episode_0023

After the coronation ceremony.

I am currently in the midst of preparing for the upcoming wedding.

“Your Highness, please close your eyes.”

I close my eyes while looking at the mirror, feeling the soft cotton gently patting my face.

-Tap, tap.

No matter how much it’s a wedding, I can’t believe I have to put on this much makeup.

To be honest, I really dislike this moment right now.

As someone familiar with the aesthetic sense of modern South Korea…

I feel uncomfortable with putting on makeup, applying red blush to my cheeks, and wearing clothes with frills.

How much time has passed like this?

“Your Highness, it’s all done.”

Only then do I open my eyes and look at my reflection in the mirror.

Black hair and a pale face.

“Terrible.”

Unintentionally, my commentary slips out of my mouth.

“Oh! Your Highness, did I… did I do something wrong?”

The man who was doing my makeup panics and apologizes, but I shake my head and say,

“It’s nothing, how could this be your fault…”

It’s just that the culture here is strange.

With that thought, I stand up from my seat.

“Your Highness, you look unrecognizable. How about going around like this in your daily life?”

Agrippa smiles pleasantly and irritates me with his words.

“Really… even you?”

Agrippa just smiles as if asking what the problem is.

“Usually, your dark circles are covered up, so you look much better.”

You’re also one of the people here.

With that thought, I sigh deeply.

“Never mind… what about the others?”

“Your Highness, Johannes has arrived.”

I nod and tell Agrippa that since everything is ready, Johannes can come in.

Agrippa nods and leaves, and soon Johannes enters through the door.

“Oh, you look unrecognizable. With a face like that, it seems like you’re going to set the hearts of the female guests on fire.”

Although I feel annoyed inside, I can’t show it and just smile brightly.

“I don’t know how to respond to such compliments.”

I really don’t know how to respond.

Johannes smiles at my words.

“First of all, congratulations on your wedding.”

I nod in response.

“Thank you.”

“Here, take this.”

Johannes hands me a leather pouch.

“What is this?”

Carefully opening the pouch, I see several black pills inside, emitting a strong scent.

“It’s an aphrodisiac made by an alchemist. I sometimes take it, and women seem to like it. Maybe if you take it, you can conquer the emperor tonight.”

I look at Johannes with a wry smile and say,

“I am still young.”

“It’s better to take care of it from a young age so that your wife will take better care of you when you’re older.”

– Sigh.

As we both know, we are destined to fight for the empire’s supremacy in a few years… taking care of such things…

It feels like a joke.

I don’t know if it’s bold or just clueless.

“I will graciously accept it.”

“Alright, I’ll take my leave now.”

As Johannes leaves, I casually say,

“See you after the tournament ends tomorrow.”

He smiles in response.

“Of course.”

As Johannes leaves, Agrippa enters.

“Your Highness, it’s time to start getting ready.”

I nod and head towards the wedding venue.

Standing in front of the venue’s door, I hear the hymn playing.

– ♬~♪!

I never thought I would end up getting married.

I’ve never been married in my past life.

But here, I’ve become a married man even through a strategic marriage.

As the grand hymn nears its end,

“Now, the groom, Francesco’s High Duke Devian Lion, will enter. Please give him a hearty welcome.”

As the host calls me, the doors of the venue open.

And the march resounds.

– ♪

Slowly advancing, the crimson carpet laid on the floor brightens up.

On the left, you can see the nobles of the Grand Duchy and our family, while on the right, the Empress, or rather, now the Empress Dowager Mama, and Princess Joy are visible.

The Empress Dowager Mama doesn’t look pleased.

Considering she opposed this marriage as well, it’s understandable.

As we stand before the Pope who officiated our wedding, the emcee speaks.

[Next, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Theodore Augusta, will make his entrance. Please rise from your seats and give a hearty applause.]

Upon the emcee’s words, everyone rises from their seats and applauds.

Soon, the door opens again, and a man walking towards the ceremony hall holding the hand of a woman in a white wedding dress with a white veil covering her face.

He is Count Janz, the grandfather of Theodore.

I casually meet Janz’s gaze.

Sigh… I guess I’ll live long.

If the saying about living long when you receive curses is true, I might just live forever.

