Near the Rotair border.
The coachman quickly pulled the reins to stop the carriage at the sound of the heavy iron hitting the glass nervously. As soon as the wheels, which had been rolling and rattling on the gravel road, stopped, the door opened with a bang!
“What the hell. How on earth did this road come to be? Do they not even clean it properly when carriages pass by?”
The man who got out of the carriage, pulling the cloak, was Iland, the King of Tien.
The coachman quickly pulled the reins to stop the carriage at the sound of the heavy iron hitting the glass nervously. As soon as the wheels, which had been rolling and rattling on the gravel road, stopped, the door opened with a bang!
“What the hell. How on earth did this road come to be? Do they not even clean it properly when carriages pass by?”
The man who got out of the carriage, pulling the cloak, was Iland, the King of Tien.
He looked down at the dusty ground beneath his feet with annoyed eyes. The young servant who got out after him crouched down and lifted the hem of his precious cloak as if he was going to touch his forehead to the ground, so as not to get even a single speck of dust on it, but every time the horses stomped their feet, white dust flew up, and even that effort was in vain.
"Your Majesty."
The servant riding in the carriage behind ran over and offered Iland a glass of water. Iland accepted it with a rough gesture, gulped down the water in one gulp, and then carelessly wiped his wet lips with his sleeve.
“How much longer until Rotair?”
“If we move at the same speed, it will take a little over half a day, Your Majesty.”
Iland frowned and stared at the forest in the distance.
“I am the only brother of the Crown Princess of that country. If you are going to invite me, you should at least prepare the way and wait for me! If not, you should at least send me a comfortable carriage. You just sent me the invitation, and when I got to the border, there was no one to greet me! Rotair said that etiquette was strict and such, but it was all nonsense.”
“That is a valid point.”
It was nonsense that no one in their right mind would even snort at, but from the servant's perspective, he had no choice but to agree.
"Your Majesty."
The servant riding in the carriage behind ran over and offered Iland a glass of water. Iland accepted it with a rough gesture, gulped down the water in one gulp, and then carelessly wiped his wet lips with his sleeve.
“How much longer until Rotair?”
“If we move at the same speed, it will take a little over half a day, Your Majesty.”
Iland frowned and stared at the forest in the distance.
“I am the only brother of the Crown Princess of that country. If you are going to invite me, you should at least prepare the way and wait for me! If not, you should at least send me a comfortable carriage. You just sent me the invitation, and when I got to the border, there was no one to greet me! Rotair said that etiquette was strict and such, but it was all nonsense.”
“That is a valid point.”
It was nonsense that no one in their right mind would even snort at, but from the servant's perspective, he had no choice but to agree.
Iland sniffed with a disgusted expression, then grabbed the hem of his cloak, carelessly pushed the servant who was lying on the dirt floor away with his foot, and climbed back into the carriage.
Although he talked as if he was so great, Iland was in no position to be so bold. From Rotair's perspective, he was an uninvited guest, so much so that Judith and Franz had a hard time deciding whether or not to send him an invitation.
Although he was a dull and self-centered Iland, he had guessed that no one in Rotair would welcome him. Knowing this made him even more upset.
One thing that Iland had not even thought about was the real reason why he was not welcome. King Jedecayer and the nobles had long despised Iland because he had continuously demanded money and supplies for absurd wars using Judith as an excuse. Iland knew only that fact and had no idea that the Crown Prince, Franz, or even his own sister Judith herself would not welcome him.
"This time, I have to wring a lot of money out of those old guys, even if I have to hang on like a leech. Wouldn't that make the money work?"
Before he set off on his way to the Rotair, he openly said such things in front of the gathered officials. He was ridiculed for his vulgar remarks, like those of a money-grubbing thug, but since he was naturally inclined to close his ears to unpleasant remarks, it did not hurt him at all.
Ever since the rumor that Judith was monopolizing the favor of King Jedercayer reached Tien, Iland often expressed his anger, saying that he had been 'deceived'.
Even though Rotair was taking Judith as a concubine, he was rather satisfied with the money he received from Queen Gilsis until he ignored Judith, saying, “Who on earth would look after such a shabby girl?”
