The groom has changed!
Nike was so dumbfounded that he just gaped and tried to retrace where the communication error had occurred.
No no.
There was practically no communication!
Even so, do you mean to say that tomb keepers, who have spent their entire lives doing nothing but this job, make such a clueless mistake?
Aren't they all living off government salaries? Is it okay to do the work this carelessly?
...To blame them for that!
'Should I have changed my clothes before coming?'
Nike, who had rushed over because it was getting late and hadn't even had time to change, entered wearing the same knight's uniform as Reiner.
It was a situation where one naturally had no choice but to assume the two were chauffeurs.
Then again, what royal family in the world would think that they would stop by briefly to hold a royal wedding while out on the battlefield?
'Haa... no matter what, how...'
Shouldn't you just stop right away when looking at their face?
Even though it was a long time ago, my brother, who looked quite like me, must have come to hold the same ceremony, right?
Turning around in bewilderment, Nike saw Reiner, having roughly grasped the situation, twitching his cheeks and trying to hold back his laughter.
Speak with your mouth.
'It seems you lost to him in terms of elegance.'
...It's ridiculous.
But he can't even deny it.
After all, Merchen had such an elegant face that the caretakers' misconception was entirely understandable.
Moreover, he is a man whose gestures and movements are imbued with the dignity of royalty, as he is not a former Prince for nothing.
In a situation where no one could even open their mouth, the caretakers probably didn't notice anything strange while preparing for the ceremony.
Nobility overflowing from the face.
Grace in action.
Undoubtedly, the royal groom was from the Merchen side.
Yeah, Nike admits it.
Well, since it is done by humans, mistakes can happen. But he cannot let the bride be taken away right before his eyes.
Nike opened his mouth.
"Hey."
At that moment.
Snap!
The caretaker was startled and hit Nike's forearm with the fan he was holding.
"Huh!"
Reiner couldn't hold back his laughter at the sight and burst out laughing.
Slap!
Reiner also got hit once.
Nike gritted his teeth, clutched his forearm, and glared at the caretaker.
You're just a slacker, so what makes you think you're so great that you're acting this rudely?
However, communication with the folding fan, with whom one is forced to remain silent due to custom, was an authority granted to the caretakers.
Even at the first pilgrimage site, Vania got beaten up three times for making mistakes.
He remembers getting angry at the caretaker for making Vania a sullen face every time she got hit, and glaring at the caretakers, only to get hit hard by them himself.
In the end, having no other choice, Nike attempted a physical conversation.
Pointing at Merchen from a distance with his index finger.
[The clothes that person is wearing]
After bending his elbow and pointing at me with his thumb,
[I have to wear it.]
He wrapped his hands around.
[Groom changed.]
The caretakers narrowed their eyes, looked at each other, and tilted their heads.
It's frustrating!
If you're going to stop me from speaking, at least have some understanding!
"Puha!"
Rainer's laughter came from the side.
Slap!
He looked back and saw he was getting hit one more time.
For some reason, as Bike followed Reiner's gaze, which had truly burst open this time, he saw a bride (or not) and a groom standing facing each other at the central altar, both veiled.
I really can't stand it anymore!
Nike strode straight toward them without hesitation.
***
The ceremonial rite begins at the central altar, under the observation of the caretaker and attendants, when the veiled bride and groom greet each other.
Next, after sharing three cups of prayer wine, wishing for the prosperity of the Imperial family, the eternal bond between a married couple, and the happiness of the family, the process concludes with a moment of silent prayer before the portraits of the ancestors!
I've done it once, so now I'm used to it.
I put on a veil and was led up to the altar by the guards' arms.
Soon, the veil was lifted from both sides.
At the same time, the veil of the groom standing opposite me was also lifted...
“Hmph”
Gasp!
Ah, I was planning to do it without making any mistakes this time, so I wouldn't get hit even once.
I let out a gasp in surprise and got hit on the shoulder with the caretaker's hand fan.
Wait, but what's going on here?
In front of me... There is a Prince!
A handsome man who has absolutely nothing in common with my husband, except for the fact that they are good-looking!
Merchen also just blinked blankly.
At that time...
snap!
snap!
snap!
The sound of the kick is getting closer.
Looking back, Nike is approaching with long strides like an enraged rhinoceros.
Never walk fast!
Because I completely disregarded the iron rule inside the shrine, which is strictly forbidden, second only to silence.
snap!
Snap!
Snap!
Getting beaten with folding fans by the caretakers who were hurriedly following right beside me!
Even the caretakers standing by our side were holding folding fans and preparing tensely, as if they intended to strike when Nike arrived.
However, when Nike approached and pointed his finger at Merchen's face with a bright red face, Merchen froze, intimidated by his intensity. Nike mouthed the words.
[Groom!]
Pointing to his chin with his thumb.
[It’s me!]
