Previously
Evgenia and Euclid arrive at the Temple for their wedding, officiated by the youngest High Priest, Damian. Evgenia is unsettled by Damian’s cold, judgmental gaze and his strange sermon focusing on 'atonement' rather than marital bliss.
Now was hardly the time to feel relieved simply because Alexis was absent.
Though Evgenia had been uncharacteristically subdued lately, assuming she would passively endure such a lecture had been a grave miscalculation.
‘She must have latched onto something in his words,’ Sionel thought, recalling her usual conduct in social settings. He straightened his posture, already turning over ways to defuse the situation.
As everyone present swallowed nervously, waiting for the High Priest’s answer, a taut silence hung in the air.
Damian, who had seemed taken aback at first by her response, answered guarded: “You may never be granted another chance.”
An awkward hush descended over the temple.
The other priests looked equally perplexed, unable to make sense of the scene unfolding before them.
At last, the High Priest broke the protracted silence.
Finally, a benediction fitting for a wedding.
Even though Damian’s behavior had unnerved me deeply, my sole aim had been to see this wedding conclude without an incident.
Occupying an entirely submissive position here, I had no desire to challenge or disrupt the ceremony.
Until he uttered those words.
In that instant, the original plot flashed through my mind.
The tale where Evgenia, even after wedding Euclid, remained obsessed with the Crown Prince, was eventually divorced, and met her ruin…
( ‘I have no intention of accepting such a fate.’ )
Before I could think, the words slipped past my lips.
I had blurted it out, yet I felt not a shred of regret.
From the very start, I believed I was brought here to meet Euclid.
Even if that were not so, now that I possessed Evgenia’s body, I was determined to marry Euclid and lead a happy, fulfilling life with him.
Steeling myself with that resolve, I turned to look at Damian. His usually sharp blue eyes flashed briefly with a vision of desolate ruin before clearing once more.
His unfocused gaze snapped back onto me, his brow furrowing slightly.
He repeated, “You may never be granted another chance.”
After all, I had never expected to experience a regression on top of transmigration.
Yet Damian’s scowl only deepened at my lighthearted retort.
For someone who had constantly pressured me, seeing a crack in his composure ought to have felt gratifying.
Instead, the sorrow lingering in his gaze made me strangely uneasy.
Then, after a heavy silence, Damian finally spoke.
His voice sounded oddly hollow and desperate.
Before I could dwell on it, however, the ceremony moved forward.
The priests, who had been unsettled just moments earlier, seemed relieved that the wedding had returned to its proper course, exhaling collective sighs.
For a moment, I forgot my discomfort and looked at Euclid, my heart fluttering.
Though the officiating priest had outlined the general structure of the vows, the exact phrasing was largely left to personal choice. I wondered what sentiments Euclid held regarding this union.
Euclid began by raising his right hand.
I listened with rapt attention, searing every single syllable into my memory.
As expected, conventional phrases like “cherish and love” were conspicuously absent.
While one might expect as much from an arranged political match, the earnestness in Euclid’s delivery was unmistakable.
As I bit my lip lightly, overcome with emotion, Damian called my name.
I had become so lost in my thoughts that I failed to answer in turn.
I could not allow Euclid to misunderstand and think I was hesitating about this marriage.
Hastily, I raised my right hand.
Calling to mind the vow I had rehearsed countless times, I began to speak.
It was just one simple sentence, yet I trembled so hard with joy that tears pricked my eyes.
Still, something felt out of place.
Damian, who had bid us make our vows, wore an expression of sheer astonishment.
The guests, who had been poised to applaud at the vows’ conclusion, sat in stunned silence.
And most of all…
( ‘…Euclid?’ )
Euclid stared at me, his eyes wide.
Had I said something wrong?
‘I’m certain I said I would treat him with all my heart until the end of my life…’
Of course, had it been up to me, I would have sworn to love him eternally, even beyond death.
Yet such a vow would hardly have suited Evgenia, who until recently had been infatuated with the Crown Prince.
It could easily have been dismissed as an outright lie.
‘At the very least, I don’t want Euclid to misunderstand me.’
I only hoped he would believe my vow was sincere.
Truly, I intended to spend the rest of my days devoting a hundred percent of my heart to Euclid.
As I poured all my feelings into looking at him, Euclid flinched as though breaking from a trance. He lowered his head, seemingly overwhelmed by the intensity of my gaze.
( ‘Oh, could it be…?’ )
Was he frightened by my face?
I thought the veil would make it less intimidating.
While I struggled to swallow my disappointment, Damian finally spoke, sounding as if he were fighting to regain his composure.
A kiss!
This was the moment of the ceremony I had looked forward to most.
With my heart racing uncontrollably, I watched the attendant bring forward the rings.
The wedding bands had been provided by the ducal house of Rodion.
Though the Basilian family had initially insisted on handling them, the Rodions stood firm on providing the rings themselves.
Duke Basilian had looked disappointed that the bands were not adorned with rare, extravagant gemstones or even diamonds.
Yet I preferred these amethyst rings, worn by the first Duke and Duchess of Rodion, far more than the diamond rings Duke Basilian had intended to present.
Perhaps it was the gentle touch of Euclid’s hand as he slid the ring onto my stiff, nervous fingers. Or perhaps it was the overwhelming bliss of feeling the band settle into place.
The moment felt so surreal that I wondered if that was why this modest amethyst ring seemed all the more precious.
Looking down at my hand and then up at Euclid, who now wore an identical ring, I savored the sheer delight of the moment.
Euclid, his expression faintly tense, reached his hands toward me.
Soon the veil was lifted over my head, and his handsome face was laid bare before me.
My chest tightened, heat rushed up my neck, and my lips went dry. I could even feel my eyelashes trembling with nerves.
As Euclid drew closer, moving beneath the lifted veil, I shut my eyes on instinct.
I wanted to etch every second into my memory, but the hammering in my chest was simply too much to bear.
Just then, I heard the soft rustle of fabric as Euclid let go of the veil he held.
My eyes flew open in surprise, only to catch him whispering softly.
“Do not worry. I will only pretend.”
…Pardon? What did you just say?
Wait. Wait a second.
Why? Seriously, why?!
I had been looking forward to this moment so much!
Before I could fully digest my disbelief, Euclid tilted his head slightly and leaned in close.
I felt his breath near my lips… did he actually do it?
It happened so fast that I couldn't even tell.
“…”
I stared at Euclid in utter shock, feeling just like a raccoon watching its cotton candy dissolve into water.