Super Side Story 04……………………………………..
It had been some time since Lahan had decided that they should hold a proper wedding.
The early summer wheat fields. The Ahen domain was arguably the empire’s breadbasket, and with harvest season in full swing, the golden fields were breathtaking.
Looking over the fields, Lahan recalled the first time he had met Eris.
The cliff by the sea, and the wheat swaying beautifully atop it.
Although he had grumbled when the Grand Duke ordered the abduction marriage, he now felt grateful that he had gone there. Without meeting Eris, his life would surely have been a complete mess.
And at that moment, Lahan realized something else: he had never had a proper wedding with Eris.
It made sense, in retrospect. Eris had been abducted by Lahan just before her marriage to Philord Ahen.
And he had insisted that their first night together made them married.
Even after that, circumstances made holding a wedding complicated, and eventually, they parted ways before reuniting.
After reuniting, the thought of a wedding had never crossed his mind—or rather, it hadn’t occurred to him at all.
Eris soon became pregnant. Wilbert was born, they handled all the accumulated tasks… it had been a happy time, but there remained a sense of longing.
Lahan wanted to make Eris the star of the most beautiful wedding in the world.
“They say a wedding is the biggest event in a person’s life.”
“Well, some people do say that,” Eris tilted her head.
“But I don’t mind. I never really thought I wanted a wedding…”
“What if I were there?”
Eris blinked. Lahan smiled shyly.
“I want to show the world that you’re my wife.”
Indeed, Eris, who had once planned to become a priest, had no particular desire for a wedding.
Lahan had been indifferent as well—until he met Eris.
Now, he wanted to declare before everyone that she was his wife. Of course, everyone already knew that.
But still, he wanted to stand beside her, to show just how lovely she was and how much they loved each other.
Even if it sounded like the ramblings of a lovestruck teenage boy.
“I’ve always felt a little guilty.”
He lifted Eris’s left hand.
“I never gave you a proper ring.”
They did have rings on their fingers—rings passed down through the Ahen family, received along with the dukedom.
Eris had gladly shared them with him, but Lahan had always felt a burdened sense of regret.
“When we were apart, I kept thinking that at least I should have given you a proper ring.”
“Oh, you…”
From Eris’s perspective, it seemed almost trivial. What did a ring matter? Their love for each other was the most important thing, and they had proven that over the years.
Yet, she also understood Lahan’s feelings. He had always been anxious about not being able to do enough for her.
From feeding her to arranging her bed, he had always taken care of everything himself.
So Eris happily accepted Lahan’s proposal to give her a beautiful wedding and a proper ring.
“Alright. If you want it, I’ll be happy.”
Although it felt a little embarrassing to have a wedding after already having a child, Eris wanted to proudly show that Lahan loved her.
Her joyful acceptance made Lahan smile. His red eyes glimmered like jewels.
“I already got His Majesty the Emperor’s approval.”
“Oh my, that would’ve been a disaster if you hadn’t!”
Eris laughed. After all, a wedding for someone like the Duke of Ahen would be a grand affair.
Many guests would need to be invited, the celebration lavish, and even the Emperor would likely bring gifts.
The Emperor had offered to personally give a ring, but Lahan had politely declined.
“Do you have a plan?”
“Well, I guess it should be at Ahen Castle, right?”
Ahen Castle was beautiful, luxurious, and large—there was no reason not to hold it there. Lahan wanted to invite as many people as possible, with fine cuisine and expensive wine.
He had the means to do so; after all, this was the perfect opportunity to spend the gold he’d earned during campaigns.
But Eris’s suggestion differed slightly.
“What about Arnsberg?”
“Arnsberg?” Lahan blinked. Eris giggled.
“We’ll get married again in front of the Windrock Monastery—the place where you abducted me. Once more.”
“But that place is small and remote. You can’t invite many people…”
Lahan worried.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten Windrock Monastery. It was where they first met, and where he had thought of holding a second wedding because of the wheat fields.
Still, he dismissed the idea quickly. He felt that he had already caused Eris enough trouble there.
“I want good food and a grand celebration. Arnsberg is remote; isn’t it too far for the Duke of Ahen to have a proper wedding?”
Locals in Arnsberg might protest, but Lahan was the lord of that domain.
He genuinely only worried for Eris’s sake. She just smiled softly.
“I already have the best things.”
Indeed. Eris already had the most wonderful man in the world. There was no need for a grand, showy wedding. She just wanted it to be at the place where they first met.
“You know, I remember the first time you made me flushed.”
She touched the top of her chest. Lahan’s face reddened.
“You remember that?”
“You did it.”
A perfect answer.
Eris continued, smiling.
“I fell in love with you at first sight. I thought, no matter what we go through, I’ll be fine with you.”
Lahan felt the same. The sight of her reminded him of that spring.
Unable to contain his overwhelming feelings for his beloved wife, he kissed her. Their lips entwined again, breaths mingling. Eris giggled between kisses.
“I remember asking you to pinch me back then. How funny that seems now.”
“You know what?” Lahan chuckled, confessing his thoughts from that time.
“When I saw you, I had a rude thought I’d never had in my life.”
“Oh my, what was it?”
“Want to know?”
Their playful touches deepened, the lingering excitement rekindled instantly.
Eventually, Lahan carried Eris from the water into the inner chamber. On the bed, Eris leaned down to receive him. Her large chest pressed into the bedding, her slender waist arched upward.
Some might frown at a duke and duchess acting so passionately, but Lahan didn’t care.
He thought to himself, feeling grateful that he had met her.
As the sun set in the west and rose again, the couple held each other, reaffirming their love.
That night, Eris dreamed.
Arnsberg
The Windrock Monastery stood tall above golden wheat fields, and she was standing once more atop the bell tower in a bride’s attire.
The wind blew fiercely, salty air filling her senses—it felt startlingly real.
Yet, for some reason, Eris was not afraid.
She already knew who would come for her.
She looked to her side. Normally, the anxious priest Marid should have been there.
But standing beside her was the person she had longed for all along: Priest Wilbert.
He spoke:
“Eris. No matter what happens, God loves you.”
Eris smiled.
“Of course. I believe that too, Priest Wilbert.”
Laughter, tears, and love—they would all come to her, and she would be truly happy.
So she opened her eyes without hesitation.
In the luxurious inner chamber of Ahen Castle, sunlight illuminated the sleeping couple on the bed.
Eris turned slightly, her husband holding her tightly. His strong arms were warm and reassuring.
She smiled softly and finally spoke the words she had kept to herself all this time:
“Don’t worry, Father. I am truly happy.”
Their wedding took place that autumn in Arnsberg. In the wheat fields, the Duke and Duchess wore rings set with red and green gemstones, reflecting each other.
The story of their second daughter, born later with eyes like spring, is for another time.
completed
