Chapter 254 - Absolute Nobility

"She uh, she…" Oliver gritted his teeth and exhaled through his nose. He didn't want to cry and look weak, but it was too late.

Tears had already welled in his eyes, and no matter how much he fought against it, a blob rolled down his cheek.

Auntie Martha bent ever so slightly, giving Grandma Lin a side hug when she heard the older Lin lady sniffle in her seat. She grasped her mother's thin hand and c.a.r.e.s.sed the purple veins and wrinkles which adorned it.

Moving their attentions back to Oliver, they gave him a reassuring smile as if telling the boy that it's okay to cry.

"So I was saying, if there's one thing that she's notorious about, that would be her sleeping habit. Imagine a CEO glued to her bed in broad daylight? Yes, that's Olivia, ladies and gentlemen. If she didn't marry Maxen, she probably married her bed," Oliver narrated.

He cupped the back of his head, thankful at the surge of confidence snaking through his veins. He felt more alive at that moment, and his tall and confident self revived as he spoke with ease, trying to lighten up the mood in the candle-lit reception.

"That's just one of the many layers Olivia has, one of which was how awfully quiet she could be at times, or how you can't read what's going on in her head. Some may misunderstand her, but everyone dear to her knew that deep inside that hard exterior is a big heart, willing to accommodate anyone who shares a little of their time with her.

"She's that simple, really. And I hate how Maxen got to her behind my back because I know the guy. He's my bestfriend. I don't want to badmouth him, but hey, we grew up doing good things and a whole lot of bad things together. But there is one thing that we never did together, and that's his kink, which is really weird. Sorry, not sorry, Max. But that hobby of yours had to go."

Everyone broke out in a burst of laughter, and Maxen was a sport about it. It was not like Olivia didn't know about it. She even joined him a couple of times already.

Maxen pressed a kiss on Olivia's temple. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked Olivia with a pout on his face.

He was seriously considering the option of laying low from his secret fantasy if it bothers Olivia, but deep in his heart, he was secretly praying that his wife would understand that part of him where he could be anything he could think of.

Sitting to Maxen's left, her lips tugged up in a smile and she shook her head. She cupped his face, rubbing his cheek with the pad of her thumb before planting a kiss on his lips.

Olivia traced her gaze to Ollie and smirked. "Maybe we should invite Ollie on your next show, Max."

In a twist of events, arrogance oozed from Maxen and he shrugged his shoulder towards Oliver's direction. "But Ollie has a different kink." He winked at his friend whom he called brother. He was supposed to say more but someone hissed, stealing everyone's attention.

"Oh my gosh, stop it. Why are we talking about Ollie? It's Maxen and Olivia's wedding," Ava spoke out of turn, defending her husband. It was too late for her to realize what she did until she felt all eyes were trained in her direction. Slowly, she hid half of her face behind Ollie's sleeve to conceal the blush on her cheeks.

Accepting his defeat to save his wife from feeling embarrassed, Oliver commented, "See? I told you. They are a match made in heaven. No doubt about it."

Everyone seemed to agree with Ollie when the guests bobbed their heads in agreement.

Reaching the culmination of his speech, Oliver straightened his back and spoke the words written in his heart, "You see, fate had a funny way of joining two destined souls. And honestly, I'm glad that it brought Maxen and Olivia together because even when my head told me he's not the right person for my sister, in my heart I knew, Maxen was exactly what Olivia needed.

"Maxen, you've been married to my sister for almost half a year, and I want to choke you right now for keeping it a secret from me, your bestfriend, but thank you. Thank you for forcing your way into Olivia's heart and never letting go. Please take care of her, the way you watched me behind my back all these years. And I know you would. You always keep your promises."

Raising his glass for a toast, Oliver held everyone's attention with his commanding presence. "To Maxen and Olivia, and their everlasting commitment to each other."

"To Maxen and Olivia," everyone chanted, raising their glasses for a toast.

The wedding banquet continued deep into the night. King Alistair lifted his wrist to check the time on his watch, and he smiled, knowing it was the perfect opportunity to culminate the night.

He motioned for Jack to come closer, and the latter bowed slightly as King Alistair whispered his command. Jack responded with a nod, and soon he was wheeling a cart full of arrows and bows.

"Tonight, Maxen will prove his right to bed a Nisian woman," King Alistair trailed off. "Just like how Oliver and I earned our right on our wedding day. For only a true Nisian man can use his bow and arrow to hunt for his family and to defend his land."

Olivia swallowed when Maxen stood from his seat. He planted a kiss on top of her head and strode to where Oliver and King Alistair stood. Her eyes glued to Maxen's back as he walked farther from her.