Chapter 68
#7. Wedding Gift
“…Did it really have to be like this?”
“What did I do?”
“Stop saying ‘What did I do.’”
Adel glared at the count who was holding her hand, standing with her at the ceremony.
If the engagement ceremony had been lavish, the wedding was grandiose. The marble pillars, modeled after the main cathedral, were draped in white cloth embroidered with jewels, and the empty spaces between were filled with flowers and intertwined trees—so much so that it reminded one of San Fidelio itself.
“If we had a bit more time, we could have built something of the same scale. Three days is all we had, so this is the best we could manage.”
“…Who said you needed to do your best?”
Adel laughed bitterly. The one person in the world who didn’t need anyone’s “best effort” was her father.
Unlike herself, her father surely had ruled a top-tier conglomerate in both his previous and the one before that life.
“How can spending money feel so… natural?”
Watching the endangered birds flying above her head, Adel clicked her tongue.
He’d already built a wall of grandeur that was impossible to surpass—now would he be satisfied only after building a temple?
“Why didn’t you make a commemorative coin or something?”
“…Do you want to see it?”
Adel stiffened, and the count laughed heartily.
There were many eyes watching them, so bickering wasn’t exactly appropriate.
Even if not for that, it couldn’t have been entirely pleasant to finally hand over his cherished first daughter.
“Cheer up, Adel. You still need to do at least this much…”
“I know. So people will be too overwhelmed to even speak…”
“No, it’s so that the matron won’t feel awkward.”
“….”
“If it’s somewhat similar to the place you’re used to, she won’t be upset even if there aren’t many guests.”
Let’s go.
The count led Adel forward, stepping carefully on the silk-covered floor.
Adel, still dazed by her father’s display, followed as if drawn forward.
“…Father.”
Is this how everyone feels at a moment like this?
Her nose tingled.
We’re not here to adopt a child.
She swallowed the words she wanted to say.
Even if her father had some hidden motive, as long as Killian truly felt this way, she couldn’t ask for more.
“…Adel.”
Killian, standing a little distance away, called her name, and Adel swallowed hard.
He looked different from when she had seen him inside the mansion. She tried not to waver, but seeing the tall, striking Killian made her chest ache.
And the feeling was mutual.
“….”
Half-turned, he extended his hand, uncharacteristically twitching his brow.
Even as he clearly saw her approaching, his fingers moved involuntarily, as if impatient.
To an outsider, it might look sweet—but to a wealthy, bored father watching, it was the perfect opportunity for mischief.
“No. Don’t think about doing anything.”
“…Adel.”
“I’m leaving. Goodbye for now, see you later.”
Adel spoke firmly to her father, whose expression hinted at annoyance.
Before the shocked count could react, she quickly took Killian’s hand, and he drew her beside him as if he had been waiting.
If this could be called compatibility, they were a perfect match.
“Wow, look at the count. I’ve never seen him look so upset.”
“He’s never lost anything before… But look at how well they fit together.”
The guests continued to shower the pair with praise.
Most had attended the engagement as well, so they knew how to behave, but the two truly were a flawless couple.
“If only it were real…”
Adel looked up at him slightly, a twinge of longing in her heart.
When would she ever get used to such breathtaking beauty?
No, more pressing was her own growing attachment to this marriage.
Even knowing it wasn’t real, feeling disappointed, heart sinking, and anticipating every moment with him made her anxious.
“…Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
Killian, unusually attuned to her emotions, stroked her hand gently with his thumb. Behind him, the clinking of chains suggested Caden had once again strapped on the restraints.
“Ugh.”
A sigh escaped Adel, mixing with Killian’s laughter.
Looking up, her eyes met his bright blue gaze.
‘Please don’t do that.’
Her nerves were already frayed; his sudden laughter only made her more flustered.
Even if she complained internally, Killian wouldn’t act according to her wishes.
“The Archbishop has already granted the marriage consent, so no further formalities are required.”
“Ah…”
Meanwhile, the southern judge at the officiant’s seat checked the documents, confirmed the archbishop’s seal, and made the sign of the cross with reverence.
Everyone present followed suit. It was a peculiar, gossip-worthy ceremony.
‘So that’s the answer.’
The knight commander of San Fidelio and the daughter of the South’s wealthiest family.
But looking closer, the situation was complicated.
The man’s family was modest and unknown, with virtually no guests.
The woman was the heiress of a family controlling the South’s finances but pursued a secular path opposed to the cathedral’s doctrine.
Viewed positively, it was a union of wealth and prestige; negatively, a strategic alliance.
Most attendees thought of it as the latter, as was clear from their expressions.
Feeling unsettled, Adel lowered her gaze, and Killian subtly bowed his head.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing. It’s just…”
“Well, exchange your gifts.”
The judge observing them prompted the final procedure.
Adel didn’t know, but her father had warned the judge earlier that the boy was far too young to stand in the sun for long.
“Here are the gifts.”
Following the count’s signal, a butler brought out the ring box. The guests leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
For them, the value of the gift symbolized the depth of love. This was the most exciting moment.
“Shall we see it? Surely the count prepared something exquisite.”
“Considering the groom’s side, naturally. Apparently, everything is prepared by the bride’s side.”
“The knight commander of San Fidelio… The count’s family must have expected this. It would be shameful if Lady Sergio received no proper gift.”
Amid the chatter, a few voices rose. Likely those who hadn’t been invited to the engagement—people obsessed with appearances.
‘They can hear everything.’
This wasn’t an engagement; Adel couldn’t lose her temper at a wedding. Doing so would only put Killian in an awkward position.
