Our wedding took place in the lush green gardens of Tempshire Palace, in the rose garden filled with the Queen's favorite pink Dimas roses.
The rose garden, located in the center of a green space reminiscent of a vast meadow, looked like a bouquet of lush roses laid out on the grass when viewed from a distance.
The Queen gave special permission for Noah, who was like her brother, to have an outdoor wedding in the palace garden.
Guests were seated at white tables and chairs, and a wedding arch and a wedding road decorated with white flowers and lace were prepared. I sat in a pristine white tent, which was supposed to be a waiting room, and greeted the invited guests.
Zelda, the Marchioness of Wales, and her husband, and other ladies attending the tea party, attended as guests, and Daniel, holding the Duke of Hessen's hand, also offered his congratulations.
“It’s a shame that I couldn’t have married my older sister if I had been born a little earlier.”
“It’s a shame. Should I have been born a little later?”
Daniel's pretty, red rose-like eyes curved cutely at my answer.
“Will you still play with me even after you get married?”
“Of course. I’ll come visit often.”
And Dr. Rugen, whom I thought would not remember his escort appointment, came dressed like a fine gentleman and said this with a serious face.
"It was written in my notebook. Even if I don't remember or understand, I have to do this. If I don't, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Celine, wearing a frilly azure dress, smiled kindly and straightened Dr. Rugen's tie.
“It’s a good thing you wrote it down.”
"But, eldest daughter-in-law, did those two get divorced without me knowing? I don't understand why they're getting married again. They clearly got married in a church two years ago. The pastor was my friend."
"Uh... It's trendy. We're planning to do it again later. It's too far away, though."
Celine gave a series of strange reasons. She seemed genuinely encouraging of our marriage. She seemed quite cheerful, and even smiled gently at the lieutenant colonel, as if she enjoyed being called "eldest daughter-in-law."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
The lieutenant colonel congratulated me with a faint smile on his face, and I felt slightly embarrassed, so I just curled my toes.
Would things have been different that day if this man had prevented my kidnapping? No, Noah would have taken me anyway. It was bound to happen anyway. For some reason, I feel that way.
“Congratulations, Miss Diana.”
Countess Ruben, whom I had met before, approached me, took my hand, and offered her congratulations. She was standing with Count Ruben, the Chief Justice, and the couple seemed quite happy together.
The Count stared blankly at me and then gently squeezed the Countess's hand.
"Honey, I remember our wedding day. I remember how nervous I was that day. I still remember it vividly."
“Why is it that I always feel this way when I attend a wedding? I feel so embarrassed.”
The sight of the middle-aged couple with graying hair was truly a sight to behold. Countess Ruben, smiling broadly, turned her gaze to Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal, then tilted her head, fixing her gaze on him.
“Are we old friends?”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
At the lieutenant colonel's answer, her blue eyes scanned his jet-black hair and refined features. His distinctive, ocean-blue eyes felt somehow similar.
“I think we’ve met before... Are you in Medea?”
“I’m from Belford.”
"Yes."
The Countess's expression seemed to harden slightly at the word 'Belford', but she gave a short answer and then closed her mouth tightly.
Celine looked at me silently with her arms crossed.
A moment of silence passed, and then Molly came in, clapped her hands loudly as if to tell everyone to concentrate, and announced that the wedding was about to begin.
I feel my heart pounding, whether it's because of the warm spring breeze, the nice weather, or the scent of roses in full bloom.
At the end of the wedding road that stretched out far away, the bishop who would officiate the wedding was seen on the stage, and Noah was standing upright beneath him.
Dr. Rugen coughed with a somewhat nervous expression and extended his elbow as if to escort me.
“I feel strange, maybe because I don’t have a daughter.”
“Thank you for remembering.”
“Yes, I remember, Miss Diana.”
He called my name for the first time, his wrinkled eyes narrowing as he smiled kindly. We walked slowly, following the melody played by the orchestra.
Daniel, carrying a basket and several children, walked in front of me to the beat of the music, scattering flower petals. With each step closer, I felt like I couldn't even tell when to inhale and exhale.
The beautiful Queen, who was sitting in the VIP section at the very front of the wedding hall, looked at me and smiled again, winking.
Is that mom's wink?
Erita, sitting next to her, stared at me with a blank expression. "What's she doing here? I heard she's not going to cause trouble."
The countless thoughts that had been rising up in my mind quickly evaporated and disappeared as soon as I saw the groom standing right in front of me.
“Now, be happy from now on.”
This is what the doctor said as he handed my hand to Noah.
