“Oh, my goodness. You are so beautiful, Miss.”
Finally, Agatha looked into the mirror once more, listening to the compliments from the madam and maids who were checking her appearance.
A white and round forehead, well-groomed eyebrows, a pretty bridge of the nose and full lips, beautiful purple eyes with no blemishes anywhere, and golden hair.
But unlike usual, her face was slightly nervous. Thanks to the heavy makeup, it wasn't obvious, but she looked nervous.
There have been many weddings in the past, but this was the first time she was this excited.
Feeling awkward about herself being excited and anticipating something as if she was walking into an unknown world, Agatha just kept fiddling with the bouquet.
“My lady, His Majesty has arrived. I think the meal will begin soon.”
“Him?”
“The Marquis is said to have finished his preparations and left the waiting room.”
Soon the noisy interior of the temple began to quieten down. Slowly, the melody of the orchestra played and the priest's voice rang out in the wedding hall.
“Miss, I think it’s time for you to go now.”
Agatha headed to the first-floor ceremony hall, supported by her maids. As soon as she saw the entrance, she let go of the maids' hands and straightened her posture.
The high priest was reciting a blessing in front of Enoch, who had entered first.
Suddenly, the long cathedral veil spread across the white carpet.
The eyes of the numerous guests on both sides were focused on Agatha. She was staring at the back of a man in a wedding suit.
“The bride will now enter.”
The man standing in front of the podium turned around. Agatha could not hide her trembling heart as she looked at Enoch, who looked more handsome than ever.
The matching suit really suited him well.
All the complicated thoughts that had been floating around until just a moment ago disappeared.
He stopped moving for a moment and slowly extended his hand to her who came closer.
It was a big, strong hand.
When Agatha saw his fingers touching and her own hand wrapped tightly inside it, her face felt hot for some reason.
The priest who recited the blessing to the couple standing side by side in front of the podium raised his hand.
“Please exchange rings as a token of your marriage vows.”
The priest who was waiting next to him held out a jewelry box that he had already been holding on a white cushion.
A thin platinum ring with an eagle shape embroidered with small diamonds and finished with a deep blue sapphire.
It was a symbol of the head and mistress of the Aratus family that had been passed down from generation to generation.
Enoch picked up a small ring and slipped it on Agatha's left ring finger. The heavy, well-fitting platinum ring gave a sense of reality to Agatha, who was slightly floating.
'I'm really marrying him.'
It was both good and worrisome.
Agatha thought as she slipped a ring identical to her own onto his finger.
'It's okay because I'm this happy now.'
The moment she smiled at the feeling that this wedding would be different, the high priest blessed their hands, wearing rings, and solemnly declared.
“I hereby declare the marriage of Enoch Aratus and Agatha Nobilis to be valid.”
Fragrant flower petals fell just in time, filling the surroundings and the wedding road.
Agatha, along with Enoch, formally exchanged greetings with the vassals and retainers of each family while receiving congratulations from the guests.
Among them was Isabelle Aratus, a direct descendant of the Aratus family and Enoch's younger sister, who had arrived a few days earlier.
“Congratulations on your wedding, brother.”
“Thank you, Isabelle.”
Blue hair and light green eyes that look just like Enoch.
It was her sister-in-law, about five years younger than Agatha. Isabelle slightly lowered her head towards Agatha.
“Now we have become one family.”
“So it happened. Isabelle, please take care of me.”
“I have to ask you something.”
After formally greeting her, Agatha went to the royal family's seats while the reception was being prepared.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Agatha.”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, who was soon to receive huge amounts of trade revenue, was the nicest person in recent memory.
She then received congratulations from the Empress and the Crown Princess, and the Crown Prince Anthony was subtly twitching his eyes.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Young Lady Agatha. Oh, so you are now a Marchioness?”
Anthony slowly came closer, kissed the back of her hand and whispered.
“I’d like to book a second partner for you at the upcoming reception, but I’m not sure if you have a prior commitment.”
“...It is the greatest honor for me. I will gladly leave room for my second partner, Your Majesty.”
Agatha narrowed her eyes inconspicuously and stared at Anthony.
It wasn't a ball, and it was definitely not his wedding day, so he had something to say since there was no way he would be asked to dance for no reason.
'What is it? What is the Emperor doing now?'
Enoch naturally took Agatha's hand and led her to the next seat.
