Chapter 132: Before the Wedding

The marriage between the two families had been finalized, with the wedding set to take place in the City of Sunlight at the beginning of next month, in the grand hall just outside the Tower of Sunlight. At present, the entire populace of the City of Sunlight was adorned with festive decorations, preparing for their lord’s nuptials. The city hall, led by Querlintis, was overwhelmed with activity; every elf involved in municipal affairs was inundated with endless lists of invitations and gifts.

The betrothal ceremony, an essential pre-wedding custom typically conducted after the wedding date is confirmed, was also underway. This engagement process, varying according to family circumstances, usually involved close relatives from both the Cabron and Windrunner families. Invitations were carefully discussed and extended to elves of renown, influence, and respect, who would attend the wedding. During the betrothal, the Windrunner family would announce the details of the dowry, along with the time, location, and arrangements for the wedding.

Upon the announcement of Patrick’s marriage, countless congratulatory gift lists poured into both the Cabron family and the City of Sunlight. While Patrick himself was still unaware of the full extent of his family’s situation, the city hall was already overwhelmed with invitations and gift orders. Patrick could easily imagine the Cabron family was now struggling to keep up with the demands.

Returning to the Tower of Sunlight, the Windrunner family’s elder steward arrived in the city, awestruck even before entering this magnificent floating metropolis.

“A grand floating city, with apprentice mages practicing arcane arts underground to mend the damage to the land,” the steward thought to himself assuredly. “Vast wheat fields, a continuous flow of elves, and unceasing caravans—the City of Sunlight is indeed bustling beyond measure.”

For the accompanying elves, this was their first visit to the newly ascended City of Sunlight, and the sensation of gazing down from the heavens, surveying the world below with an inherent sense of superiority, left a profound impression on all.

Quel’Thalas had never lacked mages. Observing the mages sweating outside and the farmers busy in the wheat fields, the Windrunner steward mused that this new city in the Ghostlands might one day rival Silvermoon in prosperity.

The marriage customs of the High Elf kingdom were complex. Beyond the agreement of both families’ elders to hold the wedding, a formal courtship was required. Quel’Thalas tradition further demanded inspection of the wedding venue, celebration arrangements, and the couple’s residence and gardens—a ritual no noble family could avoid. This was an indispensable part of the marriage process.

Love among the High Elves was hard-won. Their long lifespans meant newlyweds regarded each other as soulmates. From affection to understanding, and from understanding to lifelong companionship, the journey was prolonged. Many elven couples could spend decades apart without their bond growing cold—excluding those fleeting romances of the carefree, those who drifted aimlessly without ambition, merely passing time in frivolity.

True nobility, especially direct heirs, led disciplined lives. From childhood, they rigorously studied etiquette, arts, and secondary professions such as alchemy, enchantment, and tailoring.

Of course, the most common professions in Quel’Thalas—spellcasters and rangers—were essential parts of their education. Only a few elves branched into clerical or rogue paths; most high elves chose between mage and ranger as their career.

When selecting a spouse, the high clans were exceedingly cautious, unlike ordinary elves who might casually marry and settle as they pleased. For prominent spellcaster families, a partner’s magical talent was crucial, as it influenced the next generation’s abilities. As an arcane nation, Quel’Thalas’ high clans aimed to safeguard their interests and maintain their superiority in Silvermoon by producing top-tier spellcasters to inherit their lineage—the simplest and most effective strategy.

Patrick was well aware that in past lives, monarchies and noble systems, while seemingly granting personal freedom, had their descendants rigorously trained from youth in various etiquettes, arts, and languages. This training created a clear divide in abilities upon reaching adulthood.

The starkest example was the contrast between common folk and royal heirs like Trump’s household—while free peoples played, royal children were already mastering foreign tongues and studying tirelessly, their days consumed by disciplines deemed unworthy of “freedom” by the commoners. Such noble families used this method to perpetuate their elevated status and monopolize power—a rigidity and exclusivity mirrored perfectly in present-day Silvermoon.

Patrick had no intention to alter Silvermoon’s marriage customs. He would follow tradition step-by-step. Arbitrarily changing customs respected by all would only invite rejection and turn him into a subject of gossip among the elves.

As a councilor, King Anastharian would serve as the witness to Patrick and Aurelia’s marriage. The royal family must convey goodwill to all actual powerholders of Quel’Thalas—a customary political measure to maintain stability and reinforce royal authority.

Even the past arrangement, where Dath’Remar retained sole control over the Sunwell while administrative power was distributed among high clans via a council, served this purpose. Regardless of internal conflicts, the Sunwell’s core remained untouchable, ensuring the foundation of the nation stayed firm and the Sunstrider dynasty’s rule unchallenged.

Patrick paid little heed to these matters, content to proceed methodically. With the Second War underway, the council had already received reports from Lordaeron: the Horde’s army had reached Hinterlands, preparing to assault the Wildhammer dwarves’ city of Aerie Peak. According to historical memory, their next target would be Quel’Thalas. The Horde, accompanied by red dragon riders, would strike near Goldbranch Valley before retreating to assault the Lordaeron capital.

History was fast approaching. Patrick could feel the impending storm, and in the days to come, he could only do his part to face it.