Ch.213213. Marriage, A Beautiful Constraint.

The declaration that Hwa Nabi and I had officially become husband and wife to the world, and a reaffirmation of our love. Even after the kiss ended, I couldn’t come to my senses.

How should I describe my current feeling? Perhaps like my toes aren’t touching the ground, like I’m floating. I’m clearly standing on the marble floor beneath the platform, but it feels like I’m walking on clouds rather than solid ground.

“Now, for our next segment, we have a wedding song prepared. The singer who will perform is currently one of the hottest celebrities and a famous vocalist. Someone who always ranks in the top three ballad singers in the country? Please welcome with applause. Introducing, Park…!”

The host shouts something and encourages applause. The murmuring of the guests grows louder. It seems the singer performing at our wedding is indeed someone famous.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t focus on anything else right now. That’s because the person I was most concerned about was the bride beside me, Hwa Nabi.

I probably shouldn’t say this with all our relatives gathered here… but honestly, I just want this wedding to be over quickly. Only then can I be alone with Hwa Nabi. Is there any way to speed up the schedule?

“…”

I was startled by my own thoughts. Wanting the wedding to end quickly—does that even make sense? Though it was my own thought, it was an absurdly ridiculous idea.

Why would I even think such a thing? As I was seriously contemplating this, my eyes met Hwa Nabi’s as she turned her head.

She stared at me, half-dazed, then smiled softly and reached out her hand.

“You have lipstick here.”

“…Huh? Oh, yes. Thanks.”

Hwa Nabi looks at me adoringly as I respond a beat—no, two beats—late. Her face blooms with a smile, appearing relaxed unlike my absent-minded state.

“Heh, Siwoo. Why are you so cute today?”

Hwa Nabi, sitting on the temporary chair, crossed her legs. Her smooth legs peeked out from beneath the wedding dress skirt.

I was blankly admiring those shapely legs when I felt someone’s gaze and looked up.

Hwa Nabi was staring right at me.

“I’m not cute…”

I belatedly muttered while shifting my gaze elsewhere, but seeing Hwa Nabi’s quiet smile, I could tell she had caught me. Embarrassed, I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Hello everyone. I’m the singer who was introduced. I’ve received many favors from the Vice Chairman and have been waiting for a chance to repay them. It’s an honor to have such a wonderful opportunity. To the Vice Chairman’s daughter and son-in-law, congratulations on your marriage.”

The singer took the microphone and offered congratulations while looking at us. Hwa Nabi and I stood up and bowed our heads in gratitude, and the singer looked around the audience before adding briefly.

“As the officiant mentioned earlier, I hope you have a happy marriage filled with mutual consideration and support. I hope all the guests here today live that way too. Now I’ll begin the wedding song. The title is ‘Beautiful Restraint.'”

“Beautiful Restraint…?”

The song title seems rather meaningful. Feeling somewhat strange, I turned to look at Hwa Nabi. Sensing my gaze, she tilted her head and shared her thoughts.

“What? I like the lyrics of that song.”

“Lyrics aside, isn’t the title a bit strange?”

“I like the title too. Beautiful Restraint—it perfectly symbolizes marriage, don’t you think?”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Now that I heard it, it did seem that way. Marriage is, in a way, an act of binding oneself to another, so the description “beautiful restraint” does fit, right?

…Or does it? I’m not sure. I tried to understand by slowly savoring the lyrics of the song the singer was performing.

The song’s plot was like other love songs—a male narrator meets his destined partner, falls in love, and candidly expresses his feelings.

“What do you think? It really is a beautiful restraint, right?”

“Yes, the lyrics are good.”

“Hehe, of course. It’s my top pick.”

“Hmm, you like this song that much?”

Hwa Nabi didn’t answer my question. Instead, she pulled her chair closer, sat right next to me, and firmly linked her arm with my left arm.

As if trying to restrain me.

“The lyrics are good and the melody is nice, but I like the title best. Beautiful Restraint.”

“Restraint isn’t usually considered beautiful, you know?” Hwa Nabi added, looking at me. Her face suggested she had more to say.

