Chapter 27

‘Why is he wrapping his arm around me! Isn’t it about time to let go?!’  

As the guests clapped, a delegate from the southern kingdom—renowned for their passionate temperament—shouted “Woah!” and started a wave of cheers and applause.  

Edelis couldn’t even enjoy the fact that the situation was different from what she had read in the book. Her heart was pounding so hard she couldn’t do anything but tightly clutch her bouquet. It felt like an eternity had passed in her mind before Lehan finally pulled away from the kiss.  

‘I-Is it over…?’  

But then, Lehan kissed her lips a few more times—quick pecks. The officiating priest, who was about to declare the wedding complete, hesitated with his mouth half open, then gave up entirely when the Emperor and Empress’s kiss showed no signs of ending.  

Once Lehan seemed satisfied, he finally spoke her name.  

“Edelis.”  

Hearing her name in that laughing voice made Edelis slowly open the eyes she had tightly shut. There he was—Lehan, with those impossibly handsome features and a smile so mesmerizing it seemed like it could entrance the world, gazing at her.  

“My wife. You’re truly my wife now, Edelis Cronad.”  

Just as he was about to kiss her again, the priest, sensing that waiting for the Emperor might mean the ceremony would never end, quickly spoke up.  

“With this, I declare the marriage of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress of the Cronad Empire to be official.”  

Applause and cheers erupted from the guests. Edelis’s face flushed a deep red, and Lehan, watching her, burst into laughter out of sheer adoration. Embarrassed, Edelis pulled her veil back down to hide her face.  

“Stop laughing.”  

“Alright.”  

Lehan replied with a voice that clearly had no intention of stopping.  

“Your Majesty, it’s time to change into your dress for the banquet.”  

“Understood.”  

Edelis left with her attendants, desperate to cool her burning cheeks.  

“See you soon, Edelis.”  

Lehan waved at her casually, but the moment she disappeared, his expression sobered. He blended into the crowd of officials—after all, even at his own wedding banquet, he couldn’t afford to appear overly relaxed.  

“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Majesty.”  

“Thank you for attending.”  

“Everyone is praising how romantic you are, Your Majesty. Who knew?”  

“Is that so?”  

Lehan gave the faintest smile. The official gathering was, as expected, dull.  

‘When is Edelis coming back? Honestly, I’d send the entire delegation home and skip the banquet if I could.’  

But tradition wouldn’t allow it.Lehan couldn’t ignore diplomatic relations either—he didn’t want a war breaking out just after getting married.  

“Your Majesty.”  

A woman in a white ceremonial robe with brown hair approached and greeted him.  

‘From the Holy Empire’s delegation, I believe. There was quite a stir about the first female priestess.’  

But Lehan didn’t care about such things. A delegation was just a delegation.  

“You’re a priest, I see. Thank you for attending.”  

“A priest…? So that’s how they introduced me.”  

People nearby, curious about the Emperor’s conversation, began whispering.  

“Wait, are there female priests? Isn’t the Holy Empire strictly male-dominated?”  

“Weren’t we told that High Priest Ruden would be coming instead?”  

“Exactly. Why isn’t someone of his rank here…?”  

Murmurs of dissatisfaction began rising—questioning not only her identity but also the absence of the priest they were expecting. Lehan was about to address the rudeness when the ‘priestess’ signaled to a subordinate behind her, who stepped forward.  

“You dare speak disrespectfully to the Saintess.”  

“Saintess? This is the first we’ve heard of such a title.”  

“A divine revelation declared her the Saintess several years ago.”  

“She’s not a priest but a Saintess?”  

“Yes, even the Pope wouldn’t treat her lightly.”  

The priest accompanying her didn’t bother hiding his displeasure.  

Though the Holy Empire didn’t hold much power compared to Cronad, many nations still upheld their faith. That made the Saintess a significant figure—someone who supposedly conveyed the will of the divine. If she could indeed use divine powers like in the legends, she would cause quite a stir.  

‘A Saintess…? According to the records, there hasn’t been one in centuries.’  

The entire hall murmured. A female priestess was surprising enough, but a Saintess? That was on another level.  

“You’re the Saintess?”  

“Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for not revealing it earlier. I am Elaine Ryned, the Saintess.”  

“I see.”  

She looked up at him with hopeful eyes, but Lehan wasn’t sure what it was she expected from him.  

“Your Majesty, I…”  

Just as the Saintess began to speak again, the voice of the herald echoed through the room.  

