Chapter 156: The Fortuitous Wedding 4

After the whirlwind wedding ceremony, we finally found ourselves alone in the bridal chamber.

In that moment, we gazed at each other, our cheeks flushing with bashfulness.

While we had been intimate many times before and were now quite familiar with one another, we nonetheless felt an unprecedented tension, trepidation, and profound joy in this situation.

It was not merely the significance of our first marital union.

It was the happiness that we could now become one, sanctioned by all.

And the blissful reality that we no longer needed to be apart.

“Come…Come here…Lord Santana… No, my love.”

Lying on the bed, Cazeros reached out her hands toward me.

Seeing her gesture, a profound smile graced my lips.

Despite having witnessed her innumerable times, a novel anticipation stirred within me.

Tenderly unfastening her dress, I drank in her porcelain beauty with my eyes.

My hands caressing her body.

The warmth I felt through that touch.

Her gradually quickening breaths.

Enveloped in bliss, I embraced her wholeheartedly, my passion burning bright.

Profound gratitude filled me for the fortune of loving and marrying such a woman…

“…So Santana’s wedding is done, then?”

Estel responded in hushed tones as her servant relayed the news.

Cautiously, the servant bowed and replied:

“Yes, the report states his marriage to the Dragonian Princess has been concluded. Based on the timing, it likely occurred about a week ago.”

“…I see. You’ve done well. You may withdraw.”

An unexpectedly mild reaction from his mistress.

Yet in that moment, the servant understood.

This was how Estel truly expressed her vexation – her present demeanor.

‘Well, it’s only natural… After all, she’s just had her beloved fiancé taken from her…’

Estel, who had always spoken of her betrothed with beaming pride.

Such sentiments were quite uncharacteristic for her typically aloof, pragmatic disposition.

Thus, the servant keenly grasped just how deeply Estel cherished that man.

No words were needed to comprehend her current state of mind.

“Haah… Very well, let’s set that aside for now. What of the information I asked you to investigate?”

As if shaking off her reverie, Estel’s tone regained its usual detachment as she shifted topics.

Though sympathetic, the servant proceeded as instructed regarding Estel’s previous request:

“Yes, the materials you requested are here.”

“Let me see…”

As Estel examined the documents, her shadowed expression gradually shifted to one of profound shock.

“…Is…Is this real? The contents here… Are they truly… truly factual?”

“Yes, Miss Estel. This information was gathered through our connections at the top echelons of Uranus – our ancestral home, so to speak. It is undoubtedly authentic.”

“…Indeed… So events have truly taken this course? When my Santana spoke of it, I harbored doubts…”

The documents’ contents were enough to elicit Estel’s astonishment and awe.

‘To foresee such circumstances… I knew he was extraordinary from the start, but even so, he is truly remarkable. Ah… Had I handled things better, I could have become his true wife. Why did matters unfold this way…’

Amidst her amazement, Estel found herself awash in profound regret.

Yet simultaneously, vivid memories from that time resurfaced.

Her tears upon receiving the marriage proposal from the Dragonian Empire.

And Santana’s incredibly sweet ‘promise’ to her in that moment.

Rekindling that recollection, Estel realized her battle was not over…

No, it had only just begun.

‘True, I’ve utterly lost my chance at being his official wife. But it’s not over yet. Whether her or me, neither of us entered a union of true love – merely political marriages. I still have a chance to claim Santana’s heart… To be second in status, but first in his affections.’

Presently, Polena likely held the prime position in Santana’s heart.

However, unlike that lowly woman whose very marital prospects were uncertain, Estel had already secured a promise from Santana.

Though she could not be his official wife, he had vowed to take her as a concubine after the political marriage…

To respond to the love she had given him.

‘First, I must secure that position by his side. Once officially recognized, the true war will commence – between that upstart princess and myself…’

Ultimately, their starting points differed little – loveless political marriages.

In fact, one could argue her prospects were better, having spent more time nurturing genuine affection.

Moreover, Estel possessed an unwavering pride in her feminine charms.

Her beautiful visage and elegantly artistic physique exuded a confidence befitting a woman.

With such formidable assets, given the chance, she was confident in her ability to captivate Santana’s heart.

‘For now, I must bide my time while refining myself further. So that when the opportunity arises, I can seize it – to make that man’s heart mine…’

Lorend

The so-called Lowlands region, a small but mighty nation that had amassed great wealth through commerce. From the past, it had waged a fierce struggle for independence against the Holy Imperium.

In this country’s central ducal estate, one who had lost his territory but still wielded considerable influence over the Holy Imperium…

The Prince-Elector of Palatinate, Friedrich, wore a pleased smile as he received news of an old ‘friend.’

“Santana Andreas… So that friend has finally wed? And to a princess of the Dragonian Empire, no less.”

“It would seem so, Your Highness.”

“Truly joyous news. To be honest, I was growing concerned over that friend’s delayed marriage, but to find such an excellent match is fortunate.”

Among the scant few Friedrich considered true friends in this world, Santana’s marriage prompted sincere well-wishes rather than political calculations.

However, separate from Friedrich’s reaction, the woman beside him – his wife Elizabeth, a princess of Britain – addressed him in measured tones:

“Such a political marriage in these times… That implies Bohemia and the Dragonian Empire have joined forces, does it not?”

“Well, from a simplistic view, one could say that – not unlike you and I. Some background like that was likely involved on their part as well.”

“Hmm…”

Though his wife raised the point, Friedrich did not dwell on it overmuch.

To him, his friend forging a new alliance – with the mighty Dragonian Empire, no less – boded well.

The more allies and shared ambitions, the better, regardless of the circumstances.

However, Elizabeth, less inclined to view the world naïvely, scrutinized the situation with pragmatic concern.

Wary of Bohemia’s growing prominence within the Heretical Alliance…