Chapter 116

Perhaps my parents were moved by her determination to become Piote’s wife—even going so far as to take on the title of a Baroness despite her commoner roots—because they granted their permission surprisingly readily.

 

Mother held Elena’s hands tightly, telling her to take good care of her son. A dazed Elena, in turn, bowed her head repeatedly, saying she was the one who needed to ask for their kind favor.

 

“They seem even happier to see her than they were to see me,” I noted.

 

“Or maybe it’s because they realized that if it wasn’t for Elena, no one would ever take Piote off their hands?”

 

Since Piote had never been involved in a single scandal, they must have been secretly anxious that he would grow old as a bachelor, even if they never said it out loud.

 

‘……But more importantly, what about our wedding?’

 

 

***

 

 

“Sigh…… everything is a mess.”

 

Evan grumbled like a sulking child. He and I were sitting across from each other, agonizing over the wedding date to be engraved on the invitations.

 

“Wouldn’t it be too hectic to hold the wedding right after the succession ceremony?”

 

“……”

 

“Since you’ll have received the title of Duke, you’ll have to greet various nobles and hold banquets for the vassals. I think it’s better to push it back a bit, considering the time you’ll need to adjust.”

 

Evan tapped the paper repeatedly with his fountain pen. As if his dissatisfaction were growing, the ink began to spread further and further across the page.

 

“The succession comes before the marriage. The Duke is right,” I said, taking Evan’s hand to soothe him.

 

“I’m just not pleased about the wedding being delayed……”

 

“Oh, then how about we hold the wedding and the ceremony together?”

 

Seeing Evan’s disappointed face, I offered a compromise. It wasn’t a bad idea for something that just popped into my head. It was obvious that Evan would look magnificent during his succession. I wanted to let the world know at that very moment that he was becoming my husband.

 

A uniform with brilliant epaulettes and the radiant family crest. And a magnificent sword at his side. The attire might be slightly different from a traditional groom’s outfit, but as long as he looked handsome in my eyes, that was all that mattered. The mere thought made me grin.

 

Evan’s face brightened instantly.

 

“That sounds good. We’re holding our wedding at Esther Hall anyway, so it’s close to the Imperial Palace.”

 

“Is Esther Hall inside the palace?”

 

The name ‘Esther Hall’ was still a mystery to me. I had asked my parents, but they didn’t seem to know it either.

 

“It refers to the Royal Hall.”

 

“……What?”

 

The Royal Hall was the magnificent, legendary hall within the Imperial Palace. For the record, I had never seen the interior. I’d heard it had been opened to the public a few times in the past, but……

 

The Royal Hall was a space opened only for the most extraordinary events, such as imperial coronations, royal weddings, or vital state banquets.

 

It was occasionally used for the birthdays of the Emperor and Empress or to welcome foreign envoys, but it had rarely been opened during this reign. The Emperor and Empress had been too busy fighting for power. The Royal Hall was a place of immense value based on its long history alone.

 

“But why call it Esther Hall……”

 

“That’s its original name. People just use the other title to make the meaning clearer. And I knew that if you found out where it was, you’d obviously try to stop me.”

 

“Of course I would!”

 

If I had known it was that place, I would have stopped him even if I had to tear him away! To brazenly hold a wedding in a hall reserved for the Imperial family! It was obvious how shocked the nobles would be when they saw the venue on the invitations.

 

“I wanted to hold it in a truly special place. I snuck in there once, and it was breathtakingly beautiful. It felt like the whole world was filled with a pure white landscape…… So I thought, ‘Ah, this is exactly where I should marry Lep.’”

 

He snuck in? Based on the way he spoke, it sounded like it was back when we first got engaged.

 

“……You’re hopeless……”

 

“When it comes to you, Lep, I’m serious about every single detail.”

 

Despite my disbelief, I couldn’t help but let a smile slip through.

 

 

***

 

 

“Stop crying……”

 

Mary sobbed, wiping away her tears. The other maids followed suit, weeping along with her.

 

Once a noble daughter marries, she becomes part of her husband’s household; I was officially becoming a member of House Weiss.

 

“But My Lady, to think you are getting married…… and dressed so beautifully like this……”

 

Usually, it’s the bride who gets the pre-wedding blues and cries, but in my case, everyone around me was crying.

 

I smiled as I looked at the ring on my finger. Instead of sadness, I felt only happiness. I had cast away sad thoughts a long time ago. Besides, with someone so steady supporting me, what was there to be sad about?

 

Between picking out the wedding dress and sending out the invitations, the morning of the wedding day had arrived in a flash.

 

“Where is Evan?”

 

“Well…… won’t he be here soon?”

