#102

Time flew by in an instant. The autumn that had just begun was now in full bloom, and I was busy with wedding preparations all along. Choosing a dress, choosing shoes, selecting flowers for the bouquet – every moment was spent with Diart.

Despite the persistent persuasion of the relentless emperor, Diart gave up his territory without any lingering attachment, and proved his devotion by never leaving my side for a single moment. It was rare for a husband to be so passionate about wedding preparations, which only fueled the rumors that Diart Wheaton had gone mad for his wife, but he paid no attention to any of it.

And finally, the day of the wedding arrived. The hectic preparations that had been going on since early morning came to an end with delicate drop earrings hanging from my shoulders. Lily and Annie stepped back with proud faces, as if they had anxiously waited for this moment, and Diart entered.

“Oh…”

His face was always handsome, but today Diart looked truly perfect. His naturally swept-back silver hair sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight streaming through the window, and his smooth facial features flowed gracefully down to his chin like finely crafted porcelain. His white suit matched his fair skin so perfectly that it made the person who chose it feel accomplished.

But above all, what captured everyone’s attention was his warm golden eyes and affectionate smile that was directed solely at me. Diart approached confidently, his gaze fixed on me as if I were the only one in his sight.

‘I don’t know who this guy is, but he’s very handsome.’

I felt so proud that I wanted to run out into the streets and shout, ‘This man is my husband.’

As Diart slowly scanned me from head to toe, his lips parted slightly and then closed again. And finally, he uttered his observation in a leisurely manner.

“I want to take you back to the bedroom with me.”

My face flushed instantly. There was someone next to me, so what is this man saying? Diart smirked mischievously as he shot me a teasing glance. When I glanced to the side, Lily and Annie quickly moved away, giggling.

“You’re joking as soon as you see me? Don’t you have anything else to say?”

I spread my arms wide as if to say, ‘Look at me.’

“I don’t know what to say.”

Diart grabbed his tie and narrowed his eyes as if he couldn’t quite explain the rushing emotions. It’s adorable how this man who’s uusually skilled suddenly became so awkward with me.

“Am I that beautiful?”

“As dazzling as the sun.”

I was pleased with his immediate response. When I laughed, Diart’s lips formed a smile. He moved closer. Despite saying that I’m as dazzling as the sun, he couldn’t take his eyes off me for a moment. I changed the subject, feeling my heart race in his longing gaze,.

“Did you go to the temple?”

“Aah.”

As Diart gently brushed my cheek with his finger, he pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. I took the envelope and unfolded the divorce approval document with the temple’s seal. The name written at the bottom of the document, Roeni Feischer, sounded unfamiliar.

It felt strange, even though I was about to become Roeni Wheaton again. Diart asked with a slightly concerned voice,

“What are you thinking? You have that expression on your face.”

“What kind of expression do I have?”

“An expression that I don’t like.”

I raised my eyebrows as if to ask if Diart was having any strange thoughts. I’m wearing a wedding dress and we’re about to have the ceremony, so I don’t understand why he’s worried now. Is my brainwashing still not enough?

“It’s just amazing that just because of a piece of paper, we can become husband and wife.”

“We’ll be a couple again soon.”

Diart cut in. I nodded and said jokingly.

“Aren’t we the first and last couple to go through the divorce process and prepare for a wedding at the same time?”

“We must also be the first and last couple to get married on the same day we received our divorce papers.”

Diart casually brushed it off and extended his hand with a smile.

“Shall we go, wife?”

Diart spoke cheerfully with a very polite attitude. I smiled widely as I took his hand, holding it gently but firmly.

“Okay.”

As I stood up eagerly, the divorce approval document fell to the ground, but I didn’t care. I locked eyes with Diart, who held my hand softly but tightly, and we left the dressing room.

* * *

The sky was clear without a single cloud, and the gentle breeze tickled my cheeks. It was a perfect day for an outdoor wedding. The trees of various colors that lined the path leading to the forest, which was sponsored by the Wheaton family, dropped leaves onto the virgin road¹.

