Special Story 2

“I’m so nervous.”

 

My heart hammered against my ribs as I looked at the sea of people outside the window. It was a trembling so intense I almost forgot how to breathe. Winnie approached me, quickly drawing the curtains shut before guiding me to a chair.

 

“My Lady—no, Your Imperial Highness. Please sit. I need to finish your hair ornaments.”

 

I flopped down in front of the mirror, adjusting the cumbersome dress that flowed all the way to my feet. As Winnie’s gentle touch reached my hair, my frantic pulse began to steady.

 

“This may be your first public appearance, but there’s no need to worry. You look breathtaking. There, all done.”

 

Winnie tilted the gold-rimmed full-length mirror toward me.

 

“I’d believe it if someone said this was a different person.”

 

The pure white dress was adorned with shimmering beads and delicate lace. The long sleeves emphasized a soft, feminine grace, while the design—revealing my collarbones and cinching at the waist—exuded an ethereal aura. My lemon-blonde hair was swept up and decorated with pins of various pearls. When Winnie added the final highlight—a veil that reached down to my fingertips—the preparations were complete.

 

“Of course! Look who styled you!” Winnie beamed with pride. She had always loved dressing me up, and her skills had truly reached new heights.

 

“Sigh…”

 

Despite the perfect makeover, a short sigh escaped my lips. “I’m still so nervous.”

 

Winnie balled her fists, trying to calm me down. “You are more beautiful than anyone today. if anyone dares to dispute or protest your appearance, I won’t let them get away with it!”

 

“Wait… what?”

 

I wasn’t nervous because of what the citizens would think of me.

 

“Just trust me! If there’s anyone like that, I’ll give them a piece of my mind—or a fist!”

 

I could see the veins starting to pop on the back of Winnie’s clenched hands. If I left her to it, a literal disaster might occur.

 

“Winnie! Even if that happens, you must never hit anyone!”

 

“If their eyes are crooked, I have to fix them!”

 

“I’m not nervous because of the way people look at me!”

 

Confusion bloomed on Winnie’s determined face. “Then what is it?”

 

‘If I tell her the truth, I feel like I’ll get scolded.’

 

But Winnie’s gaze was too intense to ignore.

 

“…I’m worried about whether the fabric will sell well.”

 

In an instant, Winnie’s expression turned stone-cold. She looked at me with utter exasperation. “My Lady! You were thinking about the merchant guild on a day like today?!”

 

“Just for a second! Only a second!”

 

“My Lady!”

 

I shifted my gaze rapidly to avoid her eyes. To be honest, the dress I was wearing was made from a fabric developed by our guild. In this world, such a bright, bleached white fabric didn’t exist. Since textile research wasn’t very advanced here, most fabrics were a dull, yellowish off-white. So, we developed a lustrous, pure white fabric—the color of fresh snow.

 

As the Vice Head Leader of the Baimery Merchant Guild, I saw this wedding as the ultimate marketing opportunity.

 

‘I was worried because the unit price was higher than expected, but… I’m confident.’

 

Since I was introducing a new ‘child’ to the world, it was only natural to be nervous. Seeing me in this dress today had to trigger a massive wave of purchases!

 

The special dress worn by the Empire’s Crown Princess! Only at the Baimery Merchant Guild.

 

‘The ad copy is great too.’

 

If we sold it like this, it would sell like wildfire! Once we started selling Baimery goods across the continent, gold and silver would pile up in no time. A win-win for everyone!

 

Winnie, perhaps seeing my eyes turn into the shape of gold coins, raised her voice again. “Do I need to remind you again? Today is the day you become the Crown Princess!”

 

‘Ugh, my ears.’

 

I covered my ears at the piercing sound, but Winnie’s voice still managed to leak through. I wanted to grumble a bit, but I understood her heart. It was a wedding, after all.

 

‘But isn’t it better for everyone if our guild prospers?’

 

I honestly wished I had noise-canceling earphones. I wouldn’t have noticed Winnie’s voice stopping if a familiar, low voice hadn’t called out to me.

 

“Lilithia.”

 

I looked up. “Prince Freyer.”

 

“I came because Winnie’s voice was echoing through the entire palace,” Freyer said with a knowing smile. “Seeing her this angry, you must be up to something.”

 

“Up to something? Not at all!”

 

‘I just thought about the merchant guild for a tiny moment.’

 

“I just hope you don’t ruin the wedding.”

 

“I have no such plans!”

 

“I’m glad to hear it. Shall we head to the ceremony, then?”

 

Freyer bent his arm to offer it to me. I stood up and took his arm, and together we headed toward the palace where the wedding was to be held.

 

 

***

 

 

I wasn’t this nervous earlier. My hands trembled so much that the petals of my bouquet shook.

 

“Are you nervous?”

 

“Yes…”

 

I never imagined getting married in my entire life, yet here was my own wedding.

 

“Me too. I’m nervous,” Freyer whispered. The heavy thumping of his heart echoed in my ears. It was then that I noticed something strange.

 

“The weather…”

 

It was winter, cold enough to see one’s breath, yet the sun was exceptionally warm today as if the heavens were offering a blessing. Not a single gust of cold wind touched us.