 

“I didn’t think this through…… Evan must look so dashing during the succession ceremony……”

 

I had forgotten to account for the time needed to prepare before the wedding. I naturally assumed I would be there to see it! But it was impossible to go and watch while wearing this cumbersome wedding dress.

 

It had already been over three hours since I’d been sat here by the maids after seeing Evan off.

 

‘Evan looked so handsome……’

 

Perhaps because of the succession and the wedding, his unusually serious expression blended perfectly with his black uniform, exuding an air of stoic elegance. The cloak draped over him and the gold tassels on his shoulders only served to enhance his beauty. With a face that lovely and a physique that grand, it was impossible for people not to stare.

 

‘But I don’t need to feel anxious anymore!’

 

In just a few hours, he would legally be my husband.

 

Having finally finished my preparations, I sat gracefully in my chair, waiting for the person who would escort me. I looked in the mirror, turning my face this way and that.

 

“I won’t look out of place standing next to Evan, right?”

 

“Of course not!”

 

The maids, determined to make this once-in-a-lifetime wedding perfect, had moved me around like a doll. But as a result, the woman reflected in the mirror was beautiful enough for me to say that today was indeed the best day of my life.

 

I wanted people to say we were a well-matched couple. Plus, Evan had mentioned he was going to hang our wedding portrait right in front of the mansion, so of course, I had to look my absolute best.

 

“My Lady! He’s here!”

 

I stood up abruptly at the maid’s words.

 

Behind the maid who brought the news, my father appeared. Dressed impeccably, his eyes looked a bit red. Oh, Father……

 

“Lep, the groom has arrived. We must go.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As I stepped outside holding my father’s hand, I saw Evan waiting for us. His eyes curved into a gentle smile.

 

“Take good care of my daughter.”

 

“My vow hasn’t changed. My heart is exactly the same as it was then.”

 

As Father handed my hand over to him, Evan gripped it tightly and spoke with a brilliant smile.

 

“Lep, did you wait long?”

 

“No, not really.”

 

I smiled back at him.

 

We climbed into a luxuriously decorated carriage and headed together toward Esther Hall.

 

The venue he had chosen for our wedding was truly beautiful. Rather than matching me, it was a place that perfectly complemented his silver hair.

 

I walked forward steadily, hearing the sound of everyone’s applause.

 

With every step, the reality of it sank in. I am finally getting married. This was the first marriage of my life, a union with the person I loved.

 

My lips curled into a soft smile at the sound of the sweet music and the envious gazes from the crowd. Most of all, my heart pounded at the feel of his firm grip on my hand.

 

I stole a glance at Evan’s gloved hand. Was he as nervous as I was? I could feel a slight dampness through the fabric.

 

The sensation of leaving my footprints on the pristine white virgin road was surreal.

 

“Ahem.”

 

The priest officiating the ceremony gave a brief greeting and posed the question to Evan and me.

 

“Do Evan Weiss and Lepina Clies take each other as eternal partners, promising to cherish and love one another for the rest of your lives?”

 

The answer was already decided. I glanced at Evan, and he was already looking at me. With a grin, he spoke first in a steady voice.

 

“I do.”

 

I followed suit immediately.

 

“I do.”

 

While the priest was diligently reading the sermon, Evan whispered softly: “Lep, let’s stay together forever.”

 

I instinctively looked up at him. I couldn’t even see the priest reciting the blessing anymore. Evan looked so radiant, as if the light from the stained glass were shining only for him, that I simply nodded in a daze.

 

After the long sermon, the time for the kiss of the vow finally arrived.

 

“I’ve looked forward to this day so much……”

 

Evan’s elegant fingers caressed my cheek. His lips curled up as if he had been waiting for this, yet his throat bobbed with nervousness.

 

“There’s no turning back now. You know that, right?”

 

I felt myself drowning in the anticipation and joy reflected in his violet eyes. I parted my lips with difficulty. I wondered if I was smiling properly as I felt the fluttering in my chest.

 

“Yes. I know.”

 

Evan’s lips approached slowly. I closed my eyes and tilted my head up. His lips descended as softly as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing, and their sweetness brought a sense of fulfillment that nothing else could provide.

 

The applause from around us was nothing more than the sound of birds taking flight.

 

As Evan’s lips pulled away, I slowly opened my eyes. He gave a mischievous smile and lightly brushed my lips.

 

“I’ll save the next steps for a little later.”

 

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

In a game where the ending was supposed to be set, I had created a different conclusion. I felt as though I would never forget this scene, even after I died.

 

“Thank you all for the congratulations!”

 

I linked my arm firmly with Evan’s and spoke with a wide, happy smile.

 

<End of Main Story>