The wedding carriage stopped in front of the eastern stairs of Karsik Palace, the entrance to Helios Hall.

Large flags of Tane and the Karsik Empire were displayed side by side on the entire outer wall of the palace.

The knights of the guard lined up on the stairs unrolled a white silk carpet from the hall entrance. As they arranged the carpet flowing down the stairs on both sides, a white virgin road was laid out right up to the carriage.

Calip and Lari approached the carriage. Lari skillfully rolled up the train in her hands.

Harchen stepped out of the carriage. With Harchen’s support, Patricia, with a visibly nervous expression, alighted from the carriage.

Seeing the beautiful bride, the celebrants cheered and waved bouquets of golden sheep flowers they were holding. The bouquets of golden sheep flowers, the same as the bride’s bouquet, had been distributed to the guests at the palace entrance.

As the imperial couple in pure white dress and formal wear stood on the white silk virgin road, the guard band played a solemn march.

Harchen held Patricia’s hand and climbed the stairs.

White petals sprinkled from the eastern spire scattered towards the ascending imperial couple. Simultaneously, hundreds of white eagles took flight towards the sky.

Harchen, symbolizing the burning golden sun of the empire. An eagle was embroidered in gold thread on the back of his formal wear.

After ascending all the stairs, Harchen and Patricia turned around. As they bowed side by side towards the thousands of imperial citizens gathered behind the lined-up guard battalions, cheers densely filled the air.

Patricia realized this was the moment she was becoming the empress of the empire. It was frightening, but there was no turning back. She tightened her grip on the emperor’s arm.

It was the wedding of the century, praying for peace and prosperity between the two empires of the Arkan continent.

Dozens of flower girls walked up the stairs, scattering flowers. They entered Helios Hall, where massive three-tiered candelabras with seven lit candles were densely placed.

Patricia saw the Karsik Empress Dowager, Tane Emperor Kazan, and Empress Pamila seated in the family section. Emperor Kazan looked unwell. He kept wiping sweat from his forehead and nape with a handkerchief.

Pamila wore a blue dress that starkly contrasted with her fiery red hair, highlighting her beautiful and glamorous face.

Behind Patrick and Chris sat the three Karsik princesses in a row. Patrick sat close to Chris, intimately whispering in her ear.

Behind Patrick, Carolina wore a chiffon dress with pink floral patterns on a grayish-purple background.

Patricia and Harchen walked towards the high priest standing on the central platform of the hall, wearing white wavy silk robes with embroidery.

The high priest, assisted by a priest, sprinkled holy water on Patricia and Harchen standing side by side, then recited the officiating speech and had them take the national marriage vow.

“Harchen Eint Carl Berk, do you swear to closely interact and cooperate with the Tane Empire for the peace and prosperity of the Arkan continent, and also to take Patricia Calian Evas as your bride, respecting her for life, maintaining consideration and faith, and loving her until the glaciers of Kaosan melt and flow?”

“Yes, I swear.”

Harchen answered loudly in a deep voice as soon as the high priest’s question ended.

“Patricia Calian Evas, do you swear to… and also take Harchen Eint as your husband, respecting him for life, maintaining consideration and faith, and loving him until the glaciers of Kaosan melt and flow?”

Patricia felt dizzy. Having never attended a wedding before, she had no idea there would be such an blatant time of questioning and vowing in front of so many people.

Shouldn’t the head maid have mentioned there would be such a vow ceremony? Then again, even if she had been told in advance, nothing would have changed except for mental preparation.

She had never thought about living loving Harchen until the frozen glaciers melted and flowed, that is, until death.

Is it okay to make a false vow? But how can this emperor answer so decisively without a moment’s hesitation?

“Bride, Patricia Calian Evas. Answer.”

Patricia hesitated. It felt like if she took the vow now, it would become irreversible. Would she be able to return to Tane after a year?

The high priest, whose mere presence exuded dignity, raised the end of his eyebrow. He looked at her intently, not hiding his bewildered expression.

For the peace and prosperity of the Arkan continent. Yes, when Patrick becomes the emperor of Tane, for him… But, just for that?

The emperor squeezed her hand even tighter.

Patricia, please.

Patricia turned her head to look at the emperor. He was looking down at her with a desperate expression, moistening his pressed lips with his tongue.

“Yes. I… swear.”

Patricia answered softly but clearly.

“Before the distinguished guests from various kingdoms of the Arkan continent and numerous citizens of the Karsik Empire, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress have taken their vows. Your Majesties, please share the kiss of vows.”

As soon as the high priest finished speaking, the emperor took Patricia’s cheek and kissed her.

“Ah, Patricia.”

The emperor’s hand holding Patricia’s cheek and his lips touching hers trembled.

Ah. Did I mishear? He seems to have called my name too naturally just now.

