WWD 35

Chapter 35. Wedding Ceremony

Morning came.

Through the curtain hung around the bed, the winter morning sunlight seeped in. The air outside might have been cold, but the room was warm. Inside the smooth, soft cotton blanket, it felt even more comfortable.

Seo Hyo opened her eyes, savoring the drowsy feeling. As her vision cleared, she saw someone lying next to her.

Cha Eon was still asleep.

‘Wow.’

She almost said it out loud. Startled, Seo Hyo bit the tip of her tongue.

I woke up before my butler.

This was an event that would be talked about for years. As far as she could remember, this had never happened even once.

She wanted to wake Cha Eon right away, point at him, and boast that—at last—there was a day he woke up later than her. But she held herself back for a moment.

It was the first time she had ever seen him sleeping up close.

Seo Hyo recalled last night—sweet and lingering.

“Cha Eon, lie down next to me and put me to sleep.”

Even though she knew she only had to endure one day, she kept wanting to act spoiled. That’s why she had grabbed Cha Eon as he was checking the bedding before leaving.

“You little lady who is malicious without meaning to be.”

Cha Eon had shaken his head and said,

“Do you intend to wring me dry even on the night before the wedding?”

But even as he said that, there was a faint smile on his lips.

She had asked for an arm pillow, but was firmly refused. Instead, he patted her back like she was a child.

What came after that was definitely not something done to a child.

It would be a lie to say she hadn’t expected it.

Cha Eon had continued the kiss they hadn’t finished in the kitchen. Seo Hyo had responded happily. She fell asleep in his arms, listening to his low voice until the very end.

It had been an unforgettable night.

And now, an unforgettable morning.

Holding her pounding heart in check, Seo Hyo looked at his sleeping face.

From his long, thick eyelashes, to his straight nose, the shape of his lips, even the color touched by the morning sunlight.

Thinking of him as hers made him look even more handsome.

Wherever they had moved, there had always been young ladies who sighed while watching Cha Eon from afar. Now she understood why they had done so.

He’s seriously too handsome.

Even in their new neighborhood, it would probably be the same. If they announced they were already married from the start, maybe fewer young women would come to the pharmacy every day.

Cha Eon would still radiate his usual coldness wherever he went, but the problem was Seo Hyo.

What if I get jealous and end up chasing customers away?

She seriously considered living deep in the mountains where no one else was.

The old Cha Eon would have scolded her for how they would make a living there. But the current Cha Eon… if she suggested it, he would probably happily run off into the deep mountains without hesitation.

That was the kind of feeling it gave.

I wonder if Cha Eon felt the same way—like wanting to hide her away and keep her all to himself.

But I’m not some outstanding beauty like that.

Just as she was thinking that, looking at his sleeping face—

“You’re provoking me this early in the morning?”

Cha Eon spoke. His voice had not even a trace of sleepiness.

“Staring so closely… so intently.”

He opened his eyes.

The gentle expression from moments ago vanished, and he returned to being a man who could unsettle her completely. So he had been awake.

“You were awake?”

“An hour ago. I took a walk, washed up, even had a cup of morning tea. You were still asleep, so I just lay back down.”

Of course.

There was no way Cha Eon would wake up later than Seo Hyo.

And yet, somehow, she had still found it strange.

“You should’ve woken me.”

“Why would I?”

He gently brushed her hair back.

“We agreed I wouldn’t wake you up in the morning. Am I the only one who remembers that?”

“Oh, right.”

“Besides, watching you roll your lips or twitch your nose was amusing.”

“Don’t watch things like that.”

“And cute.”

“Don’t—”

Seo Hyo stopped mid-sentence. It was embarrassing, realizing he had been watching her sleep like that. But when he said it so casually, she couldn’t even stay angry.

All she could do was glare lightly while holding back her smile.

“It’s your wedding day, young lady.”

Cha Eon sat up.

“Shall we start with a warm bath?”

Before she knew it, she was being lifted from the bed and carried to the bathroom. It seemed Cha Eon had no intention of letting his bride step on the ground. Lately, he had been carrying her around far too often.

As Seo Hyo soaked in the warm bathwater that loosened her body, she played with flower petals and thought:

Letting me stop cooking yesterday was definitely the right decision.

Because of that, her groom was already carrying her around first thing in the morning.

It seemed she didn’t need to worry about being carried to the bed tonight either.

“Eek, what am I even thinking…”

She covered her mouth with both hands and sank into the water. Looking up through the surface, she saw it filled with beautiful flower petals.

Just like her heart, the whole world felt like a garden in bloom.

“Where should we put the geese and mandarin duck decorations?”

“Over there, yes, there!”

“Add one more paper decoration here!”

“You should wear something other than that outfit!”

“Someone help me carry this!”

The large hall where the wedding would be held was in the final stages of preparation. Ah Hee, surprisingly skilled at directing others when it came to playful things, was efficiently organizing her subordinates.

The fox girls who had arrived together the previous evening were also dressed up after a long time, smiling brightly.

Everyone was excited except the bride and groom, who were the only ones nervous.

“Lady Ah Hee, everything here is ready. Please go help Seo Hyo.”

“Yes, Lady Ah Hee. Please help the bride prepare.”

At the attendants’ words, Ah Hee hurried off toward Seo Hyo’s chambers. Meanwhile, Cha Eon walked around the venue, checking everything himself, until someone urged him on.

“Lord Cha Eon, you should also change your clothes.”

Unlike the bride, who needed help with makeup and hair ornaments, the groom could prepare alone. Only then did Cha Eon return to his chambers.

As the door closed, the noise outside faded.

