As the protagonist, Olentia, made her appearance, people flocked to her.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Armeniaca!”

“You look truly beautiful today. How do you feel now that you’re married?”

Olentia pondered for a moment on what to say. Despite the somewhat chaotic wedding, she was grateful that people were congratulating her.

She smiled brightly and addressed the crowd gathered around her.

“Of course I feel great, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime day.”

Olentia knew this wasn’t the end, but that’s what she said. At her response, the noble ladies covered their mouths with their fans and chuckled.

People seemed curious about Dimidius, but they couldn’t ask outright. They were probably being mindful since the Grand Duke was also present.

At that moment, Dimidius approached Olentia. As he came over, people naturally stepped back. They seemed to hope not to obstruct the Grand Duke’s path.

Olentia linked arms with Dimidius as naturally as possible.

“You’re here? Everything okay?”

Dimidius nodded.

“Yes. There weren’t many people approaching me.”

“Is it because of Your Highness’s aura?”

“I’m trying to suppress my aura. They’re probably just uncomfortable around me.”

Olentia had also told him he made her uncomfortable before, so she couldn’t retort. She went around greeting the guests together with Dimidius. Most of them were acquaintances of her late parents and people invited by Sokol. When they approached to greet people, they would hesitate for a moment before giving awkward smiles.

“Thank you for coming to the wedding.”

Of course, only Uncle Jack, the Earl of Odor, welcomed them warmly.

“Congratulations, my niece.”

At her uncle’s words, Olentia felt reassured and smiled.

After finishing the greetings, a gentle waltz began to play.

‘Ah, is it time to dance now?’

As Olentia expected, Dimidius took her hand and moved to the center of the reception hall. His movements were as smooth as flowing water.

People clapped and watched the stars of the day.

Olentia placed her hand on his shoulder and danced in time with the waltz. With each twirl, her mind seemed to clear.

Dimidius was quite a good dancer. He moved without excess or lack, and his steps were especially precise and clean.

Thanks to that, it wasn’t difficult for Olentia to entrust her body to him.

In the midst of their dance, Olentia said to Dimidius,

“Why are you so good at dancing when you don’t even attend many social parties?”

Dimidius let out a low chuckle.

“Isn’t it largely innate? Dancing has never been very difficult for me since I was young.”

“It was hard for me. This is much better than before.”

Doing something physical was truly difficult. Olentia had never had good kinesthetic sense since childhood. Maybe that’s why creating a white sphere using sacred power also felt difficult for her.

‘Someday I’ll be able to do it, right?’

At that moment, Olentia accidentally stepped on Dimidius’s foot. She had been lost in other thoughts and wasn’t paying attention to the dance.

“Ah! I’m sorry.”

As Olentia apologized, Dimidius finished the dance and tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. His touch was very affectionate. To others, they probably looked like quite a loving couple.

“I’m well aware that milady has been distracted throughout the wedding.”

Olentia shuddered and looked up at him. She didn’t know why she reacted that way despite his affectionate touch and tone.

She fixed her pinned-up hair and cleared her throat.

“I guess I was lost in various thoughts without realizing it.”

“It’s alright. It’s just a contract marriage after all.”

He lowered his head and whispered in Olentia’s ear.

Hearing him say it was just a contract marriage stung a little. And she couldn’t understand her own feelings about that.

Olentia looked at Dimidius with a sullen face and quickly stepped away from the center. She could hear the guests clapping, but she was more concerned about him.

At that moment, Sokol and Kikozellia approached Olentia closely. They had awkward and troubled expressions.

“Are you not tired?”

At Kikozellia’s unusually kind question, likely mindful of others’ gazes, Olentia shrugged.

“I am tired. I’m overflowing with energy. Sister, you look unusually prim today, different from usual?”

Knowing how flashily Kikozellia dressed at the Earl’s residence, Olentia found her current appearance ridiculous. She wondered how scary people’s gazes must be for her to attend the wedding in such a demure outfit that didn’t suit her.

Olentia approached the silent Sokol and spoke to him.

“Brother Sokol. How do you feel? I got married like you wanted so badly.”

She recalled how Sokol had said he would return her inheritance once she got married. Now with Dimidius by her side, Sokol would have to keep his promise.

Sokol spoke to her with a stiff face.

“I didn’t expect you to have a love marriage.”

