Ch.380380. Wedding Ceremony (1)

Due to Renias’s unintentional salt-rubbing, Junon ended up being late for the first time.

Though everyone seemed willing to overlook it since it didn’t affect the quality of the lecture…

He thought that if this happened again, there might be some pushback.

While there weren’t many people he could turn to for help, the ones he could approach most comfortably were Lumia and Cain.

“Well, I’m not sure. We’ve never been accused of rubbing salt in wounds or anything like that…”

“That’s because Senior Renias is completely oblivious to these things. Shouldn’t we just consider it an accident?”

“That’s true, but…”

He couldn’t help but sigh.

“We’re not exactly normal, are we?”

“No, we’re not.”

“…Not even a moment’s hesitation, huh?”

The two nodded as if it were obvious.

“How many couples in this world do you think cherish each other like you two do? Sometimes, watching you both makes me think I should tell Cain I love him more often.”

“The older ladies used to gossip about us, but that’s ancient history now. These days, it’s all about you and Senior Renias.”

“Good heavens. Is it that bad?”

“Of course it is! Your relationship is so special, and it developed so romantically. The theater company is trying desperately to use your story.”

“Everyone already knows about you being God’s apostle who descended as Alcaide. Fortunately, Senior Renias’s status as Calix hasn’t spread yet, but if someone were to hear about it, it would immediately catch fire and be turned into a play.”

Not only were theaters involved, but historians were reportedly questioning every soldier to write more about it, and artists—novelists, sculptors, and others—were desperate to find any details they could use.

“This is driving me crazy. My neck is getting stiff from stress.”

If he weren’t affiliated with the Academy, he couldn’t imagine how many people would come looking for him. It was too horrifying to contemplate.

Besides, while this incident was just a mishap caused by Renias’s mistake, who knew what might happen next?

As he was holding the back of his neck in frustration, Lumia offered a welcome suggestion.

“Actually, there is a definite solution.”

“What is it?”

“You two could just get married quickly.”

“M-marriage?”

Cain nodded, agreeing with Lumia’s solution of marriage.

“The Academy affiliation is protecting you for now, but it’s not perfect, is it?”

“…That’s true.”

“On the other hand, what do you think would happen if you were connected to the Rantana Duchy?”

It was no exaggeration to say that marriage was indeed a definitive solution.

The Rantana Duchy was renowned not only in the Grand Duchy but also throughout the Empire. As one of only two ducal houses under the Empire, they were effectively positioned just below the imperial family, except for the Ardelion Grand Duchy.

Who would dare approach the Rantana Duchy recklessly or try to dig up information?

Who would dare?

No one would even attempt it.

“I suppose that would solve everything, but…”

It felt like his last bit of pride was crumbling. Junon wanted to take a side path despite having the most certain solution right in front of him.

“Wouldn’t it be more meaningful if I bought a ring with money I earned myself, proposed, saved up for a venue, put her in a beautiful wedding dress, and bought a house for us to live in?”

“You don’t want to appear dependent on your wealthy girlfriend for marriage.”

“Exactly. It feels too passive.”

He could have asked for help long ago.

The Rantana Duchy could solve all problems. They could easily prevent the influx of people from the press, artists, and merchants, and could even control interference from the Academy.

It wasn’t just about the family’s prestige but also their wealth. They could provide all necessary expenses—formal attire, venue rental, facilities, staff hiring—and could gather unlimited funds to create the perfect wedding.

In many ways, the Rantana Duchy could solve everything so easily, but…

What would be the meaning of such a marriage? None at all, at least that’s what Junon thought.

“Senior, you really insist on shouldering everything alone until the end.”

“You don’t have to bear it alone anymore, Brother.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Junon questioned their sighs.

The couple grinned and handed something to Junon.

“This is…”

For a moment, his mind went blank.

***

“Ah, Oppa~ Over here, over here!”

Renias waved her hand, having spread out a mat and secured a spot.

Thanks to that, it was easy to find her.

“Were you bored waiting?”

“Nope. I wasn’t bored. I was chatting with some seniors here.”

“I see.”

So she sent Lumia and Cain to me. It seems only the female members who weren’t couples gathered here.

Then perhaps there’s no need to beat around the bush.

“Reni. Before we eat, is it okay if I talk to you about something important?”

“Ah. Sure!”

