Chapter 123

Felix’s blunt voice seemed to echo vividly in her ears. However, Elena could now interpret what Felix had said.

Certainly…

“Oh my, he must really miss you, Elly.”

The words Elena wanted to say were instead spoken by Madam Jane.

Feeling embarrassed for no reason, Elena’s face turned red.

After that, she stayed in her room to greet the guests before the ceremony began.

The first to arrive were her father and brothers. Despite their busy schedules, William and Illya had taken time off to visit her.

“Father, brothers! Welcome!”

Elena greeted them warmly, but somehow, their reactions were awkward. All three stood frozen at the doorway, staring blankly at her instead of stepping inside.

Illya was the first to regain his composure. With teary eyes, he cautiously hugged her.

“Our Elly is all grown up and getting married. You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you for coming. It must not have been easy for you to leave the Mage Tower.”

“They didn’t want to let me go.”

“But you managed to come?”

“I told them I’d burn all the research materials if they didn’t let me leave.”

It was an unusually bold statement coming from Illya. Elena burst into laughter before extending her arms toward her father and William.

“Are you just going to stand there?”

Only then did William approach and hug her.

“Congratulations on your wedding. If by any chance…”

William trailed off, and Illya patted him on the back, laughing.

“If Felix makes you cry, Elly, it’s going to be quite a sight.”

“…”

“Still, take care of him. Be good to him even in the knight order, alright?”

Elena winked at William before turning to her father. He ran a hand over his face and took her hand.

“You’re just like your mother.”

“Oh…”

Even as a child, Elena had often been told she resembled her mother entirely, not her father.

“You’re beautiful. Congratulations on your wedding, Elly. Live happily.”

Though she managed to hold back her tears while greeting her brothers, her father’s words nearly brought her to tears.

He wasn’t exactly a doting father, but the sincerity in his wish for her happiness made her feel his love.

“Yes, I’ll live well.”

“Good.”

However, she didn’t cry. The door suddenly burst open, and Philly, who had been with Felix, came running in.

“Grandfather! Uncle!”

Naturally, her father and brothers looked puzzled.

“Uh, so who is this? Tony? But this isn’t the face I remember.”

“Uncle Illya!”

Caught off guard, Illya picked Philly up and blinked.

“So, Elly. Who is this?”

“It’s Philly.”

At last, Elena could proudly introduce Philly to her family.

“He’s my son.”

***

Her shocking announcement caused quite a commotion. Her father and brothers needed her to explain Philly’s identity twice before they finally took him outside.

After her family left, her friends came to visit.

“Elly! You look stunning!”

Alice made a fuss the moment she saw her.

“Felix is so lucky. Taking you as his wife.”

“Oh, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Yes, it is!”

Alice said, sniffling. Pushing Alice aside, Penny approached Elena.

“I knew this would happen. Losing the ‘first wedding’ title to you.”

For the record, Penny and Neville’s wedding was next month.

‘Come to think of it, when Penny got proposed to, she said someone might marry before her, and it turned out to be true.’

Elena gave a sheepish smile.

“I didn’t expect this either.”

“Anyway, congratulations. Live well.”

“Thanks.”

Next came her invention club members. Since it was still during the semester, only Cedric and Thomas attended, as Oliver remained at the academy.

“I never thought you two would get married.”

Thomas expressed his surprise.

“Neither did I, up until a year ago.”

“Anyway, congratulations! I invented something for your wedding! I’ll show you later.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a secret!”

Thomas grinned mischievously. Though it made her slightly uneasy, Elena decided to trust him. She didn’t press further and instead turned to Cedric.

She had hesitated a lot when sending Cedric an invitation, remembering his confession to her. Still, she couldn’t leave him out while inviting everyone else. Seeing him smile brightly now, she was glad she had invited him.

Yes, they were still good friends.

“Congratulations, Elena.”

“Thanks for coming.”

“Of course. How could I not? We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Yes, we are.”

After greeting everyone, a servant came to announce the start of the wedding. With help from her nanny and Madam Jane, Elena headed to the garden where the ceremony would take place.

Her face was veiled so Felix wouldn’t see it yet.

“Elly.”

At the garden entrance, Felix stood in a white tuxedo, faintly visible through her veil. She couldn’t see his expression clearly, which was disappointing. Sensing her feelings, Madam Jane whispered in her ear.

“Dear, Felix is so nervous. I’ve never seen him like this.”

