CHAPTER 236: OUR FIRST NIGHT

It’s nice, Shiao Yi thought quietly.

When he looked up, he saw Dominic’s face relaxed and peaceful.

His cold and stern expression was nowhere to be found. He was drinking with the others, laughing softly and chatting in a way that seemed almost gentle.

Seeing that smile, his honest, happy smile, filled Shiao Yi’s heart with warmth. Just watching him like this made him feel happy too, he’s overflowing with quiet joy.

Then, suddenly, a woman’s loud voice broke through the chatter.

"Bona! You’re coming with me tonight!"

The village chief’s thick arm reached out and caught Bona, who had been bragging about his fishing skills in front of Dominic.

"You can use Bona’s house," the chief said with a playful wink at them. "No one’s going to come bothering you two tonight."

With that, she dragged the protesting Bona away, even as he shouted, "But I still wanna drink more!"

Shiao Yi blinked his eyes, watching them disappear into the crowd and then suddenly his view lifted upward.

Dominic had stood up while still holding him tightly in his arms.

Without saying a word, he carried Shiao Yi effortlessly and cradled him securely against his chest, and began walking away from the lively square.

They were headed toward their lodging for the night, Bona’s house.

Bona’s home was far enough from the square that the noise of the feast didn’t reach them.

It was peaceful and quiet.

Even without lighting a lamp, the faint silver light of the moon and stars filtered through the gaps in the wooden walls, bright enough that they could see without any trouble.

The air was cool and calm, and Shiao Yi could hear the distant echo of laughter fading behind them, the world outside still celebrating, while inside, only the two of them remained.

"Welcome home, my wife?"

Dominic’s voice was soft and teasing, carrying a hint of laughter.

Shiao Yi puffed his cheeks in protest.

He had wanted to be strong and manly enough to be the one called husband, not the other way around.

"Did your body change at all?" Dominic asked next, clearly referring to the strange spell the female village chief had cast during the wedding ritual.

Shiao Yi shook his head. "No, nothing happened."

Dominic looked a little disappointed by that answer.

Well, of course nothing happened! Shiao Yi thought, a little flustered. It’s not like I could suddenly change genders now!

Trying to shift the mood, he pointed at Dominic’s flower crown and grinned. "That flower crown looks good on you, Dominic. Maybe you should just stay like that and be the bride instead?"

Dominic narrowed his eyes. "Oh? And which mouth dares to say that?"

Before Shiao Yi could react, Dominic reached out and pinched his cheek, pulling it to the side hard.

"Ahh—stop! It’s stretching, it’s stretching!"

Shiao Yi yelped through distorted lips.

When Dominic finally let go, Shiao Yi rubbed his sore cheek with both hands, glaring up at him. "What if it stayed stretched like that, huh? What would you do then?"

His eyes watered slightly from the sharp tug.

Dominic just gave a little hmph, pretending not to care.

It was obvious he hadn’t liked being treated like a bride, even as a joke.

Without warning, Dominic plopped the flower crown on Shiao Yi’s head instead.

When Shiao Yi looked up, the man’s face was close, he’s calm, gentle, and sweet enough to make his heart melt.

"Shiao Yi," Dominic said quietly, "my bride. Now, both heaven and earth have recognized you as my true partner."

He pulled Shiao Yi into his arms and pressed a light, tender kiss against his lips.

Shiao Yi’s heart pounded.

He wrapped his arms around Dominic’s back and kissed him back, clinging tightly.

"Dominic," he whispered, his voice trembling a little, "take my whole life. It’s yours now."

Dominic’s voice was low and sure. "In this life, the next, and every life after that, we will always be together. You are my one and only. I will never let go of you."

They had exchanged similar promises before, in secret, when it was just the two of them. But this time was different. This time, they had spoken their vows before this world, maybe even before the gods themselves.

The world had heard their promise.

Even if no one back in Rosaria ever accepted it, their bond was real now.

They were truly partners, bound for life, bound by love.

A deep, indescribable joy welled up inside Shiao Yi.

The happiness was so overwhelming it almost made him dizzy.

He still didn’t fully understand what it was that Dominic saw in him, what part of him the man loved so much, but it no longer mattered.

Because right now, Dominic was smiling with genuine happiness and that alone filled Shiao Yi’s world with warmth.

"I love you, Dominic!" Shiao Yi said, unable to hold it back anymore.

When Shiao Yi leaned in and their lips met, Dominic pulled him close with a powerful embrace.

The kiss deepened, filled with heat and longing, until they sank together onto the soft mat of woven grass spread across the floor.

The world outside faded, leaving only the warmth of their bodies and the sound of their uneven breaths.

Dominic pulled off his clothes and tossed them aside into the corner.

Shiao Yi noticed for a moment that they were borrowed garments and thought briefly that it would be a shame to get them dirty.

Then Dominic removed the rest without hesitation, revealing the warmth and intensity of a body that longed for him, unashamed and completely open.

Shiao Yi also hurriedly took off the borrowed sash and clothes he was wearing.

Unlike the simple robe that Dominic wore, his outfit had strings and hooks that took time to undo, so Dominic helped him take them off.

When all his underwear was thrown aside and he was completely naked, Shiao Yi threw himself into Dominic’s arms with all his strength.

Shiao Yi couldn’t hold back his feelings anymore, he wanted Dominic deeply.