But for Cecilia, it was the collapse of one of the pillars of her world. Her husband killing her father was the last line of pain she could endure.
There was no longer any regret in this life. As Cecilia climbed the stairs, only one question came to mind.
“Why did it have to be this way? Why were you so cruel to me...”
Cecilia, who had been muttering to herself, shook her head with a hollow laugh. Now, it didn’t matter what Eden thought or what was in his heart.
'I wanted to kill you too.'
A cool breeze blew even though it was summer. Cecilia closed her eyes tightly, recalling Eden's voice.
'But now you have to live, Cecilia.'
'So live.'
No. I don't want to hear anything from you anymore.
Cecilia, who gave herself over to the strong wind like a falling flower, smiled with a sad face.
I want to go back. Then I won't love him again. But I know it's a vain wish. Then at least, I hope I can find eternal rest.
Thud.
With a dull thud, the world around her collapsed. Deep darkness, that was the end of her memory.
"Miss?"
Cecilia blinked blankly at the voice calling her name. Madame Monte and Evie, who were helping Cecilia not to trip over her long dress, were staring at Cecilia with puzzled faces.
At the last moment, she remembered the intense pain that had hit her body as it hit the floor. She lost consciousness with the sound of her neck breaking, and everything went black.
But how did I open my eyes again?
"Miss?"
Not only was she alive, but her body was healthy, without a single broken or injured part. Her thin, white arms had no bruises, and only smooth skin like a new sprout was exposed. In fact, it was even more beautiful than she remembered.
“Where does it hurt?”
Besides, the clothes she was wearing weren't flimsy pajamas. Cecilia gazed down at the dress decorated with delicate lace and elegant embroidery.
It was a dress that she had seen somewhere before. Even though it was a fancy design that she wouldn't wear to a normal gathering.
“Cecilia, is there anything that feels uncomfortable?”
Before she knew it, Curtis had come over and was asking Cecilia some questions that seemed to show concern for her.
"...Father?"
“Yeah. Are you suddenly feeling sick somewhere?”
Curtis placed his large hand on Cecilia's forehead. Cecilia stared blankly at her father's worried face, which she had never seen before.
“No, it’s okay.”
Cecilia answered with a faint smile on her face. It was because she thought it was a dream. Since she couldn’t possibly have come back to life, it was a blessing from God to be able to see her loved ones one last time, so it was understandable.
“Please come inside.”
As if the time had come, two servants opened the heavy doors on both sides. Cecilia walked through the wide-open doors, arm in arm with her father, without knowing where she was going.
Now that she thinks about it, she vaguely remembers where she saw this dress. She asked for the most elegant and beautiful design, thinking it would only be available once in her life, and she got it...
“Wedding dress?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Eden appeared at the end of the red-carpeted road, dressed in formal attire and standing with his back straight.
An elegant man with smooth, shiny brown hair combed back and eyes bluer than the sky. The beautiful man had a soft, gentle smile on his face.
"Why..."
Cecilia muttered with a confused face. Eden was not a person Cecilia would welcome in her dreams. Especially not so beautifully.
At some point, the liveliness in his eyes, which had never been seen before in Emperor Eden, seemed unfamiliar. Because it was 'real'.
“...!”
At that moment, Cecilia had a sudden realization: This is real.
This dream never ends.
No, this wasn't a dream in the first place. She had come back from the brink of death. She was twenty-year-old Cecilia Lane, who was to marry Grand Duke Burnett or Eden Lobana Burnett. At that moment, goosebumps ran through her body like a shiver.
Back. From a terrible future.
“Cecilia?”
Cecilia stood frozen in shock and confusion. The bouquet of flowers in her hand trembled. Curtis turned around and called out to Cecilia in a puzzled voice.
Why? How? Is that even possible?
A warm breeze poured through the open door and blew against Cecilia's back. As if that was a signal, Cecilia began to move her trembling legs again.
Fortunately, the heels of her shoes were hidden by the hem of her long dress, and she couldn't see them wobbling like the legs of a newborn calf.
“Cecilia Lane is the only daughter of the Duke of Lane and a devout child of God.”