“Her Majesty the Empress, Glory of the Cronad Empire, enters!”  

***  

The moment Edelis entered, her eyes locked onto Lehan and the Saintess standing side by side in the center of the hall. She hadn’t needed to look for them—everyone else in the room was already gathered around them, focused on the pair.  

Even as the herald announced her arrival, most people merely turned to confirm it, only to return their gaze to the Saintess and Emperor.  

‘So this is how the story began. The male lead and the female lead…’  

With herself—nothing but the villain.  

The three of them: the couple in the center and her, the outsider entering too late.  

‘No, not yet… It’s not over yet.’  

Edelis approached and stood beside them. Nothing was certain yet. Today’s true protagonists were supposed to be the Emperor and the Empress. Now, after centuries, a Saintess. Of course attention would be drawn to her.  

“You’re here, Edelis.”  

Lehan greeted her as if they’d been apart for ages and made room for her at his side. He treated her just as he always did—warmly, affectionately. He leaned in and whispered near her ear.  

“Let’s say a few words of thanks to our guests, then leave.”  

“Leave? Where to?”  

She had just arrived, and yet he was already talking about leaving. Meanwhile, the so-called Saintess—the supposed heroine—was standing right there.  

“Where else would we go?”  

It was clear what he meant. Newlyweds always had somewhere they went after the ceremony. His voice dropped lower.  

Edelis’s face blazed as memories of their kiss flooded back.  

He was always like this—calm, steady. It was impossible to feel anxious around him. His endless flirtation was sometimes overwhelming, but today, it was exactly what she needed.  

‘He hasn’t changed at all.’  

Even the arrival of the Saintess hadn’t changed his demeanor. That, more than anything, reassured her.  

“Hello, Your Majesty.”  

The Saintess gave Edelis a bright smile.  

“Edelis, do you remember the Holy Empire’s delegation visit? She was there—she’s the Saintess.”  

“Ah, yes…”  

“She’s the first Saintess in centuries, so everyone’s very curious.”  

Even if Lehan hadn’t introduced her, Edelis already knew exactly who she was—perhaps better than anyone else in the room. Still, he explained everything for her, probably thinking she’d be caught off guard.  

“We’ve met before, right, Your Majesty?”  

“Yes, we talked briefly while walking in the garden.”  

“She also promised to invite me to tea someday.”  

The Saintess’s charm was subtle but powerful—approachable, bright, endearing.  

“Yes, we’ll arrange a tea time soon.”  

“Is that so?”

“It would be nice if His Majesty the Emperor could come too!”

She smiled at Lehan with sparkling eyes.  

That lit a small flame of unease in Edelis’s chest.  

‘Why is she inviting him to tea?’  

Usually, the Emperor invites others—not the other way around. Certainly not from someone who wasn’t the Empress.  

“His Majesty is quite busy. You’ll have to make do with me.”  

Edelis’s voice cut cleanly through the moment. Lehan, trying to stifle his amusement, lightly covered his mouth.  

“Ahem. Perhaps it would be better to host a banquet for the entire delegation.”  

“But the Pope entrusted me with full authority on relations with the Empire. That should include a private audience, shouldn’t it?”  

To entrust her with that much power before even making it official?  

Lehan furrowed his brows.  

“That may not be the best topic for a public gathering…”  

“She’s right.”  

Sharing diplomatic details with other countries could be dangerous. If they were to talk, it should be with Lehan himself.  

“Very well. I’ll arrange a meeting with the ministers in charge and the Chancellor present.”  

“…Understood.”  

That was enough for Edelis to feel secure. With the ever-strict Chancellor there, it would be all business.  

Her peace returned.  

“I know so many fun stories—I’m sad His Majesty can’t join us.”  

“I’m sure they are delightful.”  

“Don’t worry. The temple records hold countless fascinating tales from across the continent. They’ll be more interesting than anything His Majesty has ever heard.”  

“I’m looking forward to it.”  

It seemed the Saintess had given up on a private meeting.  

‘Is this how she approached him in the book as well? Slowly, by creating opportunities…?’  

Even if she was the heroine, that was a story. This was reality.  

Still, Edelis didn’t like it—the way she kept trying to draw Lehan into conversation.  

Right after their wedding no less.  

“Well then, allow me to share a short story in advance.”  

But the calm Edelis had just found was shattered by the Saintess’s next words—spoken with a bright smile.  

“Have you ever heard of a book that shows the future?”