Chapter 18
Chapter 18.
“My goodness. You are truly so beautiful, my lady.”
As Madame and the maids, who were giving her final touches, offered their compliments, Agatha looked into the mirror once more.
Her fair, round forehead, neatly arranged eyebrows, a pretty nose, and full lips, along with her beautiful violet eyes and golden hair, were flawless.
However, unlike usual, her face was slightly flushed. Though it wasn't noticeable due to the heavy makeup, she also seemed nervous.
There had been many weddings before, but this was the first wedding that made her heart flutter so.
Somehow, it felt like she was walking into an unknown world, and feeling awkward about her excitement, Agatha kept fiddling with her bouquet.
“My lady. His Majesty has arrived. The ceremony will begin soon.”
“And him?”
“The Marquis has finished his preparations and has left the waiting room.”
Soon, the commotion inside the temple began to quiet down. The melody of the orchestra gradually filled the air, and the High Priest’s voice echoed in the ceremony hall.
“My lady. It seems you must go out now.”
Supported by the maids, Agatha headed towards the ceremony hall on the first floor. As she saw the entrance, she let go of the maids’ hands and straightened her posture.
The High Priest was reciting the blessing before Enoch, who had already entered.
Swish. The long cathedral veil scattered across the white carpet.
The gazes of the numerous guests seated on both sides turned towards Agatha. She was gazing at the back of the man dressed in his wedding attire.
“Now, the bride will enter.”
The man standing before the altar turned around. Agatha couldn’t hide her trembling heart as she saw Enoch, more magnificent than ever.
The matching wedding attire suited him so well.
Her complicated thoughts from just moments before vanished completely.
In a flash, he, who had stopped moving, slowly extended his hand towards her as she approached.
It was a large, firm hand.
As their fingers touched, and she saw her own hand enveloped within his, Agatha felt a warmth rise to her face.
The High Priest, who had finished reciting the blessing towards the couple standing before the altar, raised his hand.
“Please exchange rings as a token of your wedding vows.”
A priest waiting beside them presented a jewelry box, which had been placed on a white cushion.
A platinum band, thinly twisted, with small diamonds embroidered in the shape of an eagle and finished with deep blue sapphires.
It was the symbol of the head of the Aratus family and their lady, passed down through generations.
He picked up the small ring and slid it onto Agatha’s left ring finger. The heavy, perfectly fitting platinum band gave Agatha, who had felt slightly adrift, a sense of reality.
‘I’m really marrying him.’
Though she felt both happy and worried.
Agatha thought as she slid her own ring, identical to his, onto his finger.
‘I’m happy like this right now, so that’s enough.’
The moment she smiled with the premonition that this marriage would be different, the High Priest, who had blessed their ring-adorned, clasped hands, solemnly declared.
“I hereby proclaim that the marriage between Enoch Aratus and Agatha Nobilis is established.”
At the same time, fragrant petals rained down, filling the surroundings and the wedding aisle.
Receiving the guests’ congratulations, Agatha and Enoch formally exchanged greetings with the retainers and vassals of their respective families.
Among them was Isabelle Aratus, Enoch’s younger sister and a direct blood relative of the Aratus family, who had arrived a few days prior.
“Congratulations on your wedding, brother.”
“Thank you, Isabelle.”
With blue hair and green eyes that strongly resembled Enoch’s.
She was her sister-in-law, about five years younger. Isabelle gave a slight bow towards Agatha.
“We are family now.”
“We are. Isabelle, I hope we get along well from now on.”
“That’s what I should be asking.”
After formally greeting her as well, Agatha headed towards the imperial family’s seats while the reception was being prepared.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Agatha.”
“I am humbled, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, who was soon to gain control of immense trade tax revenues, looked his best in recent times.
Next, she received congratulations from the Empress and the Crown Princess. The Crown Prince, Antony, had his eyes twitching subtly.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Lady Agatha. Ah, are you Marchioness now?”
Antony, who had subtly drawn closer, whispered as he kissed the back of her hand.
“I’d like to reserve my second dance partner for the upcoming reception, I wonder if you have prior engagements?”
“……It would be my utmost honor. I will gladly keep my second dance slot open for you, Your Highness.”
Agatha narrowed her eyes subtly and gazed at Antony.
It wasn’t a ball, and certainly not on her wedding day; he wouldn’t ask for a dance for no reason, meaning he had something to say.
‘What is it? Is the Emperor planning something else?’
Enoch naturally took Agatha’s hand and led her to the next seat.