Cecilia stopped beside Eden, trying to keep her composure. People seemed to assume that Cecilia had stepped on something or had stopped because she felt uncomfortable. It was a moment when the training she had received as an Empress to hide her emotions and thoroughly conceal her facial expressions shone through.
However, as if he had noticed Cecilia’s anxiety and surprise, Eden kept his head straight ahead but occasionally rolled his eyes to the side to check Cecilia’s expression. Cecilia lowered her eyes to the floor so as not to make eye contact with Eden and have her thoughts revealed. He was a quick-witted person.
“First, I would like to thank God for giving me the honor of blessing the union of the noble Duke of Burnett of the Wyatt Empire and the Duke of Lane, a noble house.”
The priest bowed reverently to God. Those who attended the ceremony also joined their hands and prayed briefly.
“God. Today, two of your children wish to make a new beginning. The Grand Duke Eden Lobana Burnett, the second Prince of the Wyatt Empire and the Grand Duchess of Burnett, and Cecilia Lane, the only daughter of the Lane duchy.”
While those in attendance at the ceremony respectfully swore to God that they would be witnesses to this marriage, Cecilia's fleeting thoughts continued.
However, since she had already fallen from the tower and died with her neck broken, she thought it was only a dream, so her head, which had stopped thinking, did not roll easily.
Cecilia Lane is clearly dead. So what is this moment? Is it possible to go back in time?
“All who are present here will be witnesses to this marriage.”
Cecilia acted as if she was fixing the bouquet, and naturally clasped her hands together. Her palms were soaked with sweat at the unbelievable reality, and her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest at any moment. She also felt anxious that Eden might hear the sound.
“The two people who are going to be married must make a vow.”
The voice of the high priest, who was talking about the relationship, duties, and responsibilities between a couple, just flowed by. Even though it was something she had already experienced once, Cecilia couldn't concentrate at all. She was trying so hard to silence all the sounds and tension, and even swallowing her saliva was a struggle.
Can I jump out?
Cecilia's green eyes glanced uneasily over her shoulder at the door as if looking back at the guests.
“Finally, please both of you sign this pledge. I, as the High Priest, will notarize it.”
At that moment, the High Priest asked Cecilia and Eden to sign the marriage contract. Cecilia took the quill and inscribed her name under Eden's signature.
“With this...”
After Cecilia finished signing, one of the priests handed the oath over to the High Priest.
“We are pleased to announce the birth of a new couple blessed by God in Wyatt.”
The high priest, who had confirmed the signature, declared that the marriage had taken place in the name of the Lord. Cecilia closed her eyes with a pale face.
“Now, kiss your spouse in front of the gods and guests as a pledge of eternal love.”
It seemed as if he had sensed Cecilia's desire to run away from that spot. As soon as the High Priest finished speaking, Eden grabbed the end of the veil without hesitation.
The white veil that had been hanging down from the crown of her head and covering her eyes was slowly being pulled back. Cecilia let out a low breath and squeezed her eyes shut.
Eden appears clearly in the world, which has regained its full color after taking off the whitened-up colors. Once again, the one and only man who will become Cecilia Lane's husband. Eden Lobana Burnett.
“Don’t be nervous. It’ll be over soon.”
Cecilia remembered this beautiful moment, under the glass window that decorated the ceiling, with the pouring light. The beginning that she thought would be happy, just brilliant and exciting. Eden’s face, looking at her and getting closer, was the same picture as back then.
But happiness did not last forever. Especially, the memories right before she took her own life were closer to hell.
“You are beautiful, Cecilia.”
The moment their warm lips touched, the blood rushing to her ears and the sound of her heart pounding loudly broke the illusion. The sound of the glass shattering like a stone being thrown at a window, scattering debris, brought Cecilia back to complete reality.
Eden slowly and gently pulled away from her lips. Cecilia stared blankly at Eden, who had become her husband again, without blinking even once. Eden smiled brightly as if his gaze was not burdensome at all.
"Ah..."
Cecilia sighed in a daze. Amidst the pouring applause, she seemed to hear a clanging sound from somewhere. It was the sound of the heavy chain of fate being woven between them once again, and a strong lock being locked.
