Chapter 9: Epilogue

The entire staff of the ducal household was busily scurrying about. The Duke’s residence, which was usually quiet and still, was now filled with liveliness and commotion—all thanks to a certain event.

“Lady Radel, I’ll make you the most beautiful bride today.”

“Yes, please do.”

Today was the wedding day. Two years had passed since our engagement, and Kyle pushed for the ceremony to happen as soon as I graduated from the academy. The wedding was scheduled for the very next day after the graduation ceremony, so it would’ve been reasonable to feel tired—but instead, excitement surged through me so much that I felt lighter than air.

Sniff… so much had happened leading up to this day. What I remember most was the first time Kyle visited the count’s estate.

“I’m going to marry your daughter.”

“Shouldn’t you ask for permission first?”

My father’s pupils had trembled violently at Kyle’s bold declaration—an image that left quite the impression. It felt like only yesterday that I sat calmly sipping the tea Vivian had brought me while watching those two awkward men across from each other… and yet, it’s already the day of our wedding. Time really flies.

“Your makeup… looks amazing.”

“I practiced every day, after all.”

I sat in the room that had been turned into the bridal waiting room, receiving Sebastian’s delicate touch. Surprisingly, despite being a hopelessly direction-challenged butler, Sebastian was incredibly skilled at makeup. As he worked a miracle on my face with makeup techniques that had reached divine levels, I stared intently at the mirror, amazed. Oh, I really looked like a different person now.

“Wow, you might even be better than Vivian.”

“Milady!”

At my unintentional remark, Vivian—who had been carefully braiding my hair behind me—looked at me in shock. Ah… oops, I slipped.

“N-no way that’s true!”

“Hehe, just admit it already?”

The two glared at each other in a silent battle of nerves, but somehow, it looked like they were getting along quite well. Oh my, how cute? Even though they hadn’t known each other long, the way they bickered already felt like a good sign. You never know what could blossom from squabbling like that. Smiling warmly as I watched the two, I was quickly startled by something Vivian said.

“Then let’s settle it with a duel!”

“Vivian, calm down.”

That’s not fair—you’re the only one who’s good at that! Seeing Sebastian fluster at the sudden mention of swordsmanship, I quickly stepped in to calm Vivian down. Most of all, Sebastian didn’t stand a chance. He had the basics down, but to Vivian, Sebastian was still a total novice with a sword.

“All done.”

“Ah, thank you. Take a break now, both of you.”

I told Sebastian to take a break and, with Vivian’s help, changed into my wedding dress. A snow-white A-line dress that suited me perfectly—what a woman I am! It had taken forever to choose this dress. After days of searching under the strict standards of the duchess and Dia, we finally found the one. It was a struggle—hah…

“See? I told you I have great taste!”

Dia burst into the room, saw me, and gasped in awe. Then, murmuring to herself, she said with a sly grin, ‘Kailon is going to faint when he sees you.’ Oh, right—Kyle will be in a tuxedo today! Hmph. I better start preparing myself now. If I see him and faint from how dazzling he looks, that’d be a disaster!

“Ugh, our little Radel is getting married already…”

“You’d think you were giving away your daughter or something.”

Pretending to wipe away tears with a handkerchief, Dia came closer with a serious look and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“If that guy gets too clingy, you can always run to me.”

“Come on, like that would ever happen.”

Brushing off Dia’s playful seriousness, I gave my reflection one last thorough check in the mirror. The wedding was just moments away. Today, I wanted to be the most beautiful woman in the world. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry and then made my way to the duke’s garden with Dia by my side.

“Oh, having the wedding in the duke’s garden, huh? You really managed to talk Kailon down?”

“He tried to buy a whole southern island, I had to stop him…”

Kyle was surprisingly extravagant with his spending. From the venue to the dress, he insisted everything had to be the very best. Usually, Kyle was someone who couldn’t be bothered and did things half-heartedly, but when it came to anything related to me, he strived for perfection. It made me happy—and a little overwhelmed.

In the end, I managed to convince him to hold the wedding in the ducal estate’s garden instead of a fancy venue. It was a modest ceremony, but I found it much more comfortable and pleasant than an expensive hall.

“Oh my, daughter-in-law! You look absolutely beautiful!”

As I carefully stepped into the garden, the duchess beamed and praised me. Embarrassed, I blushed and thanked her. Next to her, Karn was sipping juice, looking as neat and tidy as always in his formal attire.

