The Tale of the Lotus Heart novel 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.