The sunlight sparkling and breaking through the silver-white hair of the man who received my hand was so dazzling that I closed my eyes slightly and then opened them again.
The way he looks down with a faint smile on his lips and his eyes turned up is unrealistically beautiful.
Before we knew it, we were standing before a bishop in his ceremonial attire. In a reverent and solemn voice, he asked if the marriage was consensual and of our own free will.
When asked a second time whether there were any legal issues or obstacles to this marriage, Erita, who was sitting in the VIP section, stood up with a look of indignation on her face.
“Elita Spencer Grace, first daughter of Medea, wishes to object to this marriage.”
This marriage is invalid! The same obvious incident happened to me. All the guests, including Noah and me, and the bishop, were focused on her.
“What is it? God is equal to all, and if the objection is false, it can be considered blasphemy.”
At the old bishop's question, Erita turned her head, glared at me, and pointed her finger.
"Miss Diana is currently under 21 years of age. I understand that marriages under 21 require parental consent, but as far as I know, she hasn't received her father's consent."
"Oh, I asked Countess Ruben about her parents when I was seeking legal advice. She told me they were dead, so I didn't hear that."
Celine sat with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning Ayla up and down. Ayla, who had endured her icy gaze, took something from her bosom and handed it to me.
“I made it with nice fabric. I didn’t know what to give you as a congratulatory gift...”
It was a quilt made by quilting high-quality scrap fabric.
“It’s pretty. Thank you.”
“Is it okay to use royal property like this?”
A noblewoman who had always been wary of Ayla challenged her. Royals often had their dresses altered or donated, rather than worn again, so it was tacitly accepted that maids and servants repurposed leftover fabric.
“This is a Dellas fabric, so it’s something that ordinary people can’t obtain. Did you steal it?”
Erita, who had been watching Ayla from afar, approached her and began to question her, pointing to a section of the quilt. She appeared to be quite drunk. Her speech was slurred, her voice was slurred, and she reeked of alcohol.
How far are you going to go to hide the truth! I didn't invite you!
Ayla lowered her head in embarrassment.
“It’s not Dellas fabric. It’s leftover fabric from a previous dress repair, Princess.”
“Where, give it to me so I can look closely... Whew!”
Erita, who had been approaching me, holding the quilt, reached out and then tumbled to my side with a loud noise. As I was bewildered by the sudden turn of events, I saw Celine quickly put her feet back in place and pretend not to notice.
Erita, who had fallen over and was a mess with wine spilled on her, sat down and burst into tears like a child.
“If only you hadn’t been there! Why does everyone hurt me?”
As I turned my back to avoid her hand, which was rushing at me like a running dog and trying to grab my hair, I heard a ripping sound and felt a ripple in my back. She had fallen, clutching the fishnet lace on my back instead of my hair.
“Princess, what is this undignified act...”
The Queen's voice, approaching me with anger, was momentarily cut off.
The rose garden, located in the center of a green space reminiscent of a vast meadow, looked like a bouquet of lush roses laid out on the grass when viewed from a distance.
The Queen gave special permission for Noah, who was like her brother, to have an outdoor wedding in the palace garden.
Guests were seated at white tables and chairs, and a wedding arch and a wedding road decorated with white flowers and lace were prepared. I sat in a pristine white tent, which was supposed to be a waiting room, and greeted the invited guests.
Zelda, the Marchioness of Wales, and her husband, and other ladies attending the tea party, attended as guests, and Daniel, holding the Duke of Hessen's hand, also offered his congratulations.
“It’s a shame that I couldn’t have married my older sister if I had been born a little earlier.”
“It’s a shame. Should I have been born a little later?”
Daniel's pretty, red rose-like eyes curved cutely at my answer.
“Will you still play with me even after you get married?”
“Of course. I’ll come visit often.”
And Dr. Rugen, whom I thought would not remember his escort appointment, came dressed like a fine gentleman and said this with a serious face.
"It was written in my notebook. Even if I don't remember or understand, I have to do this. If I don't, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Celine, wearing a frilly azure dress, smiled kindly and straightened Dr. Rugen's tie.
“It’s a good thing you wrote it down.”
"But, eldest daughter-in-law, did those two get divorced without me knowing? I don't understand why they're getting married again. They clearly got married in a church two years ago. The pastor was my friend."
"Uh... It's trendy. We're planning to do it again later. It's too far away, though."
Celine gave a series of strange reasons. She seemed genuinely encouraging of our marriage. She seemed quite cheerful, and even smiled gently at the lieutenant colonel, as if she enjoyed being called "eldest daughter-in-law."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
The lieutenant colonel congratulated me with a faint smile on his face, and I felt slightly embarrassed, so I just curled my toes.
