The sky was bright blue. Mary Anne, who had not been able to sleep well all morning because she had been anxiously staring at the dark clouds hanging in one corner of the sky, was so moved by the weather that it seemed like a lie and cleared up as soon as the sun rose that she almost cried.
Judith opened her eyes when the outside was still bluish. The empty bed without Franz felt strange and unfamiliar. Franz had been kicked out to another room when he was told that the bride-to-be must be alone on the last night before the wedding.
Judith, who was feeling the empty space with her palm, which felt warmer than usual, finally realized that she was going to have a wedding. She felt the excitement that she had not felt when she tried on the dress or when she spent hours in the bathtub getting ready, slowly seeping into her heart.
“Mary Anne! Then I’ll step on that dress of yours! Are you out of your mind?”
When Cheraan, who was arranging Judith's hair, screamed, Mary Anne, who had been staggering with her eyes half-closed, straightened her back in fright. The bags under her eyes were already dark from having stayed up all night worrying about the weather.
“Mary Anne, I think you need to get some sleep.”
“Absolutely not. Don’t say that. If I die, I’m dead. I can’t sleep when Her Highness's wedding is coming up.”
Mary Anne, holding a velvet case of jewelry, shook her head solemnly. Cheraan, who had been glaring as she fixed the pearl and diamond ornaments between her hair, frowned as she tried to suppress her laughter.
“Someone put a tea leaf in Mary Anne’s eyelids. She’ll cry and whine for a month if she falls asleep like that.”
Cheraan's joke caused a commotion with the maids of the same age laughing at Mart Anne. Everyone was clearly excited and couldn't control their excitement. It was common for them to run around busily even though they weren't that busy. Some even tried to sing.
“Who the hell is getting married? Her Highness is getting married, and did you guys set a date as a group?”
Cheraan scolded them as if she found it ridiculous. Judith bit her lips and smiled, unable to laugh out loud for fear of ruining the decorations.
“Everyone is having fun, so just leave them alone. They’re cute.”
“That’s because they’re out of their mind, you idiot! Oh my, really... How long are you guys going to play around like this? Why don’t you come over here and help me!”
Even though the spirits finally came out, the excited atmosphere did not easily subside. On the contrary, it became even more noisy and chaotic, and when Judith appeared in a wedding dress and a long veil, it reached a climax and a full-blown commotion broke out.
“What if His Highness the Crown Prince collapses?”
“You are so beautiful that no one would challenge the Crown Prince to a duel?”
The raucous jokes and compliments continued, and then a gurgling laughter erupted. Judith tried hard not to laugh, but when Mary Anne and the other children started singing a strange song and dancing, she couldn't hold it in any longer. In the end, it ended only after Cheraan fixed her lip color.
The wedding ceremony was to be held at the Corne Hall, previously used when Franz was crowned Crown Prince. Many opposed the idea of holding a wedding ceremony at the Corne Hall in the Magnus Palace, where the King's residence was located, as it had only been used for coronations and crownings. However, King Jedercayer insisted on Korne Hall.
There was a reason why he wanted to hold the wedding of Franz and Judith there after all. By treating the wedding as the most important event in the country, he intended to further solidify the prestige of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
The nobles of Rotair could not have been unaware of the significance of Corne Hall. They whispered that King Jedecayer had decided to completely exclude Queen Gilsis and Krald. There were even rumors that Krald did not attend the wedding because he had not been given the chance to do so.
Queen Gilsis, who was attending the wedding, overheard all the nobles whispering about such things. It prickled her skin like a needle that the gazes glancing at her were no longer filled with fear like before but instead were replaced by smug curiosity and secret contempt.
“You must be having fun.”
Queen Gilsis, who was holding onto the armrests with trembling hands as if enduring an insult and quivering lips, spoke. Then King Jedercayer, who was sitting next to her, slightly turned his head.
“What does that mean?”
“You made me a joke in front of all these people. I’m sure you feel better.”
“You are talking nonsense more and more. Who on earth is making fun of the Queen? I can’t see it.”
King Jedercayer's voice sounded somewhat tired, but his tone was light and composed. A loud laugh burst from the Queen's mouth.
