37 – 37. Wedding Ceremony (2)
Irene Melvus, was it?
She truly was a mysterious woman. Just like my father…
She killed my father, a man who harbored thoughts of rebellion, a truly remarkable person. But on the other hand, is that really possible? That thought also crosses my mind.
Even if my father were to betray my country, could I have the resolve to kill him?
If I were to ask that, I would probably shake my head and say no.
Blood is not something that can be easily denied, and I respected my father.
Then, what about her?
Did she have something that could deny Lord Lambert Melvus?
Does her loyalty to the royal family possess enough power to deny it?
To put it bluntly, it was unlikely.
The only person who would give everything to me without any conditions and remain loyal is her husband’s father, Duke Frederick Gail.
I am always grateful to him. Although I haven’t been able to do much for him so far, I will soon have the opportunity to repay him.
And there’s Irene Melvus, who now pledges her loyalty to me.
She said that the reason she is loyal is surprisingly because of Duke Gail’s son, Lepeti Gail.
It was interesting to see her expressionless face change color whenever she talked about my husband.
So, is that why she changed her mind and followed the loyal Gail family?
But the process is not reassuring.
She hasn’t known him for long enough to be prepared to kill the Earl, her father, has it?
Moreover, does her administrative ability mean that she can quickly seize such a vast power?
…But those details are not important.
Those who tried to take my life shed blood before her forces and sword, and new people filled their places.
Everything was accomplished not by me, who spent every day on the throne with worries and anxieties, but by her.
I also intend to repay her with everything I have.
A powerless king must gather those with power to maintain his authority.
Sadly, the power of the royal family is already waning. I am not so deluded by authoritarianism as to deny that, nor have I lived that way.
Perhaps someday I will have to prepare to pass it on. I might consider the idea of marrying the child who will succeed me to the child of the Melvus family.
For now, the two families I must trust the most are connected.
In that sense, my presence here proves that I trust these two families with my position and that the royal family will continue to be with them.
If this wedding had taken place in front of more people, it would surely have been seen in a better light…
Somehow… there is no one here.
The Duke Gail, who constantly wipes his eyes with a handkerchief, a few people from the royal family who are close to him, and people from her mother’s side of the family.
Above all, this building, which has a structure that only allows a view of the back of the bride and groom… what on earth.
“Um… Duke Gail. Why is the structure of this building like this?”
“Oh, yes, Your Majesty. It’s because the jealousy of Count Melbus is beyond imagination, so I cannot allow my son’s face to be seen by others…”
“What kind of ridiculous reason is that?”
“Well… if not, I would declare that I will not hold the wedding ceremony.”
“What? Not hold the wedding ceremony? What does that mean? In order to start a family, one must get married. What would happen if you don’t get married?”
Even if you ask me, I don’t know very well, Your Majesty. Although she is my son’s partner, it seems that she is only interested in my son.
Recently, I heard a story that she is so possessive that it is not easy for my son to have contact with other people.”
Goodness. She is possessive of him? Frederick allowed a marriage with such a person?
“It’s hard to believe that you allowed such a marriage.”
My son didn’t strongly oppose it, and her obsession is beyond imagination, Your Majesty. Didn’t I have several conversations with her?
She did many things to make me allow the marriage. Reporting and suppressing my father’s rebellion was just one of the many things she could do.
She begged me desperately, and she took numerous measures to prevent my son from escaping her grasp.
If I had told her that I would not allow the marriage… maybe she wouldn’t have taken my side. I… I believe I did my best. It is true that she loves my son.”
Was she really that kind of person?
In fact, there is no one close to her who doesn’t know this. Her attendants who are already here have all helped her in various ways for her married life.”
“…Goodness.”
I came here thinking it would be a simple wedding, but it’s not at all a simple wedding, is it?
From the very beginning, it’s impossible to understand how someone could accept this.
“Just today, if you could bless the harmony between her and my son, Your Highness, I would be grateful. After all, the most important thing in a marriage is the intention of the parties involved.”
“Well, that may be true, but you are my confidant, and she will be someone I will closely cooperate with in the future.”
“…I apologize. I have nothing more to say.”
If Frederick says this, is there anything I can do? This marriage, from the start –
“The groom and bride are entering. All guests, please pay attention to the floor below.”
With the sound of the door opening, the serene music began to fill the room.
*
“Are you ready?”
Coming out of the waiting room, she turned her head to me, holding my hand tightly while wearing a veil.
“…My heart is pounding so much. Is it because… it’s my first wedding?”
Since a while ago, my legs kept trembling,
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“It’s my first wedding too, Puh. You were really nervous, huh?”
She shrugged her shoulders slightly and looked at me with a lovely gaze.
…Can I fully repay that love?
To distract my heavy heart, I decided to pick on her tone of voice for no reason.
“Do you know your way of speaking has changed a lot?”
At first, she used honorifics with me and was cautious, I remember.
Compared to back then, she was expressing her love to me so comfortably, naturally.
“And what about you? We’re no longer on formal terms anyway. Are you uncomfortable? If so, I can change. Like a noble lady of old…”
She changed her voice dramatically, gesturing with her hands and tilting her head, comically imitating a noblewoman.
…Fortunately, she no longer reacts sensitively.
As time passes and I build trust with her, maybe she’ll slowly change.
If that happens, could I repay her love?
“…Let’s just continue as we were. It’s not really important anyway.”
What’s important right now is our wedding. And on top of that, the pressure of having the king of this country at the wedding is immense.
“…I’m glad.”
I feel a little more strength in her hand. But it’s not painful, it’s just that her emotions seem to intensify a bit.
In our touching hands, and in the sensation of my heart pounding like crazy since earlier.
“The groom and the bride are entering. All guests, please – “
A voice comes from beyond the door.
Finally, the time has come. The moment that she and I have been eagerly waiting for.
“Now, it’s time to move.”
I take in the sunlight pouring in through the open door and windows, and gaze at the spread-out carpet.
Passing through here and standing in front, answering all the questions…
Now, we will officially become a married couple.
“Are you ready?”
She looks at me, who hasn’t even taken a step, and smiles behind the veil.
…I should match my steps and walk out.
“You can step forward first. I’ll adjust to you…”
Relieved by those words, I managed to barely lift my left foot.
She also gracefully lifted her left foot and placed it on the ground.
And then, she extended her right foot and took a step.
Although the sound of a song occasionally reached my ears as I walked, I couldn’t fully feel them.
Because emotions were gradually overwhelming me.
It was difficult to distinguish whether it was mine or hers.
Tears slowly began to flow down my cheeks. Even as I moved my feet, everything seemed to flow slowly.
As I greeted the brilliant sunlight and desperately wished for hope in the future, I felt an endless sense of satisfaction and joy.
Finally, I did it. I could be connected to the person beside me.
I could welcome the beautiful her, the person who loves me, as my partner.
I could be saved, protected, loved, and loved in return, and we could become a family.
Without a doubt, it would be a happy event.