Would things have been different that day if this man had prevented my kidnapping? No, Noah would have taken me anyway. It was bound to happen anyway. For some reason, I feel that way.
“Congratulations, Miss Diana.”
Countess Ruben, whom I had met before, approached me, took my hand, and offered her congratulations. She was standing with Count Ruben, the Chief Justice, and the couple seemed quite happy together.
The Count stared blankly at me and then gently squeezed the Countess's hand.
"Honey, I remember our wedding day. I remember how nervous I was that day. I still remember it vividly."
“Why is it that I always feel this way when I attend a wedding? I feel so embarrassed.”
The sight of the middle-aged couple with graying hair was truly a sight to behold. Countess Ruben, smiling broadly, turned her gaze to Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal, then tilted her head, fixing her gaze on him.
“Are we old friends?”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
At the lieutenant colonel's answer, her blue eyes scanned his jet-black hair and refined features. His distinctive, ocean-blue eyes felt somehow similar.
“I think we’ve met before... Are you in Medea?”
“I’m from Belford.”
"Yes."
The Countess's expression seemed to harden slightly at the word 'Belford', but she gave a short answer and then closed her mouth tightly.
Celine looked at me silently with her arms crossed.
A moment of silence passed, and then Molly came in, clapped her hands loudly as if to tell everyone to concentrate, and announced that the wedding was about to begin.
***
I feel my heart pounding, whether it's because of the warm spring breeze, the nice weather, or the scent of roses in full bloom.
At the end of the wedding road that stretched out far away, the bishop who would officiate the wedding was seen on the stage, and Noah was standing upright beneath him.
Dr. Rugen coughed with a somewhat nervous expression and extended his elbow as if to escort me.
“I feel strange, maybe because I don’t have a daughter.”
“Thank you for remembering.”
“Yes, I remember, Miss Diana.”
He called my name for the first time, his wrinkled eyes narrowing as he smiled kindly. We walked slowly, following the melody played by the orchestra.
Daniel, carrying a basket and several children, walked in front of me to the beat of the music, scattering flower petals. With each step closer, I felt like I couldn't even tell when to inhale and exhale.
The beautiful Queen, who was sitting in the VIP section at the very front of the wedding hall, looked at me and smiled again, winking.
Is that mom's wink?
Erita, sitting next to her, stared at me with a blank expression. "What's she doing here? I heard she's not going to cause trouble."
The countless thoughts that had been rising up in my mind quickly evaporated and disappeared as soon as I saw the groom standing right in front of me.
“Now, be happy from now on.”
This is what the doctor said as he handed my hand to Noah.
The sunlight sparkling and breaking through the silver-white hair of the man who received my hand was so dazzling that I closed my eyes slightly and then opened them again.
The way he looks down with a faint smile on his lips and his eyes turned up is unrealistically beautiful.
Before we knew it, we were standing before a bishop in his ceremonial attire. In a reverent and solemn voice, he asked if the marriage was consensual and of our own free will.
When asked a second time whether there were any legal issues or obstacles to this marriage, Erita, who was sitting in the VIP section, stood up with a look of indignation on her face.
“Elita Spencer Grace, first daughter of Medea, wishes to object to this marriage.”
This marriage is invalid! The same obvious incident happened to me. All the guests, including Noah and me, and the bishop, were focused on her.
“What is it? God is equal to all, and if the objection is false, it can be considered blasphemy.”
At the old bishop's question, Erita turned her head, glared at me, and pointed her finger.
"Miss Diana is currently under 21 years of age. I understand that marriages under 21 require parental consent, but as far as I know, she hasn't received her father's consent."
"Oh, I asked Countess Ruben about her parents when I was seeking legal advice. She told me they were dead, so I didn't hear that."
At Erita's angry objection, the bishop slowly turned his head and looked at me.
“Is this true? If so, this marriage is invalid.”
“I received consent a long time ago.”
Noah, with a relaxed expression, answered instead. There was a reason he had repeatedly sought the Queen's permission and publicly requested a congratulatory address. However, the admiral's consent was the issue.
“Are you saying that you received the consent of the parents?”
In response to the bishop's question, Noah nodded toward Celine and made a meaningful gesture.
Erita's face, which had been trying to find fault with him to postpone the wedding, became blank. Celine, who had been sitting in the guest seats, suddenly stood up and looked at Erita with a cynical expression.
"Why are you lying? I came here to convey my father's consent for my younger sister's smooth marriage. And I told the Princess about this on the day of the masquerade ball. Didn't you hear?"
