Chapter 26

Despite a small commotion just before, the wedding proceeded, whether fortunately or unfortunately, without a hitch. Earl Vanetti, her father, nearly collapsed foaming at the mouth during the bride’s entrance. But with Margaret, Yvonne, and Olivia’s intervention, Harriet managed to walk down the virgin road with her hand on her father’s arm.

As the guests, except for one, watched the bride’s entrance in silence, Franz began in a voice only his daughter could hear.

“You were never a particularly obedient child from a young age.”

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

Franz swallowed a laugh at her reaction, as if he was saying something absurd, and glanced over the bride’s family seating.

His eldest son, who always had a dissatisfied look, caught his eye first. Theodore, the eldest, wasn’t far behind in causing trouble, but at least he pretended to be obedient. Aaron, naturally gentle, would have been an obedient son too if he hadn’t dropped a bombshell about his career path.

And Marianne… Franz clicked his tongue inwardly at the eyes glaring at her sister as if she had stolen something from her. She was a child he should never have brought in. A distant relative he had taken in out of sympathy, hoping she would be a good sister to Harriet, who had no sisters. Though she was quiet and gentle on the surface, she had never caused him to raise his voice. If only she hadn’t humiliated Harriet like that.

Betraying a family member by blood was unforgivable. Whatever expectations she had in coming here, he had no intention of forgiving Marianne. Inviting her was meant to create a sense of crisis for Harriet.

In that sense, the initial plan had succeeded. After Harriet’s wedding and her return from the honeymoon, he planned to proceed with Marianne’s disownment. After giving her a portion of the property, of course. There was no guilt or remorse. It was the price she should have paid three years ago when she ran off with Mikhail.

After such a sensational elopement, he had heard rumors of her estrangement from her husband. Though he felt a bit sorry for her due to the long-standing affection, he had no intention of leaving her as a member of the Vanetti Earldom family.

While Franz reaffirmed his resolve, they arrived in front of the platform where the officiant was waiting. The man who would become his son-in-law was shamelessly extending his hand to his daughter. As he hesitated, feeling a surge of emotion, Lennox Diorne raised the corners of his mouth. Before the guests noticed the subtle standoff, Harriet withdrew her hand from Franz’s arm and took the waiting husband’s hand. Franz, momentarily halted by an inexplicable sense of loss, returned to the family seating, and the officiant immediately began the ceremony.

“We are gathered here today for the wedding of Young Master Lennox Diorne and Miss Harriet Coco Vanetti. These two have maintained a precious relationship since they met as children over ten years ago.”

A precious relationship? It was a complete fabrication. If anything, we had snarled at each other like cats and dogs. Who wrote this script?

Harriet briefly glanced incredulously between the officiant and Lennox. He faced forward with a composed expression, as if there wasn’t a single falsehood in the officiant’s words. Overwhelmed by his calm demeanor, Harriet quietly turned her attention back to the officiant.

She couldn’t hear a word of what was being said, but suddenly she felt a hot gaze on her profile. Unlike before, he was now looking at her. Harriet finally regained her senses. The officiant asked again.

“Bride, do you vow to respect, honor, love, and cherish the groom for a lifetime?”

Was it okay to go through with this marriage? 

At the last moment, she felt a pang of conscience. She wondered if she could lie even before God. As she hesitated, her hand was grasped. Lennox’s fingers interlocked with hers, holding her so tightly it was suffocating. It felt like she was entangled in a spider’s web, the more she struggled, the more she was bound.

Perhaps she had anticipated this when she fled right after dinner the day Lennox returned to the Vanetti estate. She had an ominous feeling that he would somehow bind her to his side.

“Dear.”

“…”

Feeling trapped, Harriet pressed her lips together. After two questions and two silences, she finally opened her mouth to answer, but Lennox, who had lowered his head, whispered.

“Do you want to spend the first night in the ceremony hall?”

It wasn’t a joke but a serious statement. If she was a loud, fake madwoman, he was a subtly insane man. Outwardly a perfect gentleman, but no different from a beast beneath.

She recalled the unforgettable night three years ago. Remembering the bold hands and lips that had claimed her, her whole body seemed to heat up as if on fire. Knowing the vast difference, she had deliberately kept her distance from Lennox.

The sweat trickled down her back as she felt the pressure that if she didn’t answer, he might lay her down right there. Yet Harriet, pretending not to notice, smiled at the officiant.

“I vow.”

Relieved, the officiant moved on to the next step.

“Exchange the wedding rings… though you already have, so now, kiss each other.”

At the quiet instruction, the two turned to face each other. In this step, it was customary for the groom to approach the bride with her eyes closed and kiss her. There was no turning back now.

Resigned, Harriet calmly closed her eyes and waited. But no matter how long she waited, the kiss didn’t come. Moreover, the murmuring voices of the guests reached her ears, and cold sweat trickled down her back.

She couldn’t be humiliated in this wedding as she had in her first. Grinding her teeth, Harriet whispered low.

“What are you doing? Kiss me.”

“…”

“Do you want to ruin this wedding?”

Though she threatened quietly, the man who had just vowed to hold her if she didn’t respond didn’t budge an inch. Finally, Harriet opened her eyes slightly. Her anger flared. Lennox Diorne was smiling mysteriously. It was the expression of an arrogant god looking down from the clouds.

His handsome face clearly showed his determination not to move a step unless she came to him. Just as Franz, who had been gripping the armrest anxiously, was about to rise from his seat, it happened.

“Oh my!”

A female guest placed her hand on her chest. The reason was Harriet. The bride had boldly stepped forward, grabbed the groom by the collar, and pulled him toward her. Lennox, caught off guard, stumbled, and his lips met Harriet’s.

The kiss, like an accidental mishap, was over in a brief moment. Harriet immediately wiped her lips with the back of her hand as if cleaning something dirty and turned sharply to the officiant.

“Is it over now?”

“Pardon? Ah… yes.”

The officiant, intimidated by her murderous glare, nodded. Just then, a small laugh was followed by a large hand turning Harriet’s face.

As soon as the face of the shameless man who had just refused the kiss came into view, Harriet’s expression crumpled. Regardless, Lennox, his eyes curved in a smile, asked abruptly.

“Divorce in half a year?”

“…”

“You’ll be the one clinging.”

“What do you mean, mmph!”

At the confident words, Harriet frowned and was about to retort when his lips met hers again. However, unlike the brief touch earlier, this time his tongue slipped between her parted lips, as if it belonged there, entwining with hers and not letting go. Finally, only when Harriet’s face turned pale did his hand release her face, and he stepped back. The officiant, surveying the suddenly chilly atmosphere of the hall, quickly proceeded with the final steps.

“Is there anyone who objects to this couple being married? Speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

Naturally, there was no response. Relieved that there were no further incidents, the officiant continued.

“Then I declare that these two are legally and spiritually united as a married couple.”

Applause slowly erupted from the guest seats. Just as she had held her father’s arm earlier, Harriet took Lennox’s arm and turned to walk down the aisle. The flower girl followed, scattering petals and wishing happiness for the new couple.

Among the guests, who warmly smiled at the smoothly concluded wedding, there was only one person whose expression remained hardened. Once Harriet and Lennox completely exited the hall, Aaron, sitting next to that person, whispered to her.

“Can I see you for a moment, little sister?”