Ch.90[End] Marriage

I recently realized how incredibly ignorant I’ve been about weddings.

Contrary to my expectation that it wouldn’t be difficult, there were countless things to prepare from setting the date to arranging the venue, attire, food, and gifts.

I’ve heard that choosing the bride’s dress takes more time than you could ever have enough of.

Maybe because there are four brides, I feel like it’s not time that’s lacking, but my body that’s insufficient.

“Crow, look here. What do you think of this? Is it a bit short?”

Lael stood before me wearing a pure white mini dress.

The skirt that came down to about her knees did feel slightly short, but it suited her so well, accentuating her smooth legs attractively.

I carefully gave a thumbs up to express my opinion.

Perfect.

Lael responded with a voice tinged with dissatisfaction.

“Say something with words. I want to look pretty too.”

“You look pretty in anything.”

After I answered that way, Lael muttered, “I’m a fool for asking you…” and went back into the changing room.

I was just conveying my honest feelings, yet this is how I’m treated…

I wonder if I’ll be pushed around after we get married.

But truthfully, there’s no point in asking me. When someone you love wears any outfit, they always look pretty. It’s impossible to make an objective assessment.

The next person to emerge from the changing room was Riano.

Riano came out wearing a dress adorned with lace.

I thought she would choose a clean and neat dress, so it was unexpected.

There must have been some change within her.

“Ah, I can’t calm down. So, how do I look? Does it look okay?”

I gave another thumbs up.

Really, anything looks good on them.

After her came Derin who chose a simple outfit, then Elin, then Lael again…

In that endless cycle, I grew increasingly tired, but I didn’t show it.

From the beginning, the wedding day is their day; I’m just a somewhat special attendant.

I’m already so grateful they’re marrying me, so I should at least do this much.

Besides, when else would I get to see my wives in various dresses?

This will surely be the last time, so I need to engrave it well in my memory.

Time flew by incredibly fast while preparing for the wedding, including choosing the dresses.

No joke, I closed my eyes and when I opened them, it was the wedding day.

The interior of the large mansion was filled with splendid decorations and people who came to celebrate our wedding.

Being able to prepare everything so perfectly was thanks to the help from the Duchy of Gideon.

I was feeling overwhelmed when Lael’s mother contacted me at just the right time.

Before the wedding began, while the brides were still busy preparing, I started going around greeting the guests.

I heard this was the proper way to do things.

“Lord Bern, Lady Jane, thank you for coming all this way.”

Among the many guests, I first approached Lael’s parents to pay my respects.

Not only are they the bride’s parents, but they also provided the most help in making the wedding happen normally.

They would surely be disappointed if I put them off.

“What do you mean ‘all this way’? We would come any distance to see our daughter.”

“If you say those exact words to Lael, she would be extremely happy.”

“A-ahem! Crow, your conversational skills have improved quite a bit since I last saw you.”

Rather than my conversational skills improving, it’s more that the Duke of Gideon’s demeanor has softened considerably.

Back then, he was emitting such intimidation that I couldn’t even speak to him.

But I don’t want to ruin the good atmosphere, so I just accepted it.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Yes, it is a compliment.”

As my brief conversation with Bern ended, Jane who was beside him spoke.

“Crow, you haven’t forgotten what I told you before, have you…?”

She must be referring to her warning that she wouldn’t stand for it if I made Lael shed even a single tear.

While I haven’t forgotten that, I’m worried Lael might cry today.

Of course, not tears of sadness, but tears of happiness.

“Lady Jane, I haven’t forgotten. I won’t make Lael cry.”

“That’s good. Besides, I want to see grandchildren soon, so do your best.”

I was taken aback by her sudden direct comment, but I maintained my composure and answered.

“Yes, I don’t think it will take long.”

It really won’t take long.

Since my first night with Lael, we’ve been intimate almost every day.

The same goes for Riano and Elin.

The only one I haven’t been with is Derin…

Surprisingly, Derin has never once visited my room.

The same Derin who used to dress like a thief.

I wonder if it’s really that surprising. The situation where the person I thought would be the first to suggest it ended up being the last made me chuckle involuntarily.

