* * *

‘With such heavy rain, the event might be canceled. How do you plan to prepare?’

‘National Foundation Day is one of the country’s most significant holidays. Do you think it will be canceled because of the rain?’

‘Satin, has the Paladin said anything about the event? He’s the one who frequents the Papal Palace the most, so he should be well-informed.’

The torrential rain continued throughout the night.

Early in the morning, Satin arrived at Del Mare, escorted by Rublier, in a carriage bearing the family crest. Startled by the ominous rain, Satin unconsciously invited Rublier to join her in the carriage, but he declined.

Instead, he mounted his black horse and led the way, ensuring the carriage’s safety. He reasoned that a person with a clear and broad view should lead to ensure the carriage’s safety. The rain pounding on the carriage roof was so deafening that Satin kept her ears covered the entire time.

After just a few dozen minutes on the road, Satin understood why Rublier had returned soaking wet. In such severe wind and rain, it was better to travel without a carriage.

Umbrellas were constantly breaking and being blown away by the wind, causing the carriage to stop several times. They had to clear the path before moving again.

Rublier frequently came to explain the situation, but Satin was inwardly anxious. In this fierce weather, many small carriages had been overturned.

Fortunately, the carriage Satin was in was large and sturdy, and she arrived safely at Del Mare. At the manor’s front gate, Rublier gave a brief farewell.

“Until the holiday…”

“Would you like to come inside for a moment?”

“…I’ll come to Del Mare to see you.”

Even that was half lost in the noise. It seemed her voice didn’t reach Rublier at all. Rublier grabbed the reins of his black horse and rode off. In the end, Satin crossed the gate of Del Mare alone.

She thought she had entered unnoticed in the early blue light of dawn, but realized there had been quite a few witnesses. Before the afternoon, she received several messages inquiring about the holiday event.

The unusual weather was a common concern for everyone. While they were worried about the disaster, Satin secretly hoped the event would be canceled.

It was the only good news. She hoped the holiday event would be canceled.

She didn’t want to attend in the first place. If she could avoid it, she wanted to. The thought of facing Gjorn was daunting, and she wasn’t confident she could comfortably interact with Rublier in front of people, given her inability to hide her true feelings. Even though Delilah wasn’t invited to this event, it didn’t change anything.

Satin didn’t share the rumors Lady Eckle had told her with Rublier. They were too brief and vague, and she couldn’t find a precise way to express them, so she kept them to herself. Besides, she wasn’t close enough with Rublier to exchange trivial gossip.

But Gjorn would surely come. So it would be better if the event were canceled.

For once, the unwelcome rain seemed a little grateful.

* * *

Rublier came to Del Mare around noon the day before the holiday. He looked no different from the previous night, clearly having squeezed in a visit amid his busy schedule.

The black horse tied under a garden statue to avoid the rain snorted and pawed the ground. Meeting Rublier at the door, Satin glanced sideways at the drenched horse, looking as soaked as its master.

“What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking how tough it must be for both people and animals today.”

While making an offhand comment, Satin understood why the Ka Dillon family was particularly popular among the public. Whether by choice or necessity, when the country faced trouble, the Holy Knights were mobilized first to resolve it.

Rublier led the Holy Knights. As a high-ranking noble who led from the front, commanding people, his recognition was naturally high.

“Madam, shall I prepare a place for him to rest in the drawing room?”

Larie, who had followed them out, asked. Satin hesitated briefly. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to. Seeing someone who had been out all day battling the rain, it wasn’t possible to dislike the idea of offering a place to rest.

Anyone with a heart would feel the same. Even if it were Gjorn standing there soaked, she would momentarily feel sympathy. Of course, compared to Gjorn, Rublier looked more like a drenched puppy than a drowned rat.

The problem was that since their marriage, Rublier had not formally visited Del Mare. This was an issue. From her parents to the servants, many curious eyes would be watching to see how the married daughter, the young lady, was spending her honeymoon.

“Would you like to come in?”

Despite her reservations, compassion took precedence. Satin overcame her discomfort and invited him.

“Looking like this?”

“That’s why.”

“Are you going easy on me because you think I’m having a hard time, Satin?”

Rublier grinned.

“Seeing you have the energy to joke, you must not be too tired yet.”

“I can’t stay long anyway. I have to go back soon. And I can’t enter Del Mare looking like this. I have my pride; I’ll come properly prepared when I visit Del Mare.”

Rublier declined. Expecting this, Satin gave another instruction.

“Larie, bring some hot tea and towels.”

“I’ll just get wet again soon.”

“I know.”

She knew he was busy, knew he had to be busy as a Holy Knight, and knew he had the stamina to endure it well, but working from dawn to dawn for three days straight, soaked in rain, made her worry he might fall ill later.