“Have you already forgotten that you treated me like a criminal and locked me up in the palace without any evidence because of the matter of the Counts of Blosett?”
“You want to bring it up again now? Do you think it would be to your advantage?”
“Do you think it will be beneficial?”
The Queen glared at the King, gnashing her teeth. Fortunately, the hall was still noisy, so no one was listening to the royal couple’s argument.
“You still doubt me. I...”
“If you have anything to say to me, say it after the meal.”
After finishing his speech, the King looked straight ahead as if he would not listen to anything more. Queen Gilsis bit her lips and her eyes bulged red.
'If I were Emerea, would you have suspected something like that?'
She almost blurted out something like that. No, it might have been better if she had said that. But on the other hand, she was glad that King Jedecayer cut her off so firmly.
To mention Emerea in such a way was no different than stabbing King Jedercayer in the back of his neck. It was something that could not be said without being prepared to throw everything aside and confront him.
If he were to kill her, it wouldn't be scary. If he were to immediately remove her from the position of Queen, it wouldn't be scary even if he were to act wickedly. But one thing, one thing, was different.
It was scary to be hated by him.
Queen Gilsis shuddered in humiliation. Her whole body trembled as she sat on her chair. Her arrogant pride was once again thrown to the ground by the fact that she feared the cold contempt of King Jedercayer more than the loss of her head for mentioning Emerea. Some might say it was self-inflicted, but Queen Gilsis herself never thought of it that way.
At that moment, the minister in charge of the ceremony came forward. As the high priest ascended the platform, all those sitting on the upper floor stood up. As the court orchestra began to play, a beautiful chorus filled the hall.
Franz entered the hall first, stepping on the long carpet. Everyone applauded him as he walked in elegantly in his smooth blue suit. White sunlight poured in through the window, but the splendid lights of the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling added to the dazzling brightness of the hall, so much so that not even shadows were properly cast.
Franz stood with his posture straight, staring at the wide-open door. The people who filled the Corne Hall also looked in the same direction as Franz with eyes full of anticipation. As the orchestra changed the music, Franz thought he would soon hear shouts from afar blessing the bride. However, contrary to his expectations, the outside of the hall was quiet.
“The bride...”
“Is Your Highness the Crown Princess coming?”
After a moment of a strange murmur, the flower girls in front of the bride finally appeared. At the same time, the music became more intense. The string melodies that reached the ceiling of the hall merged into one, then split into pieces, and then rose again like a whirlpool.
At that moment, the nobles and foreign guests in the hall immediately understood the situation outside, which had been quiet even during the bride's march. Not only did they understand, but none of the people there raised a voice. They forgot to applaud or cheer and just stared blankly at Judith.
As the wind swayed the chandelier, the crystals, which hung tightly like raindrops, scattered light in all directions. Judith, who walked step by step under the halo of light with her veiled eyes down, looked breathtakingly beautiful. As if she would fly away at any moment as if she would disappear into the light.
Those who had been staring at the bride without even blinking or breathing finally came to their senses the moment she stood next to Franz. Thunderous applause, sighs, tears, and blessings mixed with joy poured out.
Franz lightly took hold of Judith's hands as she stood before him. He should have led the bride to the high priest, but for some reason, he just held her hands and looked down at her without saying a word.
"Your Highness."
Judith, who had been looking down, called out to him softly. The atmosphere in the hall was still chaotic because of people scurrying around and peeking out their heads to get a closer look at the two people standing side by side. During the chaos that swayed like rippling waves, only Franz’s gaze was fixed on Judith without any wavering.
“You should be thankful.”
Franz whispered. Judith's eyes widened at his sudden words.
“What do you mean?”
“If my heart had been just a little weaker, I would have collapsed before the wedding ceremony even began, and if I had not had patience, I would have picked you up right now and carried you away to a place where no one could see you.”
Judith suddenly raised her head and looked into Franz's eyes. She tried to say something in response, but her voice seemed to have disappeared for some reason and no words came out.
Judith, who had been biting her lips and making a strange expression, grabbed his hand and pulled him, and only then did Franz slowly walk with her to the high priest. Just as the priest was about to begin his congratulatory speech, Judith's body tilted slightly toward Franz. And then she whispered:
“You should know that you are lucky, too. I am the same way.”
