Chapter 61: Blood Ties

Before she knew it, time had passed, and spring had arrived in full bloom.

The long, seemingly endless winter had finally retreated, and sunlight streamed gently through the windows of Saint Bell Cathedral.

Edelweiss sat on the couch in the bridal waiting room.

It still didn’t feel real that she was getting married.

Since inheriting the marquisate, she had been busy beyond belief.

The level of responsibility was completely different from when she had been quietly handling tasks as the heir.

A letter from Princess Charlotte, written in a clumsy, crooked hand that said she missed her, came with a request to be a flower girl at the wedding.

It warmed her heart.

Of course, she hadn’t seen Damian.

Perhaps because of the poisoning incident, he had not invited her to Calliope Palace.

Everything felt surreal, so even the reflection in the mirror seemed unfamiliar.

Edelweiss breathed quietly, her shoulders rising and falling gently.

The hem of her gown, which flowed from her chest down, was embroidered stitch by stitch.

“I’m glad I entrusted this to Madame Teresa. It’s even more beautiful than the coming-of-age dress.”

Edelweiss lightly traced the embroidery with her fingertips, feeling the care stitched into every thread.

The veil draped in front of her was adorned with lily of the valley—the same flower as Damian’s personal emblem, clearly a deliberate detail.

Her softly tied hair was pinned with pearls, and the loose waves cascaded naturally over her shoulders and back.

Around her slender neckline rested an emerald necklace, woven in layers with Mediart pearls.

It had been Damian’s proposal gift. She had only kept it safe until now—this was her first time wearing it.

As she gently touched the cool surface of the emerald, the reality of her wedding finally began to sink in.

“The Duke of Stern and Lady Benel have arrived.”

Anna’s voice came from outside the door.

At the mention of the Duke of Stern and Rosemary, Edelweiss’s brow furrowed.

It was the first time they’d met since the coming-of-age ceremony.

She found it odd—of all things, why would they come into the waiting room just to see her face?

The door opened, and in came Rosemary with a cane, supported by the Duke of Stern.

The duke’s expression was grim as he looked at Edelweiss.

She didn’t use a cane at the ceremony.

Using one now was clearly meant to draw sympathy by showing off her limp.

After being cast aside by Queen Roxanne, Rosemary’s reputation in society had plummeted endlessly.

“Edel. No matter what, it’s only right for your father to escort you down the aisle. He wasn’t going to come, but I brought him. Aren’t I great?”

“……”

“You should let go of your resentment now. How long are you going to hold on to it? It’s your big day, isn’t it?”

Rosemary turned to the Duke and playfully acted sweet. Her opal earrings sparkled and jingled.

“Oh—sorry. Father gave these to me, so I wore them. Are they too flashy? It’s your day to shine, after all.”

Edelweiss let out a small scoff as she glanced at the earrings Rosemary was subtly flaunting.

“I didn’t know you thought so highly of me. I suppose accusing me of stealing the ruby necklace in front of all the ladies wasn’t enough—”

At Edelweiss’s words, Rosemary grew nervous and started glancing at the duke.

“Even if I didn’t take it, you ran to Queen Roxanne and never once apologized.”

“T-That was… I’m sorry, Edel. I misunderstood. I panicked because I thought something Her Majesty gave me had gone missing, and I made a mistake.”

“A mistake, huh? That’s strange. Didn’t Countess Lumire say the owner of Quentin House mentioned the woman who put that necklace up for auction had a limp?”

“…Someone imitated me. Framed me. I swear. I’m innocent!”

Of course, Edelweiss had been the one to impersonate her and auction the ruby necklace.

So the part about being falsely accused—that much was actually true.

“That’s enough. Must you argue even today?”

The Duke of Stern, visibly weary, gently stroked Rosemary’s back.

Even with the obvious circumstances pointing to Rosemary’s guilt, he still didn’t blame her.

Seeing this, Rosemary turned her head smugly as if to say, See? No matter what I do, Daddy’s always on my side.

Whether the duke favored Rosemary or not no longer mattered to Edelweiss.

She smiled coolly and spoke.

“I’m no longer a daughter of Stern. Why should I take the duke’s hand and enter?”

The duke let out a deep sigh, full of frustration.

“Father, don’t be too upset. Edel’s still immature… She’ll understand one day. Let it go.”

Rosemary comforted him like someone who had expected this outcome.

Now Edelweiss understood why she’d insisted on bringing the duke.

She knew I’d refuse, and figured the duke would resent me more for it.

The Duke of Stern silently pondered for a moment before pulling his hand away from Rosemary.

“Rosemary. Go ahead to the ceremony hall. I need to speak with your sister for a moment.”

“…What?”

To her surprise, he intended to send her ahead alone.

Even Rosemary hadn’t expected it and asked again in confusion.

“Father, if I go alone, people will stare at me.”

“Tessen is in the hall, isn’t he? You there—assist her.”

The duke signaled to Anna, who was standing near the door.

But instead of moving right away, Anna looked to Edelweiss, waiting for her permission.

What could he possibly want to say, enough to send Rosemary ahead like this?

Curious about the duke’s unusual behavior, Edelweiss gave a subtle nod.

Anna bowed deeply toward Edelweiss, then assisted Rosemary in a practiced, neutral manner.

Like a scolded child, Rosemary kept glancing back as she slowly disappeared down the hall.

Once they were alone, the Duke finally spoke.

“I will grant succession rights to Stern to the child born between you and the prince.”

He said it like he was offering a grand favor—expecting her to accept it with humility.

“By what right do you, Your Grace, grant my child Stern’s succession? The child’s maternal grandfather will be the Marquis of Blossomweaver.”

“…Edelweiss.”

“Besides, their father will be a legitimate imperial prince, and their mother will be me—the Marchioness of Blossomweaver and Lady of Oberlin.”

Even if she ever had a child—though she had no intention to—the Stern succession would be unnecessary.

“No matter what, you are still my daughter, and I will be the child’s grandfather! Do you think blood ties can be severed so easily?”

The enraged duke was no different from Lady Céline, who had made an absurd claim on the inheritance.

She felt so disgusted by the blood in her veins that she wanted to tear it all out. Why did fate have to bind them by blood of all things?

“Yes. Even if I renounced the name of Stern and became a Blossomweaver, the fact that you are my birth father doesn’t change. That’s why I once hoped… and kept my expectations.”

“…”

“Do you know why a father takes his daughter’s hand and gives her away to the groom? It’s a plea to stay by her side from then on. But you have never been by my side, even once.”

“…”

The bells tolled the hour. It was time to enter the hall.

“Only those with the right may ask favors—blood ties alone are not enough.”

Edelweiss rose from the couch, passed the duke, and left the waiting room.

As she walked slowly down the long corridor, she saw the Marquis of Blossomweaver standing at the entrance, tense with anticipation. When he saw her, he beamed.

It’s the first time he’s smiled since Aunt passed away.

Erasing the emotions tangled by the duke, Edelweiss smiled back.

“It reminds me of the day Violet and I were married. Our wedding was here, in Saint Bell Cathedral… She would be so happy to see you now.”

Deep longing filled the marquis eyes.

“My child.”

“Yes.”

“I wish for your happiness.”

With the majestic sound of the pipe organ, the grand doors opened.

The beautiful melody descended from the dome, enveloping them.

The murmuring crowd fell silent as if time itself had hushed. Edelweiss tightened her grip on the marquis hand and took her first step.

On either side, naval officers drew their sabers in perfect unison.