Ch#121
Chapter 121"Laslo..."
...far more pleasant to the ear than 'Count.'"
Laslo, whispering with a smile, adjusted Edel's hand on his forearm and stepped into the temple.
Edel followed him down the short aisle of the temple.
The bell-shaped interior of the small temple was entirely white, the winter sunlight pouring through the windows reflecting dazzlingly.
Behind the priest hung a blue curtain symbolizing piety, and on either side of the altar stood vases filled with white flowers.
It resembled so closely the wedding she'd once imagined for Laslo that Edel wondered if she had entered her own dream.
"All things begin, grow, and bear fruit within Para's natural order. We offer this prayer of blessing."
The priest, who didn't look as unwell as his carsickness suggested, greeted the couple as they approached and began reciting the blessing prayer.
Laslo looked down at Edel. She was looking up at him just then.
………Even amid the countless crossings of the human world, the fates Para has ordained will surely meet. The trials the two have passed through are milestones guided by Para.
The prayer, which he might have found boring otherwise, struck deep in his heart today.
'If I hadn't noticed Edel at the banquet five years ago………If His Majesty hadn't bestowed her upon me………If Marsha hadn't committed embezzlement and been driven out……'
Countless what-ifs where his connection with Edel might have gone awry flashed through his mind.
If he hadn't allied with Dimarcus or become a mercenary, or if he hadn't lost his parents young and had to care for his three-year-old sister, this day would never have come.
Thinking that he'd gained Edel as his wife in exchange for his painful past made his life so far feel not so bad.
Edel was thinking something similar.
'Para. Did You put me through trials to grant me this happiness?'
The sensation of love growing daily was unfamiliar yet sweet, and without the past pains, she might not have tasted this sweet fruit.
.
"Now, the groom and bride shall vow to each other."
At the priest's instruction, Edel snapped to attention. The blessing prayer had already ended.
Facing each other, they began reciting the formal marriage vows.
"Para's faithful servant vows in the name of the divine. We shall treat each other as husband and wife with love and patience, prosper our offspring, and fulfill the divine will in the home we build. Bless this."
Though the same vows she'd recited at her marriage to Duke Lancaster, they resonated entirely differently now.
'I may not bear this man's child, but at least while I'm his wife, I'll do my utmost.'
Edel resolved alone to love Laslo and cherish Linia and her future husband too.
To build a warm family with her own hands, something she'd never enjoyed before.
"The groom shall now present the bride with the token of eternal love."
As they reached the ring exchange after the vows, Laslo picked up the ring from before the altar and slipped it onto Edel's finger. The transparent diamond sparkled in the sunlight blessed by the divine.
"The bride shall likewise present the groom with the token of eternal love."
This time, Edel placed the ring on Laslo's finger.
Perfectly fitting his thick, sturdy finger, the inside of the platinum band was engraved with the Goshi phrase: 'May my soul always be with you.'
With rings on their left ring fingers, the two drew close and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Warm lips met, hot breaths mingled.
It was a sensation he wanted to savor longer without watching eyes, but Edel and Laslo clung to reason and barely parted.
"With those present here as witnesses, I declare this marriage duly and perfectly consummated. May Para's mercy and grace dwell in the couple's home."
As the priest declared the union valid, Edel and Laslo, who had been gazing at each other, turned to the guests.
Though few in number, their reactions varied.
Barbara dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief while smiling proudly, Linia sobbing into hers, Collette consoling her beside, Daisy, Celia, and Laila scattering petals with moved expressions, Nathan with an inscrutably proud or wistful face, and Dimarcus wearing his usual playful smile.
- 3 -
A perfect wedding.
Edel felt fulfilled and gave thanks to the heavens.
And with that, the wedding ended.
It had lasted barely over ten minutes from start to finish—an exceedingly simple ceremony.
Then an attendant waiting outside approached Dimarcus and whispered something.
"Hm. I'd like to stay longer, but it seems we must move. It's been about an hour since Sir Milton vanished?"
At that, Laslo nodded slightly toward Nathan, who promptly vanished outside.
"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty."
"I was glad to attend your wedding. Though you wouldn't have invited me otherwise if not for borrowing this temple."
"You know well. Still, my thanks are sincere."
After Laslo's ambiguous courtesy, Edel curtsied before Dimarcus too.
"I deeply thank Your Majesty for pardoning this sinner and permitting marriage to a loyal subject."
"It was fortunate a woman appeared willing to marry Laslo."
Dimarcus joked before erasing his smile momentarily and speaking gravely.
"You've suffered much due to my greed thus far, Madam Edel Criserus. Thank you for enduring, and as atonement for your efforts, I'll send a gift soon. Then, see you in the audience chamber shortly."
From that praise-like confession, Laslo realized Edel being dragged alive as a prisoner and bestowed upon him had all been Dimarcus's plan.
"That sly fox."
Laslo muttered lowly at Dimarcus's retreating figure with the attendant.
But with no time to grumble, Edel grabbed him.
"Count—no, Laslo... We must hurry."
.
"Yes. Sorry for making you change in the cold."
"This is nothing."
Edel smiled faintly before going with Collette to the side chamber attached to the temple to change.
They would soon head to the audience chamber and pretend to meet Dimarcus for the first time that day, reporting their marriage.
And Edmund, having overheard info Laslo deliberately leaked, would rush to the Winblair Marquisate and bring Count Canian and his lackeys.
*What a touching reunion it'll be.*
Laslo smirked while changing.
Then he touched his lips with a finger. The sensation of Edel's touch lingered vividly.
'Women's lips are always that soft…? No?'
Recalling it made him swallow dryly.
Truthfully, the 'kiss' had worried him most while preparing the wedding. Just exchange rings and kiss? He couldn't imagine the exact timing.
He'd fretted over Edel showing discomfort.
But when the moment came, no need to watch for cues or time it—he was drawn to her naturally, and suddenly kissing.
'A kiss feels like that…? How do others live with such stimulation daily?'
He shook his head vigorously.
'Get a grip! Not the time for such thoughts!'
Laslo took deep breaths to calm his pounding heart.
No time for emotional luxuries yet. Champagne could wait until Edel fully escaped their grasp.
Just then, Nathan returned.
"Ready?"
Laslo regained his cool.
"Of course. How's it over there?"
"Rushed off like a foal with its tail on fire, not even checking surroundings. Commendable that he sent word to House Canian en route to the Winblair Marquisate."
"Fundamentally thorough. That's why we use him well."
Exchanging subjectless words, Laslo adjusted his shirt cuffs.
Out of the white ceremonial attire into a navy jacket, his outfit differed little from usual court visits.
"We'll depart once Edel's ready. Don't slack on perimeter watch."
"Understood."
Nathan replied curtly instead of boasting he'd checked multiple times, knowing how vital today was for Laslo.
.
