Chapter 7 – Wedding Ceremony (Part 4)

With just one trade company coming in, the lives of Speraum’s domain residents changed significantly. Even though Count Phineus’s company lowered its prices out of a sense of crisis, no residents returned to their stores, having lost trust in them.

“Look at this. It’s all thanks to the Grand Duchess.”

“Then why did those rumors spread?”

“Indeed.”

As they exchanged puzzled looks, they heard the clink of a gold coin falling at their feet and lunged for it. The festival was just beginning.

Reubellina couldn’t take her eyes off the excited residents picking up gold coins. They seemed unaware of the true value of the gold coins.

“The northern residents probably haven’t seen many gold coins.”

“Oh, really?”

Tartenon answered her question. Despite the grand title of the Conqueror of the North, Speraum’s residents were poor and rarely possessed gold coins. They were too busy earning daily wages to think about saving.

There were no banks in Speraum like those commonly seen in the capital. For the struggling northern residents, the gold coins scattered at this wedding were like receiving gifts from a noble for the first time in their lives.

“Lina, I must thank you.”

“Me?”

“Because you’ve brought joy to their faces.”

“That’s ridiculous…”

Reubellina responded indifferently to Tartenon but closed her mouth when she saw his deepened blue eyes. She was at a loss for words at his genuinely grateful expression.

‘Is he serious?’

It was completely different from when she helped Inferno. If it had been Inferno, he wouldn’t have thanked her and would have taken the credit himself. Not only that, he would have demanded more money.

Thinking this far, Reubellina suddenly realized that she was comparing Tartenon and Inferno.

‘I shouldn’t be doing this.’

But she couldn’t help it. 

The more she thought about it, the more Reubellina realized her judgment in men had been abysmal. She resolved that from now on, she would never allow herself to be taken advantage of like a fool.

Seeing her golden eyes shine with determination, Tartenon chuckled softly and waved to the domain residents. When he, who rarely smiled, showed a grin, the residents of Speraum erupted in cheers.

“Wow! Blessings to Your Grace!”

“Eternal blessings to the Conqueror of the North!”

The residents waved their hands passionately. Reubellina thought their cheers were also for the gold coins as she raised her hand slightly. Even that small gesture made the cheers grow louder.

When the carriage carrying the two reached the square, Reubellina turned her face toward the square and widened her eyes. Seeing some empty seats reserved for the northern nobles, she made a mental note to identify the absent nobles.

“This way, Your Grace.”

Paddington, who had come out in advance, guided Tartenon and Reubellina to the wedding aisle. A white cloth laid out in the middle of the square formed the path. At the end of the path stood a person dressed in white, waiting for them. It was someone wearing the ceremonial robes of the High Priest.

“Did someone from the temple come?”

“Of course. Our marriage is practically certified by the temple.”

Tartenon whispered quietly with pride in his voice. He seemed pleased that their marriage was recognized by the temple rather than the imperial family.

‘Indeed.’

Reubellina also had no desire for recognition from the imperial family. Inferno had tossed so much trash her way that she had lost count.

‘And they’re not even attending the wedding.’

She had expected someone from the imperial family to come, but no one showed up. This practically announced to everyone that Speraum of the north and the imperial family were not on good terms.

The imperial family must have known that being enemies with Speraum, which guarded the northern borders, was not beneficial, so their absence was surprising.

At that moment, Reubellina did not know that a member of the royal family had come for the wedding but was staying at Viverna’s villa.

Tartenon led Reubellina silently in the direction they needed to go. Reubellina noticed the Duke Asillious sitting next to another noble in the seats reserved for the northern nobles and asked Tartenon.

“Who is that person?”

“Which one?”

“The one sitting next to my father.”

Even with her skillful lip movements and slightly bowed head, Tartenon’s face remained unchanged. Mimicking a gentle groom, he tilted his face slightly in the direction Reubellina was walking and answered.

“The Marquis of Istorium.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of him.”

“He’s quite famous, I assume.”

“More than anything, he’s famous as the frontier count who protects the Duchy of Speraum.”

Reubellina replied casually, matching her steps to Tartenon’s slow pace.

“But there aren’t many northern nobles. What should we do about that?”

“Dogs that don’t recognize their master are unnecessary.”

It was a cold remark, but Reubellina agreed. When a new person joins a household, it’s necessary to test the loyalty of those already present. It was to instill a sense of urgency in those who had grown complacent. The current situation was similar.

As Reubellina had become the mistress of the north, the northern nobles should have bowed down, but their stiff attitudes were being observed. Although Tartenon had promised to handle it, she couldn’t just stand by.

‘I’ll shake everything down to the last speck of dust. If there’s even a tiny bit of dirt, I won’t let it slide.’

Reubellina’s eyes, hidden behind the veil, glinted coldly. Tartenon noticed the gleam in her eyes through the veil and understood that the future of the absent northern nobles wouldn’t be easy.

But it didn’t matter. Whether they fell by his hand or by Reubellina’s schemes, their fate was to be expelled from the north.

Tartenon planned to fully exercise the rights that came with his title as the Conqueror of the North. He had the authority to confiscate the lands of the northern nobles and revoke their titles.

Tartenon’s blue eyes gleamed sharply. However, no one noticed, so no one could foresee the storm that would soon hit the north.

With their own thoughts, the two walked down the wedding aisle and finally stood before the High Priest.

They could hear the High Priest saying something, but none of it registered. It was just noise. Although she hadn’t been nervous while walking down the aisle, standing before the High Priest made her fingertips cold.

“…Reubellina Asillious, do you promise to take Tartenon Speraum as your husband and remain faithful to him for life?”

Reubellina didn’t fully hear the High Priest’s words. As the surroundings grew quiet, she lifted her head slightly to see Tartenon staring intently at her. The High Priest, understanding the situation, repeated the question.

“Do you promise to remain faithful for life?”

“Yes, I promise.”

This time, she answered without hesitation.

Hiding her nervousness, Reubellina licked her dry lips slightly. Tartenon, who was watching her, saw this directly.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

As soon as the High Priest’s words ended, Tartenon removed the cumbersome veil covering Reubellina’s face. Her red hair, styled high, was revealed, along with the tiara on top, which sparkled.

The tiara, adorned with black obsidian symbolizing the north, shone atop Reubellina’s head, causing the domain residents to cheer. However, upon seeing Reubellina’s face, they fell silent. Her face, which looked kind and serene, resembled that of a goddess seen in the temple. Especially the beautifully shining golden eyes, which were the same color as the goddess’s eyes.

“Goddess…”

Someone’s murmur echoed through the quiet square. Although it was a small whisper, it was loud enough to be heard in the silent square where one could hear a pin drop.

Hearing this, Reubellina’s lips curved slightly. When a gentle smile graced her lips, the people snapped out of their daze and cheered, while Tartenon seized the moment to hold her waist.

“What are you—”

Reubellina’s protest was ignored. Tartenon kissed her deeply, holding her lips. The passionate kiss from the Grand Duke made the domain residents blush and giggle. It was clearly the birth of a happy couple.

Even the High Priest, who was standing at the end of the wedding aisle, widened his eyes. The Tartenon Speraum he knew was not someone who showed such passion toward a woman. In fact, he was so cold that it was doubtful he had any emotions at all.

Realizing that Tartenon had feelings for the Duke Asillious’s daughter, whom he thought was merely a contractual partner, the High Priest’s eyes sparkled. He was now certain that betting on the Grand Duchy instead of the imperial family was the right decision.