Elena, who was also nervous, chuckled softly. Knowing Felix felt the same way eased her heart a little.

Finally, their wedding began. Lindsey, Tony, and Philly scattered flower petals as they walked down the aisle.

Seeing the three children filled her with emotion.

Surely, no unborn child from the future had ever served as a flower boy before.

Next, Felix entered to the gentle melody of a piano. Elena followed, holding her father’s hand as she walked slowly down the aisle.

She remembered holding Felix’s hand and standing beside him, but everything after that was a blur.

When she regained her senses, the officiating priest was asking them a question.

“Do you, the groom, vow to love the bride for the rest of your life?”

“Yes.”

Felix’s voice was filled with certainty.

“And do you, the bride, vow to love the groom for the rest of your life?”

With equal conviction, Elena answered.

“Yes.”

“With this, I declare you husband and wife in the name of God.”

As soon as the priest finished speaking, Felix gently lifted her veil. Finally, she could see his nervous face.

When Elena smiled softly, Felix leaned in and kissed her as if quenching a thirst.

“Kyaa! Mom and Dad kissed!”

Philly’s voice rang out from behind them. Elena laughed into the kiss.

It was a moment of happiness.

***

The bouquet went to Penny, whose wedding was next month. After enjoying the lively reception, Elena went to put Philly to bed as she had done for the past few days. However, Philly didn’t look well.

His pale face was even paler, and his breathing was labored. When she touched his forehead, it was burning hot.

Having experienced this several times, Elena quickly understood what was happening.

‘It’s the rebound effect.’

It was time for Philly to return.

“Mom, my head hurts.”

Philly mumbled, clinging to her skirt. Kneeling down, Elena met his gaze.

“Philly.”

“Yes?”

“It’s time to go back.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Otherwise, you’ll keep feeling sick.”

She stroked his hair gently.

In truth, she didn’t want to send him back. An inexplicable fear gripped her, making her feel she might never see him again.

But unaware of her feelings, Philly yawned and waved his hand.

“Okay, Mom. I’ll go now.”

His casual farewell made her tear up. When she started crying, Philly added,

“We’ll see each other soon, right?”

Would we really meet again? With the future changed, could we truly reunite?

Philly, I’m scared. I’m scared of losing you again, afraid that I’ll never see you.

But she couldn’t selfishly hold onto him while he was in pain.

Elena kissed his small hand lightly.

“Yes, we’ll see each other soon.”

Philly hugged her neck tightly.

“Mom, I’m going. Don’t fight with Dad and stay well.”

It wasn’t Elena who answered but Felix.

“Alright, we won’t fight, so don’t worry and go.”

“Okay.”

Philly waved at her again. That was the last time. His body gradually became transparent until no one was left in front of her.

Overwhelmed by a sudden sense of loss, Elena buried herself in Felix’s arms and cried her heart out.

***

After Philly left, an indescribable emotion lingered within her.

She already missed him. Selfishly, she thought she should have kept him a little longer.

Perhaps that’s why she remained dazed, unable to focus, as the maids helped her bathe, change, and prepare.

“Elly.”

Even when Felix came to her room, she couldn’t shake off her feelings.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Oh…”

She looked down at Felix, who knelt before her. Like her, he was dressed lightly in a shirt and pants.

“Philly.”

“…”

“I already miss him.”

Felix silently took her hand and kissed her palm, as if to reassure her.

His breath tickled her palm, making her flinch as she continued.

“What if we can’t see him again?”

“That won’t happen. We’ve confirmed he came back from the future.”

“But…”

“Elly.”

His voice, low and deep, called her name. His gaze, filled with emotion, met hers.

“I know how important Philly is to you. But we got married today.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Can’t you focus on me, just for now?”

“Oh…”

It dawned on her. Today, she and Felix had married. It was their first night together.

So, so…

As that thought filled her mind, all thoughts of Philly vanished. Her face grew hot as another thought entirely consumed her.

Sensing her change, Felix stood and kissed her softly. As she responded to his kiss, she felt a weightless sensation and found herself on the bed.

Felix, now above her, breathed heavily as he drew closer.

“I love you, Elly.”

It was a phrase that felt different from “I like you.” Elena’s eyes widened briefly before she smiled warmly.

“I love you too, Felix.”

That was the last memory of the night. Starting with their kiss, she spent a warm and happy night with Felix.

It was a precious night for both of them.