Larie brought a dry towel. Rublier took the towel Satin handed him and roughly dried his hair.

“…With this rain, will the ceremony proceed as planned tomorrow?”

Satin asked cautiously. It was a question on everyone’s mind and an important personal concern. She tried to ask as casually as possible, hiding her true feelings, but Rublier immediately read her expression with his first words.

“Would you prefer if it didn’t happen?”

He chuckled briefly. With him catching on so quickly, there was no excuse to make. Satin sighed and admitted it.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Why? Why, indeed?

“…Well, Sir Ka Dillon, do you want to attend such an event?”

“Hmm. I’m looking forward to it.”

Satin’s mouth dropped open.

“…Gjorn will be there too.”

Despite Satin’s anxiety, Rublier remained unfazed.

“So what if Gjorn comes? Let him come.”

“How can I endure that time? What will people think when they see us,”

What kind of gossip will spread, you never know.

She was about to say this when Rublier interrupted her.

“What are you worried about when you’re not alone?”

She was dumbfounded. Satin closed her mouth in surprise.

Not alone, so there’s nothing to worry about…? She hadn’t even thought to interpret it that way.

While she was momentarily stunned, several horses thundered past near the Del Mare manor, shaking the ground. Perhaps another accident had occurred somewhere. Rublier, seemingly thinking the same, handed her the wet towel.

“I just came to see your face, but I’ve been delayed. Well, since we’re on the topic, if this rain doesn’t stop by tomorrow morning, the event will be canceled. Just so you know.”

So that’s how it is. At least there’s a chance the event could be canceled.

“Got it.”

Satin lowered her gaze.

“It’s the first event we’ll attend as a couple. Do you know how much I’m looking forward to it? See you tomorrow. I’ll come to pick you up.”

Rublier turned and left with long strides. He didn’t hesitate despite the heavy downpour. His figure quickly blurred in the pouring rain. Larie, who had brought hot tea too late, looked around for Rublier.

“Has he already left?”

Satin took a deep breath and gestured.

“Give it to me. I’ll drink it.”

Rublier left without even having time for a cup of tea. Satin took the cup and went to her room.

Not being alone meant she didn’t need to be afraid. Whether Rublier intended it or not, it was a surprising comfort. At least her situation was better than Gjorn’s, who would be alone. Gjorn would be sitting on pins and needles, waiting for the day to end.

But this was a second-best option. The best scenario was still the cancellation of the event. To live quietly and peacefully, completely out of people’s attention, until she could safely divorce him.

Satin kept her hopes up and listened to the sound of the rain pattering down.

However, the weather betrayed Satin’s expectations.

Miraculously, the rain stopped at dawn on National Foundation Day. Satin, who had fallen asleep to the sound of the heavy rain, woke up feeling uneasy in the quiet morning. She hurriedly opened the curtains without waiting for Larie, and the sky had cleared up.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The dread she had put off came rushing back.

Larie, who came to wake Satin for her preparations, beamed without understanding her mistress’s feelings.

“It seems that since our country is a holy nation, the gods are helping us!”

Gods, my foot.

It was a gloomy morning. If this was going to happen, it would have been better if the rain had stopped earlier to avoid giving false hope. It felt like a cruel trick to keep her hopeful until night only to dash those hopes.

Satin dressed up feeling like she wanted to cry. She put on the dress she had prepared and finished her makeup. When she tried to lie down out of frustration, Larie hurriedly stopped her.

“Your makeup will get ruined, don’t do that!”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not!”

Ruining her makeup was hardly a problem compared to her current feelings, but Larie was adamant. Satin, lost in thought, avoided looking at the clock. She didn’t even want to know the time. She just wished the day would stop here.

Then it happened. Suddenly, cheers erupted from inside and outside the house.

Hearing the noise, Larie, who was looking outside, shook Satin excitedly.

“Madam, look outside!”

“Why? Is it raining?”

“Huh? Rain? Something much better than rain has come!”

Something much better than rain?

Confused by the riddle, Satin staggered to the window and peeked outside.

“…What?”

“See? I told you!”

Larie was practically dancing with excitement.

Satin stood there in a daze, unable to tear her eyes away.

In front of Del Mare, the Holy Knights, dressed in ceremonial uniforms, were lined up neatly. Each one of them was a knight who protected the Papal Palace and upheld the sanctity.

Seeing the knights in their beautiful uniforms instead of their usual armor was a spectacle usually reserved for national events. And these Holy Knights had marched to Del Mare.

At the forefront of the knights was Rublier, mounted on his black horse.

‘I have my pride; I’ll come perfectly prepared when I visit Del Mare.’

So this is what he meant.