The entire nation was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Street merchants set up stalls along the roads, drawing in customers, and the back-alley taverns, which typically opened at dusk, were already bustling with groups raising toasts in broad daylight.

The filling of the long-vacant empress’s seat was a source of immense joy for the people.

Of course, some were displeased—whether because Kasallin was not a native of the Rennel Empire, due to unsettling rumors, or for other baseless reasons—but they were a small minority.

Most people felt it was a great relief that Emperor Parnes did not persist in remaining a bachelor and passing the throne to a relative.

“It’s perfect weather for a wedding, my lady.”

Loren Logia entered with a voice brimming with excitement, as if she herself were the one getting married, signaling the start of the day.

Kasallin, who had been awake for a while, lost in daydreams, lightly slipped out from under the covers.

As Loren had said, the sky was clear and bright, a true spring day.

“You look like you’re worrying about something. On a day like this, you should be smiling brightly.”

At Loren’s keen observation, Kasallin, slightly embarrassed, touched her own face.

She could feel Loren’s narrowed eyes closely studying her expression.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s nothing. Come on, let’s get ready.”

“Come this way. Mrs. Dawson and the maids are waiting.”

Unbeknownst to her until now, the empress’s palace had a grand bathroom the size of two ordinary rooms.

According to Mrs. Dawson, it was used to purify the body for significant ceremonies like today’s.

Water seemed to be supplied from a nearby spring, flowing like a small waterfall through a crevice in the rocks.

The maids infused the bath with saffron and jasmine, and while Kasallin soaked in the warm water, they applied rosewater to her hair.

One might think that was the end, but it wasn’t.

They spread an unidentified fragrant cream over her entire body, spent an hour intricately braiding her hair, and dressed her in layers of petticoats and a wedding gown.

“Goodness. It couldn’t be more perfect. Right now, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’re the most beautiful in the world.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Loren.”

“I mean it, it’s not empty praise. Look in the mirror.”

It felt awkward.

Hesitating, Kasallin walked to the full-length mirror and couldn’t help but let out a small gasp at her reflection in the clear glass.

It wasn’t her own appearance but the maids’ skillful work that amazed her.

The white dress, as if it had absorbed all the light in the world, contrasted perfectly with her dark hair, and the delicate diamond necklace made her slender neck stand out even more.

The skirt, flowing in a graceful curve below her waist, fluttered like feathers with every breeze, creating a truly spectacular sight.

The court tailor, the artisans, Mrs. Dawson, Loren, and all the attendants.

When she thought of how many people must have stayed up nights for this day, a simple “thank you” didn’t seem enough to express her gratitude.

“Thank you all so much. Because of you, this will be a perfect day. I’ll do my best to be a good empress.”

As she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, the maids, unaccustomed to such praise, blushed and didn’t know what to do.

Mrs. Dawson smiled warmly, while Loren, already teary-eyed, sniffled.

“Anyone would think we’re parting ways, Loren.”

“I just… I couldn’t help but think of how you struggled in the Kan Kingdom…”

Yes, there had been such times.

But today, thanks to the help of His Majesty and many kind people, she had been granted a new life, and she would try to let go of the past.

It wouldn’t be easy, of course.

But she believed that one day, even if she faced Shallen and Rose directly, she could say, “That’s how it was back then,” and move on without a care.

Having completed all preparations, Kasallin boarded a carriage and headed to the temple at the edge of the eastern gate.

Dignitaries from various countries, countless nobles, knights, and court officials were streaming inside to attend the wedding.

Kasallin entered the temple through a separate entrance prepared at the back.

She had to wait a bit before entering, so she hurried to the waiting room, only to see someone approaching from the opposite direction.

The sun’s backlight cast a dark shadow, making it hard to tell who it was at first, but she recognized the voice immediately.

“Sister.”

Kasallin stopped in her tracks.

Mrs. Dawson and Loren, quickly reading the situation, stepped aside to give them space.

Once prying eyes were gone, Rose stepped out of the shadow and took a couple of steps closer.

“I wanted to meet you at the ball first, but your maid said it wasn’t possible. Well, I suppose you were busy preparing for the state wedding.”

“Yes, there were some circumstances.”

A slightly swollen belly.

A face noticeably more haggard than the last time they met.

Even the faint shadow under her eyes.

It was clear that Rose had not found peace since Kasallin left the Kan Kingdom.

Rose looked Kasallin up and down, her expression tinged with nostalgia.

“It reminds me of when I married His Highness Shallen. I was filled with hope back then, just like you are now.”

“I didn’t expect you to come all this way.”

“As your sister, shouldn’t I be here to witness it? To see my one and only sister step into the deep abyss of marriage?”

