The green gaze he had hurt seemed to say this was the end.

“I hope you live in as much pain as the indelible pain you’ve caused me and my family.”

Eileen delivered her final words and headed outside.

As if they would never meet again, she left without looking back, without even offering a common greeting.

“Hah……”

Once outside, Eileen heaved a deep sigh. She felt relieved but also somewhat bitter.

She had once thought they could become good friends.

But why on earth…

Eileen trudged toward the carriage.

“Eileen.”

A gentle voice flowed into her ears.

The owner of that gentle voice was standing in front of the carriage with his arms spread.

“Aaron!”

When Aaron tilted his head as if telling her to come quickly, Eileen ran to him.

“Why does someone who wanted to clean things up neatly look so sad?”

Aaron, who was holding Eileen securely, asked in a gentle voice.

“Just, I have a lot of thoughts. I’m annoyed and upset……”

Eileen mumbled with her face buried in Aaron’s chest.

His chest was getting slightly damp, but Aaron said nothing and just patted her back.

“Aaron.”

“What is it?”

“There won’t be any more incidents like this, right?”

“Of course, there won’t be any more painful memories like that in your life.”

At Aaron’s answer, Eileen lifted her head slightly from his embrace to look at him.

As if he knew everything about the future, Aaron’s eyes were filled with certainty.

“Don’t tell me you don’t believe me?”

When Eileen kept her mouth shut and just stared into his eyes, Aaron tilted his head askew.

“Why isn’t Lady Eileen answering? Hmm?”

Then he started poking her cheeks repeatedly.

“Oh, really!”

Eileen’s clear laughter spread high into the sky.

Carrying away all the pain and sadness far away.

“Eileen.”

As the laughter subsided, Aaron gently kissed her.

“Let’s go home now.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Eileen and Aaron boarded the carriage returning to the Ceres mansion.

Leaving all worries and pain in the underground prison, taking only happiness with them.

* * *

On an afternoon when the sunlight was becoming increasingly warm.

“No way!”

A loud voice echoed throughout Patisserie de Monston.

“Lady Eileen, please reconsider!”

The owner of the loud voice was Cordelia. She was pouring out an endless stream of passionate arguments to Eileen.

“Yes, Eileen. Think about it again.”

Aaron was the same. These two rarely agreed on anything, but today was different.

“I don’t really……”

They were busy trying to persuade Eileen, who was eating a tart with an indifferent expression.

“If Lady Eileen doesn’t want to, shouldn’t we not do it? I also don’t particularly……”

When Luke showed his discomfort, Cordelia glared at him with narrowed eyes.

After Eileen had awakened, the two had finally become a couple, they said.

“Count Luke de Wellington.”

At the rather formal address, Luke became restless.

“I’m canceling our visit to your house today.”

“I also think Lady Cordelia and Duke Aaron are right.”

At Cordelia’s statement, Luke instantly changed his stance.

“Count Luke……”

Eileen let out a hollow laugh. Then, poking her tart with a fork, she said.

“I don’t want to have a wedding ceremony twice. I’d have to choose a new dress and rewrite the invitations……”

Just thinking about it made her feel weary.

When Eileen shuddered, Cordelia raised the corner of her mouth.

“We should pretend the first one never happened. And I can help you, can’t I?”

“Lady Cordelia is right. I’ll help too.”

They were in perfect sync, like best friends.

Eileen gave Eden a look that begged for help.

She thought Eden could resolve this situation.

“Aaron, if Eileen doesn’t want to, shouldn’t we not do it?”

As expected of Eden. When Eden took her side, the corners of Eileen’s mouth shot upward.

But they sank back down at his next words.

“But regarding Lady Eileen’s wedding, I think Aaron is right.”

“Even you, Eden……”

Eileen gently touched the corner of her eye. It seemed everyone present wanted her to have another wedding ceremony.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand.

Such an unfortunate accident had happened during the wedding.

“……I’ll think about it.”

“Really?”

“Yes, in a positive way.”

For some reason, Cordelia was so happy that her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“Good thinking.”

Aaron was the same. His eyes were also drawing beautiful curved lines.

Well, if Aaron is this happy about it.

Even if it means writing invitations again.

Eileen felt like her wrist was already aching, but she laughed it off. After enjoying the peaceful daily life she had regained and returning home, Mary greeted Eileen.

“Miss! A guest has arrived.”

“A guest?”

Was there someone scheduled to visit the Ceres family today?

She tried to recall her schedule, but there was nothing except meeting friends at Patisserie de Monston today.