Diart, who usually accepted everything I said, stubbornly insisted on one thing: the wedding date. I suggested having the ceremony in winter when the trees are adorned with snowflakes or in spring when fresh cherry blossoms dance in the air. But he wanted the earliest possible date. Diart whispered in my ear, with a hint of stubbornness that couldn’t be ignored, that he wanted to marry me when I looked the most beautiful.

“No matter the season, you are beautiful.”

He’s truly a man who knows how to flatter a person.

Still, it seems like I made the right decision by listening to him. The warm sunlight filtering through the leaves created a cozy atmosphere that I loved.

The music announcing the bride’s entrance began. As I walked down the virgin road with Duke Feischer, who seemed more nervous than me, I looked at Diart. With each step I took, memories of our first possessed and everything that led up to this day flashed through my mind. Mixed emotions overwhelmed me as I realized that I had experienced so much and finally ended up marrying this man.

“I hope this time, it will be a wedding where a smile never leaves your face.”

Duke Feischer whispered softly. His tender words made my throat tighten. My eyes welled up, and I quickly blinked and turned my head.

Everyone in the venue was looking at me. Diart invited not only all the nobles but also the Imperial family, keeping his promise to make me the happiest bride in the empire.

As I walked along the virgin road, Leticia, who was scattering flower petals, smiled brightly. Despite being a princess, she took on the role of my friend. On the opposite side, Annabelle blushed shyly.

In the wedding hall, Jarvis, who seemed to relish the fact that each time he asked for a visit he was rebuffed by someone else, was standing with a smiling face. Lily and Annie’s faces were filled with tears in their eyes. Aside from that, the faces of everyone I met after coming into this world came into view one after another.

Finally, a man who was only staring at me in the middle of virgin road appeared. When our eyes met, Diart smiled dazzlingly.

As though he couldn’t stand the short distance, he came out to greet me and held out his arm. Duke Feischer, who led me to Diart, patted me on the back once and stepped back.

“Why are your eyes already red?”

Diart whispered, tilting his head.

“I think I’m sad. They say all brides are like that.”

“What are you sad for?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because I decide to get married too hastily?”

I pretended not to cry, and Diart laughed.

“I don’t think you’re sadder than I am.”

Someone might say that I am a crybaby, but when Diart said that he was sad first, my lips involuntarily pouted.

“What are you so sad about?”

“The knights gave me a bottle of medicine this morning.”

“Medicine?”

I was startled, thinking if there was something hurting him, and when I was about to examine him, Diart sighed and continued his words.

“Everyone was worried about the first night.”

It seems like he has realized people’s misunderstandings about him which I had been trying hard to hide. As I only mumbled with my lips, Diart let out a low sigh.

“It was so unfair to hear them say that.”

“Diart, that……”

“Was I that bad?”

“No, absolutely not!”

On the contrary, it’s overflowing and becoming a problem. I quickly raised my head.

“So tonight, I’ll do my best. I also have a responsibility of breaking my wife’s curse, you know.”

Of course, I don’t need any medicine. Diart whispered secretly. I was about to say something to him, who seemed happy about something, but suddenly, someone knocked on the table. Despite Diart’s dissatisfaction, Jarvis, the officiant, was looking at us with an impatient expression on his face.

“It’s nice to be immersed in your own world, but you still have to make the vow, right?”

I could hear people murmuring. When did the atmosphere become like this? My cheeks heated up.

“Diart Wheaton, do you take Roeni Feischer as your wife to be together for a lifetime?”

“Willingly.”

Jarvis asked, and Diart immediately responded as if he had nothing to think about. Then he looked down at me.

“Roeni Pasher, do you take Diart Wheaton as your husband to be together for a lifetime?”

I gladly gave him the answer he was waiting for as I met Diart’s gaze.

“I do.”

A kiss of vows followed, sealing the couple’s bond. I wrapped my arms around Diart’s neck, pulling him closer with a wistful look on my face. Then, I whispered softly into his ear as he obediently followed.

“Then I’ll do my best too. Because we have to break the curse.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Diart burst into laughter. People seemed surprised by his unfamiliar appearance at first, but soon they clapped and cheered.

With a face full of happiness, Diart pulled me closer by my waist and our lips met. It was a long kiss.