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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: What Happened at the Wedding (1)
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The Grand Temple's wedding hall was packed with guests.
To the left of the red carpet stretching to the dais, knights in uniform were seated, while to the right, mages in formal attire took their places.
Adding to the grandeur, nobles with ties to both families or personal connections also attended.
Before the ceremony, the hall buzzed with the murmur of people gathered in small groups, chatting.
“Looking at all these knights swarming around, I can almost smell the sweat.”
“Look at that, a sword at his waist. To wear a sword even to an event like this, how uncultured and barbaric.”
“Those bookworms, they must really be holed up in their rooms all day. Why are their skins so pale?”
“Tsk, tsk, that’s why they lack social skills and cause all sorts of strange incidents.”
Knights and mages, who rarely encountered each other, scrutinized and badmouthed the opposing side. Disapproving gazes crossed the air.
This soon led to discussions about the protagonists of today’s wedding.
“Aracilla, didn’t she say she wasn’t quitting the Magic Tower even after marriage? What is she thinking?”
“I don’t know. It’ll be a miracle if she doesn’t regret marrying a knight later.”
“She told me I was stupid for having only pasta noodles in my head, but it turns out she’s the one being foolish about something as important as her own life.”
Sally and Rudy, attending the wedding of their respected senior, glared with sharp eyes at the people slandering Aracilla.
Recognizing that the two were Aracilla's direct juniors, the gossiping people fell silent.
“This is so annoying, really. What do they know about our senior to talk like that?”
“Calm down, Sally. Senior told us not to argue with people who lack even basic common sense. She said we’d just become as foolish as them.”
While Rudy was calming the fuming Sally, a similar situation unfolded in the groom’s guest section.
“How on earth did Sir Vandermir fall in love with a mage?”
“The Hugo Marquisate’s second Lady was always famous for her beauty. Sir Demian must have been someone who looked at a woman’s appearance after all.”
“Heh heh, he must not know that pretty faces don’t last. It’ll be a miracle if he doesn’t end up like Sir Ritterson later.”
The knights, who had been snickering among themselves, suddenly sensed a murderous aura and turned around.
Isaac, the Vice Commander of the Red Hawk Knights, and Colin, Demian’s aide, stood there with cold expressions.
“Who dares to speak ill of the Commander of the Red Hawk Knights?”
“Indeed. Why would you run your mouth on such a good day? Watch your words if you don't want to get hurt.”
As Isaac’s eyes flashed a warning, the knights quickly bowed their heads and left.
Isaac clicked his tongue lowly, watching their cowardly retreat.
“Ugh, what idiots. They can’t even speak properly in front of the Commander, just stuttering.”
“We should keep a close eye out to make sure no idiots cause trouble.”
Colin pushed up his slipping glasses. Isaac nodded in agreement.
The wedding was still a long way from starting.
* * *
Aracilla’s wedding dress was an off-shoulder, bell-line gown adorned with diamonds and lace.
Sitting in the bridal waiting room, her wavy hair flowing gently, a veil secured by a tiara, she looked beautiful.
“Sniff, my daughter is really getting married…”
The Marquis choked up, his eyes moist as he gazed at Aracilla. The Marchioness lightly slapped her husband’s back.
“What will you do if you start crying now?”
“But what can I do when tears just fall, May?”
“Always so teary-eyed, then and now, for no good reason.”
With a helpless expression, the Marchioness pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at her husband’s eyes.
If it weren’t for this handsome face of his, which perfectly suited her tastes, she would never have given in to a man’s tears.
“Stop crying, Ned. You’re going to cry again later anyway, so at least maintain some dignity.”
“Alright. But can’t you hold my hand? I feel like my tears won’t fall if I hold your hand.”
“Honestly, where does this man get off being so childish?”
Though she spoke thus, the Marchioness’s lips were already curved upwards, and she was gently holding her husband’s hand.
Suddenly, leaving their parents to their affectionate display in the bridal waiting room, the siblings gathered together.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Sister.”
Adrian, who, like his father, was prone to tears, offered his congratulations with glistening eyes. Aracilla gently stroked her brother’s cheek.
“Thank you, Ad. You look very handsome today.”
Aracilla chuckled softly at her younger brother, who had styled his hair with pomade and was neatly dressed, just as Demian had been when he visited the Marquisate.
Her gaze soon fell on her older sister standing behind her brother.
“I’m already worried about how I’ll live without you, Ari. It’ll be so lonely.”
“I’ll visit often. You’re welcome to come see me at the Magic Tower anytime.”
With affectionate expressions, the sisters held each other’s hands. They had been inseparable like twins their whole lives, and now the thought of living apart left them feeling empty.
Aracilla rose from her seat and embraced each of her family members in turn. Even though she knew she would divorce later, for some reason, this moment felt deeply moving.
*Knock, knock.*
Just then, someone knocked on the bridal waiting room door. The person who appeared through the opened door was Frederick.
“Greetings to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Startled by his sudden appearance, the Hugo Marquisate family quickly straightened their postures and bowed.
Frederick smiled faintly and gave a slight nod.
“I’d like to speak with Aracilla for a moment. Could you please give us some privacy?”
