Their chests pressed completely together, startling Saena who tried to push him away, but

“Put your arms around my neck.”

At Constantine’s words, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. She wanted to hide her face, which must have turned even redder than before.

Whoosh–

With the sudden acceleration, wind whipped past them as if someone had shot a great gust at them. In an instant, they left the forest path and Morev began climbing the wall as if flying.

“Hic.”

As her body tilted at an angle she’d never experienced before and gradually moved away from the ground, Saena clung to him more tightly. Her stomach churned at the strange sensation of running through the air.

Thankfully, Morev was incredibly fast.

With a thud, they landed on top of the tower, and Morev smoothly disappeared. Their feet touched solid ground again.

“Ah.”

“This must be the place.”

The Princess must have had people set this up in advance.

A temporary pergola¹A/N: a Western-style pavilion or path made by laying wood horizontally and vertically and covering it with climbing plants like wisteria, used for decoration and shade that clearly hadn’t been there before had been erected, with a plush carpet and a long couch inside, covered with multiple layers of fur pelts and cushions that looked comfortable.

Braziers were placed on both sides for the chilly dawn weather.

He had already entered the pergola and sat on the couch, still holding her.

Constantine set her down on one end of the couch, wrapped a fur pelt around her back, and sat right beside her.

“It will rise soon.”

Feeling the warmth of the fur embracing her, Saena turned her gaze eastward. She could see the round mass of light gradually swelling and coloring the sky growing larger.

As the surroundings brightened and revealed the scenery, Saena could understand why the Princess had recommended this place.

The imperial capital Phaesle spread out below them. The sunlight reflecting off the Tailon River that cut through the center of Phaesle sparkled like jewels. The beautifully sectioned landscape of the capital was also stunning in those rays.

Though the colors of night and day were still mixed since the sun hadn’t fully risen, that made it even more beautiful.

Saena murmured softly.

“…It’s beautiful.”

Though the sun rises every day, today’s sunrise felt completely different.

The moon that had gently revealed its presence through the night, and the stars that had sparkled brilliantly, all lost their place and disappeared before the sun.

Bright light filled everything.

As if saying that the darkness before you will disappear just like this, like that.

And then, someone took her hand.

Saena turned her head at the warmth of another’s touch on her hand that had been resting on the couch beside her.

Constantine.

The man who would soon be her husband.

Watching the sunrise together, holding hands.

These seemingly simple acts somehow made her happy, and Saena smiled.

Her even teeth showed in the smile that drew a long curve. Her eyes curved, blooming with loveliness.

Her flushed cheeks, star-bright eyes, and the pure smile on her fair face shone as brightly as the rising sun.

Constantine held his breath as he gazed at her smiling face.

As if time had stopped, only that smile invaded his vision, flowing slowly.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

Yes. Pretty.

So pretty that he never wanted to show it to anyone else.

Constantine unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand, intertwining their fingers more deeply.

Long rays of light stretched out, erasing the shadows at their feet. They could feel the cool air surrounding them, the damp night frost, all changing to become mild and warm.

Ah.

Constantine felt he would never forget this moment.

He pulled her small, soft hand to his lips and closed his eyes as he kissed it.

* * *

The remaining week flew by like an arrow.

Though the House of Kramer took charge of most of the preparations, there were still surprisingly many things to do, keeping them busy.

During all this, her curiosity about the Prince’s situation after their unpleasant last meeting occasionally crossed her mind, but since there was no particular news coming from outside, she decided not to worry about it. Besides, there was the persistent problem that she couldn’t do anything about the Prince due to their difference in status.

‘It will end with the marriage.’

Once the wedding ceremony is over, even the imperial family would have no choice but to give up.

Finally, the wedding day arrived.

The weddings of the four ducal families are always held in the Imperial Palace. But aside from being held in the Imperial Palace, they were much more modest than other nobles’ weddings.

It’s a small-scale wedding with only immediate family members of the bride and groom, the four dukes, and the imperial family in attendance.

Could it be because a Duke’s wedding is connected to the succession of the next Oathkeeper? They say it has been conducted this way since ancient times.

The imperial family presides over the ceremony and pronounces the couple husband and wife. Saena and Constantine requested the Princess to officiate. It was a natural choice since the Emperor was indisposed and they were uncomfortable with the Prince. Besides, they had a good relationship with the Princess.

Saena stood facing Morev, who was staring blankly at her.

Though her vision wasn’t clear due to the veil covering her face, she could tell that Morev was watching her.

