"I’m undeserving of that complint. Any half-decent rchant would see through your sche right away," Reeva said, maintaining a polite but firm tone.
"You’d be surprised how many aren’t half-decent rchants," Landlong replied, grinning from ear to ear. "Just yesterday, I secured the signature dish from Mity Crab Restaurant to serve at my place. I’m offering you the sa deal, even though your operation is much smaller. Couldn’t you consider it, just a bit?"
"Sir, I’d be cutting off my own hand if I gave you that recipe. You’d just tweak it slightly and call it sothing else to avoid paying ."
Reeva’s response drew a chuckle from Rudoff. "I took my shot, but it seems it wasn’t just drifting—it was steering."
"The tide does favor that," Reeva agreed.
"A fellow sailor?" Landlong asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I’ve just heard it a lot."
It was an old saying among sailors. The story went that there was once a sailor who watched many others discover treasures. He believed the sea was all about chance, so he sailed day and night for years, but luck never ca his way. He faced monsters and pirates. Never caught a good haul like his peers. He was on the verge of retiring, convinced he had no skill for the sea.
But in a last-ditch effort, he began looking at the waves differently. He morized their patterns, calculated the currents, and studied maps to avoid danger. He beca the most successful captain in history.
In his legendary legacy, people rembered his saying: "The tides don’t favor those who drift, they reward those who steer."
His success didn’t co from re chance.
Reeva and Landlong chatted a bit more before the main event began. They paused their conversation as the bride and groom made their entrance.
The bride, now with a veil over her face and a sunflower crown on her head, erged from one side of the church. The groom appeared from the other, dressed in a white suit with a golden drape over his shoulder. Together, they bowed and paid their respects to the Sun God, and the priest handed them a torch.
Reeva couldn’t help but comnd the church on their swift repair of the stained glass behind the podium. He distinctly rembered breaking it during a past incident. He also vaguely recognized the priest officiating the ceremony but wasn’t concerned.
According to the lore, human minds couldn’t fully comprehend the complexities of demons. While people might rember the shape of a monster, the specific details of what they looked like were often blurred, especially if they had seen him in his demonic form. All they knew was that a blonde man in a priest’s uniform had been involved, which could describe anyone.
The ceremony continued as the bride and groom prepared themselves on the podium. The Sun Priest stood between them, offering a blessing. Both the bride and groom held the torch. A group of attendants brought forth a large circle of flowers, and the couple set it alight with their torch.
It was said that this ritual cleansed them of their sins and ushered in a new chapter in their lives.
At 11 AM, the couple moved on to the next part of the ceremony. Accompanied by their parents, they walked around the room, greeting each guest. Though brief, the process required them to et every attendee.
Reeva noticed that they were walking barefoot. He thought it must have been a bit chilly on the stone floor, but they carried on with grace.
After completing the circuit, the bride and groom t again at the center of the room, where the usual church podium had been replaced by a stand with a bowl of fire atop it. The orange hue of the stained glass behind them cast a warm glow over the couple, shifting the mood in the room.
The Sun Priest then delivered another blessing:
"As the Sun rises to bring warmth and light to our world, so too may your love rise with each new day, shining ever brighter. Let your union be as constant as the Sun’s journey across the sky, unwavering in its strength and radiant in its grace. May your hearts always seek each other, just as the Sun seeks the horizon, bringing life and light wherever you go.
Do you, Kate Lawson, swear that you will be together forever under the sunlight with Leon Hunker?"
"I swear with all my heart," Kate responded.
The priest smiled, nodding before turning to the groom.
"And do you, Leon Hunker, swear that you will be together forever under the sunlight with Kate Lawson?"
"I swear with all my being," Leon replied.
"By the blessing of the Sun God, I now invite you to seal your bond with a kiss, as your souls unite in everlasting light."
The couple nearly threw themselves at each other as the priest finished speaking. They sealed their love with a passionate kiss, and as they did, a yellow mist seeped out from both the bride and groom, filling the room with a sense of warmth and unity.
The entire congregation erupted in applause, celebrating the couple’s love and commitnt.
Lunch was served shortly after, with the couple enjoying Reeva’s burgers, served by the servants. As the afternoon approached, the festivities continued, leading into the evening.
Landlong, ever persistent, turned to Reeva again. "Have you considered my deal?"
"You already know the answer," Reeva replied, his tone polite but firm.
"You accept?" Landlong teased.
"No," Reeva said flatly. "If I gave you the recipe, you’d likely make sothing similar and serve it to your custors without paying a coin. Stop asking already."
If not for the fact that this man owned the most luxurious hotel in Tumidus, Reeva wouldn’t have given him the ti of day.
"Hahaha," Landlong chuckled, clearly amused. "I jest, I really like you, you know? Starting a new business at such a young age—it reminds of when I was your age. Tell you what, are you interested in joining my special group?"
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