Chapter 105

105. Marriage Ceremony

The wedding ceremony took place in the small chapel.

Adelaide stumbled several times on the way from the prayer room to the chapel. Whether it was because her shoes were uncomfortable or because she was nervous, her legs trembled.

With the help of Margaret and Zatia, she reached the entrance of the small chapel, where Callion, who had arrived first, greeted her with a broad smile and extended his hand.

“Adele.”

Adelaide carefully placed her hand on top of his. Callion gripped her hand firmly, as if he would never let go, and asked gently,

“You said you wouldn’t be nervous, so why is your hand so cold?”

“Oh, I guess I got a bit cold while changing into my dress.”

Fearing that he might hear her pounding heart, Adelaide hid her trembling emotions and made an excuse.

“If you’re ready, shall we go in, Your Grace?”

Following the guidance of Cardinal Obland, they walked on the white carpet laid on the floor and entered the small chapel, where the knights and servants of the grand duchy had gathered to congratulate them on their marriage.

There were no extravagant flower decorations or attendants, but the people who sincerely congratulated them made it feel anything but shabby.

Callion, pretending not to see Jensen dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief in the front row, made his way to the platform.

Recently appointed Pope Samuel Dorfman and Earl Changeling, who had come as witnesses to the marriage, greeted the couple on the platform.

“It is an honor to officiate my first ceremony as Pope with your marriage.”

With a light remark to ease the atmosphere, Samuel Dorfman began the marriage ceremony in earnest.

“Today, in the presence of God, the bride and groom swear a sacred union. May God’s grace be upon their future.”

As the Pope solemnly recited the prayer, Adelaide clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. In her mind, she saw the Callion of her past life and the Callion of this life alternately.

Thinking of the Callion from then on made her heart ache. With tears welling up out of habit, she quickly opened her eyes and wiped away the droplets.

Meanwhile, Samuel Dorfman finished reciting the prayer and unfolded the marriage vows.

“May I ask His Grace the Duke, do you swear to love and respect your wife sincerely and to remain with her forever, no matter what trials you may face, before God?”

“I swear.”

Callion answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Then, may I ask Her Grace the Duchess, do you swear to love and respect your husband sincerely and to remain with him forever, no matter what trials you may face, before God?”

Receiving the same question, Adelaide hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

…She knew that once this vow was made, it could not be undone.

“I swear.”

At her brief answer, Callion smiled. Adelaide simply followed suit.

“Next, may I ask Earl Changeling, as the witness, do you consent to their marriage?”

“Of course.”

“Then, please sign this vow.”

Samuel Dorfman handed over the marriage vows. Callion signed first, followed by Adelaide and Earl Changeling.

Lastly, Samuel Dorfman, who officiated the marriage, signed at the bottom of the vow.

“This vow will be kept in the temple.”

He handed the vow to Cardinal Obland.

With this, unless the marriage vow was broken or one of them died, no one could deny their marriage.

“Now, please exchange rings to signify the completion of the marriage.”

Callion placed the ring he had prepared on her finger and kissed it. The unexpected action made Samuel Dorfman clear his throat in surprise.

“Well then…”

“Wait a moment.”

Adelaide quietly whispered as she took the ring out of her dress pocket.

“Give me your hand, Your Grace.”

Callion, not knowing she had prepared a ring, looked puzzled but extended his hand. With clumsy movements, Adelaide slipped the ring onto his finger.

The ring, which she had ordered by rough estimation, was slightly smaller than his finger circumference. As it got stuck on his thick knuckle and didn’t go in well, she was about to give up when Callion pushed the ring all the way in himself.

“Your Grace, what if it doesn’t come off?”

“I’m going to wear it for life, so it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t come off.”

Adelaide was speechless at his playful response.

After the ring exchange was completed, Samuel Dorfman announced the consummation of the marriage.

“I hereby pronounce you man and wife.”

The beautiful sound of the organ blessed the couple. Just as they had entered, Adelaide left the chapel with him, receiving congratulations from the people.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“Ahh.”

The first thing Adelaide did after returning to the prayer room after the ceremony was to take off her shoes.

Although it had only been about an hour, her feet, trapped in the shoes, were chafed and blistered.

“Let me see.”

Callion kneeled down to examine her feet.

“Don’t touch them; they’re dirty.”

