Even though he had once intended to take Yui as his concubine, and despite knowing that this would mean handing her over to another man, Prince Musan took the step without hesitation. Yui followed him, walking down the red path to Ivan.
“Be happy.”
And at the moment when Yui's hand was finally placed in Ivan's, Prince Musan whispered softly. Yui smiled with wide eyes, nodded, and stood before the altar with Ivan.
“What did he say?”
With the temple's foundations destroyed, most of its priests were lost. They could no longer officiate at weddings. Imperial weddings were no different. Ivan overheard someone from the imperial family officiating and asked a question.
“Be happy.”
“Who is he to ask such a favor?”
Ivan's voice was crooked. He seemed to be asking her how he could possibly dare ask such a thing. Yui glanced at Ivan through the veil. He hadn't done much for her, so she was curious about the confident, self-assured tone in his voice, as if he were telling her to take care of everything.
“He was the man who could have been my husband.”
The answer came out naturally and indifferently.
"Ah."
But even that lukewarm response seemed to have ripped Ivan's heart clean. Yui felt the force of the man's grip on her hand, and she let out a faint moan. Ivan then hurriedly released his grip.
"I'm kidding."
It was amusing that he had told Prince Musan to keep it a secret, and then confessed it herself. Yui quickly covered it up, saying it was a joke. However, Ivan's eyes, as he studied Yui, were still filled with suspicion.
“Look ahead...”
She showed no interest in the fact that the officiant was reciting the wedding speech. Yui closed her eyes tightly and mumbled to Ivan.
“Do you, Ivan Wade Escliffe, take Yui Wade Escliffe as your wife, and swear to be with her for the rest of your life?”
Just then, the wedding vows came out of the officiant's mouth.
“I swear to love her and be together for the rest of my life.”
Ivan, as if he'd been waiting, swore unbidden. Yui should have rebuked him for his shameful act, but she didn't feel too bad about it.
“Do you, Yui Wade Escliffe, take Ivan Wade Escliffe as your husband, and swear to be with him for the rest of your life?”
“Yes. I swear I will love him for the rest of my life.”
So it was only natural that a similar response would emerge. While the officiant's face was contorted in a helpless grimace, Ivan's was flushed with color. Even through the veil that obscured his eyes, it was visible, so the sight revealed to the naked eye would be even more spectacular. Yui chuckled at the thought.
"The parties to the marriage have made their promises before the witnesses. Finally, please testify to your vows with a kiss of oath."
The officiant solemnly declared. Ivan, without hesitation, pulled back the white lace veil that had been covering Yui's face.
“...”
Their warm gazes met. He had forgotten that Yui had said something that had upset him, and his eyes were completely captivated by the bride.
“Kiss me.”
Yui spoke provocatively. Ivan chuckled and kissed her. Very lightly, but without letting go. Yui, sensing the kiss was dragging on, slowly opened her eyes.
“...”
Their eyes met, as if they'd been waiting for it. They were just joking. Yui chuckled and gently bumped her forehead against Ivan's. It was a signal to him to stop.
A pleasant pulsation was transmitted through their touching hands.
The parties took it lightly, but after the sacred wedding, it was time for the wedding reception.
Instead of the white dress she'd worn for her wedding, Yui wore a navy dress Ivan had once given her. Ivan wasn't particularly pleased, but Yui loved it the most. Not only was the design, the color, and the fabric all good, but it was also the first gift he'd ever given her, so she was particularly pleased.
“Stay with Ian for a moment.”
Ivan thanked everyone who came to his wedding with Yui. He just stood there and greeted everyone who came, but when his wife started to look tired, Ivan easily pushed her away.
“...”
That was good.
Yui looked down at Ian with an embarrassed expression. She could see the top of his head, still a baby, much smaller than her own. Yui hesitated as she tried to speak. Ivan said he loved Ian so much he was too embarrassed to speak, but she often worried.
That's just Ivan's guess, and what if Ian doesn't like her?
Since she had never revealed herself as his biological mother, it couldn't be helped that Ian harbored some resentment. Yui watched Ian with a worried expression.
“Um, Ian.”
After much deliberation, she finally managed to speak. Ian jumped, as if he'd suddenly bumped into someone in an alley.
“I, I had something to go get!”
Then, babbling nonsense, he dashed off somewhere. All the while, Ian didn't even once make eye contact with Yui.
“...”
It looks like he still doesn't feel like it.
Yui's shoulders slumped slightly at that thought. But it was true that she had left a young child without a mother for years, so she couldn't blame Ian. Ivan, who had raised Ian alone, couldn't blame him anymore.
“Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood...”
The nobles, who had been observing the mood of the gloomy-looking hostess of Escliffe, slowly moved away from the place.
“Uh, it’s a gift!”
Yui was staring at the floor with a gloomy expression when, unexpectedly, a colorful display of colors began to flicker across her vision. Yui raised her eyes slightly and examined the face of the gift-giver, whose bouquet of flowers was visible before her face.
