### Episode 5
Amidst all the chaos, the wedding preparations moved forward swiftly, like beans roasting on lightning fire.
Because of this rush, Arion even forgot her deep anger toward the Temple for a few days.
The maids massaged her whole body carefully, rubbing in the finest oils and perfumes.
They joked, “Your body is nothing but bones, with stiff spots here and there. Did you work on a farm or something?”
Well, she actually had farmed…
The words almost slipped from Arion’s lips, but she stopped herself.
A court etiquette tutor came regularly to teach her about palace manners and wedding procedures.
Praying all day, working, farming, then suddenly living like a doll in the palace made Arion restless at first.
But people adapt quickly. After a few days, she was already starting to get used to it.
The wedding was right at hand, yet the title “Empress” still didn’t feel real to her.
For now, everything in the palace was just new and surprising.
At the same time, she reminded herself not to get carried away.
The Emperor must have had some hidden purpose for proposing marriage.
And once that purpose was fulfilled, he might discard her.
So Arion decided she would simply wear the title of Empress for a short while, like a borrowed dress.
“Lady Louise, it’s time to go.”
A pumpkin-shaped carriage, decorated with gold and diamonds, waited for the new bride.
“I wasn’t personally in charge, but when the former Empress was still alive, I also served in the palace…”
Doris spoke with teary eyes.
“Though I’ve only seen Lady Louise briefly, she is beautiful, intelligent, kind, and noble. To welcome such a wonderful Empress is a blessing. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an Empress, and the people will be truly happy.”
Arion had feared that the maids might look down on her for not knowing royal etiquette. Hearing Doris speak such kind words touched her deeply.
Arion held Doris’s hand tightly, then opened the carriage door.
Inside, Emperor Cyrus was already sitting with a bright smile.
“Was he always this handsome?” Arion thought.
She recalled hearing that Cyrus was considered one of the most handsome men in the Empire.
Still, she had expected the carriage to be empty, so she couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Oh… I thought you’d be happy.”
It was meant to be a small surprise, but when he saw her startled face, Cyrus looked a little disappointed.
Outside, seeing the striking pair, Joy let out a small squeal of delight without realizing it.
Arion blushed at the sound, forced a smile, and quickly shut the door to start the carriage.
The interior was far larger than a normal carriage, with a stand for drinks as well.
Yet sitting face-to-face in such a confined space felt far more awkward than in the palace.
Cyrus, too, was deep in thought on this wedding day.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently. The horses had been startled by a low-flying bird.
The problem was, the carriage tilted slightly to the side. Normally it wouldn’t matter, but Arion’s wedding dress was an issue.
She was wearing a tight corset, with the gown pinned securely in place. If she shifted even a little, she could have been badly hurt.
Cyrus immediately leaned forward, grabbing her shoulders to steady her.
Thanks to him, Arion didn’t topple with the carriage.
But because of the narrow space, it ended up looking like Cyrus was kneeling in front of her.
Their faces were suddenly so close that if either leaned just a bit more, their lips would meet.
Embarrassed, Arion gestured for him to stand up quickly. After all, an Emperor must never kneel.
Cyrus reluctantly released her and returned to his seat.
After that brief commotion, the carriage soon arrived at the grand banquet hall of the main palace, where the wedding would be held.
“Greetings, future Empress. I am Grand Duke Ian, His Majesty’s secretary.”
Arion glanced at his hair and thought, *He must be so stressed from working under Cyrus.*
“Hm? But this is not Lady Louise…”
Grand Duke Ian looked at Arion in shock.
“Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this…?”
Though he asked calmly, his voice carried the weight of betrayal. But Cyrus treated him as if he were invisible and spoke bluntly:
“We’ll make our entrance together.”
Unable to defy the Emperor, Grand Duke Ian ordered the guards to open the doors.
Beyond them stretched a long carpet lined with red roses. Elegant and exotic floral arrangements, including golden lilies of the valley, were set among colorful jewels.
Though there weren’t many outside guests, reporters, courtiers, and high-ranking nobles filled the hall.
All had been carefully chosen by Cyrus himself.
About thirty people turned their eyes at once toward the newly arrived imperial couple.
Cyrus looked completely at ease, but for Arion, all the attention was overwhelming.
Leaning close, Cyrus whispered to her, “We’ll have a proper wedding later. Don’t feel too disappointed.”
But his words only shocked her. *Another wedding?*
Still, she forced a bright smile at the Emperor.
So much for a “simple” wedding—the hall looked magnificently grand to Arion’s eyes.
With Cyrus escorting her, she walked slowly down the carpet.
*Even if it’s simple, Arion fills everything completely,* thought Cyrus as he held her arm.
Most of the guests, like Grand Duke Ian, were stunned inside, yet outwardly they put on radiant smiles and clapped with enthusiasm.
At the altar, the officiant greeted them warmly.
It was Kalin Az, Head of the Magic Academy—a rival of the High Priest.
Cyrus had chosen him deliberately.
But even Kalin hadn’t expected today’s bride to be Saintess Arion. He looked at Cyrus in shock, then managed to whisper through ventriloquism, a skill he excelled at.
“Emperor Cyrus, do you know Arion is a Saintess?”
“Yes, I know.”
“Not just a Saintess—she is the first God-chosen Saintess in five hundred years. Do you realize that?”
Cyrus hadn’t known that much.
“Lady Arion, I don’t know why you’re doing this. I too oppose the current priestly order, but still, for a Saintess to…”
Kalin suddenly stopped. Cyrus had shot him a murderous glare, silently ordering him to proceed.
“I’ll be the first to try,” Arion said suddenly.
The words came out of her without thinking, born from a strange, unshakable confidence.
Both Kalin and Cyrus were surprised.
Seeing she was resolute, Kalin sighed and continued the vows.
“In the name of the sacred God, do you, Cyrus Brickton and… no, Arion Kael, vow to become each other’s partner?”
“Yes, we swear.”
Their voices rang out at the exact same moment, perfectly in sync.
Kalin clicked his tongue softly, then proceeded solemnly.
A servant brought two champagne glasses. Kalin added a drop of the Vow Potion into each.
Arion and Cyrus exchanged glasses and drank.
“From this moment, Arion Kael and Cyrus Brickton are bound in marriage. By this union, Arion Kael becomes Empress of the Brickton Empire. In God’s name, this is affirmed.”
Kalin struck the desk three times with a staff made of magic stone.
It was the historic moment when Arion became both the wife of Emperor Cyrus and the Empress of the Empire.
