Hold over Myriad of Worlds

-"Yue, what do you have to say."-Ouranos asked me.

-"I defended my people, mortals, I may add, from dishonorable attack from god. I'm not bound by vows you established."

-"But why kill him?"

-"Ouranos, I can ignore those who insult and attack me. I won't tolerate those who try to damage the name of the Hold. Especially people close to me. I'm aware of what he and the gods backing him were spreading about Astraea, Loki, Hephaestus, and Hestia. Even Artemis, who was not involved in all of this."

I stopped hiding my aura, and both Ena and Xipe unleashed theirs.

-"I may not be god nor Aeon yet, but both Hold and my family are my reverse scale. We are not easy to bully, nor are we under you, gods. This is our last warning to you. We are not afraid of war, even if we wish for peace."

Leaving those words, I retracted my aura and started returning with everyone to Hold. After today, Hold would stop being seen as another force in the lower world. We finally become equal to the greatest in heaven.

In Hold, we all went to the reception room to talk about what happened and what to do next.

-"It was a great job. The Hold will be recognized as a great force among gods, and your speech made our position clear without lowering ourselves."

-"Yes, but our relation with Orario will need careful guidance for some time."

-"Leave it to me. From now on, you are to fully focus on the upcoming ceremony."

-"I will."

After delegating a few tasks, each of us started making final preparations. My first job was to complete the Palace with Hestia. The Loli goddess was enthusiastic and was able to teach me a lot about architecture. In three days, the whole Palace underwent metamorphosis.

The number of rooms exceeded a hundred. Most of them were bedrooms and such, but rooms such as my workshop and office were also added. The biggest change was the image of Thorne Room. The roundtable was moved to the conference room, while the throne room was expanded to allow official audiences and other ceremonies.

Kequing recruited many people to maintain the whole Palace, but only my family and our caretakers were allowed to enter the Inner Palace. While Nobu is calling this place my 'Harem', seeing that our deputies, Keqing, and my Guards can enter here, We settled on calling it Inner Palace.

Another change that took place was the arrival of a new person in my surroundings. I learned that Sakura's sister Rin had been training and, from now on, taken the position of my personal maid. While having assistance in the kitchen is nice, I can't get used to her being constantly by my side.

-"Master Yue, your meeting with Lady Hephaestus is approaching."

-"Ah, yes. Thank you for the reminder, Rin."

-"Am I to lead Lady Hephaestus here?"

-"No need. I have something to show her in the workshop."

I rose from my chair and started walking to the entrance. Rin walked a step behind me, stepping forward only to open doors before me. I met Hephaestus in the corridor and walked with her to my workshop.

-"So what important thing are you going to show me the day before your wedding in the workshop, huh?"

-"This."-I showed her four wedding dresses I was preparing for the girls.-"What do you think?"

-"That's why you asked me to teach you tailoring."

-"Most of this ceremony is out of my hands, but I wanted to show my sincerity."

-"You know that you don't need to show them anything. I believe that now there is true love between you."

-"That may be. I still wish to show my feelings."

-"I'll take those and make sure tomorrow they will overshadow even goddesses of beauty."

-"They always do."

-"Leave your sweet words for them. I'm leaving. You should also start preparing."

-"Don't worry, Rin has everything planned, down to the minute."

-"Then be grateful for having her attending you."

-"Believe me, I am."

The next day arrived. A festive atmosphere could be felt all around. Streets in the city were decorated, and people gathered in masses from all worlds under Hold. Members of Hold and guests that were invited gathered in High Ground and in [Throne Room] itself.

I found myself standing next to my throne, waiting for the ceremony to begin. This time, I didn't wear my veil. My aura weighed upon the whole room, showing the authority I was about to take on.

Soon, a commotion was heard outside the hall. When the doors opened, four figures entered the [Throne Room]. Four women who soon would become my wives overshadowed the whole room with thier beauty.

Elysia was wearing an ornate ball gown-style wedding dress, mostly white with pink accents. She looks like a fairy queen, her merry smile radiating happiness all around.

Next to her was Ningguang, who was wearing a traditional red hanfu from Liyue decorated with depictions of phoenixes. She looked like a heavenly empress. Her expression was not visible as her head was covered with a red veil.

Nobu was the next person. She was wearing a Shiromuku from her homeland. She looked completely different from her normal appearance, like a gentle and virtuous wife rather than a warrior. This gap made her appearance even more striking. She had slight makeup, and her hair was carefully styled. The addition of Wataboshi complemented her serene look.