“What’s dirty about them? They must have hurt. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“They were fine earlier.”

“Fine? You could barely walk. Tsk, we need to put some ointment on them as soon as we get back.”

Clicking his tongue, Callion took off his own shoes.

“Here, wear these.”

Adelaide was startled and waved her hands.

“It’s fine; I’ll just wear the shoes I had on earlier.”

“Aren’t those too tight? I’m fine, so you wear these.”

“Are you planning to walk around barefoot?”

“What’s wrong with being barefoot? We’ll be getting into the carriage soon anyway.”

Callion shrugged. It seemed absurd to have him in his neat ceremonial attire but barefoot. She was about to refuse again when a young priest knocked on the prayer room door.

“Your Grace, the Pope requests a moment of your time.”

“I’ll be right there. ―Adele, you go to the carriage first.”

“Yes. Please convey my thanks for today.”

“I will.”

Callion nodded lightly and followed the priest.

“Oh, his shoes!”

Only after the door closed did she realize she had sent him off barefoot. Shaking her head, Adelaide massaged her sore feet before standing up.

“Margaret, Zatia. Let’s head to the carriage.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

The two maids supported the limping Adelaide on either side.

Although Callion’s shoes were too big and she had to drag her feet a bit, they were much more comfortable than her own.

As they slowly made their way out of the temple, a veiled woman blocked their path.

“Hello, Your Grace. May I have a moment of your time?”

“Who are you?”

Margaret asked boldly, her eyes filled with suspicion. Although the veiled woman didn’t reveal her identity, Adelaide had a good guess of who she was and nodded.

“This isn’t the best place. Let’s talk in my carriage.”

The woman quietly bowed her head and followed.

Julian, who had been waiting outside the temple, opened the carriage door. Seeing the woman, his brow furrowed.

“I need to speak with her. Can you give us some privacy?”

“…Understood.”

“You two wait outside as well.”

“Will you be alright?”

“I’ll be fine.”

After dismissing her maids, Adelaide entered the carriage, closed the window, and drew the curtain. The woman waited until it was quiet outside before removing her veil.

“It’s been a long time, Your Grace.”

“It’s been a while, Lady Lephisto.”

Adelaide responded without revealing her emotions.

“Did the marriage ceremony go well?”

“Yes, it went well.”

“That’s good to hear. Congratulations.”

Shayla’s eyes welled up with tears as she spoke. Struggling to find her voice, she continued after a moment.

“I’m sorry for visiting without an appointment. I have something important to tell you.”

“It’s alright. Please, go ahead.”

“As you may already know, His Majesty proposed a royal marriage to me.”

“Yes, I heard.”

“I tried to refuse, but I couldn’t stop it on my own…”

Her voice was thick with tears. Adelaide refrained from speaking, as neither congratulations nor consolation seemed appropriate.

Adelaide’s feelings toward Shayla Lephisto were complicated.

Given the bad blood between their families, she couldn’t bring herself to like Shayla. However, thinking of how she had taken Shayla’s place, it didn’t feel right to hold animosity toward her either.

Especially now, given how things had turned out.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t mean to cry…”

“Don’t apologize. Did you come to ask for my help?”

“No. I came because I thought you might be worried.”

After wiping her tears, Shayla continued.

“Do you think my family will turn against you once I become the emperor’s wife?”

“It’s only natural given the circumstances.”

Shayla shook her head at Adelaide’s response.

“My father is ambitious, but he wouldn’t betray someone he has served for so long.”

“…”

“I just wanted to assure you not to worry too much. I’ll do my best to hold back the emperor as much as I can.”

Shayla spoke with determination.

She didn’t understand Elkius. He chose Shayla Lephisto not only for a well-bred heir. He chose the Lephisto family to keep Callion in check. If the duke refused to be his pawn, he would find any excuse to bring him to heel.

Adelaide finally found her voice.

“God will watch over us.”

Shayla Lephisto gave a sad smile and stood up.

“I’ve said what I came to say. I should go now.”

“The Duke will be here soon. Why don’t you wait and see him?”

“No, I came to see you. Please don’t tell him I was here.”

Shayla veiled her face and got off the carriage.

The moment she touched the ground, tears welled up again. She was grateful for the veil as she wiped away the tears staining the dirt when someone grabbed her arm.

“―Shayla.”