Chapter 26

“…That is—”

Lehan stopped in his tracks. The moment Edelis gave the slightest tug to the hem of his coat, he turned around instantly. With newfound resolve, Edelis placed her hand on his right cheek. Then, as she gently pulled, he leaned in without resistance. Smooch— She kissed his left cheek. He had done the same dozens of times before, yet with just one kiss, her heart felt like it might burst.

“Sleep well.”

With that, Edelis let go of him. Lehan stood there dumbfounded, and she smiled faintly at his dazed expression before firmly closing the door. Lehan hurried to knock on the door, but no reply came.

“Edelis, may I come in?”

He reached for the doorknob before receiving permission. He couldn’t bear it anymore. Edelis had kissed him first. The world was suddenly the most beautiful place.

“It’s midnight. See you tomorrow.”

“….”

Her firm response made it impossible for him to open the door. Before he knew it, Ferrin had arrived to stand guard, and the head maid was also there. Lehan had no choice but to turn away and return to the cold Emerald Palace.

At the break of dawn, Edelis was woken by an urgent voice from her handmaid. Still barely able to open her eyes, she was led to the bath. As she sank into a tub that seemed to contain more perfumed oils than water, drowsiness overtook her again and she began to nod off. Even as she drifted, the maids busily worked on her hands, feet, and hair. After stepping out of the bath, they rubbed her body with oil again and sprayed her with fragrance.

“My wedding day… It still doesn’t feel real.”

She hadn’t even been in the imperial palace for that long, and yet here she was—on the morning of her wedding. And the one she was marrying was none other than Lehan.

“It’s safe now, right?”

Looking at Lehan, there was no way he had a frozen heart. Even after the appearance of the saintess, his affections for her hadn’t changed. The book was just that—a book. Reality was different. Her future would be too.

“Your Majesty, it’s time to get dressed.”

Her body was tightly bound by a corset, making it hard to breathe. But all of that hardship vanished the moment the maids brought out her dress.

“It’s so, so beautiful!”

It was nothing like the simple gown she had seen in the book. Even during the fitting, it had looked similar, but the finished version was something else entirely. It was adorned with dazzling jewels and intricate embroidery that must have taken dozens of maids countless hours to complete. The skirt sparkled with fine gemstone dust, shimmering whenever she moved.

“This wasn’t in the book at all!”

Because she had already seen what her wedding dress would look like in the book, she hadn’t expected much. But this far exceeded all her expectations. With a beautiful dress and a marriage to the man she loved, it felt like everything was perfect.

“Hurry now! We don’t have much time left!”

Despite Edelis being lost in emotion, the maids quickly went about finishing her hair and makeup. When her hair was done, they showered her with praise for how beautiful she looked.

“You all did wonderfully. Thank you.”

With that, Edelis left the room.

“The ceremony is in the Emerald Palace, right?”

That part matched the book. The bride would walk the aisle and enter the Emerald Palace.

“No, it’s fine. That much is understandable—Lehan lives there, after all.”

She forced herself to push down the rising unease. But when she saw Lehan waiting at the entrance of the Ruby Palace, a smile bloomed on her face.

Lehan noticed her approach and turned around.

“…”

He stared at her in a daze until she came to stand in front of him.

“May I escort you?”

He held out his arm, his voice trembling. Edelis was suddenly reminded of her debutante ball.

—“May I escort you, my lady?”

Just like that day, Lehan blushed and shyly offered her his arm. Edelis placed her hand on it, just as she had before.

“Of course.”

With a bright smile, they walked together down the carpeted path toward the Emerald Palace.

“Edelis… I don’t know what to say.”

“What?”

“You look truly beautiful.”

“What are you suddenly saying…”

She blushed at the unexpected compliment. Thankfully, the veil covered her face. If not, he would have seen how red she was.

But Lehan didn’t take his eyes off her, as if he couldn’t bear to miss even a moment.

“I’m really glad I became emperor.”

“You would’ve been fine without it.”

In fact, not being emperor might’ve been better. She might’ve opened her heart to him sooner, without all the fear.

“You’re probably the only one who would say that.”

“I’m serious. I always wanted to be with Lehan, not the emperor.”

Lehan, who had smiled self-deprecatingly, looked genuinely moved by her words.

“Edelis…”

She glanced away, flustered by the sincerity in his eyes.

“You said the same thing when I visited the marquis’ estate.”

—“I want to be with Lehan, not the emperor.”

Right. The real meaning had always been that the “not the emperor” part mattered more than “being with Lehan.”

“But if not for being emperor, I wouldn’t be able to escort you like this.”

“If my father had given you a knighthood, you could’ve.”

“But even then, I wouldn’t have been allowed to escort you on your wedding day.”

“Because only the groom can approach the bride on her wedding day.”

Exactly. Unless something truly unusual happened, only the husband could be near the bride on the day of the wedding. Lehan placed his other hand atop hers.

“It’s a husband’s privilege. And here I am, escorting you—so I’m satisfied.”

He smiled.

“Then why didn’t you just propose to me as a knight?”

“Back when I was fourteen, I thought only an emperor could reach you.”

“…I’m not that special.”

“Who else but an emperor could reach you? The last emperor tried to make you a consort. Now I’m marrying you. And the next emperor… will be the same.”

—The next emperor?

The book showed Lehan’s coldness and cruelty. But suddenly he was talking about a future emperor?

“The next emperor?!”

She turned to him in shock. Lehan gently stroked her hand and calmly said: “You’ll be the next emperor’s mother. Since our child will be the next heir.”

“…”

“Today is the wedding you’ve been putting off for so long.”

She inhaled sharply.

“And the one I’ve been waiting for.”

Lehan looked at her with a slow, affectionate smile. They had arrived at the entrance to the Emerald Palace.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Lady Edelis Brill, now entering!”

The ceremonial announcer’s voice echoed. The once-bustling crowd instantly fell silent. The hall, adorned with flowers, looked exactly like the wedding scene she had seen in the book.

“Well… it’s a royal wedding. Of course it’s grand. Don’t overthink it.”

Orchestra music filled the hall, and Lehan and Edelis walked the aisle together. At the end stood a priest—one she remembered vividly from the book.

“…There’s no way I won’t think about it.”

No matter how she tried to ignore it, everything reminded her of what she’d seen. Some details were different, but the resemblance was too close to ignore.

Standing before the priest, the ceremony began.

“It is an honor to officiate the wedding of the Emperor of the Cronad Empire. Now then…”

After a brief greeting, the priest launched into a lengthy speech. At last, the moment to declare their vows arrived.

“Keirhan Raksid Cronad, do you vow to love Edelis Brill forever?”

“Yes!”

Lehan answered so loudly it drew stifled laughter from the guests. Most simply said “yes” quietly—but not him.

“Edelis Brill, do you vow to love Keirhan Raksid Cronad forever?”

“Yes.”

As the words left her mouth, Lehan’s tense face lit up.

“Now, seal the vow with a kiss.”

Just like the book. A dry, expressionless priest ushering them to the final step. Edelis felt relief that it was almost over.

Lehan lifted her veil. His radiant face filled her vision.

“…Lehan?”

Startled by the sudden gesture, she called his name. Lehan gently cradled her face and smiled.

“It’s the final step.”

“R-right.”

“Then, close your eyes.”

Panicked, she shut her eyes as his face neared. Lehan chuckled softly and kissed her lips. The audience erupted in applause.

—!!

Inside, Edelis screamed.

This wasn’t in the book at all!!

She had expected a cold, brief, perfunctory kiss. Just a peck. But Lehan’s lips weren’t moving away. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.