CHAPTER 11………..
. What About the Wedding Night?
“Surely… you’re not postponing the expedition, are you?”
Even as William’s anxious eyes and trembling voice reached him, Miklok would have gladly done exactly that if he could. But it was far too late to delay the campaign now.
The Maon tribe had danced to the Haren Empire’s tune and dared to humiliate the Kingdom of Pritan. As Pritan’s king, such provocation was utterly unforgivable.
That was why he had chosen today for the expedition — it was the perfect time to strike. His choice was clear: depart swiftly, subjugate swiftly, and return like the wind!
Miklok tore his gaze away from the papers and asked William,
“When does the ceremony begin?”
“About an hour from now. So we’d best hurry. Your Highness has plenty to prepare as well.”
Miklok frowned at the stack of documents before him, but Duke Xenon quickly swept them aside with sharp awareness.
“I’ll handle the rest. You must prepare.”
“The knights?” Miklok asked, glancing back at William.
“They’re ready to march the moment the wedding ends. Don’t worry, just get through the ceremony first.”
Miklok rubbed his face with his palm.
“Can I see her now?”
“You mustn’t!”
She had already protested about the lack of time — if he barged in now and stole away her preparations, the wedding might not even happen today.
“It’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”
“What nonsense…!”
Miklok grumbled, but William ignored him and dragged him out.
As soon as he entered the bedchamber, the royal designer, maids, and attendants waiting in the spacious dressing room all rushed at the king without fear.
On any other day, such a thing would’ve been unthinkable — but today was his wedding day!
They were buzzing with excitement at the thought of how splendid he would look once their hands had worked their magic on this already handsome model.
No matter how much Miklok scowled, his will was completely ignored.
*****
After finishing a hot spring bath and receiving a fragrant oil massage, I stood before the wedding dress once worn by a former queen of Pritan.
Exhausted and dazed, my body was kneaded and fussed over by many hands, but I no longer had the strength to resist.
When told to raise my arms, I raised them. When told to turn, I turned.
Sophie and Adele slipped the simple yet elegant gown over my head.
It was a little roomy, but the back laced tightly with ribbons until it hugged my figure perfectly.
Upon closer look, the hem of the gown was encrusted with diamonds no bigger than a pinky nail — an astonishing number, as though someone had poured an entire basket of diamonds onto it.
“Your hair is so soft. The color’s so unique, too.”
Sophie marveled as she gently brushed my long locks, then skillfully pinned them up to accentuate the slender line of my neck.
Satisfied with her work, she stepped back smiling.
“Where’s Millie?” I asked.
“She went to choose the jewelry and shoes. She thought she’d know Your Majesty’s tastes best.”
Your Majesty, the Queen. …It felt strange. But soon enough, after the ceremony, it would officially be my title. I had to get used to it.
Just as my makeup was nearly finished, Millie returned with servants carrying boxes of jewels and shoes.
The moment she saw me, her eyes welled with tears. I teased her with a playful smile.
“What? Do I look strange?”
“…You look truly beautiful.”
Hastily wiping her tears, Millie opened the jewelry boxes and held up dazzling necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to my neck, ears, and wrists.
She had chosen them with the dress in mind, so every piece looked fitting. Yet, for some reason, she frowned in thought.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“When matching with the dress alone, I thought they’d all suit… but…”
“But?”
“The gown itself highlights your face and figure so well, I think flashy, heavy jewels would be too much.”
Instead, she clasped simple diamond studs to my ears and hung a necklace with a single violet stone around my neck.
“Is this… amethyst?”
“No, it’s a violet diamond. Very rare. Apparently Pritan yields many unusual diamonds.”
Millie stepped back to inspect me one last time.
“Wow, the diamond matches your eyes perfectly!!”
Sophie and Adele gasped in awe beside her.
“Flawless!!”
The reflection in the mirror looked… surprisingly convincing even to me. Yes, the unwanted daughter of a marquess no longer existed. In Pritan, I would begin a new life!
As I steeled myself in the mirror, a knock came at the door.
“Are you ready?”
I nodded, and Millie quickly handed me a bouquet of lilies.
I drew in a deep breath.
“Let’s go.”