She greeted the guests out of habit and thought about possible variables that could occur during the honeymoon.
Among those who passed by was her sixth ex-husband, Theodore Neuta, who attended alone.
A pale and sickly face.
Surprisingly, his face looked like he had been through a lot of mental anguish. And there were no people around him that he usually had.
'I thought they could accompany you.'
It was surprising that the ladies of the Neuta Duke's house did not join as partners, even though no invitations had been sent.
“Hmm...?”
“Why are you doing this, Agatha?”
"No. It's nothing. Now I have to go change my clothes.”
While they were exchanging greetings, preparations for the reception, including the outdoor area, were completed.
Expensive wines were poured and exquisite dishes were served in towers made of thousands of crystal glasses.
It was the beginning of the wedding reception, which was both a ball and a festival.
The wedding dress chosen by Agatha was a bell-line dress that boldly revealed the upper body and became suddenly voluminous from below the waist.
Her hair was pulled up high, and a choker decorated with black velvet and diamonds hung around her neck.
Enoch, wearing a light blue shirt, diamond chain, and black suit to match the color of the dress, escorted her.
The hall, which was transformed from a ceremony hall to a reception hall, was extravagant.
The ceiling, where all the candles were lit, reflected the crystal and was as dazzling as the stars in the sky.
The floor, fully exposed to white marble, boasted a beautiful scene with murals engraved by craftsmen filled with platinum.
As the protagonist entered, the orchestra's melody changed. Agatha, who had naturally stood in the center of the hall, gave a slight bow and placed a hand on Enoch's shoulder.
It was an act of opening the first dance at a ball as the host of a party, something she had done many times before.
The moment a strong arm wrapped around her waist and she was immersed in his colorless embrace, her mouth became strangely dry.
It was her first time feeling nervous on a social stage where she always was.
He looked at the trembling fingertips for a moment and showed quiet consideration as soon as he started.
Soft lead.
The hand that was supporting her waist silently guided her step forward.
Surprisingly, his dancing skills were also top-notch.
Before they knew it, one by one, nobles were dancing in the center of the hall.
Agatha buried her face in his broad chest as if trying to hide her slightly flushed cheeks.
"Thank you."
"No."
The hem of the fresh sky blue dress that had been floating in the air gently fell down.
Agatha finished the dance seemingly as usual and left the hall with Enoch.
The Crown Prince, Anthony, who was waiting nearby, approached.
“It is my turn now, Marchioness.”
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
Agatha let go of Enoch's hand and took Anthony's hand. As the Crown Prince and the Emperor's goddaughter came to the center of the hall, the center stage became completely empty again.
As there was less attention, Anthony kept his appearance simple and spoke comfortably.
“You seem unexpectedly nervous.”
“No way.”
“Do you like the Marquis that much?”
“...”
As she exchanged greetings before dancing with Anthony, Agatha turned her gaze to where Enoch had been.
In the crowded place, only the tall man's blue hair was barely visible.
“Stop talking nonsense. Why did you ask to see me today?”
“Because it sounded interesting.”
The Crown Prince smiled regretfully, showing off his dancing skills befitting a high society rascal.
“My dear cousin. Who do you think the Mainukor envoy who was assigned to conduct preliminary negotiations with you on the island of Pahlavi is?”
“...”
There were times when they would come to see each other or make time for each other.
Basically, both the Crown Prince and she were very busy people, so they often danced at the ball or met on the terrace and had brief conversations.
And in most cases, it was urgent or bad business.
"No way."
“I thought I heard wrong too.”
Anthony calmly lifted his lips as he got closer to Agatha.
"Congratulations. I think your ex-husband will come out.”
Fernand Mainumconti, the second Prince of the Mainukor Empire.
Agatha immediately looked up at the podium where the Emperor was sitting and bit her lips hard so as not to show it.
Damn, godfather.
It was truly the worst wedding present.
“Okay, that’s all I have to say. You can pay me back later.”
The bomb that Anthony delivered really messed up Agatha's head.
She was reluctant to come forward to negotiate with the Mainukor Empire, but it was even more uncomfortable when her ex-husband showed up in person.
With what shame does that person come out there?
As the sly face that she had consciously forgotten came to mind, she suddenly felt annoyed.
She has to see that face again.
Fernand was a man far removed from things like shame and common sense.
Agatha gritted her teeth as she recalled the day that had made her decide to divorce more than ten years ago.
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