Ch.329Chapter 329 – Wedding

It had already been two months since I accompanied His Highness the Crown Prince to the archaeological excavation site.

The books discovered at the ruins were restored, and based on their contents, alchemists succeeded in creating synthetic fertilizer.

Research showed that this could increase expected crop yields by more than double, and actual cultivation attempts reportedly achieved 2.5 times the harvest, exceeding even the research predictions by half.

While this was a field I knew little about, I felt somewhat pleased that research based on the contents of books I had restored to their original state using my abilities had benefited the Empire.

I sometimes think that in just a few years, my identity as a citizen of the Gelebrio Empire has grown stronger than my identity as a Korean.

However, I had asked the alchemists not to mention that I was the one who restored the books, but inevitably, whenever people gather, there’s always someone loose-lipped among them.

“Heh heh heh, this research? Of course, Marquis Severio’s help was tremendous! He even repaired the collapsing ruins so our research could continue. He even restored the damaged ancient documents! We tried to give him an honorary membership in the Alchemists’ Association, but he adamantly refused. He’s truly an admirable person. Heh heh heh.”

Because of those words blurted out by a loose-lipped alchemist who was completely drunk, the truth about the ruins collapse incident and the ancient document restoration that I had tried to hide was revealed.

Personally, I had hoped that the glory for this achievement would go to the hardworking archaeologists rather than me receiving praise.

It’s absolutely not because one of my friends used to be a graduate student in archaeology, always struggling because his professor couldn’t secure project funding.

…Well, I suppose it did influence me a little.

Anyway, because of one loose-lipped alchemist, attention was once again focused on me, and I urgently contacted my brother-in-law.

“Brother! Have you heard the news?”

[It’s alright, brother-in-law. We’ve already taken measures regarding this matter. Don’t worry about it and just focus on preparing for the wedding.]

His Highness the Crown Prince said it was fine, but judging by his voice—low and dark in tone—he seemed quite displeased.

[The alchemist in question has never participated in the excavation, and his statements have disparaged the honor of fellow alchemists and archaeologists. The Association will impose disciplinary measures, including a one-year suspension of qualifications and restrictions on participation in national research projects…]

In the end, a severe punishment of a one-year suspension and restrictions on future participation in national research projects was imposed—a relatively light price to pay for such a loose tongue.

While the Empire was briefly thrown into chaos due to the minor mistake of a loose-lipped alchemist, the situation was eventually well-contained.

As the wedding approached, just a month away, I found myself incredibly busy.

I needed to have formal attire tailored by the imperial court tailor for the wedding day, and I had to learn the proper etiquette that members of the imperial family should know from the imperial etiquette instructor.

“Is imperial etiquette really this complicated?”

“Marquis Severio, since you will receive a new family name after marrying the Princess and leave the imperial household, I’ve only taught you the relatively simple aspects.”

Goodness, why is the etiquette so complicated? It was enough to make my head spin.

At least since I’ll be essentially branching off with a new family name after marrying Karen, they’re teaching me comparatively less. Perhaps this is why imperial family members prefer not to observe etiquette in private settings.

It was so exhausting that the atmosphere seemed to become chaotic, but anyway, time passed, and the wedding day arrived.

The wedding? Honestly, I barely remember how it proceeded.

“Before the marriage, we shall hold the ceremony to bestow the title of Grand Duke upon Marquis Patos Severio.”

Perhaps to match Karen’s and my “ranks,” His Majesty the Emperor first held my investiture ceremony as Grand Duke.

As the chamberlain listed all the achievements I had accomplished so far, I felt strangely embarrassed listening to them.

“This concludes the enumeration of Marquis Patos Severio’s achievements.”

“Let the Grand Duke candidate approach Our presence.”

I had thought my wedding attire was rather elaborate, but it seems it was designed to serve for both the wedding and the Grand Duke investiture ceremony.

“I, Patos Severio, stand before the sole leader of the Empire.”

“By the authority vested in Me as Emperor of the Gelebrio Empire, I hereby bestow the title of Grand Duke upon Marquis Patos Severio, who has accomplished numerous achievements, and simultaneously grant him the family name of Aurelion.”

This I hadn’t expected.

A new family name? Wait, you never mentioned giving me a new family name, father-in-law!

With His Majesty the Emperor placing his sword on both my shoulders and head, my investiture ceremony as Grand Duke concluded.

“Grand Duke Patos Severio Aurelion, raise your head.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

After the Grand Duke investiture ceremony, all that remained was my wedding with Karen.

“Her Imperial Highness Princess Karen Lucien Dekatros Gelebrio Aurelios enters!”

With the chamberlain’s announcement, Karen, wearing a wedding dress, began slowly walking toward me from the distance.

She was holding the Crown Prince’s hand.

She approached me with a bouquet in one hand, and the Crown Prince handed Karen’s hand over to me.

“Brother-in-law. I entrust my sister to you.”

“I shall not fail you.”

Having received Karen’s hand from the Crown Prince—no, my brother—I walked toward His Majesty the Emperor.

“On this occasion, I extend My gratitude to all those attending the wedding of My daughter and My most loyal and valiant subject.”

The Emperor’s wedding congratulatory address followed, and the next person to take the stand was the High Archbishop of the Great Goddess Order.

“Today, I stand here by the authority of the great Goddess Epitrina, and by Her authority, I proclaim to all that this marriage is a symbol of sacred union. The great Saint and the Emperor’s eldest daughter have met, and She has said, ‘It is good to behold.'”

After the High Archbishop’s address, priests serving the God of Family and the Goddess of Love came forward to bless Karen and me.

Finally, Eterna, the Saint of the Sun Order, stepped forward in her saintly robes.

“May the blessing of the sun, rising high and shining brightly, be with you both. I hope you become a couple who establishes virtue in the eyes of the world.”

Eterna’s blessing was simple, but simultaneously, a pillar of light descended from the sky to illuminate Karen and me, followed by applause from the attendees.

After that, I don’t remember much.

After attending the banquet and conversing with various people, night had already fallen.

The wedding night? I couldn’t even think about that. We were so busy and exhausted that we collapsed into sleep as soon as we entered the separate palace prepared for us in the imperial court.

The next day, we met with the imperial family, including His Majesty the Emperor, for breakfast, and then began our national tour.

A sweet honeymoon? Dream on. After the wedding, I became Grand Duke Aurelion, and Karen became Grand Duchess Aurelion.

The national tour schedule was extremely tight, with absolutely no time to rest.

Every day after completing our schedule, Karen and I were too exhausted to do anything but fall asleep.

The only difference now was that while we didn’t sleep together even when engaged before, at least now we could embrace each other as we slept.

Since the tour wouldn’t end until at least the end of the year, focusing on marital relations to enhance our relationship…

‘That would have to wait until next year at the earliest.’

But it’s fine. Both Karen and I collapse from exhaustion, but how fortunate it is that we can at least sleep in each other’s arms.

And so I fell asleep embracing Karen.

After completing the month-long tour, we returned to the Academy.

Upon returning to the Academy, there was a “schedule coordination” between the first wife and the prospective wife candidates.

“Now we need to decide the next marriage order, right?”

“Was it not already decided that the second would be elder sister? This one shall be third. For reference, this one prefers a Western Continent-style wedding rather than an Eastern Continent one.”

“I don’t mind being later, but I hope it’s not too late, you know.”

In this small house were Karen, Sister Regina, Chun Hyeryeong, Professor Emelda Carmen, and several others.

Eterna… well, she was expected, so I’ll skip her.

But why are Elena and Mina here? And isn’t that Lady Aisen Beventus?

Why on earth are those people here?

C-Could it be…?