“Karn, how do I look today?”

I smiled at Karn, who had been zoning out, and asked him gently. He snapped out of it and replied with a crooked grin.

“Clothes really do make the woman.”

“Karn! That’s not a very nice thing to say!”

In the end, Karn got a smack on the back from the duchess. He pouted with watery eyes, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter—he was just too adorable. Now fourteen, Karn was starting to grow taller and shed some of his childishness. But clearly, he was still a kid at heart.

“Ah, young master!”

As I admired Karn’s cuteness, I spotted Kyle in the distance, striding—no, running—toward me. Watching him run in a tuxedo was… how should I put it… incredibly romantic.

“It’s not allowed—he shouldn’t be going to see the bride before the ceremony has even started…”

“Just let him go, Sebastian. He must have wanted to see his bride so badly if he’s running over like that.”

The duchess smiled gracefully as she spoke to Sebastian, who was trying to stop Kyle. Hmm, I wasn’t sure if this was proper etiquette, but I wanted to see Kyle too, so I figured it was all good!

Thinking positively, I hurried over to Kyle. Wow, dazzling. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him in that tuxedo—he looked absolutely perfect. Good thing I mentally prepared myself.

Kyle quickly looked me over and then said seriously, “You’re beautiful.”

My heart raced at that one word, and I smiled. Ah, this fluttering feeling—it felt so nice. I had been nervous about the wedding, but Kyle’s simple comment melted it all away.

Looking into his deep crimson eyes that were quietly admiring me, I said brightly, “Kyle, you’re really pretty too!”

“……”

He looked incredibly handsome in his tuxedo, but also, well… pretty. So I just said it honestly—but Kyle’s expression stiffened slightly. And when I noticed Dia beside me holding back laughter with a stifled pfft, I realized Kyle didn’t particularly like being called “pretty.”

Hmm? That’s strange. He usually loves every compliment I give him.

Tilting my head in confusion, Kyle suddenly leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Tonight, I’ll make sure you forget all about calling me pretty.”

Judging by the serious tone of his voice… I guess I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.

“Oh, look at that—the bride and groom are both gathered here?”

Just as I was internally reeling in panic, Aren suddenly appeared, rose petals fluttering around him as if he were some kind of fairy. My mouth dropped open in shock at his dramatic entrance. He handed me a card with “Congratulations on your wedding” written on it, along with an armful of rose bouquets.

“You’ve come well prepared, even in the midst of your busy schedule.”

“Of course. It’s Radel’s wedding, after all.”

Kyle, tense and watchful, stood in stark contrast to Aren’s relaxed smile—it was always awkward seeing the two of them together. Things inevitably ended in a fight. I was already calculating the best moment to step in and break it up, but surprisingly, Aren backed off on his own this time.

“I didn’t come here to fight. Today is Radel’s special day, so I’ll behave myself and leave quietly afterward.”

“Hmph.”

Kyle narrowed his eyes at Aren suspiciously, but at Sebastian’s prompting, he turned and headed back into the mansion. It looked like he’d come running out before everything was even ready. Honestly, Kyle…

Feeling a little deflated, I waved toward Kyle as he walked away. Why was he sulking so much? We’re going to see each other again in just a little bit anyway.

“Well then, I’ll go finish up my preparations too. Come along, Karn.”

The duchess also left to make her final arrangements. Hmm… it feels like everything’s just about ready now. What do I do? I’m suddenly starting to get nervous.

“Radel, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you suddenly want to call off the wedding or something…”

“That’s absolutely not it.”

Aren looked down with disappointment and muttered, “So it really wasn’t that…” Was he here to congratulate me or to sabotage the ceremony? I was starting to seriously wonder.

“But Aren, I get why Huan couldn’t come, but what about Alec? Didn’t you say you were coming with him?”

Huan had been living in a faraway country for work for the past few months. Since he was too busy to attend the wedding, he had sent an apologetic letter along with some local specialties as a wedding gift. Hm… I hope he’s not planning to live there permanently. It’s gotten to the point where I can barely even recall his face anymore.

“Alec should be on his way.”

“Should be’?”

“I teleported ahead on my own.”

According to Aren, the roads were unusually congested today, so he figured they’d be late if they traveled by carriage. So he came ahead via teleportation. Which meant Alec was probably still stuck alone in the carriage, staring blankly out the window… Yeah, I could totally picture it. It would’ve been nice if Alec could teleport too, but he wasn’t a magical genius like Aren—far from it.