However, contrary to his expectations, when Judith established herself in Rotair's royal family and eventually rose to the position of Crown Princess, and no one could treat her lightly, he lived with the words, "Isn't it like I didn't get what I paid for?"
Although he talked as if he was so great, Iland was in no position to be so bold. From Rotair's perspective, he was an uninvited guest, so much so that Judith and Franz had a hard time deciding whether or not to send him an invitation.
Although he was a dull and self-centered Iland, he had guessed that no one in Rotair would welcome him. Knowing this made him even more upset.
One thing that Iland had not even thought about was the real reason why he was not welcome. King Jedecayer and the nobles had long despised Iland because he had continuously demanded money and supplies for absurd wars using Judith as an excuse. Iland knew only that fact and had no idea that the Crown Prince, Franz, or even his own sister Judith herself would not welcome him.
"This time, I have to wring a lot of money out of those old guys, even if I have to hang on like a leech. Wouldn't that make the money work?"
Before he set off on his way to the Rotair, he openly said such things in front of the gathered officials. He was ridiculed for his vulgar remarks, like those of a money-grubbing thug, but since he was naturally inclined to close his ears to unpleasant remarks, it did not hurt him at all.
Ever since the rumor that Judith was monopolizing the favor of King Jedercayer reached Tien, Iland often expressed his anger, saying that he had been 'deceived'.
Even though Rotair was taking Judith as a concubine, he was rather satisfied with the money he received from Queen Gilsis until he ignored Judith, saying, “Who on earth would look after such a shabby girl?”
However, contrary to his expectations, when Judith established herself in Rotair's royal family and eventually rose to the position of Crown Princess, and no one could treat her lightly, he lived with the words, "Isn't it like I didn't get what I paid for?"
He was not only angry in words, but sometimes he felt as if Rotair had stolen something truly precious from him.
When he pushed forward with a war that no one supported and lost and ran out of money to pay the reparation, he continued to cling to King Jedercayer and the Rotair royal family using Judith as an excuse.
Since the King would not listen, he even sent someone to Queen Gilsis personally. After seeing the Queen running wild like a madman, the messenger was terrified and fled, and he never tried again.
“I will never leave you until you give me some money. Just wait and see. If I have to, I can even get it from that girl Judith. If the King is so stingy with it, how can he possibly have nothing? If she has something good, she should share it with her brother. I am her only brother, not many.”
Iland, with his arms crossed, muttered to himself haughtily. The young servant sitting across from him nodded vigorously, not knowing what he was saying, so as not to offend him.
The royal palace, with the wedding just one day away, was bustling and bustling everywhere.
A procession of carriages stretched from the square to the entrance of the palace, as nobles from far-off lands arrived to attend the ceremony.
Not only the nobles, but also the maids, chaperones, servants, escorts, and secretaries brought with them, as well as carriages carrying their luggage and gifts, most households brought more than three or four carriages, so it would be strange if it wasn't bustling.
In addition, there were dozens of wagons loaded with silk and decorations for the wedding, so it would not be an exaggeration to say that the main gate and the side gates on both sides of the outer wall were literally a sea of wagons.
The highlight of the event was when huge carriages carrying hundreds of fresh flowers to decorate the banquet hall and the castles where the banquet was held arrived. Although it was early winter, the weather was warm enough for the delicate flowers to freeze and wilt from the leaves, so they brought an entire mobile greenhouse to keep the flowers fresh until the day of the ceremony.
The various types of flowers that Duke Vergy had arranged and prepared even in foreign countries were covered by a cloth to block the wind and could not even be seen properly, but their fragrant scent alone was enough to overwhelm people.
“How are you, Your Highness? Isn’t the water too hot?”
While the outside of the castle was in such chaos, Judith was in the bath in broad daylight. It might be more accurate to say that she 'had to' go in since she didn't go in of her own accord.
“It’s warm and nice. But...”
As Judith trailed off, the maids gathered around her all raised their heads and looked at her. Seeing those eyes that were so bright and clear that it was burdensome, Judith almost held back her words, but she gathered her courage.
“It’s okay to leave now...”
“No, Your Highness!”
“Of course! It hasn’t even been an hour yet!”
“You have to stay for at least two more hours!”