“I didn’t hear anything. Do you have any evidence?”
"There's also a consent form with my father's handwritten signature. I've come here as his agent, authorizing me to do so."
In response to Erita's barbed question, Celine pulled out a document and held it up high, as if conveying a victory message. "I'm amazed that you've gone to such lengths to ensure my marriage succeeds," I said.
The Queen, who had been sitting quietly, placed her hand on her forehead as if worried and gestured to Erita to restrain herself.
“Make sure you apologize.”
“Your Majesty, I am a Princess. Why should I apologize?”
"Times have changed, Princess. Those born into high status should be humble and should be generous with gratitude and apologies, regardless of the other person's status. If you don't want to apologize, you shouldn't have committed the wrong in the first place."
Erita shut her mouth and looked around at the Queen's stern gaze.
“Please understand that I am just curious, as illicit marriages are common.”
It wasn't an apology that felt like an apology, but I nodded, wanting to end this situation quickly.
"Yes, I suppose you might not know. I'm so embarrassed that you're so interested in our wedding."
The bishop was seen clicking his tongue. After the tedious ceremony and the exchange of rings, it was time for the final touch.
"With this, you two have become a formal couple blessed by God. Let the bride and groom exchange a kiss of oath."
As soon as he finished speaking, Noah wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me towards him.
“It’s my first time doing this in front of other people.”
"Yes?"
Noah gave me a foxy smile and cupped my cheek with one hand. It wasn't just a light kiss, was it?
The soft lips that had been pressed against mine clung tenaciously, and I couldn't help but feel them slip away. Embarrassed, I tried to pull away, but he shook his head in disapproval and pressed his lips against mine again, our lips having parted slightly.
The kiss was so thick that it erased all my lipstick, and I was out of breath, waving my hand holding the bouquet in the air.
It was not a kiss of oath, but a passionate kiss that elicited excited exclamations of 'Oh my!' from the guests.
The bishop, who had been staring blankly at us, burst into laughter. Noah, who had parted his lips with a slur, looked down at me and smiled.
“The wedding is over.”
Amidst the congratulations and cheers of the guests, we walked back down the wedding road we had walked in the flower rain.
While the outdoor wedding banquet was being held with a lavish spread of food and desserts, I changed into a white lace dress with Molly's help instead of my uncomfortable wedding dress.
“Won’t my back be visible?”
I was a little worried about the see-through style dress with white embroidery on the mesh top, but Molly replied that it would be okay since it wasn't very visible.
“Molly, how long have you known each other?”
Molly chuckled at my question.
“Don’t worry, the Count only told people he truly trusted.”
“Does he trust people?”
"Yes. Neither the Secretary nor I can return to Frogen anymore. And he's giving us a lot of money."
Molly, a thoroughgoing capitalist, looked quite satisfied. I changed my clothes and headed to the banquet hall. Vincent rubbed his eyes, glancing back and forth between Noah and me, and his eyes filled with a strange sense of loss.
“When on earth will I ever get married? I’m over thirty.”
"Please drive me to the port later. If you can speak Greek, you can come along on our honeymoon."
“I’m not going. If I go, who will do the work?”
Noah patted his shoulder and asked him to continue working until the end.
“Congratulations, Miss Diana.”
While I was sitting and chatting with the women and replenishing my sugar intake with pudding, Ayla, who came in neatly dressed, approached me and gave me her characteristically innocent smile.
“Yes. Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me... I am more grateful.”
“Is this true? If so, this marriage is invalid.”
“I received consent a long time ago.”
Noah, with a relaxed expression, answered instead. There was a reason he had repeatedly sought the Queen's permission and publicly requested a congratulatory address. However, the admiral's consent was the issue.
“Are you saying that you received the consent of the parents?”
In response to the bishop's question, Noah nodded toward Celine and made a meaningful gesture.
“The person who was to be executed has come instead.”
"Why are you lying? I came here to convey my father's consent for my younger sister's smooth marriage. And I told the Princess about this on the day of the masquerade ball. Didn't you hear?"
“I didn’t hear anything. Do you have any evidence?”
"There's also a consent form with my father's handwritten signature. I've come here as his agent, authorizing me to do so."
In response to Erita's barbed question, Celine pulled out a document and held it up high, as if conveying a victory message. "I'm amazed that you've gone to such lengths to ensure my marriage succeeds," I said.
The Queen, who had been sitting quietly, placed her hand on her forehead as if worried and gestured to Erita to restrain herself.
“Make sure you apologize.”
“Your Majesty, I am a Princess. Why should I apologize?”