 

“On such a beautiful day, I didn’t want the weather to interfere.”

 

It seemed Freyer had put in some unseen effort for our wedding.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Don’t thank me. This is our first and last wedding. Everything must be perfect. Shall we go in?”

 

As the sweet sound of strings began to play, Freyer and I entered the outdoor wedding venue. A thunderous round of applause erupted as soon as we stepped in. As we walked step by step, I looked around. Royalty and nobility from across the continent had been invited to the wedding of the Empire’s sole Crown Prince. Furthermore, Freyer was broadcasting our wedding live through mana-recording crystals to every corner of the empire, from the metropolises to the small towns.

 

‘Nazlee isn’t here.’

 

The seats for the House of Idarand were empty. It was likely because rumors had spread that the Duke was involved in the Queen’s schemes. Even if they were victims, the fact that they were manipulated by the Queen was enough to tarnish the name of the prestigious House of Idarand. Since then, the Duke’s whereabouts had been unknown.

 

‘In the original story, did Ivailo approach Nazlee on purpose to seize the empire?’

 

It was hard to understand Ivailo’s actions. He was a man possessed by a terrible greed.

 

‘Maybe he just wanted to be loved, too.’

 

It was certain that he was a pitiful man.

 

“Lilithia. Focus.”

 

“…Yes!”

 

Just before the Pope, who was officiating the wedding, began to speak, a whistle echoed from the guest seats.

 

“Lilithia! Why don’t you reconsider?!”

 

I looked toward the loud, cheerful voice and saw Scarlet, with her bright red hair, grinning widely. Waving both hands, she shouted, “Instead of Freyer, how about marrying our Siphiel?!”

 

Seeing her consistent personality made me laugh, but Freyer didn’t seem to share the sentiment. I could feel a burning gaze emanating from him. Scarlet, unfazed by his glare, put her hands on her hips.

 

“I’ll get rid of Freyer right now!”

 

Was that something one should say at a Crown Prince’s wedding? My expression turned blank as I marched down the aisle. This was being broadcast nationwide!

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

Freyer gave a nod to the knights, and in an instant, Scarlet was hauled away by them, dangling in the air. Sitting in the now-empty seat next to her was a man with light red hair. Siphiel mouthed to me: “Congratulations on your wedding.”

 

After a brief greeting to the guests, we faced the Pope, and the simple yet long-winded ceremony began. Finally, the wedding was drawing to a close. I gathered my courage to say the words I wanted to say.

 

“I will love you until my black hair turns as white as green onion roots*!”

 

[*T/N: A Korean wedding idio, 검은 머리 파뿌리 되도록 which is what it sounds like; loving someone until your hair turns white so basically loving them for a lifetime.]

 

“B-black hair turning… white like…?”

 

The Pope’s expression turned bewildered as he looked back and forth between Freyer and me. Whispers of “But the Crown Princess is blonde…?” began to rise from the guests.

 

‘Should I have said blonde instead of black hair?’

 

In the midst of the awkward atmosphere, I cleared my throat and shouted again. “I vow to love Prince Freyer until my blonde hair turns as white as green onion roots!”

 

I smiled brightly as I looked up at Freyer. The beautiful sunlight settled on his silver hair, making it shine like gold. In his eyes, I could see my own reflection—a bride in pure white. His well-fitted ceremonial robes made his broad shoulders and tall frame look incredibly sophisticated, and the ribbon jewel at his neck sparkled.

 

“And you, Your Highness?”

 

“I’m not sure what kind of plant a ‘green onion root’ is, but I, too, vow to God that I will love Lilithia Baimery until my silver hair turns as white as the eternal mountain snow.”

 

As Freyer finished, an attendant came forward carrying a velvet cushion with a jewelry box. Inside was a pair of platinum rings set with meticulously crafted amethysts.

 

“But I already received a ring?” I whispered to Freyer, showing him the silver ring over my lace gloves. Freyer said nothing as he took the ring from the box and held my left hand.

 

“A proposal ring and a wedding ring have different meanings. Lilithia, do you know what an amethyst symbolizes?”

 

I shook my head, watching the ring being slipped onto my ring finger.

 

“An amethyst is a precious gem used to decorate imperial crowns. It is said to bring peace to the mind, increase energy, and benefit the wearer.”

 

Finally, the ring sat at the base of my finger. I, too, placed a ring on Freyer’s finger and held his hand.

 

“To me, you are like an amethyst. From the moment I first saw you, Lilithia, you shone with an enchanting brilliance. I believe it’s because yyou are an amethyst-like person.”

 

An amethyst-like person. The words felt heavy with meaning, but a smile bloomed on my lips.

 

“You are also like an amethyst to me, Your Highness.”

 

My favorite. Before I entered this novel, he was my happiness, and after I arrived in this world, he was the one who kept me standing firm. If I hadn’t resolved to make Freyer happy, I might still be wandering aimlessly. Being by his side now, my heart was so peaceful and full of joy.

 

“My favorite, I will make you happy forever.”

 

A grand bell tolled, and white petals scattered from the sky, celebrating the union of the Crown Prince and his Princess.