The girl in white expressed her gratitude, revealing a joyful smile. She cast a shy glance at Xiuluo, then bent her knees, barefoot, and sat on the right side of the straw mat.
Xiuluo was sitting on the mat, his right shoulder slightly weighted as a warm and soft figure leaned against him. A flame rose in his heart, and he extended his arm powerfully, embracing the soft girl in his arms.
Alisa exclaimed softly, her eyelids drooping as her face reddened. She slightly turned her face and pressed it against Xiuluo’s chest.
"Haha! The heroic Jaguar and the beautiful White Deer... truly blessed by the Chief Divine, a wedding bestowed by the Divine!"
Seeing this scene, the surrounding great nobles laughed heartily, sincerely praising. The Mexica Alliance had been founded for only fifty years, retaining many traditions of the tribal clans with its simple and robust customs.
Xiuluo held his beloved, feeling the tenderness in his arms. He gently inhaled, and the girl’s fragrance enveloped him, making his mind wander.
"...the wedding ceremony, let it proceed faster!"
As if hearing his call, Cacamatzin laughed heartily. Holding a black, wide cloak, he walked to the mat where the couple was leaning together.
"Xiuluo, Alisa! The ancestors of the Mexican Royal Family are watching you in the firelight, witnessing this sacred wedding!"
The elder Cacamatzin called their names aloud. The garden instantly fell silent, and everyone held their breath, focusing intently. Among countless expectant gazes, Cacamatzin personally unfolded the loose cloak and draped it over the couple embraced together!
As the cloak fell, Xiuluo’s joy subsided, and his expression turned solemn. He tightened his embrace, somewhat forcefully holding the beloved girl firmly in his arms. Then, the young man silently bowed his head, making a solemn vow in his heart! He vowed with ancestors, bloodline, divine beings, and all he revered, to promise a lifetime of love and companionship!
Alisa’s face initially showed joy, then a hint of sorrow. She gently lifted her head, glancing at her father not far away, revealing a clear sense of reluctance. However, after a few breaths, she turned her head and leaned firmly against her lover’s strong chest, her lips curling into a sweet, heartfelt smile.
Seeing his daughter’s action, Aweit gripped the divine staff in his hand, feeling infinite bitterness. He stood there, experiencing a blend of bitterness and joy, with a touch of melancholy. At that moment, the appearance of his deceased wife suddenly surfaced in his mind, making his eyes moist as he smiled.
Further away, the High Priest Xutel stood straight, watching the couple under the cloak. His eyes were full of relief, and a satisfied smile appeared on his aged face. Yet, unconsciously, his spine hunched. Within that relieved smile, there was a profound sense of reluctance and regret.
Beside the High Priest, Xiuxoke was laughing heartily, even spreading his arms unconsciously. He looked at his heroic son, his face filled with pride and joy. Moments later, he glanced at his growing belly, and as he laughed, tears inexplicably overflowed.
"The clan is passed down in the firelight! The immortal ancestors of the Royal Family have passed the divine bloodline to you!"
Under the gaze of hundreds of great nobles, Cacamatzin spoke again. He reached out, grasping the cloak’s corners, and then tied them together tightly!
"Xiuluo, Alisa! From this moment on, you are officially husband and wife! You will form a noble family, you will bear the descendants of the Divine, you will continue the royal bloodline! You will merge like blood and water, journeying together to life’s end, until the day of death!!"