Ch.243-3. Wedding Ceremony (1)

# -3. The Wedding (1)

While Elizabeth and Albert were spending time alone together, a conversation was unfolding elsewhere.

Among the group of about five people including Reinhardt, Elin was doing most of the talking.

So much so that anyone watching might mistake it for her own wedding.

“Let’s do it next month! Wouldn’t it be better to do it quickly?”

“That might be a bit too soon.”

“Why?”

“We still need to maintain some tension.”

It was still too soon after the war to completely relax the atmosphere.

Even though Lilith had become the new monarch of the Babylon Kingdom and signed a peace treaty, there were still quite a few demons who couldn’t accept this reality.

Moreover, that royal position was practically seized through force.

“If we appear too relaxed, they might think we’re easy targets.”

“I see…”

“We need to be careful since there’s still significant opposition in the Babylon Kingdom, and the situation is similar in other countries.”

Of course, even if they did attack, the damage wouldn’t be severe, but focusing on healing the wounds of war was the right approach for now.

Besides, there was no need to rush, so postponing made more sense.

Elin’s voice lost its energy as she recognized the reality.

“Then when should we do it…?”

“Well… perhaps next year would be appropriate?”

Hearing this, Elin looked in Reinhardt’s direction.

She wasn’t exactly looking at him, but at Albert who had approached him.

Albert, who had joined them with her, spoke up.

“Or we could just keep it small, small enough that we don’t have to go outside.”

Traditionally, royal weddings are grand celebrations spanning several days, like festivals.

This was especially common among the emperors of the Kainis Empire.

But that was just how things had been done; there was no need to adhere to tradition.

If they wanted a small wedding, they could simply have one.

“That’s a bit…”

Of course, Reinhardt didn’t want that. It was his daughter’s wedding, after all.

Moreover, his daughter was the current emperor and a war hero, and they were in the midst of a celebratory atmosphere after winning the war.

To exaggerate slightly, this was not a situation where a small ceremony would suffice.

“Wouldn’t the people be dissatisfied? They must all be looking forward to it.”

“But this is what we want.”

When Albert said this, she nodded beside him.

Rather emphatically…

Unlike Reinhardt, the two wanted a modest wedding, especially her.

Reinhardt gazed into her eyes and asked.

“Are you… sure about this?”

“Yes, I want it this way. It feels burdensome, and I don’t like having too many people around…”

“That’s how she feels.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

Though it was clearly different from what he wanted, he respected their wishes.

Regardless of tradition or public opinion, ultimately the couple’s preferences should take precedence.

She expressed her gratitude to him.

“Thank you, Dad.”

“If you’re thankful, hurry up and show me a grandchild’s face…”

Her face turned bright red at those words, while Albert burst into laughter at her reaction.

He spoke in a playful tone.

“That’s right, how many children should we have?”

“D-don’t ask such things…”

“I don’t particularly mind either way.”

“I said don’t ask…”

Reinhardt found himself smiling brightly.

Seeing them made him smile involuntarily, even though he used to hate hearing anything about that guy.

Thinking about it now, he couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘He’s certainly worthy of entrusting her to.’

***

About two weeks had passed since the coronation.

After that time, it finally felt real that I was actually getting married.

I even had wedding invitations in my hand.

“Here, take these.”

I handed the invitations to them. They glanced at the papers and said:

“Finally happening, huh?”

“Are you delivering these yourself? You must have tons of people to invite.”

“It’s fine, there aren’t that many anyway.”

Chris tilted his head at my response.

He was probably thinking: Isn’t this the Emperor’s wedding?

“We’re keeping it small. I already got permission.”

“Hmm… that suits you two as a couple.”

“I wonder when I’ll get married…”

“Aren’t you dating Eve?”

“Well, yes, but… I’m not sure.”

His voice lacked confidence.

He seemed to have had another pointless argument, though they’d probably act like nothing happened soon enough.

“What about you?”

“Well… I don’t even have a girlfriend right now.”

“Hang in there.”

“By the way, can I skip your wedding?”

“Why?”

Raycle’s face had been dark since earlier.

