Chapter 135
From the morning, everyone in the mansion was bustling about, preparing to welcome guests. The atmosphere felt more like a festival than a wedding.
At Deftia’s villa, the newly refurbished doors stood wide open. Although the wedding was today, the most important guests had already arrived days earlier, enjoying the festive occasion.
“Elaina, you look so beautiful.”
Diane, whose slightly rounded belly was now visible beyond her dress, called out with tears in her eyes. As she said, Elaina truly was breathtaking.
“It’s not my first wedding, you know.”
“But I’m seeing it for the first time. You really are beautiful. Truly.”
Her strapless dress created a simple yet elegant silhouette. Frills adorned the chest, and loose ribbons tied around her arms added a soft touch.
But true to Mrs. Marbella’s craftsmanship, even these small details highlighted Elaina’s charm: her delicate shoulders, her long, fair neck like that of a deer, and her slender arms falling straight from her shoulders.
Beneath the thin veil, her soft pink hair cascaded freely. Her accessories were minimal, matching the simplicity of her gown—a single pearl pin in her hair and a two-strand pearl necklace.
Her bouquet consisted of large white roses. Diane, recognizing the flowers, smiled with tearful eyes.
“So this is the bouquet.”
“Oh, Mrs. Marbella is so stubborn,” Elaina laughed. Following Elaina’s request to keep the dress as light as possible, Mrs. Marbella had to remove all the ornate decorations from her original design.
The gown she had initially envisioned was so extravagant that its cost alone could have fed the people of the North for a year.
The only thing Mrs. Marbella insisted on was the bouquet. And in the end, Elaina relented.
“The meaning of the flowers is lovely. I really like it too.”
Diane smiled warmly. According to Elaina’s letter, the white rose symbolized:
“Wishing you a new beginning.”
At Diane’s playful remark, Elaina’s cheeks flushed bright red.
Mrs. Marbella had finally convinced Elaina because of the flower’s meaning.
“Honey, the ceremony is about to start. Let’s go.”
Nathan had come looking for Diane. To avoid seeing the bride, he closed his eyes and stepped into the room. The thought that he might not be the first man to see her was unbearable. Elaina, seeing Nathan’s serious demeanor, couldn’t help but laugh.
The wedding itself was cheerful.
It was a small gathering with only the closest people invited, including members of the Grant Knights. Though modest, the wedding celebrations spanned several days, filled with food, laughter, and joy.
Deftia, famous as a noble’s retreat, felt like spring despite the late winter. Trees and vines were already sprouting green, and everyone’s attire was light.
The wedding march was played outdoors on a piano by Marion. Though he hit a wrong note several times, the guests clapped each time. Everyone knew how hard Marion had practiced since arriving at the villa.
Nox performed the congratulatory song, accompanied by a choir of his friends from the academy who followed Marion’s piano. The voices of the children sounded like angels singing.
Elaina walked into the hall with Lyle’s arm linked to hers. She thought this place resembled the cookie box she had once gifted Nox—a box containing only her favorite cookies, like a gathering of all the people she loved most.
Leo, Diane, Kist and Drain, Colin, the Grant Knights—walking among them while receiving heartfelt congratulations, Elaina’s path ended at her parents, beaming happily at her.
“They really suit each other,” Duke Winchester whispered silently, giving a discreet thumbs-up. Elaina responded with a smile.
There was no formal pronouncement of marriage. Instead, Lyle and Elaina exchanged the wedding rings they had shared a year ago in front of their loved ones and sealed it with a kiss, marking the ceremony’s conclusion.
Everyone went down to the beach to enjoy the day. The villa, once bustling with noise, now felt eerily empty. Only Elaina and Lyle remained, claiming they needed to change clothes.
“Before changing, shall we take a short walk?”
The weather was perfect. Lyle silently joined her side. Already feeling hot, he had tossed his jacket aside and loosened his tie and shirt.
“You think Nox liked it, right?”
“Yes.”
“I kept my promise to go to Deftia’s villa with you.”
Elaina smiled proudly at him, and Lyle nodded with a grin.
“Now that I think about it, it’s a shame there wasn’t a formal declaration of marriage.”
“Should we have called a priest?”
“No, it’s not really necessary.”
As they strolled slowly around the villa, they reached the stairs. Descending, Elaina tugged gently at the end of Lyle’s tie. Like a tamed beast on a leash, he leaned slowly toward her.
So close that she could hear his breathing, Lyle stopped just an inch from her. He smelled of dry winter wood—cool yet warm at the same time.
“Remember? What happened at the ball before coming down here? I just thought it would be better to say it properly in front of everyone.”
Lyle frowned, clearly confused by what she meant. Elaina, frustrated, gave him a small glare.
“Gabi Bearcraft. That woman clung to you.”
“Who’s that?”
“The red-haired one with the amazing figure. Don’t you remember?”
“Don’t remember. Was there someone like that?”
“You remember she asked you to dance, right?”
Even thinking about it now, Elaina’s lips pouted in annoyance.
“Lots of women asked me to dance that day, not just her.”
“Exactly! That’s the problem! Why are they all after someone else’s husband?”
Elaina fumed as she recalled that day. Since they hadn’t officially registered their marriage, rumors seemed to have spread oddly among people. Apparently, several women had thought they might have a chance with Lyle, and it made her blood boil.
“Next time, I’ll make it clear.”
“What will you say?”
“This villain is mine now.”
At the word villain, Lyle chuckled. It had been a long time since he had heard her say that.
He kissed her softly, a brush of lips like a bird pecking, leaving a smile lingering.
“Make sure you say it that way. Otherwise, I’ll have to go around saying it myself.”
“What did you say?”
“This villain is yours now.”
They laughed together.
“There’s really no one around, right?”
“Right.”
“Not even Kist?”
“Drain isn’t nearby, so neither is he.”
Elaina still didn’t quite believe him, glancing around mischievously like a child about to play a prank. Lyle waited silently.
After confirming the coast was clear, Elaina whispered into his ear:
“That was a bit lacking. How about we make it more… complete?”
As she tapped her lips playfully, Lyle lifted her into his arms and carried her to a secluded shadow. Elaina laughed joyfully, wrapped in his embrace.
“Sarah.”
“Yes, sir?”
Later that evening, after the guests had departed, Sarah offered warm milk to Nox, who seemed restless while tidying the dining room.
“Is it true that if we don’t go upstairs today, my nephew will be born?”
Sarah paused mid-motion, surprised at Nox’s question.
“Who would say such a thing?”
“Colin.”
What a crazy man, Sarah muttered to herself. He never holds back, even with children.
“Sarah, is it true?”
Sometimes acting so mature and adult-like, yet still a child in other moments, Sarah looked at Nox fondly and nodded.
“It could happen… or maybe not. But if you don’t go upstairs, the chances might increase a bit.”
Nox’s face lit up. Deftia’s villa held special significance for him, a place where his elder brother had spent time with their grandfather when he was the same age.
“Do you want a nephew to be born, sir?”
“Of course! He’ll be the cutest in the world.”
“I think so too. Shall we pray then?”
“Pray?”
“Yes. That today, you’ll be blessed with a nephew.”
Nox, hands clasped, eyes shut, paused mid-sip, milk smudging his lips. Beside him, Sarah closed her eyes as well.
Through the large window behind them, a shooting star streaked across the sky.
