“As you said, I don’t know what beauty is. Maybe I’ll never share the same aesthetic as you for my entire life. I was born that way. But at least nowadays, when I look at the world, I think of you. When I see the sunrise, I think of the Cecilia who would be happy watching it, and when I go to the water, I imagine you playing the water drum.”

Idrish looked at me affectionately. Warmth glimmered in his bright-colored eyes.

“You are the world, and you are my beauty, everything.”

“Idrish…”

His sincere feelings reached me.

I hugged Idrish, pressing my lips against his after a few attempts. Idrish hugged me without saying a word.

“Idrish, I love you too.”
Idrish pulled me away and looked into my eyes. Now, his pupils were boiling with intense emotions. Perhaps my face and my eyes weren’t different from his. Because we are thinking the same thoughts and feeling the same emotions right now.

“Tell me one more time.”

“I love you too.”

“Again.”

“I love you. I love Idrish…”

Before the words could finish, I was pushed by Idrish and curled up on the bed. There was no need for more words between us.

“Hehe, the flowers are so beautiful.”

“They withered quickly overnight. If you throw them away, I’ll pick new ones for you.”

“Oh? Why would you throw this away? I’ll cherish it forever.”

“That? Why?”

I preferred Idrish’s sincere confession in the dark room, where no one was present, over the moment I received a proposal with everyone’s cheers.

Well, Idrish probably won’t understand that forever.

After neatly arranging the flowers in a vase, I returned to Idrish’s arms on the bed. I gently touched his weakened chest where the traces of the curse were evident.

“Idrish, so about us.”

“Yeah.”

“When should we have the wedding?”

Idrish’s body flinched. I raised my gaze and looked at him. Idrish had a half-doubtful expression on his face.

“Wasn’t the proposal a failure?”

Oh, he noticed I didn’t like it back then. No wonder he came to me so suddenly last night, looking sulky.

“No, it was a complete success.”

“Really?”

Idrish tilted his head in a puzzled manner.

“Why? Don’t you like it? Are you not going to marry me?”

“No, I will. Right away. Tomorrow…”

“Wouldn’t people be shocked if we did it that fast? Let’s do it next month instead of saying that.”

That’s still very fast. If we try to prepare for a royal wedding in a month, it will be a disaster for everyone.

But since I also wanted to do the work right away, I couldn’t bring myself to say, “Let’s postpone it.”

“Cecilia, you’re so beautiful!”

“It feels like you just descended from heaven!”

“If I go blind after seeing Cecilia, will it be covered by insurance?”

The maids seemed more excited. Laughter echoed around.

“Oh, right. I’m originally beautiful.”

I shook my body in front of the mirror.

The wedding ceremony was ancient and sacred.

Although I joked about it, everyone grabbed their heads at the suggestion of holding the ceremony right away. Eventually, we reached an agreement to hold it two months later, in the midst of the flourishing autumn.

I jokingly brushed it off, but I definitely looked different in the mirror.

I chose a dress among those presented by the tailors from all over the country. It had a design that exposed my shoulders entirely. Below the round shoulder line, white fabric shaped like tulip petals tightly covered my chest. The dress extended long, leaving a trail behind with every step.

My heart pounded with joy.

“Well, shall we move now? Everyone is waiting.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”
With their help, I took slow steps, one by one. As I stepped outside, autumn trees, dyed in various colors, came into view. In the center, the proud lake of the Artigrado Royal Palace embraced the endless sky without a single cloud.

Many people were gathered around. There were familiar faces and unfamiliar ones, but they all shared the same purpose of witnessing and blessing our marriage.

Idrish appeared a bit away from the spot where I stood. He was wearing a crisp white outfit identical to mine. Wow.

I wanted to tell Idrish exactly what the maids said to me a while ago. Upon seeing you, my eyes go blind, my heart explodes, and the joys and sorrows of life all rush in at once…

Ahem.

Anyway, that upright and handsome man up there is now my husband. I am the winner.

Idrish and I crossed the distance and locked eyes. As if to ease the tension, he slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.

You seem more nervous.

I smiled even wider, closing my eyes.

The music started at that moment. People cheered, and flower petals rained from the sky.

I took another step, and another, walking along the path. In the distance, Idrish walked his own path.

Since the two paths converged in the middle, with each step forward, Idrish gradually came closer. His face became clear, and I could distinctly see his eyes, nose, and mouth.

Idrish reached out his hand to me, and I reciprocated. Our hands met, and our body heat mingled in our palms. We looked ahead again and walked together. This time, step by step, our strides synchronized.

“Idrish.”

“Yeah?”

I called him without any particular reason. Idrish looked at me.

I’m happy.

Idrish seemed momentarily puzzled but soon smiled broadly.

I’m so happy.

Once again, I whispered to myself.

〈End〉