Judith opened her eyes when the outside was still bluish. The empty bed without Franz felt strange and unfamiliar. Franz had been kicked out to another room when he was told that the bride-to-be must be alone on the last night before the wedding.
Judith, who was feeling the empty space with her palm, which felt warmer than usual, finally realized that she was going to have a wedding. She felt the excitement that she had not felt when she tried on the dress or when she spent hours in the bathtub getting ready, slowly seeping into her heart.
“Mary Anne! Then I’ll step on that dress of yours! Are you out of your mind?”
When Cheraan, who was arranging Judith's hair, screamed, Mary Anne, who had been staggering with her eyes half-closed, straightened her back in fright. The bags under her eyes were already dark from having stayed up all night worrying about the weather.
“Mary Anne, I think you need to get some sleep.”
“Absolutely not. Don’t say that. If I die, I’m dead. I can’t sleep when Her Highness's wedding is coming up.”
Mary Anne, holding a velvet case of jewelry, shook her head solemnly. Cheraan, who had been glaring as she fixed the pearl and diamond ornaments between her hair, frowned as she tried to suppress her laughter.
“Someone put a tea leaf in Mary Anne’s eyelids. She’ll cry and whine for a month if she falls asleep like that.”
Cheraan's joke caused a commotion with the maids of the same age laughing at Mart Anne. Everyone was clearly excited and couldn't control their excitement. It was common for them to run around busily even though they weren't that busy. Some even tried to sing.
“Who the hell is getting married? Her Highness is getting married, and did you guys set a date as a group?”
Cheraan scolded them as if she found it ridiculous. Judith bit her lips and smiled, unable to laugh out loud for fear of ruining the decorations.
“Everyone is having fun, so just leave them alone. They’re cute.”
“That’s because they’re out of their mind, you idiot! Oh my, really... How long are you guys going to play around like this? Why don’t you come over here and help me!”
Even though the spirits finally came out, the excited atmosphere did not easily subside. On the contrary, it became even more noisy and chaotic, and when Judith appeared in a wedding dress and a long veil, it reached a climax and a full-blown commotion broke out.
“What if His Highness the Crown Prince collapses?”
“You are so beautiful that no one would challenge the Crown Prince to a duel?”
The raucous jokes and compliments continued, and then a gurgling laughter erupted. Judith tried hard not to laugh, but when Mary Anne and the other children started singing a strange song and dancing, she couldn't hold it in any longer. In the end, it ended only after Cheraan fixed her lip color.
The wedding ceremony was to be held at the Corne Hall, previously used when Franz was crowned Crown Prince. Many opposed the idea of holding a wedding ceremony at the Corne Hall in the Magnus Palace, where the King's residence was located, as it had only been used for coronations and crownings. However, King Jedercayer insisted on Korne Hall.
There was a reason why he wanted to hold the wedding of Franz and Judith there after all. By treating the wedding as the most important event in the country, he intended to further solidify the prestige of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
The nobles of Rotair could not have been unaware of the significance of Corne Hall. They whispered that King Jedecayer had decided to completely exclude Queen Gilsis and Krald. There were even rumors that Krald did not attend the wedding because he had not been given the chance to do so.
Queen Gilsis, who was attending the wedding, overheard all the nobles whispering about such things. It prickled her skin like a needle that the gazes glancing at her were no longer filled with fear like before but instead were replaced by smug curiosity and secret contempt.
“You must be having fun.”
Queen Gilsis, who was holding onto the armrests with trembling hands as if enduring an insult and quivering lips, spoke. Then King Jedercayer, who was sitting next to her, slightly turned his head.
“What does that mean?”
“You made me a joke in front of all these people. I’m sure you feel better.”
“You are talking nonsense more and more. Who on earth is making fun of the Queen? I can’t see it.”
King Jedercayer's voice sounded somewhat tired, but his tone was light and composed. A loud laugh burst from the Queen's mouth.
“Have you already forgotten that you treated me like a criminal and locked me up in the palace without any evidence because of the matter of the Counts of Blosett?”
