He crossed the corridor with me in his arms.
I bit my lips from the bite.
Are you sure you're going to marry me like this? Really?
I tried to ask him that, but then I shut my mouth again.
He is right. We may have gone too far to turn back.
I lowered my gaze and looked around at the guests who filled the nave.
There were many faces in my eyes that were not dry with tears. The Empress's entourage, high-ranking officials, and nobles from many prestigious families... Influential people in a position to know us were watching us in silence.
I understood why Barcas couldn't leave mr alone.
Even the heir of the lord could not have destroyed the wedding ceremony hosted by the Emperor in front of so many nobles.
"The ceremony will begin soon. The bride and groom should come to the waiting table."
When we reached the crossroads, the priest who had been waiting spoke to us cautiously.
Barcas followed the priest straight to the antechamber next to the altar.
I staggered along with him, rolling my eyes incessantly.
Through the foggy and unclear vision, faces passed by as if they were watching an exciting play. Those cold, gray-dyed faces seemed to be laughing at me all at once.
"Do you have a sore leg?"
Barcas, noticing that my body was stiff, put one hand around my chin and asked.
I looked at him blankly. Barkas rubbed his thumb lightly around my wet eyes. It was a gentle touch that made me wonder if all of this was an illusion created by the sleeping weed.
He looked into my eyes and whispered in a low voice.
"Just be patient. I will let you rest as soon as the ceremony is over."
His throat tightened with a childish tone.
This man just wants to know what would happen if I go on a rampage in front of so many people.
He's just trying to soothe me because he's afraid I'm going to make a fuss.
As I tried desperately to calm my beating heart, a voice I never thought I would hear here echoed in my ears.
"I can't see you. I think it's a marriage because you like it."
I, who had been slumping my shoulders, slowly turned my head. Gareth, dressed in a red doublet, was leading five or six men across the pews.
Suddenly, the blood in my body seemed to freeze.
"To your brother who came to congratulate you, why do you look like that?"
Gareth stopped in front of me, twisting the corners of his mouth.
I looked up at him with eyes full of fear.
Was it refreshing to see your half-sister, who was always scratching your insides, turn blue and can't even open her mouth?
A strange smile swept over Gareth's gritty face.
He bent down at me and whispered softly.
"You got the position of Grand Duchess on one of your legs, and you have to smile widely."
I glared at him with a stern face.
Normally, I would have made nail marks on that sloppy mug. But at that moment, I couldn't even say a word. Still, my blurry eyes seemed to have completely stopped working due to his unexpected appearance.
My eyelids were fluttering like someone who was just facing a nightmare, and my head suddenly turned around.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
Pulling my hair and burying my face in his chest, Barcas said as if to warn him.
"If you are a guest, please be polite to us. On the wedding day of an old friend, should you cause a disturbance?"
A heavy silence weighed heavily on my head.
I swallowed dryly, burying my forehead in his robe.
I didn't know why Barcas wanted to protect me from Gareth.
Originally, it was supposed to be the opposite. Wasn't it his job to protect Gareth and Ayla from the evil illegitimate children?
"You don't have to stand me up like that. As long as you keep your promise, I will keep my promise."
Gareth's cold voice came from behind me.
I wanted to turn my head to see his expression, but I couldn't move because of the hand pressing down on my head.
Barcas sang coldly, straining his forearms around my waist.
"If you are going to watch the ceremony, please be seated."
There was a grinding of teeth, and Gareth's presence receded. Only then did Barcas loosen his grip.
I twisted my head to look at Gareth's back as he headed for the VIP seat.
As he sat down, the elderly man sitting next to him called out. It was not difficult to recognize him as the Marquis of Oristain.
Did they talk about anything beforehand?
My eyes widened when I realized that many of the people in the audience were conservative aristocrats who supported the Crown Prince.
How is it going?
As I looked around the chapel with a confused expression, a strong hand pulled my head again.
"You don't have to think about anything."
His icy eyes tightened my gaze.
"After today, we will never see them again. Don't look at them unnecessarily."
He spat out as hard as if to engrave it in my mind, and without a moment's hesitation, he walked to the altar.
I walked as if I was being dragged by him, biting my parted lip.
Barcas didn't seem surprised by the current situation. The calm reaction began to clear up my complicated mind.
Perhaps Gareth wanted to show everyone that this marriage did not make him and the House of Sheerkan go apart.
And Barcas must have agreed.
In the first place, the marriage was nothing more than a play created by the Emperor's demands, Barcas' sense of responsibility, and my desire for revenge. He is still on Ayla and Gareth's side.
"His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress!"
After a while, a booming voice came from the top of the stairs leading to the upper seats.
I released my gaze from Barcas and looked up at them.
The Emperor and Empress walked gracefully in front of the throne on the second floor
They seemed to be the true protagonists of this stage.
I stared at the Emperor with a solemn majesty for a moment, then turned my attention to Senevere, who was standing beside him.
She was radiant, as usual, a blinding radiance.
Dark blonde hair that looks like it is made of melted pure gold, exquisite features that are in extreme harmony, and a sensual body that draws perfect curves...
The beauty of believed I would be able to get my hands on one day pierced my retina like a needle.
"From now on, we will begin the ceremony."
When the Emperor and the Empress sat down on their respective thrones, the high priest rose to the altar and shouted in a solemn voice.
I was led by Barcas to the priest.
Behind his solemn face full of wrinkles, I could see the black sky soaked with rain. The priest with the dark clouds on his back began to recite scriptures in ancient languages.
It all felt like a ridiculous comedy.
Senevere, with a vague smile, the Emperor, who looks somewhat uncomfortable, the priest who uttered formal words of blessing, and the guests who watch the false ritual with a cynical bite.
"Barcas Raedgo Sheerkan, will you take Thalia Roem Guirta as your spouse and swear to be with her for the rest of your life?"
After reading the entire long passage of Scripture, the priest finally asked the final question.
I kept my eyes fixed on the floor and moistened my lips.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke.
"Yes."
It was a dry answer that felt insincere.
The priest asked me the same question.
"Thalia Roem Guirta, will you take Barcas Raedgo Sheerkan as your husband and vow to be with him for the rest of your life?"
I looked up at the priest's face with cloudy eyes.
I wanted to say it casually, as Barcas had done, but all I could hear was my breathing, as if someone was strangling me.
As my silence grew longer, his hands tightened around my waist.
I turned my head to look at him.
The blue eyes quietly urged me to answer. As if I didn't want to drag out this moment, I was overwhelmed by a determined gaze and managed to spit out a word.
"...Yes."
"Hereby, in the name of the gods and the Emperor, I declare that the two have become a married couple."
The priest proclaimed in a dry tone and added a word to end the ceremony.
"Now you two prove your union with a kiss."
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