At the last maid's shout, Judith looked as if she wanted to faint, but they couldn't hear her as they sat there as if they were rocks.
“Guys, seriously... I told you, you don’t have to do this. How can I stay in the bath for two hours?”
“If two hours is too hard, just one more hour.”
“They say it’s a wedding, but I’ve already been married to the Crown Prince for several years. It feels strange to be doing this now.”
The story of how Judith ended up locked in the bathroom went like this.
In the Rotair, before getting married, the bride would soak in lukewarm water for a long time and make herself up with care. Not only nobles but also young ladies of the time would go through this procedure, even if they had to make a makeshift bathtub at home or pay to rent a bathroom from another family.
People believed that if the bride soaked in a bath containing powdered flowers, fragrant herbs, and leaves, she would not be affected by bad luck.
In addition, the purpose of the bath was to make every corner of the bride’s body smell good. Those who could not afford to spend a lot of money usually ended up with just a bath, but if the couple’s family was wealthy or noble, a more complicated process was added.
First, they brought in people they could gather, and of course, they cleaned their fingertips and toes, and they constantly replenished water and patted and rubbed their skin to make it soft. Then they twisted silk soaked in perfumed oil into their hair, which made their hair voluminous, shiny, and fragrant.
As for Judith, she was the most precious bride in Rotair, so there were of course the usual series of procedures, but more complicated ones were added. The maids of the Palace of Nation were quick to rattle off the miscellaneous knowledge they had learned from their mothers, grandmothers, and aunts, and they were shouting that she had to do this, that, and that.
Most of them had served Judith since the Argent Palace. When the second Princess, Flavia, had a splendid wedding, they too had gnashed their teeth, saying they would die, just like Cheraan and Mary Anne had done. They were in a combative posture as if it was time to release the anger that had built up at that time.
“You’ll have to see the people gathered to see the Crown Princess tomorrow gape, or maybe even drop their jaws. Isn’t that right, Mary Anne?”
A maid named Hoen, who was a year older than Mary Anne, spoke as if asking for agreement. Mary Anne, who had been tapping Judith's shoulder with her fingertips, nodded vigorously.
“Of course! Your Highness is so beautiful that everyone should go blind.”
“Do you... want all the guests at my wedding to have their jaws drop and their eyes go blind?”
“Is that all? We all would be disappointed if they didn’t faint at the sight of the Crown Princess. Your Highness knows how long we have waited for this day!”
Judith looked around with astonishment. But the maids all just gave her a look of 'Of course' as if they had made a promise.
“I’m the one getting married, but somehow you guys are more enthusiastic about it.”
“That’s right! Your Highness, please put in a little more effort and passion!”
At Hoen's words, Judith looked at each of the hands held in her hand and shrugged her shoulders.
“Are you saying that this level of passion and sincerity is not enough?”
Then Hoen also nodded her head.
“Please make a face that looks like you’re going to pull the guests’ chins out a little more, Your Highness.”
“I don’t want to have such a bloody wedding...”
When he pushed forward with a war that no one supported and lost and ran out of money to pay the reparation, he continued to cling to King Jedercayer and the Rotair royal family using Judith as an excuse.
Since the King would not listen, he even sent someone to Queen Gilsis personally. After seeing the Queen running wild like a madman, the messenger was terrified and fled, and he never tried again.
“I will never leave you until you give me some money. Just wait and see. If I have to, I can even get it from that girl Judith. If the King is so stingy with it, how can he possibly have nothing? If she has something good, she should share it with her brother. I am her only brother, not many.”
Iland, with his arms crossed, muttered to himself haughtily. The young servant sitting across from him nodded vigorously, not knowing what he was saying, so as not to offend him.
***
The royal palace, with the wedding just one day away, was bustling and bustling everywhere.
A procession of carriages stretched from the square to the entrance of the palace, as nobles from far-off lands arrived to attend the ceremony.
Not only the nobles, but also the maids, chaperones, servants, escorts, and secretaries brought with them, as well as carriages carrying their luggage and gifts, most households brought more than three or four carriages, so it would be strange if it wasn't bustling.
