Chapter 980 - 976: Can I... Say a Few Words?
Xiao Tian was shocked on the spot. Had he not been utterly convinced that hallucinations wouldn’t suddenly occur without reason, especially under the blazing sun, he might have thought he had bumped into a ghost.
If it’s not a hallucination nor a ghost encounter...
He shifted his gaze to Ozawa Miwa, watching her hem touch the ground as she was about to reach the other end of the red carpet. Xiao Tian grew even more perplexed, wondering if incorrect training had led to demonic possession.
But demonic possession is far more serious than the situation at hand!
The shock and doubt within him still hadn’t settled when another distinct calling was heard in his mind, though this time the voice was intermittent, as if something unspeakable was involved...
"Xiao Tian... Brother!"
"What the hell!"
Xiao Tian instinctively uttered a curse and took a step forward involuntarily. Clearly, Ozawa Miwa had her back to him, and there was a distance between them; if she truly called him again, others would certainly hear it!
He took a deep breath, noticing strange looks from those around him. Xiao Tian looked at his feet and realized he’d stepped onto the red carpet. Hastily, he stepped back and returned to his seat.
Now, calming down, Xiao Tian realized the call he heard wasn’t a voice carried through True Qi for transmission but seemed instead to stem from deep within the soul.
That kind of feeling was akin to being able to hear her voice no matter the distance if she desired him to.
More importantly, Xiao Tian found this feeling oddly familiar, as though he had encountered it before, though he couldn’t recall when.
While pondering, Sugai Yasuaki, dressed in splendid attire, led Ozawa Miwa to his parents and his future... no, soon-to-be father-in-law.
Seated stably, the three men could now sincerely smile, shaking hands, their scene portraying a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
According to custom, the next step was for the elders to get up and bless the couple, followed by a change of address, which would signify the marriage was established.
After some politeness among them, Ozawa Miwa’s father stepped forward to speak first, which seemed appropriate in the eyes of everyone.
Though some events require strict rules with specific sequences for the parents of the groom or bride, in this case, where either sequence was possible, Ozawa Miwa’s father naturally took precedence.
The reason was simple: Even though people knew the royal family’s overall power was not as substantial as the Mizuno Clan, Ozawa Miwa’s father, the current royal spokesperson, sat there!
As for Sugai Yasuaki’s father, he was merely an elder of the Mizuno Clan; it was by reason and emotion the higher-ranking speaks first, unquestionably.
"Firstly, I’d like to thank all the friends for coming to the wedding of my daughter."
The middle-aged man, partially gray-haired yet with unusually bright eyes, appeared exceedingly excited—an excitement that seemed inappropriate for him, leading people to question whether he was putting on an act or genuinely uncontrollable with emotion over his daughter’s marriage?
Both explanations seemed plausible, but the majority leaned towards the former.
Upon hearing her father speak as if delivering a speech, Ozawa Miwa couldn’t help but bow her head, tears rapidly pooling in her reddened eyes, trickling down her cheeks in distinct streams.
Listening to the voices around, Ozawa Miwa subconsciously recalled scenes from her childhood: her father who carried her on his shoulders, held her dear, supported her in everything she did—a father who was disappearing at an alarming speed.
Feeling her father increasingly distant, the sharp pain of a metaphorical dagger twisting in her heart forced an expression of agony on Ozawa Miwa’s face, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Noticing Ozawa Miwa’s anomaly, the middle-aged man’s expression shifted briefly before placing his hands on her shoulders, softly saying, "I understand how you feel, but you will ultimately get married..."
His voice choked, as if something blocked his throat, unable to continue speaking.
After a long pause, the middle-aged man finally awoke from his daze, awkwardly smiling, "Sorry, I lost my composure. My daughter’s wedding makes me emotional as a father."
Sugai Yasuaki tightened his grip on Ozawa Miwa’s soft, icy hand, solemnly stating, "Rest assured, I will take care of her!"
With such a statement, Sugai Yasuaki too felt surprised—Ozawa Miwa’s hand, held for so long, remained exceedingly cold, like an eternal ice crystal that wouldn’t melt.
The middle-aged man, hearing this, seemed relieved, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good!"
After two words of approval, the middle-aged man released his hands from Ozawa Miwa’s shoulders, about to recite the blessing when his eyes widened suddenly...
He saw Ozawa Miwa stagger backward two steps, leaving a shocking blood-red stain at her previous standing spot.
The crowd then noticed the petal-like, vivid red on the ground, standing up in confusion and surprise.
In the next instant, Ozawa Miwa raised her bowed head slowly, revealing a poignant smile with her chin stained with blood, akin to a white lotus tainted with blood, lifting its noble head against a storm without yielding!
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian distinctly felt a sense of unrest; within mere seconds, he received probing from over ten masters, evidently suspecting someone had secretly harmed Ozawa Miwa.
By maintaining high vigilance, Xiao Tian knew for sure no masters had acted before Ozawa Miwa’s anomaly—his confidence in his eyesight and sharp Perception Ability regarding True Qi fluctuations assured him!
Just as a commotion seemed inevitable, Ozawa Miwa unexpectedly spoke, "Can I say two things?"
The middle-aged man’s hand paused mid-air, trying to wipe Ozawa Miwa’s blood-stained face, while a sudden fear swept over him, as if his daughter would permanently leave him.
Beset by intense panic, the middle-aged man nodded, as if prompted by some invisible force.
However, his acceptance didn’t mean the Mizuno Clan’s members would agree...