“If you listen carefully to the lyrics, the narrator metaphorically expresses love as a beautiful restraint. You, who made me fall in love, are my beautiful restraint. Something like that.”

“Yes, and?”

“I really related to those lyrics. Once I fell in love, I found myself thinking about Siwoo all the time, like I was truly restrained. But I don’t dislike it. Isn’t that strange?”

Hwa Nabi whispered and gave a small laugh. Instead of answering, I gently held her hand.

“That’s why they called love a beautiful restraint, I think. It’s restraint, but not the kind you dislike. I want to be restrained by the other person, and I want them to be restrained by me too. That kind of restraint.”

“…Restraint, huh.”

“Thank you.”

While I was pondering this, the song ended. Hwa Nabi, as if she had been waiting for this moment, immediately tightened her grip on my arm.

“Ah, the song’s over. You heard it too, right? The song ending.”

“Yes, I heard it. But why?”

“Then, Siwoo, your restraint is now over.”

“Hmm, is that how it works?”

We just listened to a song together, but the restraint is over? When was the restraint warrant issued in the first place? As I chuckled, Hwa Nabi moved even closer to me.

Now there’s barely enough space between us for a fingertip.

“Yes. We listened to it together until the end, right? That was the restraint ceremony. As of just now, you’re restrained to me. So you can’t run away anywhere.”

Hwa Nabi whispered in my ear and smiled brightly. I gazed at her intently, then lifted her veil slightly and kissed her forehead.

“Alright. I won’t go anywhere and will stay by your side for life.”

*Smooch*

My lips touched Hwa Nabi’s skin and then parted. With her cheeks slightly flushed, she gently rubbed her forehead, then brought her face close and kissed my cheek.

“Yes. Now that we’ve sealed it, there’s no backing out. Understood?”

“Yes, I never intended to back out anyway.”

“Well, that was a lovely song. The bride and groom seemed to enjoy it too. Both of you are smiling from ear to ear. Now, let’s give another round of applause and cheers for today’s protagonists, the bride and groom!”

When the spotlight suddenly shone on us, I hurriedly stood up and bowed. Hwa Nabi followed my lead and also stood to greet everyone.

“Next, the bride and groom will express their gratitude to both sets of parents. For making this joyous moment possible through endless love and affection, would the parents of both families please stand!”

“Nabi. Let’s go greet them.”

“Ah, yes. Okay.”

“First, we’ll greet the bride’s parents. Would the bride and groom please move to the bride’s side!”

Following the host’s guidance, we first moved to where Hwa Nabi’s parents were seated. Her father and mother, who were already standing, welcomed us warmly.

“Mom, Dad!”

“Yes, our daughter. Why are you so beautiful today?”

“Why? Because Mom gave birth to me well, right?”

Hwa Nabi and her mother embraced each other, patting each other’s backs. I was watching from a step behind when my eyes met with her father’s.

“Ah, Father-in-law.”

“Hmm, son-in-law. Have you been well?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve been well thanks to you, Father-in-law. Thank you.”

After my somewhat awkward greeting, he gestured for me to come closer. I approached hesitantly, and he gave me a light hug.

“Have confidence, stand tall. And take good care of our daughter too, can you do that?”

“Yes. I understand. You don’t need to worry.”

After our embrace, her father and I separated. Then I greeted her mother, and Hwa Nabi greeted her father. We didn’t forget to warmly embrace each other and exchange well-wishes, just as before.

“Son-in-law, please take care of our daughter. And the grandchild who will be born soon too. It will be tough, but you can do it well. After all, you’ve tamed that tomboy so well, haven’t you?”

“…Yes. I’ll do my best.”

The expression “tamed” seemed a bit off, but it didn’t feel like the right atmosphere to say anything, so I just nodded.

Eventually, her mother and I, and Hwa Nabi and her father finished our embraces and separated. Next, I greeted her grandfather, who is my wife’s grandfather.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes. You’ve probably already heard well-wishes from your father-in-law and mother-in-law, right? So I won’t say much.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

It means I should do well without needing to be told. I clasped his hand and bowed deeply.

“Now, next we’ll greet the groom’s parents. Would the bride and groom please move to greet the groom’s parents!”

