Special Story 1

The wedding ended safely—almost anticlimactically so, considering how long we had prepared for it. Yet, instead of a sense of emptiness, only feelings of happiness blossomed within me.

‘I can’t believe I’m Evan’s wife… I’m deeply moved…’

Is this what it feels like to be a “successful fan”? I watched my handsome husband from afar as he conversed with the nobles.

The surroundings were bustling. It was only natural, as the succession of Duke Weiss and his wedding were happening simultaneously. The noise was amplified by the fact that we were in a hall borrowed through a deal with the Emperor.

“To think His Majesty would lend out Esther Hall…”

“Indeed. Perhaps it is an apology for having doubted the former Duke.”

“By the way, who do you think will be the next Emperor?”

Since the major nobles were gathered, political talk naturally emerged. I frowned, not wanting to hear such things at a wedding, but that was simply the nature of the noble breed. I wasn’t sure what the Emperor and Empress discussed at the tea party, but they must have reconciled safely, right? That’s why things are peaceful now, right? What a mess, all because of that dysfunctional family…

“Lep, are you feeling unwell?”

Just then, Evan approached me while I was taking a moment away from the nobles to rest. The fatigue built up from the ceremony and the surrounding aristocrats seemed to vanish instantly.

‘He really is stunning. To think this gorgeous man is mine…’

I gave a bright smile to Evan, who was looking at me with a worried expression.

“How could I be in a bad mood? We’ve finally become a married couple.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried because your complexion looked a bit pale.”

In truth, Evan was likely more physically exhausted than I was. He must have been drained by the succession ceremony, and then to go straight into a wedding. Yet, Evan’s face looked more radiant than mine.

“Evan, aren’t you tired?”

“How could I be? This is the day I’ve been waiting for.”

Seeing his immense joy made me happy in turn. Then, Evan leaned his head slightly against my shoulder.

“…I want to go back to the mansion soon. I don’t understand why we have to spend time with other people when we’re newlyweds. Those nobles who used to make a fuss about me marrying their daughters, or those who said we weren’t of the same status—now they’ve completely changed their tunes to offer congratulations. I don’t even want to receive them.”

I felt the same way. Because of these nobles who prioritized appearances, we ended up hosting a party I never asked for.

“Oh dear. It seems our protagonists are getting bored.”

The Duchess and my mother approached from behind, fluttering their fans.

The former Duke and Duchess had left the Weiss mansion and moved into a separate residence nearby. This was to allow Evan to formally take over the Weiss estate and, furthermore, to provide us with our own home for our new life together. Having lost the right to use the Weiss name, they decided to take my mother-in-law’s maiden name. Since her family was a vassal house of the Weiss Dukedom, it was a natural transition.

“Mother, how is the new mansion you found?”

“Well, it’s modest and quite nice. That’s how retirement should be.”

I thought of the mansion she had moved into. While smaller than the Weiss estate, it was by no means “modest.” I let out an awkward laugh.

“Lep, mind your posture. As the Duchess, you shouldn’t show such a disheveled appearance.”

My mother scolded me, noticing my awkward smile. In her eyes, it seemed I was still a child.

“I still have so much to teach her; I wonder if she can handle the role of the Mistress of the house…”

“Kh-hemp! The Mistress…!”

“Father, isn’t it time you stopped crying?”

Our gazes turned toward my father. How did he manage to hold it in during the ceremony? Since my father’s doting nature was famous, no one paid much mind. He was even pointing a finger at the former Duke—now just my “Father-in-law”—who was calmly sipping wine. I looked away from my father. My mother and mother-in-law watched the two men, commenting on how well they got along. Exactly how…?

While I was wondering if my definition of “getting along” had been wrong all this time, my mother spoke to Evan.

“Duke, please take good care of this immature child.”

Evan replied suavely.

“Even those traits are lovely, so there is no need to worry.”

“Wh-what…!”

I was stunned by his bold statement, made regardless of who was listening. How can he be so shameless! My mother-in-law let out a soft chuckle at Evan’s words.

“It’s good to show off how well you get along, but for now, you should attend to the guests.”

“I believe I’ve greeted the guests sufficiently. Please allow Lep and me some time alone. Surely you can handle the nobles, Mother.”

I nudged Evan in the back. He looked back at me with a pitiful gaze, asking why I hit him. Other nobles, unaware of the context, smiled at us, commenting on how harmonious the couple looked. Ugh, I was so embarrassed…

“Hoho, I suppose so. By the way, where will you be spending tonight?”

