Upon hearing this, Dex was confused. "But why do we need to show an object?"
"We, as part of the kingdom of Sylvara, must follow certain religious concepts even in civil marriages. And besides, if you didn't buy anything for these lovely ladies, you should die." She said the last part with a hint of teasing.
Hearing that, Echidna teased as well. "He's so selfish that the only gift he gave me was this, and I don't even know if it can be considered one." She then revealed one of her breasts to show her "present."
The nun blushed slightly upon seeing the gift. "Well, that can be considered an object, but could you please not show your breast in this sacred place?"
Hearing that, Echidna smiled and quickly covered herself. "Thank you for considering this a possible object; when we leave here, I'll force him to buy something more decent."
Seeing this, Dex was incredulous. 'You were the one who asked me to put them on!'
The elf then looked toward the towering Erica. 'Oh my goddess, please don't make me see her breast too.'
And as if her goddess had helped, Erica simply raised her hand and revealed the ring.
The woman froze upon seeing the crimson ring and the purple diamond it bore.
Not only because it was very beautiful, but because she recognized it. "How do you have that...?"
"My dear Dex gave it to me. It was one of the happiest moments of my life," said the dragon woman as she hugged Dex's arm with a smile.
"Hm... well, with that we can consider you married," she said thoughtfully while stamping the two documents. "Congratulations."
Hearing that, Erica smiled and kissed Dex by surprise.
After the kiss, Dex tried to say something. "What—" But before he could say anything, Echidna also attacked him fiercely.
For several seconds, Dex's brain stopped functioning due to the lack of blood.
And when he finally realized it, he was outside the Registry Office, being led by both hands by his two wives, now illuminated by the nine‑thirty morning sun.
Nun's POV:
The very moment the three left, her expression cooled.
"How did that young man get a ring from the forgotten era—especially one that was given to a dragon princess of destruction?" The elf bit the corner of her nail as she murmured. "Those engravings are unmistakably marks made by the aura of destruction, and if there is still any trace of the traitor Prince's aura within that ring, they must die."
She then began preparing to head toward the academy. "I'll need my contacts to find out more."
'I think this is the first time I'll teach a couple I myself married—especially considering they may be killed by me,' she thought, already certain she would get what she wanted.
Dex's POV:
Hours had passed quickly since the wedding.
Now, already at the academy, they were heading toward the uniform shop after stopping by the office to enroll Echidna, and spending some time at the student council headquarters—which Dex had to admit had a modernist design—looking for some of her uniforms kept there that would later be exchanged for new ones free of charge.
The three walked through the academy garden hand in hand. That would have caused a stir in anyone who saw the three draconians, but luckily most students wouldn't want to set a single foot in the academy before classes started.
This garden was like the living heart of the vast campus, a refuge enclosed by white‑stone walls covered in emerald vines, the air always fresh and perfumed by the myriad of flowers that existed only there.
At the center of the garden stood a large circular lake, surrounded by marble benches delicately carved with flowers and serpents, scattered around the water. There, students of every race usually gathered—some to study, others to flirt, and some just to feel the weight of the magic present in the garden.
As they passed the central lake, Erica commented with a slight smile, "Ouroboros Academy has existed for about five hundred years, and this garden has existed since that time. Do you know why?"
Echidna thought for a second and answered, "The founder liked flowers?"
Hearing that, Dex laughed and gave his own answer. "The first headmaster was probably a mage capable of controlling plants, so a garden could help in a possible invasion."
"Interesting answers, but the reason has more to do with the students. At the time, this garden was made in the name of love among students—after all, the academy not only teaches but also has the duty to bring the powerful together for the future of the races against the Demons, and those unions include dating and marriage." She then continued, "For example, the current dwarf king married one of the elven princesses, who was the older sister of the current elven queen."
With a serene smile, she continued, "And there are many other examples of people who met at the academy and later married."
"And I started to wish to be one of those people in the middle of my second year, thanks to the former president. She saw the arrogant side I had from being top since the first year and how it drove people away, but she also noticed the loneliness I felt and encouraged me to look for someone." She wore a nostalgic expression, remembering one of the only friends she had at the academy.
"I looked for someone worthy enough to be mine, someone I wouldn't feel complete disgust for. There were several people who wanted me, and some even tried to force themselves on me because of my commoner origin, but no matter who it was, I felt nothing but revulsion for trying to speak to those despicable creatures."
"But then, when this year had barely begun, I felt a powerful aura envelop me and even make my skin tingle. What shocked me most later was that this aura belonged to a freshman spotted by our scout. When I found out, I thought I had finally found someone who might be worthy—and then I met you: so cute it made me want to tease. My decision was instant: I'm going to make him mine."
She then touched her chest. "And ironically, a day later it was I who had handed my heart over on a platter. And today, I already belong to you and to her—body and soul. A little ridiculous, isn't it?" she said, the last part with a slight smile.
"But even if it happened ridiculously fast, I feel no shame at all. In fact, it makes me happy because I'll be able to enjoy this last year at the academy to the fullest—by your side, just as my friend asked me to. So, thank you very much." A few crystalline tears fell from her eyes, but that didn't change the tender smile on her face.
The moment the tears began to fall, both Dex and Echidna hugged her.
Echi said to her, "You don't need to thank us for anything, Erica—actually, we're the ones who should thank you for helping us with everything so far."
"Besides, the two of us are also yours, and the time it took for us to be together is due to our destiny—as well as the fact that you truly wanted to find someone with all your heart."
"I—I can ask for something?" she asked, excited.
And both answered at the same time, "Of course you can!"
"It might be inconvenient for you, but would you join the student council?" Expectation echoed in her voice.
"Anything you want!"
Now with a mischievous smile, "And will you take care of all the paperwork I ask for?"
"Yes!" But they quickly realized she was teasing them.
"You two are still easy to tease," she said, smiling sweetly at them. "I didn't know you could be so affectionate."
The two, irritated, said nothing as they stopped hugging her.
Seeing this, she wasn't upset. "You two sulking really charms me—but the request for you to join the student council is real."
"Why should we?" asked Echidna, the most annoyed of the two.
Erica then struck a dramatic pose and said, "Because I, your lovely wife, am asking you pretty please."
Dex, not as irritated as Echidna, asked, "What are the main benefits?"
"There are several benefits, like different uniforms, authority to intervene in any matter outside the regulations, and many others—but for me, the best is the symbolic salary for the positions, packed with zeros." And then she added, "But the best part for you two will be that we can work together under my jurisdiction, so the council's teachers won't be able to do much against you."
"Okay, I accept," said Dex, not waiting for Echi's answer.
Echidna, still a bit conflicted, accepted. "I accept too."
Hearing this, Erica was happy but had to give some bad news. "Now we have to hurry to get to the uniform shop before lunchtime starts."
"Weren't we already near the shop?" asked Dex, puzzled by the rush.
Erica then averted her gaze to the side. "I may have theoretically chosen a path completely opposite to the shop to come to the garden and said it was a shortcut to make it a surprise."