Chapter 19 Part 1: The Wedding, and Elchen

A pure white wedding hall. Colorful flowers bloomed profusely.

All of them were brought from the glass greenhouse of the Imperial Palace.

A large chandelier hung from the round arched ceiling, and blue forget-me-not tapestries adorned the grooved pillars.

Soft sunlight streamed in through the large windows.

People began to take their seats at the round tables, their expressions excited.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Several of Caron’s subordinates were also invited to this event.

They had come straight after finishing the triumphal procession.

When they heard that only three people could attend the wedding, there was even a sparring match among the knights.

“Pavel. You’ve already seen her, right? The lord’s fiancée.”

The knight in charge of administrative duties, and the temporary deputy commander. Pavel pursed his lips at the whispering colleague’s question.

The red-haired female knight, Natasha, smacked her lips in disappointment.

“..I can’t believe it. He’s really getting married.”

She was a typical cat-like beauty with sharp eyes and amber eyes. Most men who approached her based on that alone ended up with a hole somewhere pierced by the fangs she possessed.

Of course, the fangs were Natasha’s rapier.

“Hey, Natasha. You still haven’t given up on that vain dream?”

“No.”

Natasha strongly denied it.

There was definitely a time when even the prideful her had feelings for someone.

Of course, not anymore. There was no competition in the first place.

“You got rejected by the lord so spectacularly. Twice, no less.”

At the chuckling remark, Natasha retorted with annoyance.

“Hey, speak properly, will you? You think I’m the only one who got rejected?”

She had witnessed it countless times.

Women from the occupied territories, or dancers. Even ordinary noble ladies. There were quite a few women who tried to seduce the lord in some way.

“They all fell away. I even comforted some of those women.”

The opponent was too strong. The lord’s fiancée, whose name was the only thing they knew.

“Well, now that I think about it, there must have been a reason. The rumors are already spreading, right? That she’s a beauty that makes your eyes pop.”

“Luthor.”

Pavel spoke.

“Since the ceremony is about to start, how about being quiet?”

In fact, Pavel, who served as the staff officer in the knights, had a rather scary side.

This was definitely him speaking indirectly. With so many eyes around, they should refrain from speaking carelessly.

Luthor, with his long experience, knew that fact well enough.

“Right. You’re too loud.”

When Natasha added that, the blond, mischievous-looking knight, Luthor, scratched his head and admitted it.

“R, right. Got it.”

Anyway, the empty tables in the wedding hall were gradually filling up.

Naturally, as it was a simple wedding, the number of invited guests did not exceed fifty.

The extended bloodline of the Imperial Family, those who were close to the Count.

And the wedding hall gradually became noisy.

“Their Majesties, the Emperor and the Empress are entering!”

At that shout, everyone in the hall stood up and paid their respects.

The Emperor frowned for a moment as if something was not to his liking. But he soon relaxed his expression and headed to the table at the very front of the hall.

“It’s a good day. Still, it would have been nice if it were more grand.”

“Wasn’t it the Prince’s own request? To have a simple ceremony.”

“Yes. If that’s what they want..”

The Emperor and Empress. The two soon sat down, smiling like a picture.

Then, an old man with a gentle impression greeted the two.

“Your Majesty. It’s been a while. You look even more radiant.”

A white priestly robe with gold stripes. Four red leaves were attached to his chest.

The Emperor burst into laughter, pleased.

“Cardinal Emilio. Your jokes have improved since I last saw you. I’m very grateful that you’re officiating today.”

“There’s no need for that. I am also a member of the Empire. Just call me whenever there is such an event.”

The two smiled and continued their conversation.

After a while. A nun came running and whispered something in the Cardinal’s ear.

“Your Majesty. It seems everything is ready. We will begin the ceremony.”

“Let’s do that.”

The Emperor nodded, and soon soft music began to play in the hall.

A pure white aisle was laid out in the center of the hall.

After a moment.

“Let’s begin the ceremony. Groom, enter!”

And the door slowly opened.

Caron walked up to the platform along the central aisle.

Contrasting with his jet-black hair, his white formal attire looked quite splendid.

The guests applauded politely at the groom’s steady attitude.

Then.

The most important moment arrived.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the entrance of the hall again.

“Next, the bride enters~!”

Light began to seep in through the doors of the wedding hall.

The sunlight streaming in.

The bride in a white dress was revealed.

She held the hem of her dress with one hand and held the Count’s hand with the other.

Count Anencia’s smile showed the bittersweet feeling of a father sending off his daughter.

Rosa, who had been looking around, met Caron’s gaze.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen him in a white formal suit.’

It suits him well.

‘Maybe it’s because he’s tall?’

Seeing Caron looking good in his clothes, Rosa felt strangely satisfied.

When you have a good-looking friend, you naturally feel proud.

But only for a moment.

At the pouring gazes of people, Rosa felt like hiding in a mouse hole.

“Let’s go.”

But it was already happening.

Matching the Count’s stride, she walked on the pure white aisle.

“Hmm..”

“Wow..”

Those were the reactions of the two knights who saw Rosa for the first time.

They couldn’t find words to describe how beautiful the bride looked.

The hem of her dress, which spread out in the shape of a morning glory, created a soft wave pattern as it trailed on the ground.

Two white ribbons were attached to each side of her waist.

The fabric on her small, round shoulders and slender arms was a transparent silk material.

Fair skin, delicate features. Her light pink cheeks and lips seemed to gather all the innocence of the world.

Most of the guests were speechless at the sight of the bride, who looked like a fairy.

“Ah..”

Only when Rosa, flustered, lowered her head did they come to their senses one by one.

“I’m sorry.”

