Rachel was also present at the wedding, which was brilliant from beginning to end.
She was wearing a cream-colored cassock reminiscent of a pure white dress.
She looked as beautiful as ever. Her hands were also spotless and clean.
But what was stable was only the appearance.
Every time Medea did something, every time the damn god reacted and showed his will, Rachel compulsively clenched and unclenched her good fist.
As if she wanted to feel the one remaining mark of black magic.
'It's okay. It's okay.'
She repeated, but still couldn't stand the rising heat.
This beautiful temple. The family that cherishes Medea like a jewel. The beloved subjects.
It was truly unbearable to see the cruel First Prince, who treated human life like flies, supporting her in front of everyone.
'It's all mine.'
Rachel lowered her gaze to hide her bloodshot eyes, trying to suppress her anger.
'It's okay, it's okay. It's okay...'
And she repeated it again, as if brainwashing herself.
'Because that pretense of having the world at your feet will be over in a few hours.'
She'd be willing to let a girl who's about to fall into eternal sleep have a brief moment of final pleasure.
But even as she repeated this, Rachel's fingernails were sharply digging into her flesh.
"Are you okay, Your Ladyship?"
Leonor, who was standing next to her, asked in surprise.
He rarely paid attention to the Saintess's every move.
But now, Rachel's appearance in his eyes was like that of a sick person.
A pale complexion, almost gray like a skull, and a bulging cheekbone.
"It's okay. I just felt dizzy for a moment. I can't be a nuisance in this sacred moment."
In this matter of trust, there is a lot of criticism directed at the Saintess both inside and outside the temple.
'It looks like you've been through a lot.'
Leonor simply decided as much and turned around.
"If you are not feeling well, please let me know and I will call a medical priest."
"Once this moment passes, it'll be okay. Once this moment passes..."
Rachel muttered sinisterly and lowered her gaze again.
***
After the wedding ceremony, the reception to conclude the sacred marriage was held in the central corridor connected to the main sanctuary.
On each wall of the corridor hung a sacred painting depicting the history of the Holy Land. Above, a long row of crystal windows poured sunlight into the ceiling.
The sun was setting beyond the window, turning the sky red.
The central corridor, where soft music was playing, was filled with the laughter and admiration of the guests.
"Oh my god, the World Tree, you're seeing this here?"
"They said that the First Prince's faction went to the Elf Forest and personally airlifted it."
In the splendid glasses lined up on the table, cocktails made from the World Tree rang gently.
The subtle, sweet scent unique to the World Tree lingered throughout the Eucharist.
"What a beautiful and fulfilling wedding. I don't know when I'll see anything like it again."
The Pope read a brief congratulatory address and prayer.
The Pope also decided to personally preside over the reception, hoping to bless the ceremony that signifies a sacred union.
Medea and Cesare, who were sitting at the very head of the table, stood up.
Both of them had changed into lighter clothes to suit the banquet.
Cesare's military-style charcoal-colored uniform showed off a sleek silhouette along his neat yet solid upper body and broad shoulders.
Meanwhile, the silver dress of Sylvarend, made by elven craftsmen and worn by Medea, was a calm gray-white like moonlight.
As the light from the hallway passed by, a light green tinge slightly hovered over the fabric, adding a soft vitality.
With the addition of the lovely silver bell flower decoration on her head, she looked as lovely as a forest fairy.
"The two of you will now exchange the cup of the covenant."
Along with the Pope's words, a knight of the Temple came with the cup of the covenant.
It was Theo.
As the next chief priest, he was given the task of delivering the cup.
As he put down his glass and carefully stepped away, his eyes briefly met Medea's.
Theo nodded very slightly.
The only person who noticed the subtle movement was Cesare, who was nearby.
Cesare's captivating eyes glanced over Theo.
The First Prince's well-shaped lips still formed a curve, but Theo felt sharp eyes watching him the whole time until he stepped back and returned to his seat.
The Pope waved his hand.
The cup of the covenant was filled with holy water.
The Pope gave a cup to Cesare and Medea respectively.
"..."
Rachel clenched her fists and watched Medea take the silver cup.