“You want to bring it up again now? Do you think it would be to your advantage?”
“Do you think it will be beneficial?”
The Queen glared at the King, gnashing her teeth. Fortunately, the hall was still noisy, so no one was listening to the royal couple’s argument.
“You still doubt me. I...”
“If you have anything to say to me, say it after the meal.”
After finishing his speech, the King looked straight ahead as if he would not listen to anything more. Queen Gilsis bit her lips and her eyes bulged red.
'If I were Emerea, would you have suspected something like that?'
She almost blurted out something like that. No, it might have been better if she had said that. But on the other hand, she was glad that King Jedecayer cut her off so firmly.
To mention Emerea in such a way was no different than stabbing King Jedercayer in the back of his neck. It was something that could not be said without being prepared to throw everything aside and confront him.
If he were to kill her, it wouldn't be scary. If he were to immediately remove her from the position of Queen, it wouldn't be scary even if he were to act wickedly. But one thing, one thing, was different.
It was scary to be hated by him.
Queen Gilsis shuddered in humiliation. Her whole body trembled as she sat on her chair. Her arrogant pride was once again thrown to the ground by the fact that she feared the cold contempt of King Jedercayer more than the loss of her head for mentioning Emerea. Some might say it was self-inflicted, but Queen Gilsis herself never thought of it that way.
At that moment, the minister in charge of the ceremony came forward. As the high priest ascended the platform, all those sitting on the upper floor stood up. As the court orchestra began to play, a beautiful chorus filled the hall.
Franz entered the hall first, stepping on the long carpet. Everyone applauded him as he walked in elegantly in his smooth blue suit. White sunlight poured in through the window, but the splendid lights of the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling added to the dazzling brightness of the hall, so much so that not even shadows were properly cast.
Franz stood with his posture straight, staring at the wide-open door. The people who filled the Corne Hall also looked in the same direction as Franz with eyes full of anticipation. As the orchestra changed the music, Franz thought he would soon hear shouts from afar blessing the bride. However, contrary to his expectations, the outside of the hall was quiet.
“The bride...”
“Is Your Highness the Crown Princess coming?”
After a moment of a strange murmur, the flower girls in front of the bride finally appeared. At the same time, the music became more intense. The string melodies that reached the ceiling of the hall merged into one, then split into pieces, and then rose again like a whirlpool.
At that moment, the nobles and foreign guests in the hall immediately understood the situation outside, which had been quiet even during the bride's march. Not only did they understand, but none of the people there raised a voice. They forgot to applaud or cheer and just stared blankly at Judith.
As the wind swayed the chandelier, the crystals, which hung tightly like raindrops, scattered light in all directions. Judith, who walked step by step under the halo of light with her veiled eyes down, looked breathtakingly beautiful. As if she would fly away at any moment as if she would disappear into the light.
Those who had been staring at the bride without even blinking or breathing finally came to their senses the moment she stood next to Franz. Thunderous applause, sighs, tears, and blessings mixed with joy poured out.
Franz lightly took hold of Judith's hands as she stood before him. He should have led the bride to the high priest, but for some reason, he just held her hands and looked down at her without saying a word.
"Your Highness."
Judith, who had been looking down, called out to him softly. The atmosphere in the hall was still chaotic because of people scurrying around and peeking out their heads to get a closer look at the two people standing side by side. During the chaos that swayed like rippling waves, only Franz’s gaze was fixed on Judith without any wavering.
“You should be thankful.”
Franz whispered. Judith's eyes widened at his sudden words.
“What do you mean?”
“If my heart had been just a little weaker, I would have collapsed before the wedding ceremony even began, and if I had not had patience, I would have picked you up right now and carried you away to a place where no one could see you.”
Judith suddenly raised her head and looked into Franz's eyes. She tried to say something in response, but her voice seemed to have disappeared for some reason and no words came out.
Judith, who had been biting her lips and making a strange expression, grabbed his hand and pulled him, and only then did Franz slowly walk with her to the high priest. Just as the priest was about to begin his congratulatory speech, Judith's body tilted slightly toward Franz. And then she whispered:
“You should know that you are lucky, too. I am the same way.”
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