The wedding preparations proceeded smoothly and quickly.

Belladonna, who usually just sat quietly nodding and smiling without giving much input, had no particular opinions about the wedding either.

‘I don’t really know much about these things anyway…’

Belladonna sat in a chair prepared in the bridal waiting room, gently touching the soft and smooth wedding dress.

Lifting her head to look at the mirror hanging on the wall, she quietly observed her appearance, now transformed into that of a perfect bride.

The sparkling wedding dress that revealed all her best features – her long, straight neckline, deep collarbones, slender arms, and delicate waist.

Her brilliant silver hair cascading down her back hidden under the veil, and blue eyes in perfect contrast to the white wedding dress – she was beautiful enough to captivate anyone who saw her.

‘I have to admit, I do look truly beautiful…’

Belladonna marveled anew at the discerning eye and skill of the Papal handmaidens as she ran her fingers over the lace veil flowing down her back.

“Saint, it’s time to move to the chapel.”

Just then, the maid standing at the door of the bridal waiting room bowed her head and spoke.

Belladonna smiled at her and nodded. The maid, who had been staring at Belladonna with a dazed expression for a moment, approached her and lifted the lace veil that had fallen to the back, covering her face.

As her vision became slightly obscured, only then did this theatrical wedding start to feel real.

Belladonna rose from her seat, clutching her chest where her heart had begun to race with an inexplicable tension.

The solemn chapel had been transformed into a lovely wedding venue in just one day. The elegant veils hanging naturally below the ceiling looked graceful.

Belladonna marveled anew at the Pope’s drive as she peered into the interior filled with guests. Most appeared to be high-ranking nobles, and some of them seemed to be regular visitors who often came to see her.

Would they be disappointed that I’m getting married and leaving for that man’s territory?

I suppose they might miss having their emotional trash can disappear…

“Bella.”

Just then, a deep voice settled by her ear.

Bella? The only one who would call me by that name is…

Turning her head at the unfamiliar voice, she saw Escalion Diete, neatly combing back his dark hair and wearing a black formal suit.

Huh…

“Why so surprised? Ah, was it too soon to use an affectionate nickname?”

Escalion asked as he stepped closer to her with a dangerous smile on his lips.

As he drew near, his masculine heat and intense scent enveloped her.

Belladonna was unable to move, overwhelmed by the sudden tension, anxiety, and faint fear.

“Can you actually see well through this?”

Escalion, looking down at her, casually reached out to touch the lace veil obscuring her vision.

Belladonna startled and stepped back.

Hey… you’re not supposed to lift the veil before the wedding, you fool!

Escalion chuckled as he looked down at Belladonna who had hastily retreated.

“So you do know how to express dislike.”

“…”

“I suppose that’s a good thing.”

Belladonna tightened her grip on the bouquet she was holding.

He makes me uncomfortable…

Escalion was uncomfortable.

It could be due to his much larger build and threatening appearance compared to others, but particularly because of those golden eyes filled with an indecipherable curiosity.

‘I can’t see well because of the veil, but I really can’t tell what he’s thinking at all…’

Unlike Belladonna, who felt somewhat anxious and nervous, Escalion standing beside her still maintained a relaxed and leisurely attitude.

He fiddled with his tie for a moment as if it was uncomfortable around his thick neck, then abruptly held out his arm to her.

“It seems the ceremony will begin soon.”

Belladonna quietly looked down at the thick arm he extended, then carefully raised her hand to link arms.

Wow, it’s so firm…

Belladonna marveled inwardly as she placed her hand on Escalion’s arm. It feels like I’m touching a hard log rather than a person.

“Why are you fondling it so much?”

What?

Belladonna turned her head in shock. Who’s doing what?

Escalion was looking down at her with his characteristic playful smile.

“Don’t rush. You can freely feel up your husband later in the bedroom after the ceremony is over.”

W-what are you saying, you pervert!

Belladonna hastily withdrew her hand from his arm.

Escalion chuckled lowly at her dramatic reaction.

Belladonna glared at him, feeling her face flush hot under the veil.

“Now, let us begin the wedding ceremony.”

The Pope’s voice rang out from inside the chapel.

Belladonna swallowed once and placed her hand on his arm again.

While concentrating on not moving it as much as possible.

“Before the wedding ceremony, I announce the marriage of Sir Escalion Diete, the First Knight of the Ellinerus Empire, and my daughter, Miss Belladonna Briel.”

After the Pope’s solemn declaration, there was a low murmur of exclamation from the guests.

Looking at the backs of their heads, Belladonna inwardly sneered coldly.

“I promise that the noble intentions you guests and believers have shown by attending this wedding today will be delivered to the Papal Office and used to help those in need.”

Haha.

