Ryan’s gaze remained unwavering as he looked up at Rachel. His eyes reflected absolute certainty in his feelings for her. After a moment of surprise, Rachel smiled softly, equally confident in her own feelings toward him.
“Yes, gladly,” she answered.
Joy spread across Ryan’s face at her response. “May I put it on you?” he asked.
Rachel extended her left hand to make it easier for him to slip the ring on. Ryan carefully placed the diamond ring on her left ring finger.
“Thank you for accepting, Rachel.”
She smiled back at him, admiring the ring now adorning her hand.
* * *
The wedding preparations proceeded quickly.
“Rachel, congratulations on your marriage!” a familiar voice echoed through the waiting room.
Rachel turned her head to see who had entered. Viola and Edward stood there.
“Thank you for the congratulations, Viola,” Rachel replied with a gentle smile.
“Tervan said he’d come separately, so my brother and I came ahead,” Viola explained.
“I see.”
“But really, I was so shocked! You marrying the Crown Prince! So what does this mean? You’re becoming the Crown Princess?”
Viola approached Rachel excitedly. Since she was marrying Crown Prince Ryan, Rachel would indeed fill the vacant position of Crown Princess. This realization struck her anew, and she nodded slightly.
“I suppose that’s right.”
“Well, you’ve always been impressive, Rachel. Your looks, your abilities—you excel at everything, so becoming Crown Princess seems only natural.”
Viola nodded to herself in agreement as she came to stand beside Rachel.
“By the way, you look absolutely beautiful today. I always knew you were pretty, but today you’re especially stunning!”
She clapped her hands in admiration and turned to Edward for confirmation before quickly looking back at Rachel.
“We should be going now. Congratulations again, Rachel.”
“Thank you for coming.”
After Viola said her goodbyes and left the waiting room, Edward lingered, unable to take a step. Rachel’s gaze met his. He spent a long moment taking in the sight of Rachel in her magnificent wedding dress before offering a small smile.
“Congratulations, Rachel.”
“…Thank you.”
Rachel responded after a slight pause. Edward turned to leave immediately after hearing her reply, but just as he was about to step away, Rachel’s voice stopped him.
“Edward, thank you.”
Her words of gratitude, directed at his back, halted his departure.
“I couldn’t have made it this far without you.”
Edward had provided her with the greatest support throughout her journey, and Rachel wanted to make sure he knew how grateful she was. “And I’m sorry.”
Still facing away from her, Edward took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, composing his emotions. Only then did he turn to face Rachel again. A faint smile graced his features.
“You must be happy, absolutely. And if difficult days ever come, tell me. I’ll always be on your side.”
“…Thank you for saying that.”
After Rachel’s response, Edward turned once more and left the waiting room. Though it was regrettable that he never had the chance to confess his feelings for her, he sincerely wished for her happiness.
The next visitor to the waiting room was Tervan.
“You came,” Rachel greeted him after recognizing who had entered.
Tervan, who had walked in casually, froze in place when he saw Rachel, his eyes widening in surprise.
“…”
“…Tervan?”
Rachel called out to him as he stood motionless, silently staring at her.
“Ah, yes. Yes.”
Finally coming to his senses, Tervan averted his gaze from Rachel and covered his mouth with his hand. His face had grown noticeably warm beneath his fingertips.
Despite knowing everything was over, his heart still raced whenever he saw Rachel, which left him feeling perplexed.
“Thank you for coming. I thought you might not.”
“How could I not come? It’s your wedding… Of course I had to come, as your friend.”
Though he said the word “friend,” his brow twitched involuntarily as he spoke it. He was once again confronted with the reality that their relationship could never be more than friendship.
“Congratulations on your marriage. You look truly beautiful today.”
Rachel felt a strange sensation at Tervan’s words. Everything had begun because of him—her contract with the demon to save his life. The path had been long and difficult, with no one to acknowledge or understand her struggles as she persevered with the sole purpose of keeping Tervan alive. And now, the result of all that stood before her.