Last but certainly not least was Astraea. She looked like a true goddess, appearing in her true form, not an avatar like she would normally. She was wearing a dress designed after ancient Greek clothing. Adorned with golden details, and a laurel wreath on her head. In her hand, she held her arcanum, torch burning with silver star fire. Her descent symbolizes the return of the Golden Age she was the herald of.

It took me a while to recover from a stupor after being charmed by their appearance. Seeing my frozen face, girls smiled at the success of their entrance. They soon arrived by my side and turned to face the crowd, from which Ena, Xipe, and Ouranos emerged.

They will preside over the marriage ceremony. Ouranos brought Divine Fire, which is used to perform Eternal Vows, that binds two souls together in an unbreakable bond. It was proposed by Astraea, who, as a virgin goddess with a minor association with purity, would give herself only to one person and be by his side for the rest of existence. The rest of the girls decided to follow her lead and will also make Eternal Vows with me.

I stepped in front of said flame. Reaching my hand over the fire, I dropped a drop of blood essence into it and started reciting my oath.

-"I, Yue, the Principle of Progress, hereby pledge my unending love over this Divine Fire. Be it woe or joy, now or in old age, I will uphold duties brought by this sacrament. Shall I fail to upkeep this vow, may my soul know no rest."

Astraea, Nobu, Ninguang, and Elysa spoke their vows together with me. When the last letters left our mouths, Divine Fire burst into flame, forming chains that moved to each of us. A short moment later, I had connected to the girls with four chains, showing that Eternal Vow had been established.

Ena, Xipe, and Ouranos backed away, and we, as newlyweds, walked to show people outside our faces. Leaving the [Throne Room], we entered now adjacent [Great Hall], where countless soldiers were gathered.

-"Elysia, your wish to see this place filled with people to its capacity has come to reality."

-"Yes. And it had happened on our most special day, Yue. I'm so happy."

-"This is only a fraction of those we wished to be here."

-"Ningguang is right. While we don't have time to exit High Ground now, let's at least show ourselves to those outside."

When we appeared through the doors of the Palace, we were greeted by applause and cheer. We stayed there waving to people gathered before the Palace before returning inside.

Stepping back to [Throne Room], we started being approached by our guests, who wanted to give their words of blessing. The first group to approach us were members of Fire Moth, led by Dr. Mei.

-"Congratulations on your special day."

-"Thank you, Mei!"

-"Yes, thank you."

-"Take care of her, Yue."

-"Of course."

-"Don't let her and Sakura down."

The rest of the Flamechasers also said a few words and made space for the next group. This time, it were people from Liyue.

-"To think that Ningguang would get hitched. Sigh, I think I'm getting old."

-"This is why you should take care of yourself, Beidou. Don't you have someone you consider close in your crew?"

-"Heh, those little brothers are good to drink, but not for longer companionships."

-"You will find someone."

-"Hmm, now that I think, Yue, won't you be interested in sailing with me?"

-"Well..."

-"Beidou, don't try to steal my man on my wedding."

-"Ok, ok. I'll wait for your honeymoon."

-"You..."

Beidou moved back under the displeased gaze of Ningguang. We spoke with the rest of Liyue Qixing and those who lived in Liyue. The next party that approached were Archons.

-"Zhongli, Venti, Aranyani, Ei, I'm happy to see you here."

-"We won't miss your important day, guys."

-"Venti is right. Congratulations Yue, Ningguang."

-"Thank you, Zhongli."

-"We will catch up with you later. Nilou mentioned to me that she has a new performance prepared for you, Yue."

-"We will have to."

They left after a few more words, and a group from Orario came to us.

-"Congratulations, Astraea."

-"Thank you, Hestia, Artemis."

-"I'm so happy for you!"

-"Lady Astraea, we also want to give you our blessings. Yue, take care of our goddess."

-"Don't worry, and leave her to me."

After them, the Astral Express crew approached us.

-"Congratulations, may stars shine over your future path."

-"Thank you, Himeko."

-"I believe that we will talk more in the future, so we will only leave our blessings for now."

-"Thank you, Welt."

A few more words, and they left. Next, the party of Herrshers arrived before us.

-"May your days be happy, you guys!"

-"Of course they will, Kiana."

-"Congratulations."

-"Thank you, Mei. We will have occasion to travel together shortly."

-"Yes, we are waiting for that."

They moved back and allowed Chaldea to greet us.

-"Good luck with your newlywed life."

-"Thank you, da Vinci."