Out of habit, she exchanged greetings with the guests while considering any potential variables that might arise during their honeymoon.
Among those who passed by was her sixth ex-husband, Theodore Neuta, who attended alone.
His face was pale and sickly.
His expression seemed to suggest he had suffered more than expected. And the people who should have been by his side were absent.
‘I thought he might come with someone.’
It was surprising that the ladies of the Duke Neuta family did not accompany him as partners, even though they hadn’t been invited.
“Hmm…?”
“What is it, Agatha?”
“No. It’s nothing. I should go change my dress now.”
While greetings were exchanged, preparations for the reception, including the outdoor area, were completed.
Expensive wine was poured into a tower made of thousands of crystal glasses, and rare dishes were brought in.
It was the start of the reception, the wedding ball and festival.
The reception dress Agatha chose was a bold A-line gown that dramatically exposed her upper body and flared out sharply from the waist down.
Her hair was pulled up high, and she wore a choker adorned with black velvet and diamonds around her neck.
Enoch, dressed in a sky-blue shirt with a diamond chain and a black suit to match the dress, escorted her.
The hall, transformed from a ceremony venue to a reception space, was resplendently luxurious.
The ceiling, illuminated by every candle, was dazzling like the stars in the sky, with crystals reflecting the light.
The floor, where the white marble was fully exposed, displayed a beautiful scene with murals engraved by artisans, filled with platinum.
Ting-a-ling-
As the protagonists entered, the orchestra’s melody changed. Naturally, Agatha, standing in the center of the hall, gave a slight bow and placed her hand on Enoch’s shoulder.
Though she had done this countless times before, as the host, to open the ball with the first dance.
As his firm arm wrapped around her waist and she sank into his embrace, which felt like nothingness, her mouth strangely felt parched.
It was the first time she felt nervous on a social stage she was accustomed to.
He, who had briefly glanced at her trembling fingertips, showed quiet consideration from the start.
A gentle lead.
His hand, firmly supporting her waist, guided the steps one beat ahead.
He was surprisingly skilled at dancing.
Before long, nobles began to join them in the center of the hall, dancing one by one.
Agatha buried her face in his broad chest, as if to hide her faintly flushed cheeks.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
Rustle. The fresh, sky-blue hem of her dress, which had floated in the air, gently settled down.
Though outwardly she finished the dance as usual, Agatha and Enoch left the hall.
Crown Prince Antony, who had been waiting nearby, approached.
“It’s my turn now, Marchioness.”
“It is my honor, Your Highness.”
Agatha released Enoch’s hand and took Antony’s. As the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s adopted daughter stepped into the center of the hall, the stage was cleared once more.
As the attention lessened, Antony spoke comfortably, maintaining only a superficial composure.
“You seem unusually nervous.”
“Hardly.”
“Do you like the Marquis that much?”
“…….”
While exchanging pleasantries before dancing with Antony, Agatha’s gaze drifted to where Enoch had been.
In the bustling crowd, only the tall man’s blue hair was barely visible.
“Please stop with the pointless talk. Why did you want to see me today?”
“Because I heard something interesting.”
The Crown Prince, displaying his roguish dancing skills, smiled regretfully.
“My dear cousin. Do you know who the envoy from Mainyucore will be, tasked with preliminary negotiations with you on Palavi Island?”
“…….”
While they sometimes sought each other out or made time specifically,
Both the Crown Prince and she were generally very busy people, so they often had brief conversations while dancing at balls or meeting on terraces.
And in those instances, the matters were usually urgent or unpleasant.
“No way.”
“I thought I misheard too.”
Casually lifting and dropping Agatha’s spirits, Antony’s lips curled up in a fleeting moment of closeness.
“Congratulations. It seems your ex-husband will be appearing.”
Fernand Mainumconti, the second prince of the Mainyucore Empire.
Agatha, who immediately glanced at the altar where the Emperor was seated, subtly bit her lip.
Damn godfather.
It was truly the worst wedding gift.
“Alright, I’ve said what I needed to say. Repay this debt later.”
The bomb Antony had delivered made Agatha’s head spin.
She hadn’t wanted to participate in negotiations with the Mainyucore Empire in the first place, and the fact that her ex-husband would appear in person made it even more displeasing.
With what face was that man showing up there?
The sly face she had consciously tried to forget surfaced, and irritation surged.
Having to see that face again.
Fernand was a man far removed from shame or common sense.
Agatha clenched her teeth, recalling the day ten years ago that had led her to decide on divorce.
