I wore a dress that matched the color of Yuri’s eyes, and Yuri had a handkerchief in the same shade as my dress.

It really looked like we were a couple who had coordinated our outfits.

‘I’ve already heard from Bradley about how widely known it is that we’re a couple…’

Still, making it obvious at such a public event was another matter.

I fidgeted with my fingers and asked Yuri, “Do you really have to make that handkerchief pink?”

“Why? Does it look strange?” he replied.

“It doesn’t look strange.”

Yuri’s hair was a sweet cotton candy pink, so the handkerchief seemed like a nice fashion point.

‘The problem is that when he’s with me, it looks like it means something else.’

As I fretted over it, Yuri’s eyes drooped as if he were sulking.

“The way you’re talking makes it sound like it doesn’t suit me.”

Realizing the tone of my words, I waved my hands in denial. “No! It suits you. That’s not why I said it.”

“Don’t try to comfort me for no reason…”

“Really, it’s not that! It suits you, Yuri. You’re so handsome that you can pull off anything!”

As I poured on the compliments, Yuri’s eyes curved into a crescent shape. He kissed the back of my hand again and whispered, “I’m sincere, too.”

His face, smiling softly like that, looked like a fox. I blushed slightly and pouted my lips.

‘Yuri, really.’

In the end, it circled back to being a compliment about me. No matter how much time passed, I didn’t think I could ever be as naturally affectionate as Yuri.

Anyway, since Yuri insisted so much, I decided not to worry about it anymore. Finally, I took my eyes off the mirror.

But then, something else caught my attention.

“Yuri, what’s with that outfit?”

Yuri usually dressed neatly, but today he looked even more formal. His jacket, which resembled a cloak with a high collar, had several small badges attached to it.

Yuri shrugged. “I have a task assigned to me at the royal wedding today.”

“A task?”

“It’s a secret. I want to surprise Titi.”

It seemed he had something to do at the royal wedding as a Grand Mage, not just attending as a guest like me.

‘Will he be casting magic? Or acting as a witness to the marriage?’

Having more than three witnesses for a marriage vow was an old-fashioned custom, but being royalty, they might observe such traditions.

‘And a Grand Mage is distinguished enough to be a witness at the crown prince’s wedding.’

Thinking about it made me realize how amazing the person beside me was.

As I fidgeted with my fingers, feeling a strange mix of emotions, Yuri extended his hand to me.

“Shall we go now?”

This was what I liked about Yuri. He would reach out to me before I even showed any hesitation.

“Yes.”

I smiled brightly and took Yuri’s hand.

We didn’t need a carriage. After all, Yuri was with me.

***

The crown prince’s wedding took place in the largest ballroom of the royal palace.

The area where we were allowed to teleport directly via magic was only up to the annex in front of the main gate, so we waited there for our turn to enter. Outside the window, we could see people bustling about, eager to attend the wedding.

Yuri spoke with a playful smile. “I’m glad it’s not far from here to the venue. Of course, even if we weren’t allowed, it’s not like there wouldn’t be a way.”

Magic use within the royal palace was strictly prohibited. There was even a barrier set by the royal mages to prevent magic from being used.

‘But it seems that doesn’t apply to Yuri.’

Just how powerful a mage was he? I was tired of being surprised.

I spoke to him as if scolding a mischievous child. “Even if there’s a way, let’s refrain from using magic inside the palace.”

“Titi, you’re too modest.”

“……”

Is it really because I’m modest?

‘I shouldn’t even joke about urging Yuri to use magic.’

No matter how casually Yuri spoke, I was determined not to be misled.

Yuri, who was looking out the window with me, tapped the glass with his fingers and grumbled.

“If it were just at the cathedral, we wouldn’t need to bother with the entry order. Why are they holding it at the palace?”

Traditionally, all royal weddings were held at the cathedral. However, this time, it was unusually held at the palace.

The reason for this wasn’t disclosed, but I had a thought…

‘Perhaps they’re planning to pass the crown soon?’

Swearing to become a great emperor before God is something that can only be done at the cathedral. It’s more picturesque to have one ceremony at the palace and another at the cathedral, rather than gathering all the nobles at the cathedral again right after the wedding.

‘Of course, in the future I’ve seen, that situation never happened, but the future is always changing.’

In the past future, I couldn’t even attend the crown prince’s wedding, let alone catch the bouquet. My every action could change the future.

‘And Sabina, the princess, has that potential too.’

She had disrupted my life several times in past lives, but in this life, she might reflect and become a better person.

Of course, people don’t change easily.

‘I just hope she doesn’t plan anything nasty at Rosie’s wedding.’

Thinking of Princess Sabina made me anxious, and I clenched my fists.

Rosemary had told me about the types of flowers Sabina was using for the bouquet.

Red peonies, roses, tulips, and astilbe, which resembled crimson gypsophila. When I first heard about this arrangement, I couldn’t believe my ears.

Each flower was precious and fitting for a royal wedding, but the color was the problem.

‘Making a bouquet with flowers as red as blood. That’s too much.’

The color of the bouquet isn’t always fixed, but it’s rare to choose crimson as the main color.

When I asked if it seemed ominous and suggested that I could make a new one in pastel tones, Rosemary burst into laughter.

“I’m happy for the offer, but it’s okay. I don’t care about those superstitions.”

Rosemary was truly strong in both body and spirit.

‘I hope nothing goes wrong.’

I clasped my hands together and prayed for Rosemary’s wedding to go smoothly.

And then.

“You two can enter now.”

It was our turn to enter.

***

Perhaps because of the venue, unlike a typical wedding, an attendant announced each name as we entered the ballroom.

For us, it went like this:

“Grand Mage Yuri and his partner, Lady Titiana Este.”

Partner! Partner!

‘Everyone in the country knows about us, huh?’

Why is it such a big deal for a Grand Mage to be in a relationship?

Even Grand Mages can date, you know.

I tried to brush it off, but as soon as we were introduced, everyone’s eyes turned toward us. Even though I covered my mouth with a fan, I could clearly hear the whispers.

“Oh my, that’s the person from the rumors…”

“It’s amazing to see the Grand Mage in person.”

“The rumors were true?”

Most people looked at Yuri first, then turned to me. Their eyes seemed to evaluate me from head to toe, as if scoring me.

‘I know what they’re thinking. They probably think the Grand Mage could do better, or they’re wondering what he sees in me.’

The sharp, needle-like gazes almost made me shrink back, but I quickly regained my composure and held my head high.

‘No, it’s understandable. Yuri is not only a Grand Mage but also from the Esrenche family. There’s little known about me.’

So it was natural for them to scrutinize me closely.

And I was used to such hostile and judgmental stares. Even those who suggested my father trade me for his debts looked at me like that.

‘I should present myself confidently to those who stare at me like that.’

With firm resolve, my steps naturally became more assured. We confidently crossed the wide ballroom and found a suitable spot.

“Phew.”

I accepted a glass of champagne from a passing attendant and took a sip, finally letting out a small sigh.

Yuri, standing opposite me, twisted his lips in dissatisfaction. Even with a pout, his face was still beautiful, but there were many eyes on us. I whispered softly.

“Why are you pouting?”

When our eyes met, he flashed a bright smile as if he had never been displeased and replied playfully.

“Titi didn’t seem as nervous as I thought.”

“Me?”

I was plenty nervous.

I was just trying hard not to show it.

As I looked puzzled, Yuri leaned closer and whispered.

“If you had shrunk back, I was planning to sweep you up and take you to a secluded corner of the garden.”