-"Yue, if you need someone to talk to, I can give you some advice on how to manage your inner Palace."

-"Give advice? You, Roman? Hmm... Now I'm interested in your past more and more."

-"Haha..."

They left with Roman sweating bullets under scrutinizing eyes of all around. Now, the Yōkai, led by Tamamo and Shuten-douji, came to us.

-"Yue, I brought you my special sake to commemorate this day."

-"Thank you, Shuten. I hope that this time your alcohol won't be poisoned."

-"Heh, don't worry, it certainly won't be 'poison'."

-"You didn't reassure me even a bit."

-"Congratulations to you. Nobunaga, you look so different today that I almost didn't recognize you."

-"Well, Yue was one to prepare or dresses. I just decided to go all out, and I believe it went well."

-"Yue did? Hmm... I have to ask you for some of your works later."

-"I might not have much time. But if some special situation takes place, I'll make something for you."

-"Special occasion? You only made wedding dresses... Are you trying to seduce me? You are in front of your wifes!"

-"You don't have to worry about that."

-"And what is that supposed to mean?!"

-"You two, we know you get along, but stop for now."

After a few words from Astraea, the Yōkai party left. Now, it was time for members of Progress to give their blessings.

-"Congratulations, leader."

-"Thank you. Otto. Don't worry, if all goes well, maybe the next wedding will be yours."

-"I truly hope so."

-"Yue, don't forget to take care of Shenhe and Ganyu."

-"I'll take care of them, Xianyun, but it may not be in the way you wish for."

-"Heh, before it may be so, but as their guardian and master, I can see that their thought has changed from the past."

-"I don't know them that well. Let's leave this subject. It's disrespectful to the girls."

-"You are right, sorry. I'll talk to those two first."

-"Sigh. Do as you wish."

Leaving after talking some more, they made space for the Inazuma people to approach.

-"May you be forever happy, Yue, girls."

-"Thank you, Ayato."

-"Sigh. Sadly, you didn't use my shrine for the ceremony."

-"You know why, Yae."

-"I'll be sure to hold your wedding in my shrine."

-"Is that a proposal?"

-"Oh, my? Hmm... Maybe..."

-"Ahem, Lady Yae, this is not the occasion for such a joke."

-"You too, Yue."

-"Sorry."

-"Don't worry, Kokomi, Ayaka, I'll make a place for you at that wedding too."

-"Lady Yae!"

As they left, the last major party approached us, members of Loufu led by Jing Yuan.

-"May the Rainbow Arbiter lead your way, Yue."

-"THEY will clear my path of calamities. Happy to have you here, Jing Yuan."

-"I may be a little busy, but I won't miss an important occasion for my friend. When are we playing chess next time?"

-"Thank you. Next Sunday?"

After a few more words, they left. We now meet some guests and continue with greetings and blessings for the next hour or so. Only when all people talked to us did we move back before the thrones. While the wedding may be coming to an end, it is only the midpoint of today's event.

A short while later, when everything quieted down, we proceeded to the second part of today's ceremony. Girls moved forward and turned to face me. All our deputies stepped out, bringing the artifacts of the Principles. During preparation for this day, we learned that [Roundtable Hold] has a ceremony for picking a leader.

Each of us held an artifact of Principle and recited words we learned.

-"In the name of [Duty], I, Principle of Duty, nominate Yue to the position of the leader, the [Emperor of the Hold]."

-"In the name of [Avarice], I, Principle of Avarice, support the nomination of Yue."

-"In the name of [Hope], I, Principle of Hope, support the nomination of Yue."

-"In the name of [Domination], I, Principle of Domination, support the nomination of Yue."

Now, all eyes were on me. Taking a deep breath, I spoke.

-"In the name of [Progress], I, Principle of Progress, accept your nomination and shall dedicate myself to the role of [Emperor of the Hold]."

When my words sounded [Hearth of Hold] manifested over our heads. All those who were affiliated with Hold knelt, and even guests bowed no matter their status. Fu Xuan approached us, bringing [Crown] forged by Hephaestus, especially for this moment. It was not a heavy crown adorned with gems. Rather, it looked like a simple gold circlet worn by elves. I lowered my head to allow Astrea, who took the [Crown] from Fu Xuan, to put in on me.

It was light, and yet, this little weight will remind me of all the people who put their faith in me. When I raised my head again, I opened my eyes and looked over all present here in the [Throne Room]. A short while later, I spoke my first words as emperor.

~"The [Empire of the Hold] has now risen."