Her silver emotion indicator perked up sharply, as if to show she was focusing.

I can see right through her thoughts.

“I’m not going to talk about the salt-rubbing incident from earlier.”

“R-really? Phew… I was worried you might tell me not to come.”

“It’s nothing like that, so don’t worry.”

Seeing my adorable girlfriend’s face helped ease my tension. I boldly presented it to her.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

“Well… Originally, I wanted to earn money myself, buy a house for us to live in together, and cover all the expenses for our wedding. But I think we might need to move up the wedding date.”

“Move it up… Could it be?”

She probably hasn’t forgotten the day I proposed by putting a ring on her finger.

Moving up the wedding date might seem like I’m inevitably asking for the Rantana family’s help, but…

“It seems we don’t need to ask the Rantana Duchy for help. These are from people who have been wanting to support us all along.”

“All these people…?”

“I didn’t know either. I had no idea so many people wanted to help us.”

*Flip, flip*

“Wow.”

Renias marveled as she turned page after page, not finding a single empty space.

I had simply thought of them as survivors from the battlefield, but they hadn’t forgotten the help we gave them.

And so, people gathered, and gathered, and gathered more to create these documents.

What Lumia and Cain had handed over was a stack of papers so thick it had to be bound together—filled with business cards and lists of names from people in various fields.

“…So I was thinking, with their help, how about we hold the ceremony soon? Is that okay?”

Renias slowly put down the list.

Ah. As expected.

Renias with her beaming smile is too beautiful.

She might lack awareness of her surroundings enough to kiss me on the lips in public, but to me, she’s just my lovable girlfriend.

“Goodness, are you two at it again?”

“…They’re really something else.”

“Ahem.”

As sharp criticisms hit the back of our heads, Renias finally realized what she had done and gasped, hiding her face against my chest.

As expected. My chest quickly grew warm.

“Why be embarrassed now? It’s not like you only touched lips—you two have done everything already.”

“Excuse me, but we do have a sense of shame.”

“That’s ridiculous. Junwoo, you’re at fault for letting her be like this all this time. Sheesh.”

“I was wondering why Renias started calling me by that name. So you’re the one who told her…”

“For now, only our members know about it. But Senior Junon, you don’t seem to mind? Senior Senia said she didn’t want to be called Seonhee because it’s embarrassing…”

“Sh-Charlotte!”

Oh ho. Is that so?

I see.

“Anyway. Have you made your decision? What are you going to do?”

To Senia, who was sighing deeply, the answer was naturally:

Yes.

***

Everything turned out as everyone hoped.

The man who had devoted everything to the Grand Duchy finally chose the flowery path of marriage for himself.

Although he had the foolish idea of covering the wedding costs alone, after being persuaded and convinced, he’s planning to ask for help from those around him.

‘It’s all good. It’s all fine, but…’

Senia still had something she hadn’t yet told Junon.

“Everyone, I have something I want to say to these two. Could you give us a moment?”

The members seemed to catch on, thinking ‘Ah, that story,’ and withdrew.

The mood was already so good. Junon had just declared with his own mouth that he would accept help from others for the wedding.

This stubborn man had finally announced he would walk the flowery path himself.

She worried about ruining the mood, but it was something that needed to be said now.

“…Junon, do you remember the place where we drew the clock hand formation?”

Both of them immediately turned their attention to her. It was a natural reaction, knowing this topic wouldn’t come up without reason.

“Go on. Both Renias and I are listening.”

Senia nodded once and continued speaking carefully.

She told them about Tembris regaining his memories completely, the reason they sought out a ruin in Sirah, the clock hand formation drawn there, and their past.

“There was a formation representing each person. We were all clock hands, and there were magical formulas symbolizing each person’s past.”

When they regained their memories, the magic formation disappeared.

As if to signify they should no longer be bound by the past.

However.

“Junon, Renias. The formations representing you two haven’t disappeared. I don’t know why… but when I visited recently, they remained unchanged.”

She wasn’t certain.

But given that the others had directly experienced the clear reasons why they needed to go there, she felt she should suggest it.

“I was going to keep it buried, but after a meeting, Tembris concluded that you two should know. So the choice is yours. I don’t know what else remains there, but…”

Past and regression.

And the two people who were the most important axis of the clock hands, connected by the strongest threads of fate…

“We’ll go.”

“I want to go.”

They answered, determined to face it head-on.