It didn’t seem like he really believed it was a love marriage, but like he was just testing her. He might be careful because there were people around.

Olentia responded nonchalantly.

“Why not? I always said I hated arranged marriages. You’re the one who ignored my words.”

“Now that you’ve gone and married as you pleased, let’s see how well you live.”

Sokol and Olentia quietly glared at each other. Since they spoke in hushed tones, no one noticed their words.

Kikozellia linked arms with Sokol and spoke in a sharp voice, hidden from others.

“I will never forget what happened today, young lady.”

She looked ready to take terrible revenge. She seemed very resentful about not getting the inheritance.

Olentia said to Sokol, ignoring her.

“I’ll be waiting to get my inheritance back.”

“……”

“Don’t feel wronged. You said you’d return it once I married.”

With those words, Olentia returned to Dimidius. Sokol seemed to clench his fist for a moment.

Olentia felt like a decade-old indigestion was being relieved. Even if Sokol and Kikozellia hid it well, she could sense their fury.

Seeing Olentia’s refreshed face, Dimidius said,

“Feeling good?”

Olentia nodded with a smile.

“Yes. It feels like everything is finally falling into place. It’s thanks to Your Highness.”

“No. Don’t forget that milady is also very necessary to me.”

“Of course. I’ll lend you my hand anytime.”

“What if… I need more than that?”

Dimidius’s gaze seemed different from usual. She could feel it, even though he wore a mask. Olentia briefly wondered what “more than that” meant.

‘A hug? Or… surely not a kiss or something?’

Olentia asked him with an innocent face.

“What’s more than that? It’s nothing much, right? Right?”

But Dimidius just clasped his hands behind his back without answering, letting the situation pass. Is he saying whatever will be, will be now that our contract marriage has begun? Olentia felt strangely anxious and bit her tongue as she scanned the reception hall.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince! Have you heard the news? They say the Grand Duke got married at the Bonus Cathedral.”

At his aide’s words, Crown Prince Regalis burst into laughter. Having washed up and come out only after the sun was high in the sky, he tousled his soft hair. His silver locks swayed up and down at his touch.

“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard lately. Is it true?”

At Regalis’s question, the aide nodded.

“Yes. The bride is Lady Armeniaca. The famous heiress.”

“Will the sun rise in the west starting tomorrow? He seemed like he would never marry.”

“I was so surprised, I checked multiple times.”

Regalis got dressed in his white uniform right there and headed to the lake garden in the Crown Prince’s Palace. Saint Daphne would be there.

Saint Daphne had sent a letter a few days ago saying she must meet him as she had something to discuss. He was so surprised to be contacted by the saint, known for her modesty. Usually when women contacted the Crown Prince, it was because they wanted something. Money, body, or if not that, then his heart.

Crown Prince Regalis arrived at the garden with the vast lake, wondering what kind of person Saint Daphne was. Daphne was sitting demurely, her hair fluttering with the green foliage.

“Lady Daphne. Sorry I’m late.”

Regalis said in a voice that wasn’t sorry at all and sat in front of her.

Daphne looked at his debonair face with a serious expression. There was no hint of a smile. Her beautiful green eyes were hardened, and her hands on the table were clenched into fists.

‘What’s with this woman?’

Regalis looked at her doubtfully.

“What did you want to meet about? We don’t normally keep in touch. I’m curious.”

“I have something important to tell you.”

Daphne continued in a rigid tone.

“I had a prophetic dream a few days ago.”

“Oh! A prophetic dream? It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? There must be good news for the empire.”

“It’s not good news. It was a dream that threatens Your Highness the Crown Prince, and I think it’s best if only Your Highness and I know about this.”

Regalis raised an eyebrow and frowned. What could it be that she was being so elusive?

But then Saint Daphne said something shocking.

“I dreamt that His Highness Grand Duke Belial ascended to the throne with the help of Lady Armeniaca.”

“Wh-what?”

Regalis was momentarily dazed. He had never considered the possibility that he might not ascend to the throne. That’s why he had only scoffed when the Empress tried to keep the half-demon Grand Duke in check, saying there was no point since people despised him anyway.

But for Grand Duke Dimidius Belial to ascend to the throne with the help of his wife – he couldn’t understand what this meant.

“Are you joking with me right now?”

At Regalis’s question, Daphne shook her head.

“It’s not a joke. It was definitely a prophetic dream, but there is plenty of room to change it.”