"Times have changed, Princess. Those born into high status should be humble and should be generous with gratitude and apologies, regardless of the other person's status. If you don't want to apologize, you shouldn't have committed the wrong in the first place."
Erita shut her mouth and looked around at the Queen's stern gaze.
“Please understand that I am just curious, as illicit marriages are common.”
It wasn't an apology that felt like an apology, but I nodded, wanting to end this situation quickly.
"Yes, I suppose you might not know. I'm so embarrassed that you're so interested in our wedding."
The bishop was seen clicking his tongue. After the tedious ceremony and the exchange of rings, it was time for the final touch.
"With this, you two have become a formal couple blessed by God. Let the bride and groom exchange a kiss of oath."
As soon as he finished speaking, Noah wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me towards him.
“It’s my first time doing this in front of other people.”
"Yes?"
Noah gave me a foxy smile and cupped my cheek with one hand. It wasn't just a light kiss, was it?
The soft lips that had been pressed against mine clung tenaciously, and I couldn't help but feel them slip away. Embarrassed, I tried to pull away, but he shook his head in disapproval and pressed his lips against mine again, our lips having parted slightly.
The kiss was so thick that it erased all my lipstick, and I was out of breath, waving my hand holding the bouquet in the air.
It was not a kiss of oath, but a passionate kiss that elicited excited exclamations of 'Oh my!' from the guests.
The bishop, who had been staring blankly at us, burst into laughter. Noah, who had parted his lips with a slur, looked down at me and smiled.
“The wedding is over.”
Amidst the congratulations and cheers of the guests, we walked back down the wedding road we had walked in the flower rain.
***
While the outdoor wedding banquet was being held with a lavish spread of food and desserts, I changed into a white lace dress with Molly's help instead of my uncomfortable wedding dress.
“Won’t my back be visible?”
I was a little worried about the see-through style dress with white embroidery on the mesh top, but Molly replied that it would be okay since it wasn't very visible.
“Molly, how long have you known each other?”
Molly chuckled at my question.
“Don’t worry, the Count only told people he truly trusted.”
“Does he trust people?”
"Yes. Neither the Secretary nor I can return to Frogen anymore. And he's giving us a lot of money."
Molly, a thoroughgoing capitalist, looked quite satisfied. I changed my clothes and headed to the banquet hall. Vincent rubbed his eyes, glancing back and forth between Noah and me, and his eyes filled with a strange sense of loss.
“When on earth will I ever get married? I’m over thirty.”
"Please drive me to the port later. If you can speak Greek, you can come along on our honeymoon."
“I’m not going. If I go, who will do the work?”
Noah patted his shoulder and asked him to continue working until the end.
“Congratulations, Miss Diana.”
While I was sitting and chatting with the women and replenishing my sugar intake with pudding, Ayla, who came in neatly dressed, approached me and gave me her characteristically innocent smile.
“Yes. Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me... I am more grateful.”
Celine sat with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning Ayla up and down. Ayla, who had endured her icy gaze, took something from her bosom and handed it to me.
“I made it with nice fabric. I didn’t know what to give you as a congratulatory gift...”
It was a quilt made by quilting high-quality scrap fabric.
“It’s pretty. Thank you.”
“Is it okay to use royal property like this?”
A noblewoman who had always been wary of Ayla challenged her. Royals often had their dresses altered or donated, rather than worn again, so it was tacitly accepted that maids and servants repurposed leftover fabric.
“This is a Dellas fabric, so it’s something that ordinary people can’t obtain. Did you steal it?”
Erita, who had been watching Ayla from afar, approached her and began to question her, pointing to a section of the quilt. She appeared to be quite drunk. Her speech was slurred, her voice was slurred, and she reeked of alcohol.
How far are you going to go to hide the truth! I didn't invite you!
Ayla lowered her head in embarrassment.
“It’s not Dellas fabric. It’s leftover fabric from a previous dress repair, Princess.”
“Where, give it to me so I can look closely... Whew!”
Erita, who had been approaching me, holding the quilt, reached out and then tumbled to my side with a loud noise. As I was bewildered by the sudden turn of events, I saw Celine quickly put her feet back in place and pretend not to notice.
Erita, who had fallen over and was a mess with wine spilled on her, sat down and burst into tears like a child.
“If only you hadn’t been there! Why does everyone hurt me?”
As I turned my back to avoid her hand, which was rushing at me like a running dog and trying to grab my hair, I heard a ripping sound and felt a ripple in my back. She had fallen, clutching the fishnet lace on my back instead of my hair.
“Princess, what is this undignified act...”
The Queen's voice, approaching me with anger, was momentarily cut off.
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