As his trembling lips touched hers, Patricia unconsciously parted her lips slightly and pulled at his lips.

“With this, I declare that the national marriage between the Karsik Empire and the Tane Empire has been established, and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress have become a couple that will bring peace to the Arkan continent.”

Waaaah.

Along with the cheers, a magnificent march resounded. The cheers spread from Helios Hall to the corridors, cloisters, stairs, and the crowd gathered below the stairs.

“The establishment of the national marriage between the Karsik Empire and the Tane Empire!”

“Long live Emperor Harchen and Empress Patricia!”

Harchen took Patricia’s hand and went before the Empress Dowager. He felt like he had just been through hell.

Seeing Patricia’s hesitant expression during the vow time, he had despaired.

Thinking that this woman might coolly refuse, his mind burned black then turned white, until he heard her small but firm voice of vow and his heart felt like it would burst.

It felt like he had gained the world.

The Empress Dowager removed the golden sheep flower crown from Patricia’s head. She placed the White Flower Tiara, traditionally given to the empress of the Karsik Empire for generations.

Lari came behind Patricia and detached the train connected at her waist.

Madam Terra, holding the flower crown, asked Patricia if there was someone she wanted to give it to. In the Karsik Empire, the bride’s crown is usually given to the bride’s friend or sister.

“Yes. Please.”

Patricia took the crown and walked towards the family section. She gave the crown to Patrick and told him to put it on Carolina sitting behind him.

Patrick, who had momentarily paused with a bewildered expression, spoke with a gentle smile.

“How cruel, leaving me behind. You just want me to pass it on, right?”

His voice was clear enough to be heard not only by Carolina sitting right behind him but also by those seated nearby.

While a few laughed it off, Harchen didn’t take it as a joke and tensed his eyes.

Patrick turned around, removed the tiara Carolina was wearing, and put on the flower crown.

Patricia saw Patrick’s face reddening more than Carolina’s as he placed the crown on her.

The newly wedded emperor and empress left Helios Hall, rode the wedding carriage, and circled the center of the capital, Riswan. The imperial guard surrounded the carriage, followed by the guard band procession.

When the wedding carriage arrived in front of Helios Hall, they went to the rest room.

Under Madam Terra’s direction, with the swift hands of her assistants, the imperial couple changed into evening dress and formal wear and went to the hall. They went around the guest tables greeting people.

“Patricia. Shall we just greet the guests and go to Aster Palace?”

Harchen lowered his body and whispered in Patricia’s ear.

“Your Majesty. Please let go of my waist. And I believe that’s scheduled for 9 o’clock.”

Is it finally time for the wedding night?

“I’m afraid you might run away again.”

Harchen, with the determination not to leave her side, tightened his hand around Patricia’s waist and didn’t let go.

Patricia accepted and drank the champagne poured by King Torun. Her face, without makeup, quickly turned as red as a flower.

Her luscious face, like a flower bud, didn’t crumble but became more vibrant as time passed.

Julia, who was glaring at this with displeased eyes, called her maid Mina to the ladies’ rest room.

‘It has come as expected.’

Mina pressed her lips into a straight line, clenched her teeth, and grasped the hem of her skirt.

“You. Did you deliver what I told you to give to Lena?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“And explained its effects too?”

“Yes.”

“Then why is that princess looking so lively? Go and bring Lena here.”

“Now?”

“Right now. Bring her here.”

Mina bowed even lower and left.

*

The sisters Mina and Lena met in the carriage of the Duke Leak family during the chaotic time when the fireworks started yesterday.

Julia had requested an audience with Princess Patricia three times but was rejected each time.

As she wasn’t yet the official empress, there was no obligation to grant audiences to noble ladies of Karsik, but most prospective empresses rarely refused audiences with noble ladies before their marriage.

Of course, Patricia initially granted audiences to a few noble ladies.

Then, losing interest, Patricia expressed to the head maid Anna her intention to refuse audiences until her duties as empress began after the national marriage. Anna faithfully followed the princess’s words.

Julia granted audience requests to a few noble ladies and fueled her anger after hearing about the tea party that even Isabella attended.

Her hatred for the princess, who had acted as if she didn’t care and wasn’t interested in Julia becoming the empress, grew uncontrollably.

Julia instructed Mina to obtain a sleeping drug from Old Chen of Oro Alley, who she said was acquainted with Mina.

Mina passed on the sleeping drug that induces sleep to her elder sister Lena.

“Colorless and odorless. They said it’s not harmful to the body and can be mixed with water and drinks or consumed with food. After five or six hours, you’ll gradually start feeling sleepy and then fall into deep sleep.”

“Mina. I don’t think this method is quite right.”

“Doesn’t the princess ask for lemon water in the morning? Mix it with the lemon water. Then she’ll get drowsy during the reception after the wedding and fall asleep.”

“Are you sure this isn’t toxic?”