“What’s wrong?”

She hadn’t expected an answer, but she was surprised when Morev swiftly turned away at her words.

‘…Does he not like being the escort?’

There was another peculiarity about ducal family weddings — while entering with the father, they follow the Guardian Spirit’s guidance into the ceremony hall.

The Guardian Spirit essentially plays the role of a flower child.

This was one of the reasons she had envied Elizabeth’s wedding… It felt particularly meaningful.

“My lady. It’s time for your entrance.”

The door to her waiting room opened and a servant entered. Though startled upon encountering Morev with his massive mane right at the doorway, they quickly composed themselves and stepped aside.

“My daughter.”

“Fath–, no, Dad.”

Saena firmly grasped Count Debov’s hand. The Count’s voice seemed somewhat choked, but it was hard to confirm his expression through the veil.

“Don’t worry. I’ll live well.”

“Yes. If only that… hadn’t happened… This wouldn’t have been necessary…”

She flinched at what sounded like a curse, but when the maids began helping with the train of her dress to go outside, she quietly leaned on the Count’s hand.

Morev, who had been walking leisurely, stopped at the waiting line and glanced at Saena again.

“This is the first time seeing him this close.”

The Count commented, seemingly intrigued.

“Please take care of her, Morev.”

Saena stood behind Morev, smiling kindly though he might not see it clearly. At her words, Morev seemed to flinch and puffed up his mane even more.

“The bride is entering!”

The doors to the large hall where the wedding was being held opened, and everyone inside turned to look at her.

At times like this, the blurred vision from the veil was fortunate. Though there weren’t many people, the collective gaze was still somewhat overwhelming.

Thump. Thump.

Behind Morev, leaning on Count Debov’s hand, Saena walked down the path laid with white silk. After walking some distance, she could see a tall man standing ahead.

It must be Constantine.

As they got closer, he walked forward and extended his hand to her.

“Saena.”

Constantine looked only at her, as if no one else existed. The Count, seemingly displeased by this, didn’t release her hand.

“Count…”

“…Please take good care of my daughter.”

“Of course. I will… cherish her.”

Slowly released from her father’s grip, her hand was placed over Constantine’s.

Saena stood beside him.

“At this time, we begin the vows between Duke Constantine of House Kramer and Lady Saena of House Debov to become husband and wife.”

A familiar voice was heard.

Ah, Her Highness the Princess. Through the hazy veil, Saena could feel the Princess smiling at her.

And behind the Princess, four massive forms.

The Guardian Spirits of the four great houses stood in a fan shape. They seemed to form the backdrop for the wedding. Morev must have joined them after finishing his escort duty.

It somehow felt unreal.

“The Covenant is sacred, and marriage is another solemn promise. The couple shall remember this promise and engrave it in their hearts, in health and in sickness, in sorrow and in joy…”

Saena followed along in a slightly dazed state, barely aware of what she was hearing or what answers she was giving.

“The groom may lift the bride’s veil and enter.”

Constantine’s arm slowly approached.

The veil lifted, and he entered beneath it.

Though it wasn’t even translucent, when he entered, it felt as if they were alone in the world.

A pure white tuxedo. His white hair was neatly tied and flowing.

She could see his thick white eyelashes casting shadows over his blue eyes. And those blue eyes were gazing at her with intense emotion.

Somehow, he seemed to radiate an even purer white impression than she, the bride.

Her upward gaze was intense. She suddenly wondered what he was thinking at this moment.

“Exchange your covenant kiss.”

Perhaps because of this, she made a mistake at that moment.

The proper form was for him to kneel on one knee and kiss her hand, then for her to bend and kiss his forehead…

But while looking only into his eyes as she lowered her head, she unconsciously kissed his lips instead. His lips twitched beneath hers.

“Hoho, it seems the bride is overflowing with affection.”

Even with the veil, their outline was enough to guess what happened.

At the Princess’s amused words, Saena realized her mistake.

Laughter erupted from the guests. Saena’s face flushed with embarrassment. But seeing Constantine’s bright smile as he curved his lips lengthwise, all other thoughts vanished.

His upward gaze was intense. Unlike his bright smile, that gaze held something raw, but she couldn’t examine it more closely as he stood up and withdrew from the veil.

“With this, I declare the solemn marriage complete, and these two are now husband and wife.”

A promise as sacred as the Covenant.

As if celebrating their marriage, the four Guardian Spirits simultaneously took flight into the sky.

With their majestic ascension and the cheers of the guests, they became husband and wife.