God had once again tied and locked their bond, and it was also a declaration that it could not be undone.
There was no longer any regret in this life. As Cecilia climbed the stairs, only one question came to mind.
“Why did it have to be this way? Why were you so cruel to me...”
Cecilia, who had been muttering to herself, shook her head with a hollow laugh. Now, it didn’t matter what Eden thought or what was in his heart.
'I wanted to kill you too.'
A cool breeze blew even though it was summer. Cecilia closed her eyes tightly, recalling Eden's voice.
'But now you have to live, Cecilia.'
'So live.'
No. I don't want to hear anything from you anymore.
Cecilia, who gave herself over to the strong wind like a falling flower, smiled with a sad face.
I want to go back. Then I won't love him again. But I know it's a vain wish. Then at least, I hope I can find eternal rest.
Thud.
With a dull thud, the world around her collapsed. Deep darkness, that was the end of her memory.
"Miss?"
Cecilia blinked blankly at the voice calling her name. Madame Monte and Evie, who were helping Cecilia not to trip over her long dress, were staring at Cecilia with puzzled faces.
At the last moment, she remembered the intense pain that had hit her body as it hit the floor. She lost consciousness with the sound of her neck breaking, and everything went black.
But how did I open my eyes again?
"Miss?"
Not only was she alive, but her body was healthy, without a single broken or injured part. Her thin, white arms had no bruises, and only smooth skin like a new sprout was exposed. In fact, it was even more beautiful than she remembered.
“Where does it hurt?”
Besides, the clothes she was wearing weren't flimsy pajamas. Cecilia gazed down at the dress decorated with delicate lace and elegant embroidery.
It was a dress that she had seen somewhere before. Even though it was a fancy design that she wouldn't wear to a normal gathering.
“Cecilia, is there anything that feels uncomfortable?”
Before she knew it, Curtis had come over and was asking Cecilia some questions that seemed to show concern for her.
"...Father?"
“Yeah. Are you suddenly feeling sick somewhere?”
Curtis placed his large hand on Cecilia's forehead. Cecilia stared blankly at her father's worried face, which she had never seen before.
“No, it’s okay.”
Cecilia answered with a faint smile on her face. It was because she thought it was a dream. Since she couldn’t possibly have come back to life, it was a blessing from God to be able to see her loved ones one last time, so it was understandable.
“Please come inside.”
As if the time had come, two servants opened the heavy doors on both sides. Cecilia walked through the wide-open doors, arm in arm with her father, without knowing where she was going.
Now that she thinks about it, she vaguely remembers where she saw this dress. She asked for the most elegant and beautiful design, thinking it would only be available once in her life, and she got it...
“Wedding dress?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Eden appeared at the end of the red-carpeted road, dressed in formal attire and standing with his back straight.
An elegant man with smooth, shiny brown hair combed back and eyes bluer than the sky. The beautiful man had a soft, gentle smile on his face.
"Why..."
Cecilia muttered with a confused face. Eden was not a person Cecilia would welcome in her dreams. Especially not so beautifully.
At some point, the liveliness in his eyes, which had never been seen before in Emperor Eden, seemed unfamiliar. Because it was 'real'.
“...!”
At that moment, Cecilia had a sudden realization: This is real.
This dream never ends.
No, this wasn't a dream in the first place. She had come back from the brink of death. She was twenty-year-old Cecilia Lane, who was to marry Grand Duke Burnett or Eden Lobana Burnett. At that moment, goosebumps ran through her body like a shiver.
Back. From a terrible future.
“Cecilia?”
Cecilia stood frozen in shock and confusion. The bouquet of flowers in her hand trembled. Curtis turned around and called out to Cecilia in a puzzled voice.
Why? How? Is that even possible?
A warm breeze poured through the open door and blew against Cecilia's back. As if that was a signal, Cecilia began to move her trembling legs again.
Fortunately, the heels of her shoes were hidden by the hem of her long dress, and she couldn't see them wobbling like the legs of a newborn calf.
“Cecilia Lane is the only daughter of the Duke of Lane and a devout child of God.”