At last, the day had come.

As he removed his everyday clothes and picked up his wedding attire, his hands trembled. It would have been fortunate if it were only his hands. Honestly, he had been struggling to breathe since earlier, needing several deep breaths.

“At this rate, I might die before even entering the venue.”

He gave a hollow laugh, pressing a hand to his chest.

A mixture of tension, worry, and joy made it impossible to control his emotions.

Marriage with the young lady.

Marriage with Seo Hyo.

This can’t be a dream, can it?

He clenched his fist and pressed his nails into his palm. The sting was sharp. It felt far too real.

Was he truly worthy of something like marriage? Of such happiness?

Even now, he couldn’t be sure. From within his belongings, he took out a cloth-wrapped object—a jade-studded hairpin.

Even after all preparations were done, he remained in the room, staring at it for a long time before placing it inside his robe.

Whatever else, he was certain of one thing: he could make Seo Hyo happy.

That alone was certain.

Because that had been the only purpose of his life all this time.

Creeeak.

Cha Eon opened the door and headed toward the venue. The left side of his chest, where the ornament lay, throbbed.

Today, he would finally hold the wedding ceremony.

By the time Cha Eon arrived, everything was ready.

The ceremonial items were placed properly on the table, and the officiant had practiced the reading twice. As soon as the groom appeared, people applauded and chatted loudly.

“You look amazing, Lord Cha Eon!”

“What a splendid groom!”

“It’s such a perfect day for a wedding!”

Ah Hee’s group, as always, made a big fuss. Some cheered, others were already trying to start music.

Normally, he would have frowned at their noise.

But today, it didn’t feel unpleasant at all.

In fact, the corners of his lips kept trying to rise. As he stepped into the decorated venue, he was fully immersed in the wedding atmosphere.

He took his seat and waited.

Normally, bridal preparations took a long time. Knowing this, everyone chatted leisurely over tea.

As another interval passed, Cha Eon began to miss the bride’s smile.

He wanted to hear her voice. He wanted to bring her to him quickly and confirm they were now husband and wife.

No one would criticize him for being impatient.

Because it was true.

At this point, it wouldn’t be strange to send someone to check the progress. Cha Eon motioned to one of Ah Hee’s most “approachable” subordinates.

A large man named Jungdal approached with both hands clasped.

“Go ask your mistress how much longer she needs.”

“Yes, Lord Cha Eon.”

Jungdal bowed and left.

Seo Hyo’s chambers were in a separate building far from the venue. Even so, more time passed than expected.

Did he bring her instead of just asking?

Cha Eon thought this when he saw Ah Hee arriving with Jungdal.

“Is everything ready?”

He asked impatiently, uncharacteristically so.

Ah Hee replied that the preparations were complete.

“But Seo Hyo says she needs Cha Eon.”

“What?”

“She seems to have gotten nervous a bit late. She’s trembling and said she wants you to come.”

“Then I’ll go at once.”

Without hesitation, Cha Eon left immediately.

His steps toward the annex quickened. If Seo Hyo needed him, it was only natural to respond.

He would soothe her by patting her head and back.

He would comfort her for struggling with a willful servant like him.

Next to her chambers was the bridal room, decorated with folded silk flowers and ornaments. Cha Eon knocked gently.

“Is that Cha Eon?”

Seo Hyo’s voice came from inside. As Ah Hee had said, it trembled slightly. After hearing her response, she was told to enter.

Cha Eon opened the door and stepped in.

Passing the folding screen, he saw Seo Hyo sitting before the dressing table.

With her wedding crown and red robes, she was already ready to go to the ceremony.

Only her back was visible, but even that was enough to show how beautiful she was.

A scene he had only ever dared to imagine in dreams.

Looking at his bride, Cha Eon pressed down his pounding chest.

“The ceremony itself isn’t long. You’ll be fine.”

He spoke gently.

“Are you very nervous?”

Seo Hyo couldn’t even answer—her shoulders were visibly trembling beneath her wedding clothes.

Concerned, Cha Eon approached.

“Lady, are you unwell…?”

“I’m scared.”

She spoke softly.

“I’m so scared I can’t even stand. My legs won’t move.”

So it wasn’t pain—it was fear.

If she was this nervous, it was understandable. Even he had been tense until moments before entering the venue.

But fear?

Seo Hyo was someone who had once visited dangerous places alone without hesitation. Cha Eon had always scolded her for being too careless.

She had never seemed afraid of anything.

So why now—why was she trembling so much she couldn’t even stand?

“It can’t be for no reason. Did someone say something to you?”

He grabbed her shoulders.

“Who came here?”

“No…”

“Then why are you shaking like this?”

He pulled her into his arms, but her trembling didn’t stop.

“Cha Eon… do I look any different?”

At her sudden question, he looked her over.

But Seo Hyo asked again.

“Look carefully. Do I look different anywhere?”

“Not particularly…”

Other than becoming even more beautiful, he couldn’t see anything different. But that wasn’t the answer she was looking for.

His eyes drifted around the room—and then returned to her.

His gaze landed on her half-pinned hair.

In it was a white floral hairpin.

At first, he thought it was the white plum-blossom hairpin he had given her. A white jade carving he had ordered on impulse, thinking it suited her perfectly.

But this was different.

Simpler.

A plain pearl hairpin.

A long-forgotten object.

And then—

Memories surged into his mind.

“I hope you’ll accept this as a keepsake…”

“I made something small like this…”

“It’s a hairpin. It’s made of Jin Mountain white gold and silver craftsmanship…”

“I wanted to give it to you…”

“If you would accept it as a token…”

Cha Eon bit his lip.