It sounds nice to say it will be delivered to the Papal Office, but in reality, isn’t he just planning to pocket all the wedding gift money instead of using it for the ceremony?

Belladonna let out a very small scoff before quickly closing her mouth.

Just then, Escalion, standing beside her, bent down and whispered softly in her ear.

“It seems the Pope is quite greedy.”

Huh? Belladonna looked up at him.

But Escalion straightened up again as if nothing had happened and stared towards the inside of the chapel.

“Now, I will call forth the protagonists of today’s wedding ceremony, Sir Escalion Diete and Saint Belladonna Briel.”

As the Pope’s voice ended, the half-open doors of the chapel swung wide open.

At the same time, beautiful instrumental melodies played by the Papal orchestra filled the chapel.

Belladonna unknowingly leaned on Escalion beside her as she took a step onto the straight wedding aisle.

It felt as if everyone filling the chapel was looking at her.

She walked down the wedding aisle with an indescribable feeling and stopped in front of the Pope standing on the platform at the end.

“Our omnipotent God has said,”

The Pope opened his mouth.

Wow, I’m already bored.

“The bond of marriage is a very thick and strong connection that cannot be severed by anything.”

You’re planning to break that very bond in just a few months.

“God has gladly joined the groom Sir Escalion Diete and the bride Miss Belladonna Diete as husband and wife. Let us pray for this newlywed couple before us today.”

“Let us pray.”

After the Pope’s lead, the guests joined in unison.

Afterwards, the Pope recited a few more formal prayers, and the guests followed with responses like “Hear our prayer.”

Just as she was about to lose focus, the Pope declared in a slightly louder voice.

“Finally, may the groom lift the bride’s veil to see her face and share a kiss of commitment. By gazing into each other’s sincere eyes, I declare you to be true husband and wife.”

“We declare it.”

Escalion, who had been facing the Pope, turned towards Belladonna.

He grasped the lace veil cascading in front of Belladonna’s face with both hands and slowly lifted it up.

Belladonna blinked her downcast eyes, finally feeling her stuffy vision clear.

“…”

As the veil was gradually lifted, brilliant golden eyes were revealed.

She had thought he would have that playful expression again for some reason, but contrary to expectations, his face was serious and calm.

Belladonna unknowingly held her breath. She couldn’t take her eyes off his deep golden eyes.

Escalion also stood still, gazing into Belladonna’s deep blue eyes as if falling into them.

His thick Adam’s apple bobbed greatly.

“Share a kiss of commitment.”

When the newlyweds just stood blankly staring at each other without doing anything, the impatient Pope urged once more.

Only then did Escalion lightly cup her cheeks and lower his head towards her.

Unable to look at him any longer as he drew closer, Belladonna tightly closed her lips and squeezed her eyes shut.

For a very brief moment, warm and soft lips descended upon hers.

“With this, I declare these two to be true husband and wife.”

“Wow…!”

At the end of the solemn ceremony, loud cheers assaulted her ears.

But more than the voices of people and instrumental music ringing in her ears, her own heartbeat pounding throughout her body felt even louder.

Belladonna unknowingly bit her lower lip.

He had quickly pulled his lips away, but somehow that warmth and sensation seemed to linger for a long time.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Captain!”

Escalion, who had moved to the groom’s waiting room after the wedding to change clothes, turned his head towards the sound.

The knight Hazel, who had entered casually, was speaking to him with a smile.

Escalion barely responded to him as he finished taking off the formal attire that had been tightly constricting his body.

“When are you departing for the territory?”

“Probably tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? That soon? No way! Please think of the Saint… I mean, your wife!”

Hazel exclaimed loudly.

Escalion raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth.

“Why? The wedding is already over.”

“Think about it! Madam is now leaving Astanya, where she’s lived almost her entire life, to go to Griblata where she has no connections at all. You should give her time to say goodbye to those she’s grown close to and look around the Papal Office one last time!”

At Hazel’s words, Escalion quietly recalled Belladonna.

That woman who still seemed pale and at a loss, both when they first met at the Papal Office and when he saw her for the second time at today’s wedding.

She didn’t seem to particularly like staying at the Papal Office though.

“Then we’ll go the day after tomorrow.”

“Wow, you’re so generous. Giving her just one more day.”

At Hazel’s sarcastic remark, Escalion frowned and turned away.

“It’s annoying. How much more do I need to consider? I just want to leave this hot city as soon as possible.”

Escalion, who had changed into comfortable clothes by now, grumbled as he left the groom’s waiting room. Hazel quickly followed behind him.

“But still…!”

“But why is His Holiness taking such a person as a son-in-law?”

Just then, voices of nobles could be heard from across the wall between the groom’s waiting room and the chapel.

“With the Saint’s looks and character, I thought she would marry at least a member of the imperial family.”

Escalion halted his rapid steps.