Kasallin couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

A wrinkle formed crookedly over one of Rose’s eyes.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I didn’t expect to hear such words from you, of all people. The deep abyss of marriage? It seems you haven’t fully reconciled with Shallen.”

“You think the married life ahead of you will be nothing but happiness? Well, the goddess of fortune has always favored you, so it’s understandable you’d think that. But it’s not true. Everyone…”

“Changes.”

Kasallin cut Rose off.

“I know. Once the magic of the honeymoon fades, the fresh feelings will gradually disappear, and His Majesty’s attention toward me will wane. But I know this, and you didn’t. That’s the difference between us. And that’s not all. There’s one more thing—the reason you can’t be happy.”

“What?”

“You deceived me for years, carrying on an improper relationship with Shallen, and then, as if you’d been waiting for it, you took the queen’s seat. When a small vessel tries to hold more than it can, it inevitably overflows.”

Despite all the wrongs she had committed, Rose clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, as if she were the one wronged and resentful.

Passing by her slowly, Kasallin added,

“Thank you for coming today. Since you’re here, I hope you’ll stay until the end. See whether the place I’m stepping into is a hopeless abyss or a gateway to hope.”

The heavy doors swung wide open.

The court chapel, illuminated by sunlight streaming through vibrant stained glass, came into view.

Adorable flower children, wearing delicate crowns, diligently scattered petals from baskets tucked under their arms.

The guests lined up on both sides spared no applause for Kasallin as she slowly walked in.

She vaguely recognized faces cheering for her, but honestly, she couldn’t make out what anyone was saying.

At this moment, only one thing captured Kasallin’s full attention.

At the end of the petal-strewn path stood Parnes, waiting for her.

‘Unbelievable.’

Kasallin was utterly flustered upon seeing him.

She had always known he was an exceptionally handsome man, but seeing him dressed so formally made him seem like an entirely different being.

A splendid ceremonial outfit perfectly tailored to his balanced frame.

His neatly combed silver hair looked as if each strand had been drawn with the feathers of a Pegasus.

And those eyes—impossible to capture with any paint in the world.

Even Kasallin, who was rarely moved by appearances, couldn’t help but wonder if she was truly the one he was waiting for.

“…”

Due to the protocols of the state wedding, Kasallin and Parnes could only gaze at each other, unable to exchange words.

He stood silently, watching her approach with a steady gaze.

When their eyes met, she could feel his breathing grow slightly uneven.

Even the great Emperor Parnes seemed to feel nervous standing in such a moment.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Lady Kasallin Robepon, please face each other and show mutual respect.”

“…”

“Your Majesty?”

At the cardinal’s soft call, Parnes, who had been staring at Kasallin in a daze, snapped out of his thoughts and raised his head.

With a low cough, he stood upright and bowed to Kasallin.

Kasallin returned the gesture in kind.

“Next, the empress coronation ceremony and the reading of the vows will take place. Your Majesty, please take the crown, and Lady Kasallin Robepon, please receive the holy water.”

Standing at the foot of the steps, Kasallin took the holy water and drank a sip.

Parnes had once explained that drinking it signified officially becoming a member of the Rennel Empire’s imperial family.

“Your Majesty, please place the crown.”

Parnes placed a grand crown of gold, velvet, and lapis lazuli upon Kasallin’s head.

A trumpet sounded faintly from the temple’s roof, announcing the birth of a new empress in the Rennel Empire.

In a solemn voice, Parnes declared,

“In the name of the Emperor of the Rennel Empire, from this moment forward, I appoint you as Empress, granting you the title of Her Majesty Empress Kasallin Escalo.”

“I accept Your Majesty’s command.”

Kasallin took Parnes’s hand and rose from her place.

The cardinal handed each of them a vow.

Reading this would complete the ceremony.

“I, Emperor Parnes Escalo, swear under heaven to work tirelessly as a partner with Empress Kasallin Robepon Escalo for the boundless prosperity of the Rennel Empire and the peace of its people.”

“I, Empress Kasallin Escalo, swear under heaven to support Emperor Parnes Escalo and to uphold the great honor and traditions of the Rennel Empire for future generations.”

As they finished the final sentence, a majestic trumpet fanfare resounded, and the knights lined up, drawing their swords to form a path.

Parnes quietly extended his hand to Kasallin and said in a soft voice,

“Well done, Empress.”

His earlier remark—that today would be the last time he addressed her as Kasallin—crossed her mind.

No longer just Lady Kasallin of the Robepon marquisate, Parnes would now treat her with the respect due an empress.

Feeling a pang of reluctance in her heart, Kasallin slowly took Parnes’s hand.

Amid the crowd showering them with blessings and cheers, she caught a glimpse of Shallen.

Among all the joyful faces, his was the only one staring at Kasallin without a smile.