Chapter 118

Once the permission for the marriage was granted by both families, preparations proceeded with lightning speed. Marquis Caspian’s townhouse poured its very soul into the wedding of a lifetime, moving faster than ever thought possible.

“I honestly don’t know what the rush is, starting the wedding prep the moment the permission was given,” Kaizen grumbled as the servants’ movements grew swifter.

Watching him, Camilla smiled and lifted Lionel into her arms.

“Don’t you remember, Marquis? You filed the marriage registration immediately after spending a single night with me. You even tried to skip the wedding ceremony entirely until Lady Titiana fumed, saying you had to at least do it for the sake of formality. That’s how we ended up having the ceremony just a month later.”

“No, well, that was different… Ahem.”

At a loss for words, Kaizen took Lionel from Camilla’s arms and held him.

“When is Brother Raon coming?”

“You must have missed Raon. He said he’d be back after five sleeps, so I think you’ll have to wait a little longer.”

Four-year-old Lionel had enjoyed playing with Raon so much during his previous visit that he would chatter about him for hours. Camilla, who had worried because Lionel was unusually quiet for a child, was able to ease her mind thanks to Raon.

“It was so adorable to see Lionel and Tigre fighting over who got to play with him when he came over.”

At Tigre’s request to watch his swordsmanship sparring, Raon would often watch from the training grounds while holding Lionel. Once Tigre’s turn was over, Raon would play ball with Lionel. When Lionel grew tired, the three of them would spread a mat under a tree and enjoy a picnic with snacks.

“Well, ahem. I suppose that part is alright….”

Because of the age gap, Tigre and Lionel had been somewhat awkward around each other. Even when the younger one asked to play, Tigre found it bothersome. It was only after Raon stepped in that they began to grow closer.

Now, though not often, Tigre would play hide-and-seek if Lionel asked. Furthermore, if Tigre sat down to study, Lionel would sit beside him, opening a picture book to read. Everyone felt relieved that the relationship between Tigre and Lionel was slowly improving thanks to Raon.

“Should we go with red flowers? How about ‘Passionate Love’? I think my late aunt would have liked it, too.”

“Titi, I don’t think that’s it. Red flowers in a pure, white wedding hall? People will think we just fought a bloody battle.”

“Red stands out! It’s so nice.”

“It stands out too much, that’s the problem. Please, Titi, not those flowers.”

Spinel shook his head at Titiana, who had stepped forward to help with the wedding preparations. He then cast a pleading look toward Camilla, who happened to be approaching.

“Lady Titi, I think my brother-in-law is right. Even if you like red, I don’t think using red fresh flowers for a wedding is the way to go. Surely you’re not planning to do what you did at our wedding?”

In the rush of their own marriage, they hadn’t weighed things carefully and had accepted all of Titiana’s suggestions without filtering them. As a result, their wedding had been plastered with red flowers, and it was still a topic of gossip—though, of course, no one dared say it to their faces.

“Do you think so too, brother?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Kaizen side with Camilla, Titiana pouted slightly but decided to follow the majority.

“Red is so pretty, though.”

“Honey, how about decorating the bridal chamber with red flowers instead?”

“Ah, that sounds great! I’ll decorate our Ran’s bridal chamber myself. With the utmost sincerity.”

At Titiana’s words, Kaizen shook his head. He handed Lionel back to Camilla and walked away without a word. Watching him, Titiana let out a faint sigh.

“I think he’s going to see Mother and Father.”

Whenever his mind was troubled, Kaizen would head to the family cemetery. Since he always returned with a more peaceful expression, no one stopped him.

“He’s probably going to tell them that Lady Ran is getting married. To his aunt as well.”

“Likely so… Honestly, if only Aunt had revealed who Ran’s biological father was, she wouldn’t have been pushed to such an extreme state that her hair turned white.”

“Perhaps she didn’t reveal it because she didn’t know herself. Or maybe she did it to prevent him from being conscripted into the naval war as a member of this family if they married.”

Spinel comforted Titiana, who harbored a bit of resentment toward Ayla, and kissed her cheek before quickly leading her elsewhere. Watching the two, who were still as sweet as newlyweds, Camilla kissed Lionel on the cheek.

“This is all thanks to Lady Ran.”

Until recently, the atmosphere in the house had been so heavy that skinship was unthinkable. The rigid household, where one felt they shouldn’t express affection, had thawed with the appearance of Ramona.

