33-
5. We Got Married.
“Your Grace. The young lady has finished getting ready.”
“…Understood.”
In a waiting room off to the side of the imperial cathedral, Edwin, dressed neatly in a black suit, rose from his seat at Alfred’s words. He looked tenser than usual, taking a deep breath before leaving the room.
It was just before the wedding ceremony began. The hallway was filled with palace servants bustling about, and noble guests were beginning to enter the main hall.
As Edwin passed through the crowded hall, he watched the guests chatting merrily, feeling an odd sense of detachment. Everyone was sincerely congratulating Tiana and Lucious on their marriage, remarking how even the weather was perfect for such a day.
“…It really is a beautiful day.”
The sky was unusually blue and high, dazzling in its beauty. The pouring sunlight made the decorations in the hall sparkle even more. Birds chirped more sweetly than usual, as if celebrating the wedding.
Upon reaching the room serving as the bridal waiting room, Edwin wiped his sweaty palms once before knocking. Hesitating a bit, he noticed Alfred watching him quietly from behind and forced himself to calm his swelling emotions as he tapped the door.
A voice responded from inside, and the door opened slowly. Alexandra stood there, smiling as she saw Edwin, and stepped aside to let him in.
Behind her, Tiana was waiting, fully dressed. Edwin was stunned at the sight of her in a dazzling silver wedding gown, rendered speechless by her beauty.
“……”
“…Father.”
Tiana, wearing a delicate silk veil, approached him carefully. As Edwin silently looked at her, she blushed shyly and smiled.
Sensing the emotional atmosphere, Alexandra quietly left the room, closing the door behind her with a satisfied smile.
The completed dress truly suited Tiana. Grateful that Tiana wore her gown so perfectly, Alexandra walked away with a light step.
Now alone in the room, both Tiana and Edwin didn’t know what to say. An awkward silence fell between them. Edwin couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Perhaps it was the color of the dress, but today her silver-gray eyes seemed deeper than usual. As he gazed into her clear, shimmering eyes, a wave of affection washed over his face.
How could she look so much like her mother? It was as if he were looking at his late wife. Struggling to hold back tears, Edwin finally opened his mouth.
“…You look truly beautiful. Your mother… would be proud.”
“Father…”
If only she were alive to share this moment—to see their daughter grow so lovely and find a wonderful partner.
Though his heart ached with sorrow, he couldn’t shed tears on such a joyous day. Edwin bit his lip, holding back the overflowing emotion.
Tiana noticed the red tint under his eyes as he turned his head slightly. Smiling gently, she reached out and took his hand.
“I know the time we’ve spent together has been short, but… I’ve always wanted to say this.”
“…”
“Thank you for raising me. And… I love you, Father.”
“…Tiana…”
Words he had longed to hear but had never heard before, words he had wanted to say but never could, echoed in his ears. Her gaze, full of deep affection, made tears finally fall from his eyes.
Tiana, seeing her father cry for the first time, was briefly surprised but soon embraced him gently. Wrapped in his broad, warm arms, she let go of her nervousness and whispered,
“I’ll visit often. And you must come see me too, okay? Just because I’m married doesn’t mean I stop being your daughter. I’ll always be your one and only daughter.”
“…Yes.”
“I’ll live happily. I’ll make sure His Highness and I are happy so you won’t have to worry. So you be happy too, Father.”
It hadn’t been difficult to accept him as her father, but there had always been some lingering awkwardness. But now, she had come to understand him.
A blunt, awkward man who struggled to express love, yet always tried to close the distance between them. Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Tiana no longer found him unfamiliar.
He was her rock, her family—someone who would always be on her side. Accepting that, the tight knot in her chest seemed to dissolve.
Knock knock—
“Your Grace, my lady. The ceremony is about to begin.”
At Alfred’s voice from outside, Tiana stepped back from Edwin and said with slightly reddened eyes,
“Let’s go, Father.”
“…Yes.”
Hand in hand, the two left the waiting room and headed toward the ceremonial hall, accompanied by Alfred.
At the entrance stood Lucious. Edwin handed Tiana’s hand over to him and entered the hall alone.
Lucious gently smiled at Tiana, who couldn’t take her eyes off Edwin’s retreating figure. She smiled back, radiant.
Soon, beautiful music filled the hall, signaling the start of the ceremony.
“Bride and groom, enter.”
At the High Priest’s words, the two at the entrance stepped into the hall. The gathered nobles applauded warmly as they took in the stunning couple.
Their golden and silver attire was elegant and radiant, making them stand out more than anyone else. Alexandra, proud to see how well they matched, clapped enthusiastically.
Before they knew it, the couple had reached the platform, standing across from each other at the priest’s gesture.
In the front row, Edwin, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and Marquis Calvino watched them intently.
The chandelier’s bright light shone down on the couple. The High Priest, after observing them quietly, began to speak.
“It is an honor to officiate today’s wedding between these two.”
He bowed slightly and then addressed the audience.
“These two who have lived separate lives now begin to walk one path. May you all bear witness and pray that they may build a happy life together.”