As Eileen tilted her head, Mary grinned and said.

“You’ll know when you go in!”

“Really?”

“Hurry and go see!”

Eileen headed to the reception room where the guest was waiting.

“Haha!”

Through the slightly open door, a very familiar laugh was heard.

‘Could it be……?’

Surely the guest wasn’t that person.

Feeling tense, Eileen swallowed hard.

“Excuse me.”

Through the gradually widening gap, a very familiar person appeared.

“Lady Eileen, welcome!”

“Your Majesty……”

She recalled being harassed by the emperor while preparing for the wedding. A sigh involuntarily escaped her.

Eileen quickly bowed her head to hide her expression.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice as the emperor laughed heartily.

“Please sit down.”

Eileen sat in a seat far from the emperor and close to Duke Kyle.

“There have been many incidents, but the lady has been of great help to the national interest. Duke Kyle, you have a truly excellent daughter.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Duke Kyle’s cheekbones rose uncontrollably. The emperor looked at him with satisfaction before shifting his gaze to Eileen.

“That’s why I came here to give you a gift.”

“I appreciate the thought alone.”

“No, I really wanted to give this to you.”

The emperor spoke with an extremely excited voice.

“Your wedding ceremony was interrupted midway, wasn’t it?”

“Ah…… yes, it was.”

“I will specially permit you to hold it in the main palace garden.”

Even the crown prince and princess held their wedding in the secondary palace garden, but the main palace garden!

It was an incredibly tempting offer.

“And I will take care of everything from start to finish, so don’t worry about anything!”

The emperor’s subsequent words completely captivated Eileen’s heart.

“It is truly an honor, Your Majesty.”

As if she had completely forgotten her past troubles with him, Eileen smiled brightly.

“But there is one condition.”

“I thought it was clearly a gift……”

“Tut-tut, you talk too much.”

The emperor cleared his throat and spoke in a solemn voice.

“For this wedding, I must officiate the ceremony.”

* * *

On a day when the world was dyed with bright yellow sunflowers.

Eileen and Aaron’s second wedding ceremony was held in the main palace garden.

Since it was being held for the second time, people enjoyed the wedding more comfortably.

The same was true for the bride and groom. Before the procession, the two engaged in trivial conversation.

“Aaron, when is our wedding anniversary then?”

“Today, of course.”

“Aw, but I prefer spring.”

Eileen pouted, but Aaron shook his head as if he couldn’t yield.

“I liked the marriage vows that you read to me before so much, so I wish it could be in spring.”

“How about we celebrate both?”

“Should we?”

The two became absorbed in their own world, forgetting that they would soon have to enter.

“Ahem!”

As if he could wait no longer, the sound of the emperor clearing his throat cut through the orchestra’s melody.

“Eileen, let’s go now.”

Aaron quickly composed his smile and extended his hand.

“Yes.”

Eileen took his hand and stepped onto the flower-lined path.

“Duke, Lady! Congratulations on your marriage!”

“Our child, congratulations on your marriage!”

Every time the two walked in step together, flower petals were scattered into the sky.

Cheers spread along with them.

“Welcome.”

The emperor greeted the two. He pulled out an envelope from his chest.

Even at a glance, it looked thick, suggesting the officiation would be quite long.

“The marriage of these two seems to be blessed even from heaven. The weather is so clear……”

As expected, the emperor’s officiation was endless.

It had already been 40 minutes.

If they continued listening to this, they might fall asleep naturally.

Indeed, they should have somehow arranged the wedding without an officiant.

Glancing sideways, she saw Aaron yawning slightly, also looking bored.

Eileen secretly poked Aaron’s side. When their eyes met, Eileen mouthed the words.

When will this end?

Who knows, maybe in about 4 hours?

Aaron also answered by mouthing. It was a boring time, but still enjoyable.

“……I declare these two husband and wife.”

“Congratulations!”

At the emperor’s declaration after the long officiation, cheers erupted.

“Now, let the bride give the groom a kiss of commitment.”

The emperor said with a mischievous smile.

Eileen glared at him briefly but then cradled Aaron’s cheeks.

“I love you, Aaron.”

With a shy confession, she gave him her breath.

The breath that slowly mingled with his was full of flower fragrance.

The hands embracing her waist were warmer than the August sunshine.

If possible, may this sweetness and warmth last forever.

Though it’s impossible for everything to always be peaceful, still, may our every moment be happy.

Eileen made a small wish in her heart.

—End—