The moment Medea took a sip of the cup, Rachel's purple eyes flashed sharply.
Like a beast of prey, Rachel kept her eyes on Medea until she had drunk the last drop of holy water from the cup.
Perhaps because she was so focused on Medea, she failed to notice that the holy relic, the Covenant Cup, was slightly less luminous than usual.
Cesare also put down the glass he had drunk coolly.
"Wow!"
The people cheered.
As the Pope nodded, soft music began to flow from the end of the corridor.
Cesare extended his hand first.
As Medea accepted his hand, those gathered in the hall fell silent and held their breath.
The two of them walked past the guests who had stepped aside on either side and proceeded to the circular floor.
As the melodies of the harp and strings enveloped the beautiful couple, Cesare bowed his head slightly.
"Are you ready tonight?"
The voice, spoken slowly, rang low as if brushing Medea's earlobe. There was a deep smile on his face.
He chose an ambiguous subject to play around with, whether it meant the night before or plans for tonight.
If she were a little girl, she would have blushed, but it was impossible for Medea.
"As long as you do well, I won't be disappointed."
He seemed to hesitate for a moment at her indifferent response, but soon burst into laughter and pulled Medea's waist closer to his.
"Of course, how could I disappoint the priest's expectations?"
All of them, he will present them before her.
Cesare whispered softly and stroked Medea's cheek with his thumb. It was a gentle touch, as if he were treating something precious.
What are you doing?
When Medea glared at him with her eyes instead of words, he spoke calmly.
"Smile, Medea. You have to look like a happy couple."
"..."
"Then, wouldn't the prey feel safe and crawl into the trap?"
Medea glanced over his shoulder. It wasn't hard to see the gaze that was watching her as if she was going to devour her.
Haa. Medea let out a short sigh and lowered her head. She buried her face in Cesare's arms.
Then, a cheer spread through the hallway.
To the guests' eyes, she looked like a newlywed bride hiding her face in shame.
"Is the man really the First Prince of Katzen? It's the first time I've seen him laugh out loud like that."
"What about the Princess of Valdina? She was so bold in front of the evil dragon, but now she's so shy. How lovely."
"Is it because this is a match made in heaven? They are truly a well-matched couple."
The couple who became a couple today walked around the floor like flowing water until the harp's melody ended.
Looking at the beautiful man and woman, the guests felt a warm aftertaste, as if they were watching a fairy tale that began with tragedy and ended with comedy.
At that moment when everyone was absorbed in the emotion, only two people were not moved by the deterioration.
Rachel and Jason.
Both of them were clenching their fists as if blood was about to burst out.
They both stood there as if they were nailed down, looking only at Medea.
She seemed to be enjoying love and happiness under the glorious light of the Holy Land, held in Cesare's arms.
'It should have been mine.'
Could it be because we were a couple in our past life?
Now, the thoughts that crossed Rachel's and Jason's minds were surprisingly similar.
Rachel wanted to take everything Medea had, and Jason wanted to get rid of the man who had taken Medea's side.
Both people's eyes were bloodshot.
As if engraving a brand that would never be erased, as if he would never forget this moment, not even Medea's expression or breath.
But what was truly ironic was that.
Even though they looked so similar, neither of them felt any attraction to the other.
At one time, the special affection he had for his second wife, Rachel, to the point of abandoning his first wife, Medea, and even his children, has faded away.
Jason felt no desire for the Saintess now.
The current Saintess, who has caused controversy and been the subject of gossip several times with the Pope and Valdina, does not have the same dignity and influence as the Saintess in his previous life.
The same was true of Rachel.
There was no reason to waste her emotions on a fallen Prince who couldn't even participate in the fight for succession to the Katzen Imperial Family.
The bond they once had as a couple eventually became nothing when the benefits they received from each other disappeared.
***
It was when the banquet was in full swing.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Medea stood up, feeling dizzy and holding her temples.
"I think I drank too much of the World Tree essence."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will take you to a place where you can rest for a while."
'It's time. The medicine is taking effect.'
Rachel smiled coyly to herself.
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