“Ran?”

“Yes. That is your aunt’s nickname. She is Raon’s mother.”

“Brother Raon, I miss him.”

“Yes, yes. He’ll be your real brother soon, so you mustn’t be rude to Raon. And don’t pester him too much, alright?”

“Hehe!”

Lionel burst into laughter at the mere mention of Raon’s name, and Camilla couldn’t help but smile along with him.

***

Adrian’s wish to have a wedding so grand the whole world would know was scrapped by Ramona.

Ramona, who had no desire to grind her soul and money into a wedding, requested to downsize. However, because the Leander Empire requested to attend upon hearing news of her marriage, the scale grew larger regardless.

“I might die if I have to do this wedding thing one more time.”

“You mustn’t say such things on your wedding day. You should only have good thoughts and speak good words.”

Bessie, watching Ramona dressed in her wedding gown and being pampered, looked deeply moved. Bessie, who had vowed never to leave her side, was determined to enter Duke Cassius’ residence.

“What are you going to do, following me and leaving Sir Fedric behind? Your child is still young.”

“It’s fine. My in-laws agreed to watch the baby. Fedric agreed, too.”

The plan was to stay at the Marquis’ estate in Caspian with Adrian to greet the servants and residents before heading to the Duke’s estate. Bessie had already packed all her bags, determined to follow them there.

“My sister is truly beautiful. Right, Tigre?”

“Yes, and I’m so excited to actually become family with Raon.”

“Me too, me too! I’m ‘cited! Auntie is pretty!”

Holding young Lionel, Tigre’s pink eyes curved beautifully.

“Wow, Mom, you look amazing. By the way, Brother Yon is wailing his eyes out. If he sees you like this, I think he’ll be going to the Academy with swollen eyes.”

Ramona, who had once received a proposal from the young Lord Lepid—who was twelve years her junior—gave a small laugh at the words of Raon, who was holding Toto. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“You may remain seated.”

Seeing Kaizen in a formal suit and holding a bouquet, Ramona stood up immediately and took his hand.

“Right! I think it would be best for everyone else to head out and take their seats.”

Camilla, who had been watching from behind, ushered everyone out of the room to give the siblings a brief moment alone.

As everyone said their goodbyes and left, only Kaizen and Ramona remained. Kaizen, who had always held his young sister’s hand while playing in the fields and mountains, sighed inwardly at the fact that he now had to walk her down the aisle to a groom in their father’s stead.

He hadn’t raised her like a precious jewel just to give her away to some fellow.

“If it were Father, I’m sure he would have sent you off with a smile… but your brother isn’t as stouthearted as Father, so my heart still aches.”

Remembering how Kaizen had coaxed, comforted, and led both her and Titiana in their parents’ absence, Ramona smiled faintly. He, too, had been a mere child who hadn’t reached adulthood at the time. Despite the elders of the family constantly eyeing the Marquissate, Kaizen had brilliantly protected the house and his sisters.

Seeing the wavering eyes of her brother, who had been more of a father than a brother to her, Ramona gave him a tight hug.

“Brother, just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean our ties here are cut. I’ll visit often. So don’t cry.”

“Who’s crying…?”

Seeing a single tear fall, Ramona wiped Kaizen’s eyes with a handkerchief someone had left behind.

“Don’t worry. I’ll live well. You know Rian listens to everything I say.”

“That’s only as it should be… Phew, I’m sorry. The decision is made, and I should send you off with a smile, but I just want to keep you here a little longer….”

“I told you I’ll visit often. I might even barge into your office without notice and lie on the floor like I did when I was little, throwing a tantrum for you to play with me.”

“I truly hope you do.”

Regaining his smile for a moment at Ramona’s words, Kaizen brushed away his tears and slowly led his sister out.

Watching the flowers strewn along the path, he prayed and prayed that Ramona would only ever walk on a path of flowers. Seeing Adrian standing dozens of meters ahead, Kaizen smiled broadly, let go of Ramona’s hand for a moment, and briefly veered off course.

Though there were occasionally fathers of the bride who opposed the marriage, no one had ever seen such an action at the wedding altar, and all eyes turned toward him.

Kaizen stood before Grand Duke Ayla, who was so nervous he couldn’t even sit and remained standing, and held out his hand.

“Would you like to escort Ran to the groom with me?”