“...Crown Prince?”
It was Ian.
“It’s not that I hate it.”
“...”
“I did it because I was embarrassed.”
“...”
“My dad said that if I pick some flowers and give them to you as a bouquet, you will understand my feelings...”
Ian writhed and apologized for his rude behavior. Yui stared blankly down at his adorable form, then chuckled.
“Did the Crown Prince pick the flowers himself?”
Then, bending her legs and lowering her body, she met Ian's gaze. She didn't forget to accept the bouquet of flowers in his small hands.
“Yes, yes...”
Ian blushed in embarrassment as he answered. Only then did Ian fully understand what Ivan had said: that he was just being shy. Yui unconsciously accepted the bouquet and covered her mouth with it, smiling brightly.
“Thank you. This is my favorite gift I received today.”
At Yui's expression of gratitude, Ian, who had been kicking the floor with his shoe, paused and raised his head. Then, upon seeing his mother's face, unable to hide her affection for him, he shyly lowered his head and smiled.
"The most?"
And then he asked again as if to confirm.
"The most."
When Yui immediately replied, Ian couldn't hide it anymore, so he covered his mouth with both hands and giggled. Those around the Empress, who had been observing her, also couldn't hide their delighted expressions and smiled.
“...”
Ivan, who was watching from afar, was also in the same mood.
“On the wedding day, pick some flowers and give them to Yui.”
“What if it’s not pretty? What if she says she doesn’t like it?”
“It’s okay. She’ll still like it.”
Ian nodded several times at Ivan's whispers. It was a natural reaction for a son who followed his father as his life's truth. Ivan ruffled his son's hair, hoping that his sincerity and affection would impress his mother.
“...”
And everything was a success. Ivan looked down lovingly at Ian, then met Yui's gaze as she returned to him. Her eyes, sparkling with happiness, were as beautiful as jewels, as always. Ivan suppressed the emotions welling up in him and quietly curled the corners of his mouth.
He strode briskly toward his son, who was waving at him, and lifted his small body into his arms. Ian burst into a cheerful laugh. Ivan kissed his son's cheek and turned his gaze to Yui. The woman he loved was laughing with him, sharing the same sentiment as his son.
So Ivan made up his mind.
He will never let this long-standing relationship, tainted by his deception and misjudgment, be shattered. He will never forget the past, when his mistakes forced mother and child to live far apart, and he will always live for their happiness.
He will not forget the realization that this love was once like death to the woman in front of him, and this longing heart...
“Be happy.”
And at the moment when Yui's hand was finally placed in Ivan's, Prince Musan whispered softly. Yui smiled with wide eyes, nodded, and stood before the altar with Ivan.
“What did he say?”
With the temple's foundations destroyed, most of its priests were lost. They could no longer officiate at weddings. Imperial weddings were no different. Ivan overheard someone from the imperial family officiating and asked a question.
“Be happy.”
“Who is he to ask such a favor?”
Ivan's voice was crooked. He seemed to be asking her how he could possibly dare ask such a thing. Yui glanced at Ivan through the veil. He hadn't done much for her, so she was curious about the confident, self-assured tone in his voice, as if he were telling her to take care of everything.
“He was the man who could have been my husband.”
The answer came out naturally and indifferently.
"Ah."
But even that lukewarm response seemed to have ripped Ivan's heart clean. Yui felt the force of the man's grip on her hand, and she let out a faint moan. Ivan then hurriedly released his grip.
"I'm kidding."
It was amusing that he had told Prince Musan to keep it a secret, and then confessed it herself. Yui quickly covered it up, saying it was a joke. However, Ivan's eyes, as he studied Yui, were still filled with suspicion.
“Look ahead...”
She showed no interest in the fact that the officiant was reciting the wedding speech. Yui closed her eyes tightly and mumbled to Ivan.
“Do you, Ivan Wade Escliffe, take Yui Wade Escliffe as your wife, and swear to be with her for the rest of your life?”
Just then, the wedding vows came out of the officiant's mouth.
“I swear to love her and be together for the rest of my life.”
Ivan, as if he'd been waiting, swore unbidden. Yui should have rebuked him for his shameful act, but she didn't feel too bad about it.
“Do you, Yui Wade Escliffe, take Ivan Wade Escliffe as your husband, and swear to be with him for the rest of your life?”
“Yes. I swear I will love him for the rest of my life.”
So it was only natural that a similar response would emerge. While the officiant's face was contorted in a helpless grimace, Ivan's was flushed with color. Even through the veil that obscured his eyes, it was visible, so the sight revealed to the naked eye would be even more spectacular. Yui chuckled at the thought.
"The parties to the marriage have made their promises before the witnesses. Finally, please testify to your vows with a kiss of oath."
The officiant solemnly declared. Ivan, without hesitation, pulled back the white lace veil that had been covering Yui's face.
“...”
Their warm gazes met. He had forgotten that Yui had said something that had upset him, and his eyes were completely captivated by the bride.
