Chapter 57

Dean gently stroked Hailey’s eyebrows as she slept.

“So there’s no way I’m letting you go.”

He held Hailey tightly, unaware she’d wandered deeper into his web.

He absolutely intended to marry Hailey before the official inheritance began. That way, their child would become Earl Frost, and he’d only be the acting Earl, but it would free him from marrying a noblewoman he didn’t love.

Not having to resort to kidnapping for marriage felt like hitting the jackpot, saving time and effort. Dean stifled laughter several times. Hailey, unaware of his thoughts, was still lost in dreams.

* * *

How often does a simple farmer in a humble village get to see a noble?

Even seeing nobles was rare, but now even royals had gathered in Lornten City—an uncommon event that amazed everyone.

Just talking to a noble could get you a job, earn you a reward, or secure investment and support.

Those rare opportunities were suddenly everywhere.

“Wow, I think I’ve seen every noble in my life today.”

“I bought new clothes just for this. Who knows, maybe I’ll catch the eye of a rich noble?”

Town Hall Square and every building were packed with people gathering to watch the wedding.

“I thought they were already married. Why have a wedding now?”

Dona from Willow House asked her neighbor.

“They say classmates insisted a marriage without a ceremony wasn’t real. They forced the couple to hold a proper wedding and receive everyone’s blessings. No gifts needed, just the dowry.”

“What’s a noble going to do with hand-sewn or clumsily crafted furniture?”

“At least it’s good publicity. The land finally has an owner, so it’s a kind of announcement.”

“Was the Earl Frost title always so famous? How does the Crown Prince attend an acting Earl’s wedding? I never thought I’d see such high-ranking people in my lifetime.”

Hailey rode in a white carriage, waving under a shower of flower petals. She felt like a princess from a storybook, but waving for so long became hard work.

“Dean, did all the nobles of the Empire attend? You said only acquaintances would come, but even nobles from other regions are here. I never sent so many invitations. Did they all come to impress the Crown Prince? There’s barely room to stand.”

Dean didn’t bother explaining to Hailey that everyone had a reason to attend and wanted to look good. Explaining would reveal his real job at the detective agency, which he’d covered up.

Someday he’d have to tell Hailey everything, but even without the forbidden oath, there were state secrets he couldn’t share.

Dean, who hated showing his face, wrapped it up with Hailey’s scarf, leaving only his eyes exposed. When Hailey tried to take it off, he stubbornly refused.

“I’ll only show my face to you.”

“But you have to take it off at the ceremony. It’s rude. Didn’t you learn noble etiquette? Why is everyone around me so bad at manners?”

Hailey waved at classmates and familiar faces, then saw two beds on a nearby hill and waved harder.

One belonged to Veronica and the other to Martha. The nurse had arranged special seats for them to watch.

Martha’s place was marked by a pillow dressed in her clothes, but Veronica held the bedrail, smiling at the procession.

The nursing home once meant for Martha was now Veronica’s own, but a doctor from the capital attended and treated villagers, so it was popular.

“Dean, did you invite any boarding school friends?”

He hadn’t invited them—they were scattered across regions, busy with their own work, unable to attend.

Explaining everything would take months, so Dean just smiled quietly out of consideration.

Hailey didn’t know.

How much comfort she’d given Dean, who struggled every day under noble children’s scorn, just by coming to check on him.

I tried so hard to be proud in front of you.

“Let go, I have to attend my sister’s wedding!”

A woman was dragged out by officers in the distance—it was Ella, looking disheveled.

“Sis! Sis! You know me, right? I’m Ella!”

She shouted, but few cared.

“Hey! Hailey! You rotten @#%#%@!! Aaaargh!”

“Who’s that woman?”

Some asked,

“Do you know Grandmother Veronica from Plojesville? Her son was scammed into marriage and then divorced.”

“Oh, the son who tried to start a business? So he’s the acting Earl Frost’s father-in-law.”

“That family had a complicated story. Good thing the daughter did well.”

Stories circulated about the ex-wife drugging people, threatening to expose them unless they took responsibility, and then moving in for good.

Even when officers from Beryonyx came to arrest people for crimes, the stepmother fled, leaving Ella alone.

“So the ex-wife’s daughter is pitiful, too. Not related by blood, but they lived together. The sister should help her.”

“They say the mother and daughter both misbehaved, always looking for rich men. Rumor was she became Marquis Riarsyan’s mistress, but she actually seduced a clerk serving the Marquis. When he proposed, she dumped him for being poor.”

“Tsk tsk, neither mother nor daughter is sane.”

Hailey walked with her father to Dean, as guests filled the small chapel, some sitting inside, others watching through open windows and doors.

Hailey was grateful for all the blessings she received.

Life is much the same everywhere, but who surrounds you makes all the difference—she’d learned that moving between Beryonyx and Plojesville.

Even if she hadn’t changed, how people accepted her shaped her happiness.

She looked up at Dean, still unable to believe he was now her husband.

Just seeing his face made all anger fade and lifted her mood.

Having someone who cherished her as if she were the only one in the world—what could be happier?

“From this moment, you are husband and wife before God and your families.”

With those words, they kissed.

“I love you, Hailey.”

Dean finally spoke the words he’d been forbidden to say, smiling brightly.

“I love you too.”

Hailey smiled happily. Baekjagi barked loudly, thinking Hailey called his name, and she waved at him, smiling innocently.

Clever caught the bouquet. The women who’d crowded to catch it giggled and turned away, while Amber patted Clever’s shoulder, promising to trust him—a charming scene.

Laughter spread across Town Hall Square, filled with banners and merchants.