“We will now proceed with the Declaration of Vows.”

The archbishop paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Reynard.

“Reynard Theodore, Emperor of Bait and ruler of the Western Continent, do you vow before the goddess to take Ophelia Flourette Fabian as your consort and lifelong partner?” 

At the archbishop’s question, all eyes turned to him.

“I do.”

Reynard responded in a slow yet firm tone. There was a brief murmur from the crowd, but it soon quieted down.

The archbishop gave a small nod, then looked to Evelyn.

“Princess of Hesta, Ophelia Flourette Fabian, do you also vow before the goddess to take Reynard Theodore as your husband and live as his lifelong partner?”

At last, it was Evelyn’s turn. She swallowed dryly and slowly opened her mouth.

“Yes, I vow.”

Her voice trembled as she answered. Although her voice was soft due to her nervousness, the Great Hall was so silent that her answer carried clearly to the audience.

“Very well.”

As he finished speaking, two priests approached the archbishop, each holding an item on a cushion. At the archbishop’s signal with a nod, the priests stepped toward Reynard.

With practiced ease, he took the scepter and orb from the cushion with both hands and turned around. A thunderous applause erupted.

Afterward, Reynard placed the scepter and orb back onto the cushion, and this time the priests brought the items to Evelyn.

With trembling hands, Evelyn picked up the scepter and orb. They were merely decorative—one shaped like a sphere, the other like a rod—but the symbolism they carried was heavy and profound.

Afraid she might drop them, Evelyn turned with the utmost caution. Just like with Reynard, the applause returned in a loud wave.

She quickly straightened herself and placed the scepter and orb back on the cushion. Fortunately, despite her nerves, she managed to set them down without incident.

“Then, in the name of the goddess, I declare this union sealed.”

At last, the archbishop who had overseen the entire ceremony turned to the people and made the declaration. 

With that, the two were officially married.

***

Following the wedding was a grand ball to celebrate the union. Without a moment’s rest, Evelyn changed into a new dress and headed to the ballroom.

Naturally, Reynard was by her side, escorting her.

As the two arrived at the entrance of the ballroom, the music playing inside came to a halt.

“His Majesty Emperor Reynard Theodore and Her Majesty Empress Ophelia Theodore are entering!”

A chamberlain loudly announced their arrival.

At the signal, a fanfare rang out, and various instruments joined together in a procession melody.

Startled by the sudden sound, Evelyn flinched, and Reynard tightened his grip on her hand. Feeling that warmth return, Evelyn looked up at Reynard.

He gave a faint smile and nodded reassuringly.

“Let’s go in.”

“…Yes.”

Reynard and Evelyn began walking into the ballroom together. The nobles inside, upon seeing their entrance, bowed their heads.

The two stepped onto the platform positioned at the front of the hall.

“Raise your heads. I thank you all for attending today’s ball. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”

With those few words, Reynard ended his speech. The nobles responded with respectful gestures toward him and Evelyn.

Only after this brief greeting did the ballroom regain its lively atmosphere. It was Evelyn’s first time in such a place, and she looked around with sparkling eyes.

On one side, there were light snacks and drinks prepared, and on the other, a space where guests could sit and relax. Most of the noblewomen were gathered there, engaged in conversation.

At the center of the ballroom, some couples were already dancing to the rhythm of the music.

Reynard looked at Evelyn, who was gazing around the ballroom with an expression of wonder. Amused by her innocent demeanor, he let out a silent chuckle.

Then, he rose from his seat and stood in front of Evelyn.

“Your Majesty?”

Startled, Evelyn looked up at him in confusion as Reynard extended his hand.

“Then, my lady, would you care to dance with me?”

It was rare to hear Reynard use honorific speech. Surprised by his tone, Evelyn stared at him.

“A dance?”

“Yes, a dance. It’d be a shame to come to a ball and not dance at least once.”

“But I don’t know how to dance.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

Evelyn replied sullenly.

As a former maid, there was no way she would have learned dancing, a skill considered essential for nobles.

She had picked up bits of etiquette through observation and could follow along clumsily, but executing a proper dance was beyond her.

“What a troublesome lady. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve taught you how to dance back at the barracks.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. Just follow me. If the other nobles see you rejecting my invitation to dance, what does that say about my dignity?”

Reynard took Evelyn’s hand and slowly escorted her to the center of the dance floor.

As they arrived at the center, the couples who had been dancing cleared the area to make space for the two of them. Just then, the orchestra began playing a new piece.

Reynard bowed politely toward her, and Evelyn responded with a bow in time with his. Up to this point, there was no issue. The problem came afterward.

“What should I do?”

Evelyn asked, unable to hide her nervousness. Reynard shrugged his shoulders once, then stepped closer, placing one hand on her back and taking her hand with the other.

“Place your left hand gently on my shoulder.” 

“Yes.”

Evelyn did as he instructed and rested her hand on his shoulder.

“And step on my foot.”

“Your Majesty’s foot?”

“Yes. With the hem of your dress, it won’t be noticeable anyway.”

“But how could I possibly…”

Evelyn hesitated and shook her head.

Reynard frowned, clearly displeased.

“Then are you going to admit that you can’t dance?”

“That’s… no.”

Evelyn, who had been about to protest, quickly backed down.

Reynard grinned as if to say, I told you so, and whispered to her again.

“Hurry. Everyone’s watching.”

“Yes.”

Following Reynard’s instructions, Evelyn carefully placed the front part of her foot atop his.

“As long as you follow my movements, nothing will go wrong.”

At his words, Evelyn gave a small nod in response.

She felt sorry for stepping on his foot, and the pressure of all the attention on her made it hard to even speak.

“Here we go.”

One, two.

Reynard began counting the beat in a voice low enough that only Evelyn could hear. At the same time, he started moving slowly with the rhythm.

At first, following his steps felt awkward and uncomfortable. But as time passed, she gradually became more used to it.

Though she made a few mistakes, by the latter half, she had found the pattern and was able to match Reynard’s rhythm with ease.

“You’re doing well.”

Reynard smiled, looking pleased.

Evelyn, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.

“Lift your head.”

Reynard, seemingly displeased, gave a firm command.

Contrary to her expectations, his eyes were filled with warmth as they met hers.

“When you dance, you’re supposed to look into your partner’s eyes.”

As she looked into his eyes, Evelyn’s heart began to race. Was it because of his handsome features?

Or was it because he was the only one she could rely on in this precarious situation?

Evelyn couldn’t quite define her feelings. But one thing, at least, was certain.

The only person Evelyn could trust in this place—was Reynard.

And since it had come to this, Evelyn decided to lean on him just a little more.