“Kiss me.”
Yui spoke provocatively. Ivan chuckled and kissed her. Very lightly, but without letting go. Yui, sensing the kiss was dragging on, slowly opened her eyes.
“...”
Their eyes met, as if they'd been waiting for it. They were just joking. Yui chuckled and gently bumped her forehead against Ivan's. It was a signal to him to stop.
With a popping sound, Ivan broke free and grabbed Yui's hand. As if it had to touch her somewhere. She knew it was an eyesore, but she didn't want to let go of his hand. So instead of letting go, Yui hid the hand she was holding behind her voluminous dress.
***
The parties took it lightly, but after the sacred wedding, it was time for the wedding reception.
Instead of the white dress she'd worn for her wedding, Yui wore a navy dress Ivan had once given her. Ivan wasn't particularly pleased, but Yui loved it the most. Not only was the design, the color, and the fabric all good, but it was also the first gift he'd ever given her, so she was particularly pleased.
“Stay with Ian for a moment.”
Ivan thanked everyone who came to his wedding with Yui. He just stood there and greeted everyone who came, but when his wife started to look tired, Ivan easily pushed her away.
“...”
That was good.
Yui looked down at Ian with an embarrassed expression. She could see the top of his head, still a baby, much smaller than her own. Yui hesitated as she tried to speak. Ivan said he loved Ian so much he was too embarrassed to speak, but she often worried.
That's just Ivan's guess, and what if Ian doesn't like her?
Since she had never revealed herself as his biological mother, it couldn't be helped that Ian harbored some resentment. Yui watched Ian with a worried expression.
“Um, Ian.”
After much deliberation, she finally managed to speak. Ian jumped, as if he'd suddenly bumped into someone in an alley.
“I, I had something to go get!”
Then, babbling nonsense, he dashed off somewhere. All the while, Ian didn't even once make eye contact with Yui.
“...”
It looks like he still doesn't feel like it.
Yui's shoulders slumped slightly at that thought. But it was true that she had left a young child without a mother for years, so she couldn't blame Ian. Ivan, who had raised Ian alone, couldn't blame him anymore.
“Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood...”
The nobles, who had been observing the mood of the gloomy-looking hostess of Escliffe, slowly moved away from the place.
“Uh, it’s a gift!”
Yui was staring at the floor with a gloomy expression when, unexpectedly, a colorful display of colors began to flicker across her vision. Yui raised her eyes slightly and examined the face of the gift-giver, whose bouquet of flowers was visible before her face.
“...Crown Prince?”
It was Ian.
“It’s not that I hate it.”
“...”
“I did it because I was embarrassed.”
“...”
“My dad said that if I pick some flowers and give them to you as a bouquet, you will understand my feelings...”
Ian writhed and apologized for his rude behavior. Yui stared blankly down at his adorable form, then chuckled.
“Did the Crown Prince pick the flowers himself?”
Then, bending her legs and lowering her body, she met Ian's gaze. She didn't forget to accept the bouquet of flowers in his small hands.
“Yes, yes...”
Ian blushed in embarrassment as he answered. Only then did Ian fully understand what Ivan had said: that he was just being shy. Yui unconsciously accepted the bouquet and covered her mouth with it, smiling brightly.
“Thank you. This is my favorite gift I received today.”
At Yui's expression of gratitude, Ian, who had been kicking the floor with his shoe, paused and raised his head. Then, upon seeing his mother's face, unable to hide her affection for him, he shyly lowered his head and smiled.
"The most?"
And then he asked again as if to confirm.
"The most."
When Yui immediately replied, Ian couldn't hide it anymore, so he covered his mouth with both hands and giggled. Those around the Empress, who had been observing her, also couldn't hide their delighted expressions and smiled.
“...”
Ivan, who was watching from afar, was also in the same mood.
“On the wedding day, pick some flowers and give them to Yui.”
“What if it’s not pretty? What if she says she doesn’t like it?”
“It’s okay. She’ll still like it.”
Ian nodded several times at Ivan's whispers. It was a natural reaction for a son who followed his father as his life's truth. Ivan ruffled his son's hair, hoping that his sincerity and affection would impress his mother.
“...”
And everything was a success. Ivan looked down lovingly at Ian, then met Yui's gaze as she returned to him. Her eyes, sparkling with happiness, were as beautiful as jewels, as always. Ivan suppressed the emotions welling up in him and quietly curled the corners of his mouth.
He strode briskly toward his son, who was waving at him, and lifted his small body into his arms. Ian burst into a cheerful laugh. Ivan kissed his son's cheek and turned his gaze to Yui. The woman he loved was laughing with him, sharing the same sentiment as his son.
So Ivan made up his mind.
He will never let this long-standing relationship, tainted by his deception and misjudgment, be shattered. He will never forget the past, when his mistakes forced mother and child to live far apart, and he will always live for their happiness.
He will not forget the realization that this love was once like death to the woman in front of him, and this longing heart...
< End >
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