Side Story 2 – The Late Wedding

The atmosphere in the Imperial Palace was strangely festive. It was because of the upcoming wedding of the prince who would soon become Grand Duke.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

Adela greeted Holden and Elga, who had come to attend the wedding. In their arms was a six-month-old prince.

“It’s my sister’s wedding, of course I had to come.”

Even at a glance, the wedding was of enormous scale, and Holden was very pleased.

“Why did you send so many wedding gifts? You already gave all the dowry.”

Holden brought gold, magic stones, and various livestock as wedding gifts.

“That was just the basic dowry. I always felt uneasy, so I’m glad I can give these now. I hope it helps the estate even a little.”

“Of course. After the wedding, I plan to visit the estate. Would you like to come along?”

“No honeymoon?”

“Haha, we’ve been traveling for two years already. You two couldn’t go on a honeymoon because of me, I’m sorry.”

Adela looked apologetically at Elga.

“That’s why we’re going on our honeymoon this time.”

Elga replied with a bright smile.

“What about the Kingdom?”

A hint of worry flickered in Adela’s eyes.

“Sister, now I can leave the Kingdom for weeks. We even have a prince now.”

His words meant Holden’s power had grown enough.

“That’s the greatest wedding gift.”

Moved, Adela’s eyes grew moist.

***

It was a clear, sunny day with blue skies and drifting white clouds.

“You’re so beautiful, Your Highness.”

Tera gazed at Adela in her wedding dress with an ecstatic expression. Truly, the most beautiful dress is made by beauty itself.

The wedding dress was a classic A-line, with a flowing skirt. The skirt was a pastel-toned vertical gradient of soft blue, pink, and purple.

Standing in the sunlight, Adela looked even more lively and youthful than two years ago. She truly looked like a fairy queen of the forest. Doll-like and pretty, yet not someone you could treat carelessly.

“Thank you.”

“The weather is so nice. It’s a perfect day for a wedding. How do you feel?”

Tera adjusted Adela’s veil as she spoke.

“Until yesterday, I felt nothing, but today I’m a bit nervous. Why is that?”

Adela took a deep breath.

She hadn’t felt the need for a wedding, but since the Empress insisted, she went along. Now that the day had come, her heart was fluttering and excited.

“Hehe, even dull me was nervous at my wedding.”

“Even you, Duchess?”

“Yes, I was so tense I couldn’t drink a sip of water before the ceremony.”

“So I’m not the only one who gets nervous.”

“It’s once in a lifetime, so it’s okay to be nervous. It’s all part of the memory.”

Tera patted the back of Adela’s hand.

“Having you here help a lot, thank you, Duchess.”

Adela’s mother, who could have given her advice, died when she was young. She had no sisters or friends to turn to, so she was grateful for Tera.

Besides that, Tera was older and took care of Adela like an older sister.

“No need to thank me. I’ve gotten a lot of help from you too, Your Highness.”

As this warm exchange passed between them, Braden entered, followed by Shutal and Liber.

Braden, no less than Adela, looked very handsome. His muscular body, usually exuding masculinity, looked great even in formal attire. He radiated sophisticated sexiness.

“Adela, you, uh…”

Braden, who had come to fetch Adela, was momentarily speechless at the bride’s beauty.

“Wow, Princess, you’re so pretty. You’re always pretty, but today you’re even prettier! Can someone get even prettier? Did you drink Polyjuice Potion?”

Liber, with his playful steps, circled around Adela.

“Thank you, Sir Liber. Thank you for coming to the wedding despite your busy schedule.”

Adela smiled brightly at Liber.

“Ah! Princess, don’t smile like that. You look like a witch.”

“A witch?”

Adela looked flustered.

“It’s like you’re enchanting people. Oh, is that why the Captain is enchanted?”

As if afraid of being enchanted, Liber quickly hid behind Shutal.

“Yeah, just stay behind me.”

Shutal sighed, and Tera giggled.

No matter how much he was taught that Braden was a prince and Adela was a Princess consort, Liber still called them ‘Captain’ and ‘Princess.’

Would he still do that after Braden became Grand Duke? It was already a headache.

Meanwhile, Braden, having regained his composure, approached Adela and stroked her cheek.

“Whew, today is too much, Adela. You’re making me lose my mind.”

Braden’s lips moved closer to Adela’s.

“Your Highness, you’ll ruin her makeup.”

Tera quickly stopped Braden.

“That’s right, Your Highness. Take the bride out quickly. Everyone is waiting.”

Shutal, noticing the distracted bride and groom, nudged them toward the door.

As the bride and groom appeared, the noisy hall instantly fell silent.

Braden’s handsomeness and Adela’s beauty were already famous from several parties, but today they seemed to reach their peak.

Without parents, they held each other’s hands and walked down the wedding aisle to the orchestra’s music. Sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to follow them.

At the end stood Empress Diana. Since they had already made their vows at the temple, there was no need for a priest to officiate.

“The groom, Braden, and the bride, Adela, who have already sworn before the gods. Today, swear before these witnesses to be lifelong companions.”

Diana spoke.

Adela and Braden faced each other, interlocking their fingers. They gazed into each other’s eyes.

“I, Braden.”

“I, Adela.”

“In front of everyone gathered here.”

“Make the following vows.”

Their clear voices filled the hall.

“I will express my love to my wife every day, so that a smile never leaves her beautiful face.”

“I will express my love to my husband every day, and never let go of our joined hands.”

“My wife will be my everything.”

“My husband will always be my top priority.”

Adela and Braden smiled at each other. They had crafted these vows together, but reciting them in front of everyone felt new.

Their hearts fluttered, happiness welling up inside. The wedding, which they hadn’t expected, was a gift.

They turned toward the guests, still holding hands, and recited their final vow together.

“As two bodies with one heart, we vow, before all present to bless our union, that we will always stand as beautiful companions. Please watch over us warmly so we may live well.”

It was a vow that made everyone want to bless them. The women present unconsciously clasped their hands and wore dreamy expressions.

At that moment, Liber cast a spell.

Flowers rained from the ceiling, and white doves flew in a magical illusion, adding to the romance. The guests gasped at the beautiful spectacle.

“Makes me want to have another wedding.”

Tera murmured. She had everything, so there was little she envied, but today’s wedding was truly desirable.

“People wanting to have another wedding will explode. Truly, their showmanship is innate.”

Shutal replied, glancing around.

“Good idea, a wedding renewal. That would make for a great new business.”

“I agree. That would be a hit.”

This couple always brought new inspiration.