W-wait… come to think of it, am I going straight to the Weiss mansion? Since Evan has formally inherited it. I always looked at the Weiss mansion and thought I wished it were my home, but for it to actually become mine…

“My heart truly wants to return to the mansion with Lep and spend time together, but…”

Evan said, fiddling with my hand.

“The interior renovations aren’t finished yet. I tried my best to wrap it up before the wedding, but time was tight. Lep, I’m sorry… the ‘decorating’ isn’t finished yet.”

He hung his head as if he were a high criminal. But Evan was already fully “decorated” himself! He was so much my type that my heart was racing—what was the problem? Wasn’t I just supposed to move my body over there?

As I looked at him in confusion, my mother-in-law spoke up for him.

“I wanted to vacate the mansion as quickly as possible, but there were many matters to resolve, which delayed the construction… The room for our dear daughter-in-law isn’t ready yet.”

Ah, so that’s what they meant.

“That’s why I told you to take things slowly.”

“…I’m sorry. I just wanted to be bound to Lep as a married couple as soon as possible.”

I couldn’t nag him any further when he looked like a puppy with its ears drooping. He had been desperate to marry me as soon as possible and had even opposed delaying the wedding further due to the succession. Given the incidents caused by the Imperial family, the succession ceremony had been rushed, so there was no way the renovations could have been completed quickly.

“But… it doesn’t matter, does it?”

I said nonchalantly. I truly didn’t see the problem. So what if my room wasn’t ready? There were plenty of rooms to go around. Ah, but is it awkward for a married couple to stay in a guest room? And if construction is ongoing, I couldn’t exactly use my mother-in-law’s old room.

Suddenly, a great idea struck me.

“Evan’s room is still there, isn’t it? We can just stay there.”

“Oh my.”

Those who heard my statement were quite surprised. The nobles who had been eavesdropping were the same. Some even turned red and looked shy.

“So you want to stay in the same room because you hate being apart that much.”

I tilted my head. I didn’t understand why they were reacting with such surprise and embarrassment.

“Lep… do you like sharing a room with me that much?”

Evan’s eyes sparkled. It was a look that practically begged me to say yes.

“Uh… ah…!”

I finally realized the reaction of the people around me. While the concept of a “consummation night” existed, it wasn’t common for noble couples in this world to share a room long-term. Nobles had plenty of space and a strong sense of individualism.

‘I-I made a mistake…’

To everyone else, I must have looked like a bride so passionately in love that she couldn’t bear to be apart for a single second. That’s why Evan was so happy!

“The Young Lady… no, the Duchess is quite proactive. The Duke doesn’t seem to mind, either.”

I was supposed to be the bride, but Evan was the one wearing a shy smile like a new bride as he gripped my hand tightly.

“Lep… I’m so happy.”

As I stood there dazed and speechless, Evan was already reaching his own conclusions.

“W-wait a minute! We’re married now, so it’s l-lonely to be apart…! We’re only going to sleep!”

“Yes, exactly. It’s lonely to be apart. Mother, did you hear that? We’ll be taking our leave now.”

Evan seemed to have completely missed the part where I said we’d just sleep; he was still grinning from ear to ear.

“Yes, leave the rest of the party to us. It’s not good to hold back newlyweds for too long.”

“We-we’re leaving?”

While I was laughing awkwardly, Evan suddenly swept me up in his arms. My arms naturally wrapped around his neck. Evan offered a greeting to everyone.

“Lep, shall we go?”

“Wh-where…? To sleep?”

I started feeling strangely anxious. I tried to express my stance that I wouldn’t do anything and would only sleep once we got there. However, Evan lightly ignored my rebellion and wore a meaningful smirk. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered.

“Aren’t we going to sleep in my room?”

My face flushed bright red at the ticklish sound of his breath. Because everyone was watching and cheering for us, I felt even more embarrassed. No one else could have heard Evan’s soft whisper, but seeing my face turn into a red apple, many guests wore satisfied smiles.

“Haha, is this not the marriage following a love for a cherished fiancée since childhood? We have been quite tactless in interfering with the newlyweds’ precious time.”

“Congratulations.”

“No, we shall have to see the results first.”

What do you mean “congratulations,” and what “results” are you talking about! I was even more horrified by my mother-in-law’s sly response. It was clear that Evan’s mischievous streak was inherited from her.

Evan also playfully bowed his head, promising to deliver “good results,” and strode out of the hall without hesitation.

Behind us, I thought I heard the voice of someone wailing and calling my name desperately.