. I nodded once to him before I was helped into the carriage. Yong led the convoy of fairies and music on a horse as we traveled to the Royal Heavenly Palace's Main Hall. Even though I couldn't see, I could here the chatter of people as I was helped down from the carriage. The fairy's help was replaced by a familiar hand.

"Are you ready?" Yong asked. I nodded before following his lead inside. We stepped over the fire before stopping at the steps. We went through the tradition of bowing to the parents, heaven, and each other before we faced each other. Yong removed my veil, finally allowing me to see our surroundings, but my eyes were locked on Yong. He looked so happy as he wore garments that matched mine. We drank the martial wine before facing the sitting crowd.

"Yong and his legal wife: Goddess Princess Aivi, the Crown Princess," the Emperor announced to the hall before everyone stood.

"Congratulations Crown Prince and Princess," everyone bowed before we were released to talk with everyone. I was cordial as I went around thanking everyone for coming. Even the twins walked around with us as we formally introduced them to the Heavenly Realm. After I disappeared, Yong kept their existence a secret from the masses, but it felt nice to finally get everything out in the open. First Prince Atlas smiled as he pat Yong's shoulder.

"I see your wish finally came true. You finally got the girl," Altas joked. Yong smiled shamelessly as he held my hand.

"And I'm not letting her go this time," he swore before kissing my hand. I blushed shyly as I looked away.

"I'm happy for you," Atlas said sincerely before we were finally left alone.

"Tase is taking the twins to his palace tonight, and I sent all the fairies away from our palace. We'll truly be alone tonight," he said suggestively. I chuckled and touched his cheek gently.

"I'm yours whenever you want me. All you have to do is say the word," I replied softly. He placed a lingering kiss on my forehead before smiling at me.

"Let's get out of here," he said before rushing us out of the hall. When we got to Serenity Palace, Yong barely waited for the gates to close behind us before he was kissing me passionately. I stopped him with a chuckle.

"We have all the time in the world," I reminded him with a smile.

"That we do," Yong agreed as he slowed down.

"I'll love you forever, Yong," I promised. Yong pulled into a hug.

"I'll love you forever, Aivi," he reciprocated. Finally, everything was in place. I had my children, Yong, and a calm eternal life ahead of me. I couldn't think of anything better.