“My lady, everything’s ready now.”

As I was busy worrying about Alec, Vivian came running up to tell me the ceremony was about to begin. Gasp—finally! I tried to calm my racing heart as I stepped back into the mansion for one last check in the mirror. The girl reflected back at me in a white wedding dress…

Ahhh, no matter how much I look, it still feels unfamiliar. Seriously, Sebastian’s makeup skills are something else.

“My lady, it’s time to go now!”

Prompted by Vivian, I stepped back out into the garden. Amid the beautiful flowers and the crowd of people, only one face stood out clearly—Kyle’s. He walked toward me slowly and then held out his hand. I took it, and we began walking forward together.

Waaah, I’m actually getting married. I still can’t believe it.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I pressed my lips together tightly as I stood before the officiant. Wait a minute… that face looks really familiar. Oh, it’s the magic professor? I’d been wondering who would officiate the ceremony, and apparently, it was him.

The professor glanced between Kyle and me, then smiled warmly and began to speak.

“Then, I shall begin the wedding address…”

Ah, I’m already getting bored. Even back at the academy, his voice had this strange magical power that always made me sleepy. It’s still just as effective.

“…I was going to begin, but seeing as the bride is dozing off, I suppose I’d better wrap it up quickly. Ha ha.”

I wasn’t even asleep yet! I pouted, feeling a bit wronged. The professor burst out in hearty laughter. Ugh, how unfair!

He kept his speech short and sweet, ending with, “Then may the two of you live together until your black hair turns white…”

And then came the highlight of the ceremony.

Kyle, who had just been yawning lazily moments before, suddenly lit up with sharp focus and gently pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft and tender kiss, just like always.

But then from the crowd, someone shouted, “Well done!”

Startled, I turned my head to find the elegantly seated duke and duchess watching us. The duchess, meeting my gaze, gracefully covered her mouth as she laughed. The duke gestured encouragingly for us to continue.

Honestly… they’re such a unique couple.

“Hmm, I was surprised by how simple the ceremony was.”

“It’s just boring if it drags on, right?”

After hearing Kyle’s reasoning, I had to agree. Yeah, short and sweet is definitely better! I thought positively as I gripped the bouquet tightly in my hands.

And now, what time is it? Bouquet toss time! I’d wondered if that tradition existed in this world too, so I looked into it—and turns out it does. So, since I was already getting married, I decided I might as well do the bouquet toss too.

“Catching the bouquet seemed kind of fun.”

“Did you want one? Hang on. I’ll just have a florist shop bought for you.”

“Please stop right there.”

Honestly, I can’t say anything without him taking it to extremes. Whatever—let’s just toss this bouquet. I threw it high into the air. Now, who will catch it? Drumroll…

Surprisingly, the one who caught it was none other than—poof!—Alex!

“Ugh! I’m super late—wait, huh?”

Apparently, realizing there was no way to make it in time by carriage, Alex had used teleportation with all his might to get here. Yikes, he looked pale and exhausted. I walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

“Congrats. You caught the bouquet, which means you have to get married within six months.”

“W-What if I don’t?”

“Then you won’t be able to get married for six years.”

Alex let out a shocked gasp and collapsed to the ground as if the weight of that fate had crushed him. Wow, you’re the first person to react like this to catching the bouquet. I gave his trembling shoulder another pat and said, “It’s okay. If you confess your feelings every day for the next six months, maybe you’ll manage to get married.”

“That’s not comforting!” he shouted.

Oops, guess it didn’t help.

“All done talking?”

“Huh? Kyle?”

Right on cue, Kyle approached just as I finished talking to Alex. How does he always know the exact right timing? He really does have amazing intuition. I was just silently praising my husband when suddenly I felt myself lifted off the ground.

“Wait—huh?”

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Go where?”

Being carried bridal-style, I asked him the question, and Kyle leaned in close to my face and said firmly, “The bedroom.”

Um… why? Don’t tell me he’s already tired? Or worse…

“W-Wait a second! Are we really supposed to, um, do that right after the ceremony?”

“Yeah, apparently that’s how the order goes.”

Kyle said it with a straight face like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And so, still cradled in his arms, I was carried into the duchy mansion… and at that moment, I instinctively realized something.

My sleep time was about to be significantly reduced.

Whether that was a blissful problem or not… I still wasn’t sure.