Cecilia stopped beside Eden, trying to keep her composure. People seemed to assume that Cecilia had stepped on something or had stopped because she felt uncomfortable. It was a moment when the training she had received as an Empress to hide her emotions and thoroughly conceal her facial expressions shone through.
However, as if he had noticed Cecilia’s anxiety and surprise, Eden kept his head straight ahead but occasionally rolled his eyes to the side to check Cecilia’s expression. Cecilia lowered her eyes to the floor so as not to make eye contact with Eden and have her thoughts revealed. He was a quick-witted person.
“First, I would like to thank God for giving me the honor of blessing the union of the noble Duke of Burnett of the Wyatt Empire and the Duke of Lane, a noble house.”
The priest bowed reverently to God. Those who attended the ceremony also joined their hands and prayed briefly.
“God. Today, two of your children wish to make a new beginning. The Grand Duke Eden Lobana Burnett, the second Prince of the Wyatt Empire and the Grand Duchess of Burnett, and Cecilia Lane, the only daughter of the Lane duchy.”
While those in attendance at the ceremony respectfully swore to God that they would be witnesses to this marriage, Cecilia's fleeting thoughts continued.
However, since she had already fallen from the tower and died with her neck broken, she thought it was only a dream, so her head, which had stopped thinking, did not roll easily.
Cecilia Lane is clearly dead. So what is this moment? Is it possible to go back in time?
“All who are present here will be witnesses to this marriage.”
Cecilia acted as if she was fixing the bouquet, and naturally clasped her hands together. Her palms were soaked with sweat at the unbelievable reality, and her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest at any moment. She also felt anxious that Eden might hear the sound.
“The two people who are going to be married must make a vow.”
The voice of the high priest, who was talking about the relationship, duties, and responsibilities between a couple, just flowed by. Even though it was something she had already experienced once, Cecilia couldn't concentrate at all. She was trying so hard to silence all the sounds and tension, and even swallowing her saliva was a struggle.
Can I jump out?
Cecilia's green eyes glanced uneasily over her shoulder at the door as if looking back at the guests.
“Finally, please both of you sign this pledge. I, as the High Priest, will notarize it.”
At that moment, the High Priest asked Cecilia and Eden to sign the marriage contract. Cecilia took the quill and inscribed her name under Eden's signature.
“With this...”
After Cecilia finished signing, one of the priests handed the oath over to the High Priest.
“We are pleased to announce the birth of a new couple blessed by God in Wyatt.”
The high priest, who had confirmed the signature, declared that the marriage had taken place in the name of the Lord. Cecilia closed her eyes with a pale face.
“Now, kiss your spouse in front of the gods and guests as a pledge of eternal love.”
It seemed as if he had sensed Cecilia's desire to run away from that spot. As soon as the High Priest finished speaking, Eden grabbed the end of the veil without hesitation.
The white veil that had been hanging down from the crown of her head and covering her eyes was slowly being pulled back. Cecilia let out a low breath and squeezed her eyes shut.
Eden appears clearly in the world, which has regained its full color after taking off the whitened-up colors. Once again, the one and only man who will become Cecilia Lane's husband. Eden Lobana Burnett.
“Don’t be nervous. It’ll be over soon.”
Cecilia remembered this beautiful moment, under the glass window that decorated the ceiling, with the pouring light. The beginning that she thought would be happy, just brilliant and exciting. Eden’s face, looking at her and getting closer, was the same picture as back then.
But happiness did not last forever. Especially, the memories right before she took her own life were closer to hell.
“You are beautiful, Cecilia.”
The moment their warm lips touched, the blood rushing to her ears and the sound of her heart pounding loudly broke the illusion. The sound of the glass shattering like a stone being thrown at a window, scattering debris, brought Cecilia back to complete reality.
Eden slowly and gently pulled away from her lips. Cecilia stared blankly at Eden, who had become her husband again, without blinking even once. Eden smiled brightly as if his gaze was not burdensome at all.
"Ah..."
Cecilia sighed in a daze. Amidst the pouring applause, she seemed to hear a clanging sound from somewhere. It was the sound of the heavy chain of fate being woven between them once again, and a strong lock being locked.
God had once again tied and locked their bond, and it was also a declaration that it could not be undone.
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