Ch.145Wedding Ceremony (5)

“Marriage?” Evan stared blankly at the two people who had suddenly appeared at his own wedding to announce their marriage news, carefully moving his lips.

I thought they would eventually get married… but isn’t this a bit too fast?

Of course, he and Irene had married before dating for a full year, but that was a special case expedited by pregnancy.

As that thought crossed his mind, Evan’s gaze became subtle.

Could it be…? He had heard the two were living together, but surely the Crown Prince wouldn’t have handled things so recklessly.

Considering there hadn’t been a single scandal despite his history with numerous women, the Crown Prince wasn’t ignorant in such matters.

After biting his lip briefly and letting out a deep sigh, Evan looked at Scarlet.

Then, with extreme caution, he slowly opened his mouth.

“My question might be quite rude, but may I ask anyway?”

“Oh, of course! You can ask me anything, Evan!”

“Could it be that the reason for this hasty marriage is… perhaps you’re expecting a child?”

“Hmph.”

As Scarlet pressed her lips tightly shut, Evan’s eyes gradually narrowed.

With her eyes wide open, her expression seemed to ask how he knew.

Seeing Evan’s gaze, Kaisel quietly cleared his throat.

“I hope you don’t think I’m in the same situation as you. That someone who is the Crown Prince of a nation would make such a ridiculous mistake as miscalculating safe days and getting someone pregnant. You don’t think I made such an absurd error, do you?”

“…Why so specific? I didn’t ask in such detail.”

“Just saying. It couldn’t possibly be me.”

“Well then… congratulations. A marriage is a joyous occasion for the nation.”

Though the Crown Prince’s attitude was somewhat suspicious, Evan couldn’t press further, so he smiled gently at Scarlet.

The two who were merely lovers in the novel were now getting married. How could he not give his blessing?

But a winter wedding meant they would marry soon, as autumn was just ending.

Was there really a need to rush so much?

With that thought, he turned his head to see the Crown Prince holding his head in his hands, causing Evan to frown.

“…Your Highness. Just be honest with me. How closely does your reason for an early marriage match what I suggested?”

No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t seem like they were marrying simply because they loved each other passionately.

If that were the case, they would have married in the original story. Something must have happened between spring and autumn,

and no matter how hard Evan thought, only one possibility came to mind.

“Kaisel, it’s okay. We can tell Evan.”

“Sigh. At this rate, I fear the day will come when you no longer call me ‘Your Highness.’ I’m in quite a state.”

Kaisel removed his hand from his forehead and took Scarlet’s hand. Very gently, so as not to cause even the slightest injury, he firmly held her warm hand while looking at Evan.

Of course, to Evan watching them, it was just a scene that made him chuckle wryly.

The reason for their behavior was all too clear.

Kaisel’s detailed “mistake” wasn’t just a joke… it had clearly become reality.

“…A daughter?”

“They say it’s a son.”

“That’s somewhat fortunate. You can at least claim the Crown Prince’s heir was born, and some people will accept that. But may I say something harsh?”

“By all means, as long as it’s not directed at Scarlet.”

Evan pressed his temple firmly and glanced at Kaisel before speaking.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“…I admit I have nothing to say. I acknowledge I was a bit reckless. But if you ask if I regret it, I don’t.”

Should he consider this fortunate, or what else should he say?

But it wasn’t a bad thing, so Evan smiled bitterly and turned his gaze toward Scarlet.

Though embarrassed, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, suggesting she felt relieved.

But ultimately, wasn’t this something to celebrate? Even if the Crown Prince couldn’t be absolved of blame, the two loved each other and had decided to marry.

It seemed ridiculous for him, a third party, to say anything, and it was too late to change anything now.

What could he do? Evan decided to resign himself to the situation.

“Still, I’m glad. You two seem well-matched, so I suppose I’ll see you again this winter.”

“Besides us, you’re the only one who knows about this. But don’t feel burdened… I just wanted to tell you first, as my friend.”

Friend? At that word, Evan let out a small chuckle.

When he first met the Crown Prince, he remembered feeling wary, but now he was being called a friend by the Crown Prince himself.

A somewhat touching emotion welled up, and he felt a tickle in the corner of his heart.

Though surprising, the news of their marriage was fitting for this joyous day. Irene would surely be happy to hear it too.

