The Elven Kingdom got another big news when their king, King Elduin Wynforest, decided to marry the missing Elven Priest, Priest Erolith Virdhitas after he was reported missing for one year.

The news spread like wildfire, especially when they found out that Priest Erolith had given birth to a baby, even though he was biologically an elven male. It was even more scandalous when they found out that the baby was not an elf.

The baby that Priest Erolith bore was a beastman baby, the baby had many similar features to an elf, but he had tiger ears and paw. It was a hybrid between an elf and a beastman. The ministers were in chaos because of the reckless and illogical decision to marry the Elven Priest.

In fact, many elves already badmouthed the priest for having sex and birthing a beastman baby, but King Elduin, with his absolute power, defied everyone's protest and married the priest nonetheless.

***

Since the marriage was too controversial, Yunyu asked Elleneth to bless their marriage and shut the protests.

On the day of their marriage, the Sacred Tree shook its branches and twigs, the pixie dust falling from the leaves and blessed everyone who attended the royal wedding. The guests were shocked when they saw a young lady descended from the Sacred Tree.

The lady was considered a myth because she was the one with the highest order for the elves—the Sacred Tree's spirit, Lady Elleneth.

Lady Elleneth descended elegantly from the air and landed in front of King Elduin and Soon-to-be Queen Erolith. She opened her eyes and gently showered everyone with Sacred Tree blessing. "I come here to celebrate the sacred wedding of King Elduin Wynforest and Priest Erolith Virdhitas. They are the destined pair that will bring us all to prosperity for a long time."

Lady Elleneth smiled gently, but there was an air of intimidation around her. "But I've heard that few of my children don't seem to be satisfied with the wedding, may I inquire why? Because Elduin and Erolith are personally blessed by me. Defying their marriage means defying me."

The guests were silenced when Lady Elleneth finally announced the controversial marriage between Elduin and Erolith as her blessing. She smiled and ordered the guests. "Whoever dares to defy my blessing shall stand straight and face me."

No elves dared to defy the Spirit of Sacred Tree. They prostrated and worshipped Lady Elleneth together. "Bless us with your grace, oh graceful Lady of Sacred Tree!" the elves said in unison.

Elleneth was satisfied with this. She was actually angry when these elves dared to badmouth her master. But Master Yunyu told her to hold on until the right time, and today was the right moment to shut them up.

Elleneth winked at Yunyu and said. "I shall give my blessing to King Elduin and Queen Erolith. Your baby shall become the next Elven King after you."

Elleneth cupped both Elduin and Erolith's hand with hers and slowly chanted something inside her heart. Her hands glowed in gentle green, and she created two rings made out of the Sacred Tree's bark and a small chrysanthemum miniature on top.

"May your love conquers all, bring the elves to prosperity, Elduin Wynforest, Erolith Virdhitas."

Elleneth ascended back to the Sacred Tree and disappeared, leaving everyone baffled and confused. They were still confused about how Lady Elleneth blessed two men in love, but her words were like an edict from god.

Elduin stared at Erolith with both love and possessiveness. He gently put his hand on Erolith's waist and pulled him to his embrace. "Big Ero, this time… I will make sure that you will never leave me. We are bound by sacred marriage."

Erolith giggled lightly and tiptoed to take the initiative to kiss Elduin first. "I'm glad we are finally bound by sacred marriage. I also do not want to leave you, Little Eld."

***

"Merrath, go pick up your little brother. He is playing with the soldiers again. I told him many times that he is too young to play with a real sword." Erolith said. He was currently sitting under the tree shade in Elven Palace garden.

Merrath nodded. "Yes, papa."

Merrath left Erolith to search for his little brother, the feisty seven years old Elrand. Elrand was a troublemaker and a daredevil since he was a baby. Now that he was an aggressive little boy, his warrior spirit influenced his affinity with the sword. He often begged the elven soldiers to lend their real swords. And usually challenged them on a duel… in which, Elrand always won even against an experienced swordsman.

Meanwhile, the ten years old, half beast-elf son, Merrath, was reserved and studious. Although he was technically stronger than Elrand, he never challenged anyone on a duel, and he never fought to anyone.

But he could be the most dangerous fighter if cornered. Elrand's naughtiness could only be tamed by his half-brother, Merrath.

Merrath and Elrand returned with Merrath dragging Elrand, who was throwing a tantrum. "I still want to play!!" Elrand yelled.

"Papa told us to return. Let's go now," Merrath said.

Elrand crossed his arm when they stood in front of Erolith, but he didn't dare to yell at his papa because papa was fierce. Even fiercer than King father, King Elduin.

"Elrand, your father has been planning on this trip together, don't you want to spend time with your King father? He will arrive from the human kingdom today."

Elrand raised his chin arrogantly. "Hmph! He said that he will take me with him to the human kingdom, but he leaves when I'm asleep! Father is a liar!"

"Who is the liar?" King Elduin suddenly showed up behind Merrath and Elrand. He rubbed his sons' head. "Father doesn't want you to get hurt, Elrand. Remember what you did when we are travelling to another forest? You summoned a legendary wild beast, and we took the whole day to defeat it," Elduin said.

"But it was fun!" Elrand said. "Even Big Brother was having fun!"

Elduin knew there was no end to Elrand and his stubbornness, so he fished out something from his pocket, two bar of sweet chocolates that he bought from the human kingdom. "This is my treat, remember, don't eat too much, or your teeth will rot."

Elrand snatched the chocolate bar happily and nibbled it. "Thank you, Father!"

Merrath accepted the chocolate bar and also uttered his gratitude. "Thank you so much, Father."

Elduin rubbed his sons head again and told them to play somewhere else because he wanted to talk with their mother.

Elduin sat beside Erolith and kissed his cheek. "Did you miss me?"

Erolith shook his head. "Not really. You just went out for two weeks. It's not that long."

Elduin's smile faltered, and he suddenly snuggled on Erolith's arm like a baby. "Big Ero doesn't miss me at all? But I think about you every day! I thought our feeling will always be mutual…"

Erolith sighed. This was Elduin's habit. Whenever he was starving for attention, he would snuggle and acted like a big baby again, even though he was already thirty years old. "It's always mutual, Elduin. My feeling never falters for you. Now watch your hand and stop fondling my butt!"

"Hehe, I'd love a daughter for our third child."

[Pupa: Ding! Elduin's Fatemeter increases to 98%.]