In addition, there were dozens of wagons loaded with silk and decorations for the wedding, so it would not be an exaggeration to say that the main gate and the side gates on both sides of the outer wall were literally a sea of wagons.
The highlight of the event was when huge carriages carrying hundreds of fresh flowers to decorate the banquet hall and the castles where the banquet was held arrived. Although it was early winter, the weather was warm enough for the delicate flowers to freeze and wilt from the leaves, so they brought an entire mobile greenhouse to keep the flowers fresh until the day of the ceremony.
The various types of flowers that Duke Vergy had arranged and prepared even in foreign countries were covered by a cloth to block the wind and could not even be seen properly, but their fragrant scent alone was enough to overwhelm people.
“How are you, Your Highness? Isn’t the water too hot?”
While the outside of the castle was in such chaos, Judith was in the bath in broad daylight. It might be more accurate to say that she 'had to' go in since she didn't go in of her own accord.
“It’s warm and nice. But...”
As Judith trailed off, the maids gathered around her all raised their heads and looked at her. Seeing those eyes that were so bright and clear that it was burdensome, Judith almost held back her words, but she gathered her courage.
“It’s okay to leave now...”
“No, Your Highness!”
“Of course! It hasn’t even been an hour yet!”
“You have to stay for at least two more hours!”
At the last maid's shout, Judith looked as if she wanted to faint, but they couldn't hear her as they sat there as if they were rocks.
“Guys, seriously... I told you, you don’t have to do this. How can I stay in the bath for two hours?”
“If two hours is too hard, just one more hour.”
“They say it’s a wedding, but I’ve already been married to the Crown Prince for several years. It feels strange to be doing this now.”
The story of how Judith ended up locked in the bathroom went like this.
In the Rotair, before getting married, the bride would soak in lukewarm water for a long time and make herself up with care. Not only nobles but also young ladies of the time would go through this procedure, even if they had to make a makeshift bathtub at home or pay to rent a bathroom from another family.
People believed that if the bride soaked in a bath containing powdered flowers, fragrant herbs, and leaves, she would not be affected by bad luck.
In addition, the purpose of the bath was to make every corner of the bride’s body smell good. Those who could not afford to spend a lot of money usually ended up with just a bath, but if the couple’s family was wealthy or noble, a more complicated process was added.
First, they brought in people they could gather, and of course, they cleaned their fingertips and toes, and they constantly replenished water and patted and rubbed their skin to make it soft. Then they twisted silk soaked in perfumed oil into their hair, which made their hair voluminous, shiny, and fragrant.
As for Judith, she was the most precious bride in Rotair, so there were of course the usual series of procedures, but more complicated ones were added. The maids of the Palace of Nation were quick to rattle off the miscellaneous knowledge they had learned from their mothers, grandmothers, and aunts, and they were shouting that she had to do this, that, and that.
Most of them had served Judith since the Argent Palace. When the second Princess, Flavia, had a splendid wedding, they too had gnashed their teeth, saying they would die, just like Cheraan and Mary Anne had done. They were in a combative posture as if it was time to release the anger that had built up at that time.
“You’ll have to see the people gathered to see the Crown Princess tomorrow gape, or maybe even drop their jaws. Isn’t that right, Mary Anne?”
A maid named Hoen, who was a year older than Mary Anne, spoke as if asking for agreement. Mary Anne, who had been tapping Judith's shoulder with her fingertips, nodded vigorously.
“Of course! Your Highness is so beautiful that everyone should go blind.”
“Do you... want all the guests at my wedding to have their jaws drop and their eyes go blind?”
“Is that all? We all would be disappointed if they didn’t faint at the sight of the Crown Princess. Your Highness knows how long we have waited for this day!”
Judith looked around with astonishment. But the maids all just gave her a look of 'Of course' as if they had made a promise.
“I’m the one getting married, but somehow you guys are more enthusiastic about it.”
“That’s right! Your Highness, please put in a little more effort and passion!”
At Hoen's words, Judith looked at each of the hands held in her hand and shrugged her shoulders.
“Are you saying that this level of passion and sincerity is not enough?”
Then Hoen also nodded her head.
“Please make a face that looks like you’re going to pull the guests’ chins out a little more, Your Highness.”
“I don’t want to have such a bloody wedding...”
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