But since she had told him not to even think about seeing her until the wedding ceremony began, Evan closed his eyes gently and leaned his head back on the sofa.

Not caring that his carefully styled hair for the wedding was getting messed up, he felt languid, immersed in various emotions that arose for no reason.

They said they would marry in winter. After returning from the honeymoon and settling affairs at the duchy, winter would soon arrive.

Snow would fall, January would end, and another January would come. This passage of time felt strangely new,

and Evan could only stare blankly at his cold teacup.

#

Evan and Irene’s wedding was one of the most famous and hottest topics in the Empire.

The knight who had vanquished the ancient dragon Mabet, whom even Allar had only managed to seal, and his lover, the young mistress of Yuris, the most powerful of the three great families.

Their story had been famous before, but

since the disappearance of the red moon in January, rumors circulated that the couple’s fame might even surpass the Emperor’s.

“The seats are completely full! What should we do? We’ve been letting people in by order of arrival, but there are still many left!”

“…Nothing we can do. I didn’t expect this many people to come either.”

Evan clicked his tongue at the sight of people filling all the seats that had been prepared to fill the garden.

Where did they all hear about this? But since they weren’t strangers, he couldn’t really say anything to those already seated.

In the distance, he could see Kaisel and Scarlet, with the heads of Azest and Medib beside them,

and Count Kasim and Gerard were also seated, Evan noted with a slight smile. Chris was seated too,

and though the Duke’s seat was empty… he would soon enter with Irene.

“But why is Sir Chris sitting there?”

At Evan’s words, Chris stood up and clicked his tongue.

If all went well, he could have avoided officiating quietly, but seeing Chris’s resentful gaze directed at him, Evan could only laugh awkwardly.

“Congratulations on your marriage. I should have said this earlier, but I’m late.”

Evan quietly stroked the head of Rofena, who had grown considerably taller.

It seemed like he used to have to bend down to pat her head, but she had grown quite a bit.

Rofena’s appearance resembled his little sister in many ways.

Her behavior was a bit more mature, but he had never seen his sister fully grown either. He thought perhaps his sister would have turned out like this if she had grown up well.

Rofena frowned slightly as Evan stroked her head.

But unable to deny the memories it brought back, she just pouted and grumbled.

“How long are you going to treat me like a child? I’m an adult now.”

“…That’s right, you’re already an adult.”

“We’re only one year apart. Anyone would think we’re ten years apart the way you act.”

“To me, it feels that way. You were small at first.”

He felt that much time had passed.

It was a sentiment he often recalled lately, but standing on this white path that only he and Irene could walk,

seeing so many people who had come to bless just the two of them, he was immersed in various complex emotions.

He felt relieved that the six years hadn’t been spent in vain, but at the same time, he feared what might lie ahead.

What if there was something worse than the ancient dragon Mabet? What if someone he knew got seriously hurt? What if it was Irene, or his children?

“Da-!”

Robelia, who was being held by Rofena who had taken her seat, waved her hand.

Did she just say “dad”? But she was only two months old,

so thinking it must be his imagination, Evan carefully touched his shirt. Smoothing out the wrinkles and easing the tension in his slightly trembling shoulders.

He walked down the path covered with a white cloth sprinkled with flower petals. All around were familiar faces.

There were knights he had fought with in battle, maids and knights he had seen at the Duke’s residence.

With each step, he saw the times he had gone through.

Meeting Irene for the first time, becoming her guard knight, overhearing fragments of her heart at the Crystal Palace.

Holding hands for the first time, embracing for the first time, playing the piano for the first time in this world.

Letting go of old memories, watching the stars together.

Confessing for the first time in his life, sharing his heart.

And finally, standing here.

The cold wooden sensation of the altar transmitted directly to him.

Standing in front of it was Chris, looking at him with an expression full of discontent.

“What are you doing? Don’t just stand there, take your seat.”

“…Of course.”

Whoosh! Since Evan had no parents, it was Scarlet and Kaisel who lit the candles.

As the bright red flame flickered on the large candlestick, Chris, examining the magically darkened surroundings, slowly and carefully began to speak.

After confirming everyone was seated, he glanced reproachfully at Evan who had entrusted him with the burdensome role of officiant.

“Now, I will begin the wedding ceremony.”