At his gentle signal, attending priests brought forward the vow scroll and the ring box.
Looking at Tiana and Lucious, the High Priest read the vows solemnly.
“Lucious Eyarl Roderick, do you swear to take Lady Tiana Quinn Celeste as your wife and to live a happy life together forever?”
“Yes, I swear.”
“Lady Tiana Quinn Celeste, do you swear to take Grand Duke Lucious Eyarl Roderick as your husband and to live a happy life together forever?”
“Yes, I swear.”
“We have confirmed your names as written in the vow scroll. I, as the High Priest, along with all the witnesses present, affirm your union. Please exchange rings and seal your vows with a kiss.”
Lucious took out a large, glittering diamond ring and gently slid it onto Tiana’s finger.
Tiana did the same for Lucious. Now the same ring adorned the fourth finger of each of their left hands.
Lucious, looking into her eyes, slowly lifted her veil with trembling hands.
Tiana smiled softly. Meeting her gaze, he smiled and slowly leaned in, pressing his lips gently against hers.
As if watching a beautiful painting, the priest looked on with satisfaction and proclaimed,
“From this moment forward, you are husband and wife. May the light of the gods bless your journey ahead.”
Cheers—!
With the declaration, the guests stood and erupted in cheers and applause, blessing the couple.
Edwin gazed at the smiling pair with deep affection.
Holding the teary-eyed Rose in his arms, Rayel smiled as if he might dash to them any moment. The displeased Marquis Calvino even allowed a small smile to creep onto his face.
The Empress Dowager never took her eyes off Lucious and Tiana.
Thus ended the grand wedding of Grand Duke Roderick and Lady Celeste, which had stirred the entire Empire.
“…Phew…”
I soaked my tired body in warm water and leaned back against the tub, finally relaxing.
After rushing through the reception at the imperial palace, I barely made it to the Grand Duke’s residence by nightfall. Slowly, I retraced the day’s events.
“A grand ceremony, followed by an even grander banquet…”
The reception had been just as enjoyable as the ceremony. I hadn’t expected Rayel to watch from the front row, but as Lucious’s brother and the Emperor, who could stop him?
So many nobles had attended that I couldn’t remember everyone, but I did get to meet the Empress Dowager, whom I’d been curious about.
I was surprised she came to the reception too, but when we spoke briefly, she seemed like a kind person.
There hadn’t been anything troubling about her. Although she didn’t stay until the end due to her frail health, she promised to meet again soon.
“Her appearance aside, her smiling face was surprisingly girlish.”
I recalled her bright smile when I nodded at her request to visit her palace someday.
“Ah… So warm…”
Sinking into the hot water, my body relaxed, and sleepiness began to creep in. No wonder—I had spent the whole day in a whirlwind of activity.
But as I sensed the unfamiliar atmosphere of this bathroom, my awareness sharpened.
At long last, I had entered the Grand Duke’s estate. I was now its mistress.
And tonight, the wedding night with Lucious would take place.
The “first night”—a traditional step after a wedding. I had dismissed the maids on purpose and remained alone in the bath, surprisingly calm at the thought.
“Lucious and I are husband and wife now. The first step in that relationship is the wedding night. That’s what truly makes a marriage real.”
Having held a formal ceremony, it only made sense. Intimacy was an essential part of married life.
Still, it wasn’t as though I wasn’t nervous. I had never even properly dated, let alone spent the night with a man.
Lucious had been my first kiss—and the first to hold my hand.
“Though technically I initiated the kiss… still, Lucious was the one who actually kissed me.”
I squirmed slightly, recalling the long, deep kiss from last night.
I had kissed him impulsively, but he had eventually taken over. Ugh. I had to make sure that didn’t happen again tonight.
I lifted my hands from the water and pressed them over my pounding heart. A pleasant tension made my body tingle. I was eager to see Lucious.
He must be washing up too. I slowly rose from the tub, bracing myself on one arm. I was about to call for the maids when something in my line of sight made me pause.
Three light pink bottles stood in a row—shampoo and body products, but different from what I had seen before in the manor.
“…No way…”
The scent I noticed earlier felt familiar… Had they actually changed to the ones I liked?
…They really did. That meant we’d both smell the same tonight. My cheeks flushed at the thought. I quickly looked in the mirror and saw my face was red, prompting me to hastily call the maids.
It was embarrassing to be seen like this, but I wanted to get out of the bath quickly, so I ignored their curious looks and rushed through the final steps.
After drying off, I put on a sheer silk slip and tied a robe over it. One of the maids checked several times to ensure the ribbon at the front would easily come undone.
Well, it was the first night between the master and mistress of the house, so of course the servants would take this seriously. The maid, satisfied with her work, nodded to the head maid.
Once everything was ready, the head maid placed a soft-scented incense in the bedroom and left with the others, closing the door behind them.
Alone in the room, I approached the large bed in the center.
It was so wide, you could roll around and never fall off. As I smoothed the fluffy blanket, I heard footsteps—then the door creaked open.