Then Merchen nodded.
[Right, he is right!!]
He pointed to his face with both hands, then made an X shape with his arms.
[It's not me! The groom isn't me!!]
Wow...
What is this, a silent chorus of fools?
***
About 40 minutes later.
Nike and I had descended into the basement of the cenotaph building in Valencia, where the portraits and ancestral tablets of the imperial ancestors were enshrined.
The final ceremony takes place between the couple alone, without the presence of custodians or attendants.
A moment of silent prayer before the portraits of our ancestors who have rested peacefully...
"Oh dear!"
It exploded.
I covered my mouth and looked to the side.
Nike, having barely managed to get the groom's robes back after resolving the absurd commotion, raised one eyebrow at me.
“Funny?”
"...Hmph, mmm."
It was a funny memory that I could ruminate on for a long time.
Nike kept sighing, seemingly quite shocked by the fact that he had been outdone by the Prince in terms of elegance.
I snuggled into his waist.
When I looked down at him with a sullen expression, Nike eventually smirked and hugged me with one arm.
“Let us pray.”
"Yes."
We clung to our ancestors like cockroaches and paid our respects.
"Your Highness, are you wishing for the same thing again as last time?"
"Yes."
With the great undertaking just around the corner, Nike said that he would apologize to his ancestors.
I am truly sorry for betraying the country because of a woman, and I hope you will understand generously. I ask that you calm your anger and lend your strength to ensure the success of this undertaking.
"Ancestors, please spare me just this once."
I opened my mouth and spoke words of prayer.
Silent prayer is the basic principle, but since I am not of this family's bloodline, a prayer offered only in thought might not reach anyone.
"Isn't love exactly doing pointless things that aren't like me?"
Nike is like that, and so am I.
If it weren't for love, Nike wouldn't have been a man who betrayed his country, and perhaps I, too...
I might never have abandoned my father, brothers, and the family.
I think about human beings.
Am I truly a righteous human being capable of abandoning wealth, power, and family for a greater cause, even without any specific trigger?
Even if you wanted to find the answer to that, you would never know it.
Because I have already experienced the turning point of love, and in one way or another, I have experienced change because of Nike, and I can never go back to how I was before I knew him.
"Have you ever regretted it after realizing that you turned back time because of me?"
"No."
I laughed at Nike's immediate answer.
Your ancestors would be furious to hear this.
"By the time I found out, you had already abandoned the family. Since I knew you were the kind of person who could make such a choice... I didn't regret it."
"..."
"I realized that's why I must have loved a woman like you."
"Yes..."
I turned my head from the portrait and looked up at the face of Nike, whom I was holding.
"But I probably wouldn't have been able to make that choice either if it weren't for loving you."
When I stared intently into his eyes, Nike’s lips tilted slightly. Soon, a short kiss landed on my forehead.
Love.
That nasty feeling that sometimes makes you do crazy things.
Because of that feeling, we each took turns choosing and walking a path that no one could ever understand, but...
I believe that in the end, love will become our guide and lead us to the perfect destination.
Was our choice foolish or wise?
The time for that proof is now right around the corner.
"This autumn, I'm going to the hill where marigolds bloom."
Happiness that will surely come.
The meaning of the marigold flower that we so longed for so much before the return.
This autumn, when that happiness was finally won.
***
One midsummer day.
The capital of the Imperial Court.
Today was the date of the first trial for the Konrad massacre, a tragedy from 16 years ago for which a retrial was granted.
Laws, institutions, and rules are strict, so even if the heads of the real culprits from that day 16 years ago are severed, Ryan Wassenberg's false accusation will not be cleared.
Therefore, the fact that his innocence must be proven remains unchanged.
"Hmmm~."
After finishing his first argument, the fifteen-year-old genius lawyer left the courtroom humming a tune and walking with light steps.
A boy who has grown quite tall and looks quite stylish in a neat shirt and suit.
Two bodyguards, Jeff and Loki, who were like loyal henchmen, approached Alexander.
"Young master, thank you for your hard work!"
“How was it?”
At Loki's question, Alexander shrugged.
"It wasn't bad, though it was a bit of a shame that we hadn't been able to submit a single decisive piece of evidence yet."
"You just need to go get the evidence now."
"That's right."
Alexander walked briskly with his long legs. Today was the day he had promised to meet his beloved half-sister, Christa.
To the destination for the next itinerary.
Of course, my sister won't be appearing!
"Oh dear, why is the weather like this? Our lovely young master's skin is going to get completely sunburned."
"I know, please bear with it even if it's hot!"
Flutter-!
Jeff draped a black suit jacket over Alexander's shoulders.
With the assistance of two guards, Alexander raised his head toward the sky.
"Hmm. What do you think?"
Looking up at the strong summer sunlight, Alexander grinned.
"It's the perfect weather to die."
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