As the host directed, Hwa Nabi and I moved to the guest seats where my parents were. My parents, like Hwa Nabi’s, were standing to welcome us.

“Son, you’re here?”

“Yes. Mom, thank you for everything.”

“Yes, seeing you doing well on your own is reassuring. And you, dear? Come here, let me give you a hug.”

“Yes, Mother. Thank you for giving birth to such a wonderful son. You must have gone through a lot.”

“Oh my, how sweetly you speak! The more I look at you, I think you’re a bit more precious than my son. Dear, would you like to be our daughter instead of a daughter-in-law?”

“I’d like that too, but then I couldn’t marry Siwoo, could I? So I’ll just accept your feelings, Mother.”

“…”

They’re going back and forth, completely ignoring the son. Feeling awkward, I turned my gaze to the side. My father was looking at me with sympathetic eyes.

“Your mother’s wish was to have a daughter-like daughter-in-law, so you’ll have to understand.”

“…Yes. Thank you, Father, you’ve worked hard too.”

“Yes. You’ll soon have to work hard too.”

My father smiled slightly and extended his hand. I pondered his words—whether they were well-wishes or a prophecy—as I clasped his hand.

“By the way, Father. Where are Grandfather and my brother?”

I had heard their voices just a moment ago, but now they were nowhere to be seen. When I asked in confusion, my father gestured toward the door.

“They just had an urgent matter and left early. Jiwoo went with them, and you can greet them separately when you make time later.”

“Ah, yes. Then I’ll visit after we return from our trip.”

“Yes. I don’t know about your brother, but your grandfather said he has something to tell you, so don’t forget to go greet him.”

“Now, on behalf of both families, the bride and groom will express their gratitude to the relatives, guests, and attendees who have brightened this wedding with their presence. Bride and groom, please greet the guests!”

After nodding to indicate I understood, I took Hwa Nabi’s hand and together we climbed onto the platform. Then we bowed simultaneously toward the guest seats.

The guests responded with vigorous applause, and the host waited for the commotion to subside before continuing.

“Finally, we will have the bride and groom’s march. As this is the first day they have officially become husband and wife and the beginning of the second chapter of their lives, please bless them with enthusiastic cheers and applause.”

The host paused and looked at Hwa Nabi and me. He was waiting for us to be mentally prepared.

In that brief moment of consideration, our eyes met. Hwa Nabi and I felt each other’s emotions. Unparalleled happiness, affection, and love.

Without either of us taking the lead, we linked arms. Her body heat transmits through our tightly intertwined fingers. I can clearly feel the sound of a heartbeat, though I’m not sure whose it is.

“Nabi.”

“Yes, Siwoo.”

Our gazes met once more as we called each other’s names. Beneath her slightly lowered veil, I can see her lovely face with eyes shyly averted.

My bride, with adorably flushed cheeks, looked straight ahead. I followed her gaze and looked forward too. The guests were waiting for us, holding their breath.

“Now then, bride and groom. With the support of the guests… march forward vigorously!”

We walked forward slowly. From all directions, a mixture of applause, congratulations, and cheers erupted, blessing our future. Hwa Nabi and I took in everyone’s support one by one, advancing without wavering.

“Congratulations, bride and groom!”

“Live happily for a long, long time!”

“Hey, Han Siwoo! Congratulations!”

“Nabi, I love you!”

“…Siwoo.”

As we walked down the flower-strewn path amid fluttering flower petals, small fireworks, and camera flashes, Hwa Nabi spoke softly. I was waving to the guest seats, but I turned my head slightly and answered.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Once we take pictures, the wedding will really be over.”

“That’s right. It will really be over.”

“Then, we’ll go on our trip this afternoon, right?”

“…Yes, that’s right?”

But why are you suddenly confirming this? When I questioned with just my eyes, Hwa Nabi only gave me a pretty eye-smile. She had something to say but was deliberately hiding it.

“Why, is something wrong?”

“No, just wondering.”

Hwa Nabi briefly answered and waved to the audience. It was clearly an evasive response, but it seemed inappropriate to press for details during the march.

“Just, look forward to it. …Heh.”

…I should have asked.