She was so self-conscious. She found this situation too unfamiliar. So Rosa stopped for a moment.

“It’s okay.”

The Count smiled as if he understood her.

As they started moving again, people began to applaud one by one.

Clap clap-

Caron just stood there, unable to move, as if nailed to the spot.

It was definitely Rosa, whom he knew.

But she was so much more beautiful than he had expected.

Thump- Thump-

His heart was beating faster and faster.

His chest was pounding like a teenager, which was embarrassing even to himself.

Not knowing Caron’s state at all, Rosa, who had come up to the platform in the meantime, stood beside him with an awkward expression.

For a fleeting moment.

She looked up at him with a gaze full of welcome, but also with a hint of wonder.

“..Ah.”

Caron came to his senses then.

At the same time, this ceremony was about to truly begin.

“The groom. And the bride.”

The Cardinal with a benevolent expression spoke to the two.

“Hold each other’s hands.”

At those words, after a moment’s hesitation.

Caron held out his right hand, and Rosa held out her left hand, and they firmly clasped their hands together.

Of course, their fingers were interlaced.

By this point, Rosa felt like she was about to die of embarrassment. Her face was flushed red with embarrassment.

‘Thank goodness. We practiced in advance.’

If it hadn’t been for practice, it would have been an impossible act.

“You look good together.”

Why did the Cardinal have to be such a nice person?

He smiled warmly and then began to recite a not-so-short address.

“Marriage is not a simple ceremony. It is when a man and a woman meet..”

In summary, it was about the mindset that a married couple should have towards each other.

And.

The time for the long-awaited vows arrived.

In fact, the wedding ceremony began and ended with this time of vows. Even in a simple wedding, even if there was no officiant and only the two of them.

This time was always included.

It was such a solemn and important vow.

The Cardinal, with a serious expression, looked at Caron first.

“Now, we will have the wedding vows from both sides. First, I ask the groom.”

“Yes.”

“Do you, Cayron Winslet, take Rosa Anencia as your wife, to love each other in all circumstances, and to fulfill your duties as a true husband, do you swear?”

“Yes. I swear.”

There was not a hint of wavering in that answer.

The Cardinal smiled with satisfaction and turned his gaze to Rosa this time.

“Next. I ask our bride. Do you, Rosa Anencia, take Cayron Winslet as your husband, to build a happy home together, and to fulfill your duties as a true wife, do you swear?”

Honestly, it would be a complete lie if she said she didn’t feel a prick of conscience.

But she had no choice.

After a moment’s hesitation, Rosa answered in a clear voice.

“Yes. I swear.”

The Cardinal smiled.

“Then, now exchange the kiss of vows.”

It was something she had fully expected.

Even so, at those words, Rosa’s heart seemed to drop.

‘..Crazy.’

Caron, on the other hand, looked at her with a more composed attitude than she expected.

Two red eyes quietly gazing at her.

Rosa ended up closing her eyes from the tension.

Soon, Caron’s head lowered.

He looked at Rosa’s tightly closed eyelashes, then at her moist, light pink lips.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he lowered his head even more.

“..Ugh.”

It was hotter. Drier. More than she had expected.

Rosa inadvertently opened her mouth.

At that moment, something incredibly slid into her mouth.

And it swept over her teeth.

With an indescribable surprise, Rosa’s body stiffened.

She couldn’t grasp the situation. As she opened her eyes wide, Caron pulled her waist closer to him.

In fact, to the guests, it just looked like they were holding hands, but.

Both Caron and Rosa’s hands were tightly clenched.

“Ha-“

After a moment, their lips parted.

At that moment. Seeing Rosa’s expression as if she wanted to say something, Caron whispered lowly in her ear.

“..Well done. Rosa.”

Rosa’s face was flushed red, almost to the point of bursting.

‘..Well done my foot.’

She almost pushed Caron away. Even though she knew it was acting.

So flustered, and so confused.

Rosa thought it was all because her face and lips were burning so hot.

After their short but intense kiss was over.

“Now, then, I pronounce the two of you husband and wife!”

The hall was filled with whistles and applause.

After that, she didn’t even know how it ended.

After the ceremony, the two greeted the guests who had come to the wedding hall.

After that, a golden carriage was waiting for Rosa.

“Your Highness, the Second Princess. Please get in.”

“..Yes?”

Seeing her like that, the maids of the Imperial Palace smiled.

“The bridal chamber has been prepared in the detached palace, Etwal.”

“..Ah, I see.”

She felt like she was constantly being flustered today.

Soon, the carriage carrying her began to move.

The detached palace, Etwal, was literally located in a corner of the Imperial Palace.

“Originally, it was the palace used by His Highness the Second Prince.”

She thought so.

It was quite a secluded location. And the garden.

The garden here was very similar to the backyard of the villa in Eckshire.

“Please go in.”

The entrance to their bridal chamber was already decorated with luscious roses.

A large, white bed. It looked like four people could lie down on it.

Of course, white and transparent curtains were hung around it.

On the terrace overlooking the garden, the soft sunset was already setting.

On the luxurious round table, there were snacks such as bread and cheese, a bottle of burgundy with a bright red color, and lastly, a bowl of fruit.

And.

“We have prepared this for the two of you.”

A huge white bathtub with a gold rim. Pink flower petals floated on top.

“..We don’t really need this.”

Rosa muttered in self-deprecation.

After that, it was time for grooming.

After Rosa washed her body, the maids helped her with her makeup again and dressed her in a thin, white evening dress.

And they spread soft, fragrant oil on her back and limbs.

“Then. Have a good time.”

Soon, Rosa was left alone and had no choice but to face reality.

Yes.

Today was their wedding night.