*****
For all the frantic preparation, the ceremony itself was quick and simple.
The only guests were Chancellor Duke Mark Xenon, William, and the six knights who had traveled with my carriage.
A young priest dispatched from the Holy Empire conducted the rite cleanly, without needless frills.
I sneaked a glance at King Miklok beside me. The white formal attire clung to his body, suiting him perfectly. From the side, his jawline and nose appeared even sharper.
Sensing my gaze, his dark-blue eyes turned toward me, indifferent — and my heart nearly froze.
Wow… my husband is really handsome!
From that moment, the priest’s words became nothing but a distant hum.
This lightning-fast ceremony, the Holy priest conducting it, even King Miklok standing by my side — it all felt unreal.
But most unreal of all… was my husband’s face! He had looked striking even when covered in dust from the road, yet now, polished and radiant, his face seemed to shine.
A deep, unexplainable pride welled in me.
Mom, I’ve fulfilled your last wish. I’ve married a man with a gorgeous face. Now… I’ll be able to be happy too, right?
While I whispered that unanswerable thought in my heart, the ceremony was already nearing its end.
The young priest gazed at us solemnly and proclaimed,
“By the authority entrusted to me by the holy goddess Vestea, I, Priest Julius of the Holy Empire, declare King Miklok of Pritan and Queen Lea of Pritan to be joined in matrimony.”
The knights behind us erupted into applause and cheers.
The chancellor bowed, and William and the knights knelt to swear their fealty.
I looked up at my new husband with a gentle smile.
Miklok of Pritan… from today, you are my husband.
Suddenly, a spark lit his deep-blue eyes as his face lowered.
Chok!
Just like that day in the valley when I had stolen his lips, his touched mine lightly before pulling away.
The sudden kiss startled me, but I told myself it was just part of the wedding ritual. To fluster now would make me look terribly unsophisticated.
But then his arm pulled my waist and the nape of my neck firmly.
Unlike the fleeting kiss before, his red lips crashed down, biting and releasing my lower lip roughly.
When my lips parted in surprise, he thrust in passionately.
It was such a deep, breath-stealing kiss that my knees went weak. Thankfully, his grip on my waist kept me from collapsing disgracefully.
The priest’s awkward cough and the knights’ boisterous cheers sounded distant, almost unreal.
And just like that, I became the Queen of Pritan.
*****
Once the much-anticipated, much-debated wedding ended without incident, Millie finally let go of all her tension.
When Lea entered the bridal chamber, Millie collapsed onto the steps with a sigh of relief.
“You must be exhausted.”
Startled, she looked up at the heavy voice behind her — William was watching her with sympathy.
She leapt to her feet.
“Sir William!”
“You must be tired too. You’ve barely rested since arriving, helping prepare the wedding.”
“Her Highness the Queen worked far harder than I did.”
“Still, it was a grueling journey. I’m glad you endured it well.”
At the unexpected praise, Millie blushed and lowered her head. William studied her quietly before asking,
“Is Pritan Castle too cold for you?”
“I’ve been so busy since arriving that I haven’t even noticed the temperature. Sir Ralph did pack plenty of furs for me.”
William nodded slowly. Then, taking her hand, he placed two small heating magic stones in her palm.
Watching Miklok lavish his care solely on Lea, William had found his thoughts straying to Millie, and in the end, he had spent his own money to buy the stones.
“What are these?” Millie turned them over curiously.
“They give off heat even when set aside, but grow warmer when in contact with the body. Put one in each pocket — it’ll help against the cold.”
“That’s amazing! Should I give them to Her Highness the Queen?”
“No, not that!”
William’s sudden outburst made her flinch.
“Ahem… Her Majesty has plenty of finer things already. Those are… for you.”
“Wow, really??”
Millie lit up with childlike joy, and William couldn’t help but smile as well.
“We’ll be departing soon, so you’ll be able to rest afterwards. Just hang in there a little longer.”
“Departing? Right away?”
“Yes. Didn’t you know?”
“Then… what about the wedding night?”
At her innocent question about the king’s wedding night, William suddenly felt embarrassed.
“Well… he did summon the knights to march immediately, so… I doubt there’ll be time for that.”