No, no, this isn’t the time for that.

“Well then, though I may be lacking, please enjoy the ceremony to the end.”

With those words, I moved away from the Gideon couple and approached Elin’s parents who were sitting at the next table.

“Thank you for coming all this way. Lady Sylphene and Lord Daudel.”

Daudel’s eyes widened, perhaps surprised that I knew his name.

In truth, I’ve never formally introduced myself to Daudel. But they’re my wife’s parents.

Thinking it would be extremely rude not to know their names, I had asked Elin beforehand.

And that seems to have been the right decision.

Daudel offered me a handshake with a bright smile.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come before and only sent my wife due to busy work. I’m on the side that blesses this marriage, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“Thank you so much for your blessing.”

I held his hand with both of mine and bowed my head slightly.

Although it’s something one should never do at a noble’s ceremony, after experiencing various crises, I was too grateful for his unconditional blessing.

At that moment, Sylphene who was beside him spoke.

“I hope Elin hasn’t done anything wrong…? She’s my daughter, but I worry because she’s so inadequate.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Among my wives, Elin is the most meticulous and sensitive.”

Like before, Sylphene seems to underestimate Elin too much.

They say parents always find their children lacking, but I think it’s time to trust her.

After that, I spent quite some time greeting various guests, from regular customers of Riano’s workshop to thief-class adventurers who came for Derin.

Finally, I stood before the Academy group.

“Ludmila, Frit, Denevan, Ed, Flan. All five of you are here.”

The students grumbled in response to my words.

“I knew it. You were dating Lael.”

“When Ludmila told us, I thought it wasn’t true…”

“A forbidden love with a student…!”

“I never imagined you were dating Lael, Professor… You really are an adult.”

“Professor! Congratulations!”

Flan’s congratulations, as well as the words from the other students, were all appreciated.

Just the fact that they came to the wedding means a lot to me.

Behind the students stood the professors.

All the professors I was close with were gathered, including Professor Anette and Professor Leonhart who were maintaining their relationship well, along with Professor Febric and Professor Ophelia.

“Professor Crow, I hear you have four wives! You’re really amazing in many ways…”

When Professor Anette took the lead, Leonhart who was beside her said,

“Indeed, you’re a role model in romance. Four wives is something I couldn’t even dream of.”

Hearing those words, a vein popped on Professor Anette’s forehead.

“Are you saying you’d like to have four wives, Professor Leonhart?”

“Professor Anette, that’s not what I meant…”

Though they bickered, they still seemed to be getting along well.

Professor Febric, standing next to the couple, shook his head and said,

“Professor Crow, congratulations. Honestly, I’m also surprised about the four wives, but as a married senior, I can tell you… you’re probably going to have some very challenging days ahead. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Professor Febric, thank you very much. I hope you can enjoy today.”

As my brief greeting with Professor Febric ended, I felt Professor Ophelia beside him staring at me intently.

As expected of Professor Ophelia.

She still seems awkward when conversing with others.

“Professor Ophelia, thank you for coming. You don’t need to say anything else. I know you’re congratulating me.”

“…Yes, Professor Crow, congratulations.”

Professor Ophelia said that and then quickly turned her head away.

Oh…

I couldn’t help but be impressed. It’s the first time since she was drunk that Professor Ophelia has spoken such a long sentence.

Just then,

“Ahem—, we will now begin the ceremony. Would the groom, Crow, please come up to the stage.”

The person conducting today’s ceremony was Benin Strum.

It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime event for the Academy’s principal and Great Sage adventurer to serve as the master of ceremonies.

I stepped onto the stage with light footsteps.

I could see all the guests lined up below at a glance.

I’m really getting married…

As I was thinking that,

“The brides will now enter. Please welcome them with applause.”

With the announcer’s words, a huge door opened in the distance, and four brides in pure white dresses began walking in side by side.

I couldn’t control my smile at the sight, which was beyond description as merely beautiful.

Could there be anyone happier than me in this world?

When they finally reached me, they embraced me tightly and exclaimed,

“Crow, I love you!”