“It is time.” A group of ominous sounding men came and pulled me out of my cell.

I walked down the long hallway in chains with four men surrounding me. I was made to kneel down. A man started taking measurements, taking particular notice of my neck size. A third man came out with a bowl of scalding liquid. The first man pulled out a long blade. He then proceeded to cut my hair. The second man started sewing, while the third started to bathe me.

As it were, they wanted to prepare me for the wedding. I was the General representing the nation at the point of surrender. If I looked like I had been held in a dungeon and tortured, my words wouldn’t have nearly as much sway on the people. Of course, my statement would be recorded magically and then replayed in every village and town. For that, I had to look my finest.

Although I had some comforts from my Inventory, it had been weeks since I had a good bath. I was cleaned up, put in a nice suit, and then escorted upstairs. I was even provided two elite guards by my side, who would graciously protect me, and cut off my head if I made any attempt to flee. Well, the hospitality of a Demon King only went so far.

As I walked down the hallways, every so often I dropped something from my Inventory onto the ground. I usually picked areas where there was a carpet so nothing could be heard. I faked so many coughs I suspected they might think I was dying of the flu. I feared they’d be suspicious, but I guess they expected a man being held in the dungeon for several days would contract something and be weak.

I was seated in the back of the wedding. I had anticipated this. Even though I was disguising my face and wearing the karma of the general, I feared that Bernard still might be able to recognize me. The same could be said about Calypso. Thankfully, the pair of them were in the front of the wedding. Just as I moved to sit down, one of the elite guards grabbed me.

“You will be giving the bride away.” He said.

“Ah.. what?”

“Demon King’s orders. You will walk her down the aisle.”

That.. was not part of the plan. I gulped, but nodded and was led back to a room. I could hear the prattling on of a haughty woman. It took a moment to realize it was Carmine.

“And another thing! This dress looks a bit frumpy on the side, and..”

“My lady.. it is time.” A man explained to the princess.

“My hero will come for me. He will!” She protested.

“Yes, you’ve been saying that.”

I sweated slightly, listening to this from the hallway. If she made a scene here, things might get a bit messy. Of course, she’d be able to recognize me through the bond. Although my face was different, the current dungeon infected Carmine cared more about karma than physical appearance.

It turned out. My worries weren’t warranted. The woman walked out without glancing at me. She grabbed my arm without looking my way. She seemed to be in a huff.

We started to move toward the wedding room with the entire entourage. This included a half dozen guards, the steward, and a few ladies who were holding up the back of her dress. I was sweating though. I would be right in front of all the major players in this dungeon, and if even one saw through my mimicry, I’d be screwed.

As I was thinking of such things, I realized Carmine had stopped. She was looking at me now.

“My lady, you must walk forward!” The steward urged her on.

She started walking again, but her eyes were locked on me. I distinctly didn’t turn to look at her. Rather, I was starting to sweat more and more. She saw through the mask! Just don’t say anything. We have to make it.

The music started as we reached the wedding hall. We started to walk forward. Everyone had their eyes on us. It was Carmine, and me right next to her. We were halfway down the hall. Bernard had his eyes on Carmine, and Calypso wasn’t even sparing us a glance. This could work!

Just then, Carmine ripped her arm from mine, grabbing her head and shaking it, a look of confusion marring her expression.

“What is.. what’s going on?” She said.historical

Mumbling broke throughout the church, while I looked at her with my mouth opened, not sure what to say.

“You’re getting married, ma’am.” The steward hissed at her.

“M-marriage?” She said, squinting like she didn’t understand the word.

“You know.. ‘will you marry me’?” I offered, trying to placate the situation quickly.

The second I spoke those, her gaze jumped to me, a crystal clear conviction in her eyes. I barely had time to realize things were going south when she broke into a wide smile.

“Yes!” She leaped at me, and we began to kiss in the middle of the wedding of the Demon Prince.

Bernard finally was looking at my face now that his bride-to-be was sucking on it.

“Deeeeeeekk!” He let out a scream.

Then, all hell broke loose.