Drip, drip, drip. The sound of the rain grew louder, and a few servants went inside the building to escape it. They whispered, thinking their voices would be drowned out by the rain.

“I felt like my existence was a sin. Everything about me was disgusting. The fact that I was born became shackles to someone, and they thought it ruined their life.”

Back then, the thing Charlotte hated most wasn’t her father, his mistress, or the bastard child. It was herself.

“It was like selfloathing. It wasn’t carelessness, I hated myself so much… I had no time to look back at myself.”

It was even worse in her previous life. Every dying day was filled with selfloathing, and the death she was granted at the end was like a relief.

“Your birth being a sin? Who told you such a thing? Was it another damn tutor…? Or did those bastards spout nonsense to cloud your vision?”

Charlotte looked up to find Benjamin glaring down at her.

“Did they make you make those eyes again?”

“That’s in the past now. I want to bury it beyond the memories of old times.”

The time of selfloathing had passed.

“There was never a moment when your existence was a sin. Don’t push yourself to the edge of a cliff, Char.”

Perhaps because of the increasingly heavy rain, the coat soaked up a lot of moisture.

“You’re twisted somewhere, Char.”

Charlotte looked at Benjamin belatedly.

“I don’t know why you’re like this.”

Benjamin’s shoulders were already soaked. He tilted the umbrella towards Charlotte.

“If you, holding a sword, lose direction, the sword loses direction too.”

(This is a time separator.)

“Your Majesty, are you listening?”

Roskella cleared her throat.

“The national marriage ceremony is set for the end of this month. Given the importance of a public display, the ceremony will proceed without any omissions this time.”

If the previous engagement ceremony had most of the procedures omitted, this wedding would be different.

The positions of the two people had changed, and if they had rushed through the wedding, either the central elder or the chief representative would surely have gossiped behind them. Therefore, they intended to follow the national marriage procedure thoroughly.

“If Your Majesty is troubled, I will come back later.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“I will have warm tea brought. I’m worried you might catch a cold before the wedding.”

How terrified were the chamberlain and the chamber head when the two of them came in drenched?

“Are you genuinely worried?”

“It cannot affect the schedule.”

“There won’t be any problem, so proceed as planned.”

Roskella nodded her head. If her lord said so, it would be so.

“The construction of the Queen’s Palace will begin when the weather warms up. It seems like it will be quite cold until then, so until then, in the Amfarlao Palace where the previous Empress used to reside…”

“Keep her by my side.”

Roskella paused for a moment at this.

“By your side?”

“She should not be left alone.”

“Even after marriage…?”

“Is that not possible?”

“According to the palace etiquette, it’s not allowed.”

“Don’t shove a law that’s over 100 years old in my face.”
According to the royal palace etiquette, a couple must not lie in the same bed before marriage, and even after marriage, they must lie down with a screen between them, except during their conjugal visits.

‘I might get beheaded if I push this etiquette!’

He quickly closed his mouth.

“Do everything perfectly.”

Benjamin Visennov thought of Charlotte, whom he had seen in the rain. The emptiness in her eyes gripped his nerves.

Emptiness created by guilt and selfloathing.

The depression within it.

The reason for sobbing and whimpering in his sleep would also be related to selfloathing.

“What are you sorry for…….”

‘Mom, it’s okay to abandon something like me.’

Are you belittling yourself with such words?

“Now is the time to watch from the side.”

The office was quiet again.

Time passed slowly, and the day grew colder.

(This is a time separator.)

“Your hands are trembling. Are you nervous?”

Charlotte looked down at both her hands, clad in white lace gloves. The matron of honor fixed the wedding veil on her head.

“Your Majesty, I will lower the veil now.”

The maids followed and assisted. The bridal veil flowed down like flower petals. Charlotte hid her expression under the veil.

The wedding date set at the end of the month was rapidly approaching. The royal family had moved up the date of the national marriage, considering the situation inside and outside the empire, and dawn had broken on the day.

The atmosphere of the wedding hall was solemn. White petals were scattered one by one on the virgin road.

“The veil might be a bit heavy.”

Charlotte stood in front of the virgin road. Benjamin reached out his hand beside her.

“Are you scared?”

“Yes?”

“Your throat is stiff.”

Hymns rang out in the wedding hall. The hymns spread faintly like song lyrics and yet seemed like someone whispering in the ear.

The ceiling of the wedding hall had sculptures of the God of Healing, symbolizing tolerance, and marble supports held up such a ceiling.

The song resonated as if echoing. The long dress’s hem dragged on the floor. The hem fluttered, matching small footsteps.

The white veil flowed down modestly like flower petals. The Pope carefully poured the holy water and recited the marriage vows.

“May peace be with both of your futures. May God’s grace be with you…….”

Benjamin lifted the veil.

“How about trying to soften your expression a little?”

Benjamin caressed Charlotte’s cheek with his hand. His grasp around her chin gently moistened her neck.

Charlotte touched his chest with her hand.

The black dress uniform prominently displayed the royal emblem. As if to state its existence, the red seal was clear.

Touch.

Their lips met. As they breathed into each other, it felt like the breath was opening up.

Both hands grabbed his clothes.

She trembled. Her cheeks became hot, and her neck burned.

It was cloudy and yet sticky energy.

It swayed like waves and seemed to sweep away her fragile body roughly at any moment.

“Ah…….”

Benjamin looked down at her.