As they approach the middle, I walk towards them.

I bow my head to Janz and take the hand of the woman in the wedding dress, slowly leading her to stand before the Pope.

As the Pope gazes intensely at my face, feeling the weight of his stare, the emcee speaks.

“Now, the two will exchange rings. Please applaud.”

And the music begins to play.

-♪~♪~♬

“First, let the groom, Devian Ryan, put the ring on the bride, Theodore Augusta.”

A man approaches me with a heart-shaped cushion.

On it are a pair of rings with small red gemstones.

He picks up the smaller one and slowly slides it onto Theodore’s left ring finger.

“Now, let the bride, Theodore Augusta, put the ring on the groom.”

I hand her the larger ring, and she hesitantly places it on my finger.

Her hand trembles.

Seems like she really doesn’t want to put it on even if it means death.

Theodore then lifts his right hand, clasping my left hand, and slowly slides the wedding ring onto my ring finger.

“With this, the exchange of wedding rings is complete. A solemn ceremony to celebrate the sacred union of the two will follow. Please remain silent.”

The Pope’s gaze falls upon Theodore and me.

“The two come from different backgrounds…”

The Pope’s long and tedious speech…

I force myself to listen to the boring speech.

Huh… really… so old-fashioned.

While listening to the Pope’s speech, I glance at him, hoping for a reaction to the evidence I sent him as a follower of the Demon Lord Balor, but there is no response.

It’s strange that the Pope, who despises demons, shows no reaction to the evidence.

In fact… today is the first time I’ve come face to face with the Pope since killing Balor, and he’s keeping his distance from me.

“And finally, I offer words of advice to Count Devian. As Emperor Theodore’s wife, you must uphold your duty as his subject, protect and respect her as your wife and the ruler of the country.”

Silence fills the hall at that moment.

And murmurs can be heard faintly from the guests.

-What is His Holiness saying now…?

-Is he implying a confrontation with the Count?

As the nobles in the hall begin to murmur at the Pope’s speech, which seems like a subtle political statement, the flustered emcee hastily…

“N-Next is the wedding vows…”

The emcee couldn’t finish his sentence because I raised my hand, signaling him to stop…

“Pope’s recommendation… I will always respect and protect Theodora with loyalty as her servant of the Emperor.”

This is not a joke, but a sincere promise.

At least while I am around. No one else will dare to disrespect her in my presence.

This is my vow.

The Pope responds to my words with a glint in his eyes.

“Will you truly do so, I will be watching.”

I nod in response to his words.

“I keep my promises well, Your Holiness.”

As soon as I finish speaking, the emcee wipes his sweat with a handkerchief and speaks.

“Next, we will begin the marriage vows.”

The Pope looks at me and speaks.

“Groom, Devian Ryan, will you pledge before the Almighty God to love and cherish Empress Theodora Augusta for the rest of your life, through good times and bad?”

I open my mouth in response.

“I do.”

The Pope then turns to Theodora and asks.

“Bride, Theodora Augusta, will you pledge before the Almighty God to love and cherish Groom Devian Ryan for the rest of your life, through good times and bad?”

There is a moment of silence as I calmly wait for her answer.

After all, she has no choice but to answer.

“I do…”

Theodora replies in a soft voice, and the Pope declares.

“In the name of the Almighty El, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

After the Pope’s declaration, the emcee continues.

“Now, as a symbol of your union, please exchange a kiss.”

As the emcee finishes speaking, I turn my head to look at Theodora, wearing a white veil.

I realize that I haven’t really seen her face properly in the venue.

The veil is thicker than I thought.

I carefully lift it, revealing only her chin to the others, and see her beautiful face.

She is the most beautiful woman in the Empire, and with makeup on, my heart races.

Is this… cheating?

Could there be an angel in the sky as beautiful as her?

Her beautiful gray hair, rosy cheeks, and lips, flawless white skin, and her shyly closed eyes make me forget what I should do in this moment.

I was going to kiss her, right?

I have to kiss her in front of the guests to finish the wedding…

Suppressing my trembling heart, I gently hold her face and…

I press my lips against hers.

I faintly smell the fragrance of strawberries.

And…

– Congratulations!

– Best wishes!

– Blessings!

And so, our married life began.