A delicate and firm body was elegantly wrapped in a dress with a straight and upright posture. The bright face radiated light from behind.

At that moment, Hayden gained not just a possibility but a conviction.

Whenever, wherever, and however they met, he would undoubtedly find and recognize Lu. He would recognize her and, once again, steal her heart. Lu had been endlessly affectionate to him, smiling brightly just like now.

Regarding Lu, whose eyes he had thought had dried up long ago, they kept reddening, constantly welling with tears.

Hayden, a man who could do nothing but shake, break, and joyfully give up his life for her, responded with a dazzling smile, as if answering to her brilliant laughter.

For him, there truly was no strength. Could there be such a sweet sense of helplessness? Even if Lu were wearing mourning clothes now, he would feel the same helplessness and simply revel in it.

“Master!”

As if extremely excited, Bella’s hand, covered in flower petals, was extended with a firm grip on her cheek.

Now, with a bit more maturity, Shia, who had become a young lady, hesitated for a moment before rushing into the arms of the master, whose arms were spread wide.

“Sister, you’re really beautiful.”

Shia whispered, and he nodded with a smile. That was an undeniable fact.

“Master is also handsome.”

Bella, who was murmuring, received a kiss on the cheek thanks to her words, giggled, and went away.

And Lu, the one he had always drawn and imagined, had approached without him noticing.
Hayden, who had endured and restrained the desire to go out to meet, could no longer contain himself. The elegant groom extending his hand to the beautiful bride made the surrounding people laugh shyly.

Hayden thought it was fortunate to tidy up the Eastern nobles and marry. Even if he, who held absolute authority, twisted his arm, it was not allowed to go out to meet the bride, and in the end, he waited here, unable to move. If those Eastern noble dignitaries, who recited etiquette endlessly, had raised their heads stiffly, the ceremony would undoubtedly have been more rigid and solemn.

“So beautiful, Lu.”

Even in an official setting, Edwin, seeing the Emperor who raised his voice to his daughter, decided to relax a bit.

If the son-in-law treated Lu so respectfully and did not assert his pride in front of her, then, yes, it would be okay. So, he didn’t need to say the father’s peculiar greeting of “I entrust her to you.”

Since the Emperor had already spoken warmly to Lu with his eyes, Edwin handed over his daughter’s escort to the Emperor with a somewhat bitter feeling. Of course, before handing her over, he didn’t forget to say a word as a father.

“Thank you for coming all the way with Dad.”

It was a thank you to his daughter, who came with him, knowing that he could go alone, and even though Mom was carefree, Dad felt particularly hurt.

Edwin didn’t make that statement to make his daughter cry, so when Lu heard those words, she closed her eyes, held back her tears, and became flustered.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Right?”

Lu vigorously nodded at her father’s comforting words. She didn’t want to cry already. Today, she is the happiest bride in the world, so she will smile a lot.

“I’m grateful too, Dad.”

However, as her father went to her mother, who already made a sniffling sound, Lu made a sobbing sound facing Hayden, who smiled affectionately.

“Why hold it in? It’s okay to cry.”

He chuckled. His muttered words were heard only by Lu.

Just a step away from the Don, Bella, who was holding hands with Melphies, and Shia, who was also standing by Lu, could not hear the conversation because it was such a small voice.

“I decided not to cry today.”

Lu replied softly. Why? Her soft gray eyes quietly questioned. Hayden gently swept the lace-adorned handkerchief over her gloved hand.

“You should smile when you’re happy. A crying empress doesn’t look good.”

Hayden lightly lifted the handkerchief. The bright and transparent handkerchief fluttered in the air, and the slightly moist green eyes were clearly visible.

“Are you happy?”

Forget about etiquette and everything else. Because the one in front of his eyes was too beautiful, he couldn’t bear it, so he couldn’t help but lean his forehead against hers.
Congratulations messengers from abroad, laden with gifts, filled the scene. Imperial Ale, who had regarded them as a pack of dogs, carrying feather fans, observed them, but he had no interest in them whatsoever.

For him, the person in front of him was the most precious, and this moment together was the happiest.

It was a solemn day when the Emperor finally met the Empress, but at the same time, it was also the day when Hayden completely belonged to Lu. He was overjoyed by that.

“I’m so happy that I plan to stay focused and watch from beginning to end today.”

You.

“Yeah, I’m happy.”

Lu nodded, smiling unknowingly.

“So, I hope everyone in the world knows that I’m happy.”