Chapter 135
“Have you come?”
Feeling shy, I brushed my hair back.
Etias didn’t take his eyes off me for a long time.
It reminded me of that moment at the ball, when I appeared looking different than usual, and he silently asked me to dance.
Only this time, his expression was even more serious.
“I can’t believe it.”
He raised his hand to his forehead and stayed silent.
‘…Did something go wrong?’
The silence stretched on, making me uneasy. Just as I was about to speak—
“You really…”
Etias’s lips moved. His cheeks were flushed, his blue eyes trembling.
“Truly my wife…?”
His voice faltered, like a man standing before the wish he had longed for all his life.
“Are you really going to become my wife?”
His cracked voice seeped into my ears, begging for my answer.
A smile spread across my lips.
Even though he had become a man who owned everything in the world, seeing him desire me so desperately made my heart tremble.
“Yes.”
At my answer, he immediately cupped my cheeks and leaned in for a kiss.
“Ha…”
His soft lips brushed mine gently, then pulled away slowly, almost reluctantly.
But his eyes still burned, filled with fierce love that felt like fire.
“Your thoughts. Tell me.”
I twirled lightly in front of him, the hem of my dress fluttering.
“Come on.”
Finally, a smile spread across his stiff lips. His low, sweet voice followed:
“So beautiful… it makes my heart stop.”
The wedding was only three days away.
Lately, I was so nervous I could barely sleep at night.
As I leaned against the balcony, staring at the night sky, Anes approached with a cup.
“Fruit mix. Butler Heros—no, Governor Jeffrey Whistler—sent fruits from the western lands.”
“Heros?”
I accepted the cup, thinking of him already busy with work there.
Piyo—?
Anes even held a tiny cup to Piyo, perched on the railing.
The juice was so sweet it cleared my head.
“Wow.”
Piyo—!
The chunks of fruit made it even tastier.
“Are western fruits always this sweet?”
“It must be because the sun is strong all year round.”
“Maybe that land has more advantages than I thought.”
After finishing, Anes took the empty cup and encouraged me.
“Don’t be too nervous, my lady. This may be the empire’s greatest festival, but you’ll do wonderfully.”
Yes. The empire’s greatest festival.
The council had turned this royal wedding into a celebration meant to boost the economy and lift the people’s spirits.
So, a week-long holiday and festival had been declared.
“And your honeymoon in the frozen lands—it’s so romantic.”
We had chosen Presla, the land of eternal ice.
Once, I had given it up to cut off the Rebel Emperor’s funds, but Etias had returned its rights to me.
The old villa where the late Empress once stayed had been rebuilt into a beautiful mansion by Etias’s order.
That would be our retreat.
“Take care of the estate while we’re gone.”
“Of course, my lady.”
“And you should prepare for your own wedding with Sir Caron.”
Anes blushed and laughed shyly at my words.
The summer night deepened as we chatted. Then—
“What’s that carriage?”
A carriage approached the Elemore estate. As it grew closer, I recognized it.
Soon, something leapt out.
A border collie.
I glanced at Anes and laughed, then hurried downstairs.
The dog wagged his tail happily, surrounded by maids.
“Why has the Grand Duke come again…”
As I drew near, Lancelot recognized me and pressed against me, licking my hand.
Behind him, his secretary with a monocle bowed politely, looking troubled.
“The retainer of the Montella Grand Duke greets you, Duchess.”
I stroked the Grand Duke’s head and asked,
“What happened this time?”
“He lost control and entered another Beast Peak state. As you can see, he has no reason left.”
“Ah…”
Panting, Lancelot wagged his tail.
“Unlike the time with Gran Orden’s attack, he will return to human form after some time. But… we may need Lady Elma’s help again.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Of course, I’ll help.”
His gentle green eyes shone even in beast form. So adorable I almost couldn’t stop petting him.
“…Also.”
Behind the secretary, servants carried a large black chest. They set it down with effort.
“This is Alminite. The Grand Duke offers it as a wedding gift.”
“What…?”
Alminite—the rarest mineral on the continent, produced only in Montella, forbidden from export.
When the chest was opened, a massive shining crystal gleamed inside, its aura extraordinary.
Its value must be in the billions.
“…Such a gift…”
“The Grand Duke shed tears upon hearing of the marriage.”
“…What?”
“Just a joke.”
The secretary glanced at Lancelot’s beast form, then continued:
“The Grand Duchy of Montella sincerely congratulates His Majesty Etias von Clyde of Oswell and Duchess Katrin Elemore. We pray for your eternal bond.”
I smiled warmly.
“Thank you. I look forward to our continued friendship.”
At last, on a cooler late-summer day, our wedding began.
The grand hall where I had once been meant to inherit my title—but had not appeared—was now filled with foreign envoys and noble families.
“Wow…”
“She looks like a goddess.”
“Shh.”
Children gasped at the sight of me as I walked past.
As the designer had promised, my gown was breathtaking, worthy of history.
Through the silver veil, I looked to the end of the aisle.
Etias stood there in his white uniform, more steadfast than ever.
‘So handsome. My beloved.’
His deep eyes promised: No one will ever cherish you more than I do.
‘Katrin.’
His lips moved silently, urging me to come.
At that moment, the grand music for the bride’s entrance began to play.
And I took my first step toward him.