He looked like something was bothering him. With a serious expression, he explained:

“Because it’ll make me fucking sick to my stomach.”

“Ah…”

“Some of us don’t even have girlfriends, and here you are getting married and shit.”

The reason was more trivial than I expected.

He was just lamenting his situation even though he’d probably attend anyway. No one he likes… his pride hitting rock bottom after being rejected multiple times…

He seemed to have reached the point where he found dating exhausting.

“Someone you like… if you think about it, there must be at least one person around?”

“I guess there is, there is…”

He was clearly speaking to me, but he seemed distracted.

As if he was thinking about someone else in his mind.

I asked Raycle:

“So there is someone?”

“There is, but… I don’t know if it would work.”

“Who is it?”

“You know, that person. That one.”

“How am I supposed to know who you mean?”

It didn’t seem like he didn’t know the name.

It felt more like he was too embarrassed to say it… that was my impression, though I could be wrong.

“Who is it? I need to know if I’m going to help set you up.”

“You know… the person you call Lilith? That person.”

“Huh? What…?”

I was shocked, genuinely shocked. I hadn’t expected that at all.

Of all people, Lilith… this guy was definitely… strange.

I wondered if he couldn’t feel romantic attraction toward people of his own species.

“But do you know how old that lady is?”

“How old?”

“I don’t know exactly, but she’s definitely older than your grandmother’s grandmother’s grandmother.”

“Seriously… is that possible?”

When Chris asked that, he maintained a shameless attitude as if it wasn’t an issue.

“Why should I care?”

“You should care. Do you just like anyone as long as they look good?”

To be honest, judging from his preferences so far, he seemed to prefer older women.

Though this might be a bit too old…

But well… it’s his choice after all.

“I could introduce you, but would she even see you as a man? Does she even know you exist?”

“Yeah, she probably doesn’t even know your name.”

“She can learn it from now on.”

“Fair enough.”

Actually, Raycle had previously overcome a similar age gap and gotten married, so it wasn’t completely impossible.

Besides, not many people would pursue Lilith unless they were extremely bold, so it seemed fine.

“But this Lilith person… doesn’t she have a boyfriend? She probably has many, right? She’s a succubus after all.”

“That’s true… she might already be taken…”

These two were worrying about unnecessary things.

However, I wasn’t going to tell them the truth.

“I’m not sure, but I’ll ask.”

Knowing too much takes the fun out of it.

For my entertainment, it was better if they knew less.

That way, they’d have more to say.

“This should be interesting.”

“What’s interesting about it? So when are you going to introduce us?”

“I don’t know. I’ll ask if she’s interested, and we’ll set something up then. Maybe around my wedding? If she’s willing?”

But I had a feeling Lilith would refuse.

‘Ah… what should I do? How can I arrange for them to meet naturally…’

While I was pondering this, two powerful presences entered the bar where we were.

They spotted us and approached, surprised.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“Drinking, obviously.”

“Somehow… it doesn’t suit you, especially you. You look like you can’t handle alcohol at all.”

“Your sudden hostility suggests you’re in a great mood. Here, take this.”

I handed wedding invitations to the two heroes who had suddenly appeared.

Amelia stared at the paper with wide eyes, looking dazed.

“Huh…?”

Amelia seemed to be questioning reality.

She wasn’t doubting the marriage itself, but rather seemed surprised by the timing.

“Already? I don’t even have a boyfriend yet.”

“Exactly!”

“This young kid… getting ahead of me…”

Her envious tone was somehow amusing.

Thinking about it, while it was quick, it wasn’t unreasonably so.

Many people get married right after becoming adults, so from that perspective… there were a lot of unmarried older people around me.

She was one of them.

“Anyway, that’s how it is.”

“But… I haven’t heard much about this?”

“Of course not. We’re keeping it small.”

“Hmm… I’m envious.”

“Hero, you should get married too. How long are you going to remain a spinster?”

She glared at me murderously when I asked that.

She always complained about not having a boyfriend or not finding the right person, but seeing them come to the bar together…

‘They’re probably not just friends.’

Given the times, I expected to hear good news from them soon.

Probably…