“Then Killian, please place the ring first…”
“Wait a moment.”
“Huh?”
The judge, eager to proceed, tilted his head in confusion.
Why is he doing this?
Adel also looked up, wondering if it was a matter of pride.
Whispering, she pointed to the ring her father had prepared.
“I’m fine. Whoever gives it doesn’t matter. I like this one enough…”
“Isn’t this different from the sun you wished for?”
“Eh? What…?”
Thinking over Killian’s words, she let out a small “Ah.”
It was meant as a joke—but his face was deadly serious.
She knew from experience what usually happened when Killian looked like this.
Raising her brows, she couldn’t hide her tension.
“If… that means you can’t marry me…”
“What nonsense.”
He cut her off firmly. Relief, yet confusion, washed over Adel.
They couldn’t delay the ceremony forever with so many guests.
“Commander, let’s finish the ceremony first. We can discuss that later…”
“L-look over there! There!”
Someone in the seats shouted, turning around.
More guests followed suit, turning to see what caused the commotion.
The count in the front row eventually turned as well.
“…Hng.”
Adel, at the center, covered her mouth as she watched the arrivals.
The guests weren’t being rude; they were shocked by the sight.
“Seems we’re a bit late.”
“…Ah…”
A calm voice walked along the silk path. Adel gasped, and Killian gently supported her back.
A woman, who had maintained a cold, distant expression while glancing at Adel, lifted her white veil.
“I am Rebecca, the seventh priestess of great San Fidelio and faithful servant of the gods. By the command of the Archbishop and the chief priestess, I am here to deliver a wedding gift honoring the knight commander who protects San Fidelio with the courage of the Sun God.”
How should one even describe this?
Even Adel, who prided herself on witnessing all the wonders of the world, had never seen anything like this.
Priests and priestesses of San Fidelio in white robes, flanked by the knights led by Michael and Renald, escorted them.
It was like a scene from a movie.
Everyone was stunned as they marched into the grand hall the count had built.
The women knelt, lowering their heads before the high priestesses holding glowing lights with divine power.
“Please, bless us.”
How often would one witness such a sight in a lifetime?
Not freely, and certainly not without the Archbishop’s command.
This was perhaps the first and last chance to see so many of them up close.
“Oooh.”
The devout cried as if witnessing the return of a deity.
Some pinched themselves to confirm reality; others collapsed to the floor.
Yet the one who most wished to sit but couldn’t was Adel herself.
“…Priestess Rebecca.”
“Agnes.”
It felt like yesterday when even being called by name made her flinch.
Unlike in the cathedral, Rebecca, in full priestess attire, looked truly like a priestess for the first time.
From the sacred veil to the silk shoes, she radiated who she was.
“I am Rebecca, priestess of salvation. I did not expect to see you again.”
Yet her gaze, piercing toward Adel, remained sharp.
Rather than annoyance, Adel felt a strange sense of gladness and finally smiled.
“My, what brings you here?”
“…I wonder the same about you, Agnes.”
Rebecca scanned Killian coldly. Adel could tell he hadn’t come here voluntarily.
“You can imagine my surprise upon hearing of your marriage.”
“Priestess Rebecca.”
At that moment…
“…Commander.”
Killian stepped between the women. His firm demand forced Rebecca to retreat.
As the Archbishop’s representative, fulfilling her duty was paramount.
“Please, accept this. It is bestowed by the Archbishop and chief priestess.”
“…Huh?”
Rebecca presented the antique ring box. Adel hesitated, and Killian stepped forward.
He skillfully rotated the sun emblem engraved on the box, as if he’d seen it before.
The box clicked open, and light spilled in every direction.
“C-Commander, what…?”
“You asked for a piece of the sun, didn’t you?”
“….”
“Your hand.”
Amid the brilliant light, Killian focused only on Adel’s stunned face.
Guiding her hand, he placed the ring on her finger, eyes fixed solely on hers.
“Do you like it?”
“…Ah.”
This wasn’t just about liking it.
Adel’s lips parted in disbelief.
A warm sensation spread as the Archbishop blessed her ring finger.
The ring was indescribable in shape or size.
A literal fragment of the sun.
Even Caden, watching, laughed nervously, only to be scolded by the count and sent away.
“Really….”
“It is a fragment of the sun that illuminated the night during the founding of San Fidelio. It has saved countless lives and will save more in the future.”
Why you’re getting it is another question entirely.
Adel’s heart raced, overwhelmed by the ring. Rebecca explained further.
Still speechless, Killian leaned toward her.
“Is something wrong? I only prepared it because you wanted the sun. If you don’t like it…”
“No! I love it!”
Absolutely!
Looking up from the ring, Adel froze at Killian’s eyes, clear as glass, mere inches from her own.
She had asked for the sun and he brought it—so casually.
“I’m glad you like it.”
He kissed the back of her hand.
With the gift exchanged, only one thing remained: if his lips moved just a little higher…
“…Adel.”
Without waiting for the judge, he moved according to his heart.
When Killian found her lips and kissed her, the mesmerized crowd erupted in applause.
A controlled yet passionate kiss, possible only from Killian.
The knights sighed enviously.
Rebecca, standing directly in front of the bride and groom, could barely watch and pulled her veil down—but no one cared.
They were a couple.
Whether real or not, there was nothing to hide.
Only children, with no knowledge of marital bonds, might be shocked.
“N-no way.”
The children from the academy, supposed to sing, panicked, and Nero clenched his fists.
“…Why is a servant kissing the commander!?”