The Marchioness hesitated, wondering if it was appropriate to leave her daughter, who was about to be married, alone with another man. Noticing her hesitation, Frederick spoke again.
“It will truly only be for a moment. I merely wish to say a final farewell as a friend.”
“...Understood. Then, please have your conversation.”
The Hugo Marquisate family knew that the two had been close since their academy days. So, leaving them alone wouldn’t cause any major issues.
As the Marquisate family left, the bridal waiting room instantly fell silent.
Frederick slowly walked and stood before Aracilla. For some reason, he looked gaunt since she last saw him.
“I thought you wouldn’t come, Frederick.”
Despite sending gifts and letters, there had been no contact from Frederick since the ball.
Aracilla didn’t know why he was angry, so she had no choice but to leave him be. How could she resolve it if she didn’t know the reason?
“Did you hope I wouldn’t?”
“Of course not. You’re my friend.”
Frederick let out a dry laugh and ran a hand over his face. His usually clear red eyes seemed to be oddly subdued today.
“Me too, Aracilla. How could I not come to my friend’s wedding?”
“You’ve been acting angry for no reason. But have you been on a diet or something? Why are you so thin?”
Aracilla, the bride, hadn’t dieted, but Frederick looked as if he had dieted on her behalf.
He looked as if he had been through a lot of emotional hardship.
“Aracilla.”
“Yes?”
“No matter what happens, I won’t let you go.”
Frederick said with a serious expression. Aracilla tilted her head at his words, which were not just sudden but also oddly out of place.
She wasn’t hanging off a cliff or anything, so why was he suddenly talking about not letting her go?
“While I still regret your marriage… I have no intention of casting you aside because of this.”
“What on earth are you talking about, Frederick?”
Aracilla furrowed her brows as her friend spouted incomprehensible words. But Frederick, with an unchangingly serious expression, continued to speak his mind.
“Aracilla, you will regret this marriage someday.”
“I won’t regret it?”
“We’ll only know for sure when that time comes. If you do regret it, come find me.”
Frederick reached out and lightly brushed Aracilla’s hair.
“Even if you find yourself stuck in the mud, I will gladly offer you my hand.”
“Okay, I appreciate your loyalty, but you know you’re saying something quite offensive right now, right?”
Aracilla gently swatted his hand away. No matter how she thought about it, these weren't words one should say to a friend on their wedding day.
Frederick silently looked down at his hand, which had been pushed away, then offered a faint smile. It seemed as gentle as usual, yet subtly different.
“I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“Consider this a one-time pass.”
“Okay, thank you. Congratulations on your marriage, Aracilla. I’ll be going now.”
After taking one last look at Aracilla in her wedding dress, Frederick slowly exited the waiting room.
Aracilla, who didn't see his expression turn cold as he walked away, was merely bewildered.
What is wrong with him, starting from last time?
* * *
The Vandermir Ducal Family arrived at the Grand Temple wedding hall.
Though they wished they could have abstained, the Grand Duchess, who had been in the ducal territory, even had to come up due to public scrutiny.
The Grand Duchess, who had pushed aside the Duchess to stand next to the Duke, frowned as she surveyed the wedding hall. Her neatly tied, greying hair framed the stern face of an elderly woman.
“She’s getting married in a place far too grand for her station.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking, Mother.”
The Duchess, standing behind the Grand Duchess, quickly agreed, trying to curry favor.
“Demian still doesn’t seem to realize that coveting more than one deserves only leads to trouble.”
“Hmph, he’s been gallivanting outside the family for all but seven years since he was born. How could he have learned anything?”
The Grand Duchess murmured lowly, almost glaring at those in the Red Hawk Knights’ uniform.
“He even tries to obstruct his father’s path. Such an ungrateful wretch.”
“Indeed. It’s clear just by how he’s forcing through a marriage that Father opposed.”
Oscar, who had been secretly yawning next to his mother as she diligently agreed with his grandmother, subtly rolled his eyes.
Hmm, the bridal waiting room is that way.
Having roughly figured out the direction, he whispered to the Duchess.
“I’m just going to the restroom.”
The Duchess, focused on appeasing the Grand Duchess, vaguely nodded. Oscar, having deceived his mother, hummed to himself and headed straight for the bridal waiting room.
He intended to put his plan into action now: to seduce Aracilla and take her from Demian.
Arriving at the bridal waiting room, whose door was slightly ajar, Oscar peered inside.
He saw Aracilla standing, eyes downcast, in a pure white wedding dress, bathed in sunlight.
Her appearance was like a saint in a masterpiece, and Oscar’s heart pounded.
‘As expected, it’s too much of a waste to hand over such a beauty to Demian.’
He smirked, pushed the door open, and cleared his throat loudly. Aracilla slowly turned her head to look at him.
…What.
Aracilla’s brows furrowed as she identified the uninvited intruder in the waiting room.
Why is this person here?
Her blue eyes, filled with wariness and displeasure, scrutinized Oscar, who brazenly waved a hand in greeting.
Oscar Vandermir was a budding traitor with a very dark future and the culprit who led Iris to her death, so he could never be seen in a good light.
“What do you want? I didn’t invite you in, Young Master.”
