He sighed with a slightly tired look on his face as if he had been working.
After that, he strode towards me and looked straight at me.
"It's only natural to have a wedding. The Archduke and Grand Duchess are getting married. Of course, we should have a grand wedding ceremony. I didn't know that such a natural thing would require discussion."
That's in a 'normal' marriage, and ours was forced into a relationship.
What is the point of having a wedding ceremony, something to brag about and be blessed about?
It would have been enough to just quietly call out the main vassals, introduce them, and end it.
As I closed my mouth and complained inwardly, the corners of his eyes distorted in a pretended manner.
"Are you really going to tell me to stop?"
"...No, it seems like you're already preparing, so you can't stop now. But couldn't you at least share the timing? I just heard today that it's scheduled to take place next month."
"I was thinking of telling you when the time was right. You're not feeling well right now."
When he said that, I had nothing to say in response.
It was ultimately my fault for not taking good care of my health that I collapsed from a fever.
So, it was a time when I was quietly grumbling my discontent inside.
"Do you hate it that much?"
It was a question that was suddenly thrown out, so it was difficult to understand for a moment.
Do I hate the wedding itself, or do I hate the fact that he went ahead with it on his own?
He pulled a chair over to my bed, sat down, and added more detail...
"I'm asking if you don't want to be linked to someone like me in front of everyone."
A guy like me...
It seemed like he always used harsh language whenever this kind of situation arose.
Although I was flustered, I calmed myself down and came up with an appropriate answer..
"I neither like it nor dislike it."
"..."
"But shouldn't we do it anyway?"
There was definitely a time when I had affection for him.
But our relationship was strained, damaged, and broken.
In this situation, if you ask me whether I like or dislike having dinner with him and making my relationship public, I would actually say I'm closer to disliking it.
For me, who hopes to one day find true freedom, this marriage felt like shackles.
But I couldn't say that out loud, so I gave him a somewhat milder answer, but for some reason ,a shadow hung over his face.
"Yes, whether you like it or not, you have to accept it. It's such an important procedure. Plus, I think it'll be a day that holds a lot of meaning for you as well."
"To me, too?"
I was a little taken aback by the sudden news, but I didn't put much thought into the wedding itself.
So I asked that with a bit of a sneer, and he answered with an even deeper smile.
"Of course. It will be a day that holds great significance for you, my wife."
Because Kissian, who had been speaking hesitantly, continued to whisper with a wicked smile on his lips.
"The Duke of Herssen will also have to attend as a guest."
"..."
"We will get married in front of the man you loved. We will swear our love in front of him, kiss, and after the wedding banquet, we will head to the honeymoon suite together."
"..."
"How about it, doesn't it seem like it'll be quite an interesting day?"
Is it because he firmly believes that I love the Duke of Herssen?
Kishian watched my reaction with a twisted smile.
It seemed like he was waiting for me to start crying and making a fuss, with a hurt face and trembling, saying, "Not that! Please, not in front of him!"
I feel sorry for Kishian who must have been looking forward to it, but I really didn't care at all.
Whether the Duke of Herssen comes or not, whether I kiss Kishian in front of him or not.
“Ah.”
As expected, Kishian furrowed his brows as I responded appropriately.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, it doesn't matter."
"..."
"My relationship with the Duke of Herssen is over anyway. Even if we get married in front of him and exchange vows with him..."
What does it matter? I never loved the Duke of Herssen in the first place.
Even when I heard that Letie had an affair with the Duke of Herssen, I could not understand the child.
The Duke was a man with an old-fashioned, scholarly air, and he was quite different from my taste.
It didn't seem very attractive to me, as I like men with solid bodies, covered in muscles.
Rather than that, I think Kishian is a bit more...
That's when I was thinking like that.
"Ha, you risked your life to be with that guy, but I guess you've already lost love with him?"
"I told you. It was my father who sent the assassin to you, and I didn't know anything about it. Anyway, I have no feelings for Duke Herssen. anymore, so you can do whatever you want."
As the conversation became increasingly difficult, I waved my hands around while saying that.
It was a sign telling him to leave so I could rest.
He hurled a half-laughing accusation at me like that.
"It really does make my heart feel light. Even a child's unrequited love isn't that light."
The tone was clearly accusatory.
Strangely enough, the voice that was criticizing was strangely excited.
As I stared at him with a puzzled mind, he got up from his seat.
"Well, I understand. Since you don't seem to mind the Duke of Herssen that much, I'll invite him as planned. And you can prepare the meal with the help of Madame Bianca."
"Wait a minute, are you saying you're going to leave the food preparation up to me? If so, how much is your budget?"
"What do you think?"
He replied curtly before I could continue speaking.
"It won't be lacking. You can ask Madame Bianca for the exact details."
Since Kishian disappeared, leaving those words behind, I had no choice but to call Madame Blanca aside and ask her about the wedding budget.
Then Madame Bianca quietly showed me the budget allocated for the wedding, and after seeing it, I was so shocked that I couldn't close my mouth.
Even when I was a Princess, I could never have imagined that a huge sum of money was written there.
***
Since the wedding date and the budget were set, there was no need to hesitate any longer.
From the very next day after Kishian's visit, I began to move busily.
Thanks to the rest I got, my health has recovered a lot.
So, we were able to move around busily and focus on preparing for the wedding.
There was nothing particularly difficult during the preparation process.
This was because I was in charge of preparing all kinds of events while I was in the palace.
Selecting a venue, hiring workers, selecting supplies, preparing invitations to send to guests...
All sorts of little tasks kept pouring in, but it wasn't burdensome.
Rather, it felt like my soul, which had been dying of boredom, had been revitalized by the rain.
It was on the seventh day since preparations began that a small obstacle appeared in a process that seemed to be proceeding smoothly.
I received a rather disconcerting letter.
From none other than my twin sister, Letie.
"Ha... Letie..."
At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary letter.
The front contained simple words congratulating the marriage and wishing us happiness in the future.
However, I couldn't help but sigh after reading the rest of the story.
[ I repeat, congratulations on your wedding, Elona.
So, I have a favor to ask.
It's my favorite sister's wedding, so I don't want to attend with just anyone.
Since it is an important event, I want to attend with someone important to me.
With my lover, the Duke of Herssen.]
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