Tervan couldn’t bear Rachel’s gaze and turned his head away. He wanted to say something meaningful but found himself at a loss for words.
“I, uh, should go now. Viola came, right?”
“Yes. She was just here, so you’ll probably find her inside.”
At Rachel’s explanation, Tervan lowered the hand covering his mouth and looked directly at her. “You need to live well. Understand?”
“…Yes.”
Tervan gave Rachel a small smile before turning and leaving the waiting room.
Many other guests visited afterward, but none stirred Rachel’s emotions as much as these earlier visitors had. After some time, trumpets sounded, announcing the beginning of the ceremony.
The waiting attendants helped Rachel prepare. Among them was Catrin, her personal maid, who kept sniffling while attending to her. Rachel turned her head to look at Catrin when she heard the sound.
“Catrin?”
When Rachel called her name, Catrin burst into tears that she had been trying to hold back.
“My lady, as others have said, you must live happily. You absolutely must.”
The fact that Rachel, whom she had served her entire life, was getting married seemed to have touched Catrin deeply. Rachel took Catrin’s hand and smiled gently.
“You’ll have to stay by my side to witness my happiness.”
“I will. I’ll definitely stay close and watch you become happy.”
Catrin managed to hold back her tears. She didn’t want to ruin Rachel’s wedding because of her emotions.
After this small incident, Rachel finally arrived at the Great Hall where the ceremony would take place.
“You’ve arrived?” Ryan, who was already there, greeted Rachel. He looked at her with considerable surprise before his expression softened into a gentle smile.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little. What about you?”
“I feel the same.”
Ryan took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Rachel found it fascinating to see the usually confident Ryan showing vulnerability, and her eyes widened slightly.
“It’s time for your entrance,” an attendant approached and informed them.
Ryan nodded and extended his hand to Rachel. “Shall we?”
“Yes.”
Rachel placed her hand on his. The doors to the hall opened, and they began walking down the wedding aisle together. All eyes naturally turned to the couple who had gathered to celebrate their marriage.
When they reached the front, the Archbishop welcomed them. He congratulated the couple on their marriage and blessed their future journey together.
“Now, Crown Prince Ryan Van Carwen, do you swear to take Rachel Pluret as your wife, to trust and love her for the rest of your life?”
After the blessing, the Archbishop addressed Ryan.
“I swear,” Ryan answered without a moment’s hesitation.
The Archbishop then turned to Rachel. “Rachel Pluret, do you swear to take Crown Prince Ryan Van Carwen as your husband, to trust and love him for the rest of your life?”
“Yes. I swear.”
Rachel showed no hesitation either.
“Very well.” The Archbishop smiled warmly after hearing both their answers.
“Finally, seal your vows with a kiss.”
Ryan and Rachel turned to face each other.
“Rachel, I promise to make you happy for the rest of your life,” Ryan whispered briefly before gently pressing his lips against hers.
The ticklish touch of his lips was soft and warm. Rachel, who had closed her eyes, opened them as soon as the sensation disappeared.
“Now, as Crown Prince and Crown Princess bearing the future of the Empire, I sincerely pray that you will create a peaceful future for our Empire.”
As the Archbishop finished his prayer, a grand fanfare sounded. Throughout all this, Ryan and Rachel’s eyes remained fixed only on each other.
“I love you, Rachel,” Ryan whispered softly.
Rachel stared at his face in a daze before breaking into a gentle smile. “I love you too, Ryan.”
Ryan returned her smile, responding to her declaration with his own.
To the One Who Doesn’t Love Me | The End
* * *
We’ve finally reached the end of Rachel’s story! Thanks so much for sticking with these characters through all their ups and downs. It’s been a real joy translating this novel for you all.
Thanks for reading along and for your kind feedback. I hope you enjoyed following these characters as much as I enjoyed bringing them to life.
Until next time!
Translator
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Ravingcrow1118
I can’t believe it’s over. I want side stories. I want to see Edward finding new love and everyone with kids of their own.
I am glad Rachel finally gets to rest and enjoy her life.
And thank you for the wonderful translation this whole time, Adeline!