The guests were curious about what expression Admund was making.

They wanted to confirm if the rumors were true.

Anyone who had ever met Admund even once would not easily believe that the stone-faced man truly loved Clea.

‘Honey is dripping from his eyes.’

As he was always meticulous and calculating, there might be suspicions that there was something behind this marriage too, but at this moment, only Hayden, who was officiating, could confirm it.

“Ahem, then let us move on to the next part.”

After Hayden’s long speech-like officiation ended, it was finally time for the marriage vows.

“Does the groom, Admund Wilhelm, swear to take the bride, Clea Percy, as his wife, to love and respect her as now, and to build a happy family together?”

Hayden’s marriage vow was quite different from the usual ones. It was not about forcing an unchanging, unbetraying oath to the holy God.

Clea looked at Admund. As she had expected, whether he had arranged it beforehand, he was smiling.

“I swear to fulfill my duties as a husband, cherish the bond between husband and wife above all else, and love only you forever, just as I do now.”

Admund answered without any hesitation.

Like someone who had been waiting for this moment, he spoke while looking solely at her.

Clea smiled at his words of loving only her forever, just as he did now.

Hayden, who was watching the two with satisfaction, then asked Clea.

“Does the bride, Clea Percy, swear to take the groom, Admund Wilhelm, as her husband, to always love and respect him no matter what, and to never give up but overcome any crisis together?”

Clea focused on the ‘crisis’ part that Hayden mentioned at the end.

Hayden knew about the crisis that would befall her and Admund.

That’s why he was asking her, under the pretext of a vow, to please never give up and overcome it together with Admund.

Clea felt satisfaction and joy at the thought that there were now many people who cared about her.

“I swear to strive for people to be joyful and happy because of us, and to be your companion forever, even in the face of storms.”

Admund’s lips curled up at Clea’s vow.

Seeing him happy at her words, Clea’s mood improved as well.

The curse had not yet been broken.

Much time had passed, and they didn’t know when the crisis would strike, but Clea wasn’t afraid.

It wasn’t because she had no attachment to life like before.

Clea felt hope from the countless people, including the one beside her, who were stepping up to help her.

A shining hope that she could one day break free from these shackles.

“Then show the token of your vows.”

But the biggest reason was, of course, Admund.

Admund, who shone like the morning star.

He stretched out his hand towards Clea.

“I personally chose a ring as beautiful as you.”

Clea looked at the ring being placed on her finger.

The ring, with a blue diamond set in a silver band, was truly beautiful as he said.

No one questioned why it was a blue diamond among all the colors.

Clea also happily picked up the ring herself.

Now it was her turn to put the ring on his finger.

Putting the ring on his slender finger was a very easy task.

But she took her time and asked Hayden,

“The token doesn’t have to be just a ring, does it?”

She didn’t wait for Hayden’s answer.

Clea immediately grabbed Admund’s tie and pulled him towards her.

Suddenly pulled, Admund’s gaze wavered at what happened next. Clea stole his lips.

“Oh my.”

“Oh.”

“Haha, youth is wonderful.”

“That’s my new daughter-in-law.”

The Grand Duke couple, Elrina, and Odin reacted in turn.

The reactions of the four watching the vows were diverse.

Clea’s actions were so bold as to be surprising.

It was the same for the other guests as well.

“There won’t be any concubines or mistresses this time either.”

“Since when did the Emperor’s position become that of a devoted husband?”

“Shouldn’t we stop this? After all, it’s an imperial wedding, shouldn’t it maintain proper decorum?”

“What’s there to stop? It’s a pleasant sight. And can you dare to advise the Emperor right here and now?”

“T-that…”

The elderly nobles showed signs of discomfort, but they didn’t raise any objections.

They weren’t foolish enough to risk their lives by stepping forward to express their opinions in front of Odin.

So they just remained silent.

“If the two of them are happy, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”

As someone said, Admund and Clea were smiling happily.

Although Admund looked like he had been caught off guard, he was enjoying the situation.

He was in a good mood right now.

They had made their vows in front of everyone, exchanged rings as tokens, and finally expressed their love for each other without any hint of shyness.

For the nobles, it was something to welcome that the two who would lead the empire in the future got along well.

If the two were to split and engage in power struggles over personal matters, it would be of no benefit to the empire.

However, there were a few people who did not welcome this sight.

“I cannot accept this!”

“Aria!”

Among them, the one who couldn’t hold back the most was undoubtedly Aria.

* * *

As the eldest daughter of the Hersher ducal family, Aria had lived a very privileged life.

From a young age, everyone in the household looked up to her, and even adults outside would try to get on her good side.

Just meeting her, they would praise her endlessly, saying only things to please her.

Moreover, as their only child was in poor health, the Duke and Duchess had never properly disciplined Aria.

Having never had to be considerate of others, she now lacked tact.

Having never needed to show humility, she was arrogant.

Sometimes this demeanor made her shine.

People were attracted to her confident and self-assured appearance and flocked around her.

But as time passed and Admund chose Clea instead of her, that light completely disappeared.

“What did you just say?”

Hayden felt a throbbing in his head.

He couldn’t hide his wry smile. Even during the wedding ceremony, he had wondered.

Whether that impatient young lady would cause a scene here.

It seemed Hayden wasn’t the only one who had such thoughts, as other people were also showing uncomfortable expressions.

“I, Aria Hersher, said that I cannot accept this marriage.”

It was truly an absurd action.

Was she really planning this in advance and carrying it out now?

This was a grand wedding proceeding with the agreement of both the imperial family and the Grand Duke’s family.

Yet a mere duke’s daughter was trying to interfere.

Hayden turned his gaze to look at the Duke and Duchess. He wanted to see if the entire ducal family was involved in this.

The Duke and Duchess were not hiding their shocked expressions.

Seeing this, Hayden felt tired of his time being wasted unnecessarily.

He looked at Clea.

Seeing her smiling even though Aria was trying to ruin her wedding, Hayden realized.

All of this had been anticipated.

‘If it wasn’t, the Emperor wouldn’t be staying still.’

Just one word from Odin, and the imperial guards would have rushed in to drag her away.

But Odin was quietly watching this scene.

Because of this, some tactless individuals were confused about the Emperor’s intentions.

However, most people simply watched without getting involved.

Whatever happened, it didn’t seem like a good choice to be involved in this matter.

“Haha.”

While Admund furrowed his brow, Clea actually smiled.

Everyone turned their gaze towards Clea.

She paid no attention to people’s gazes, and with the bouquet in her hand, walked down the virgin road once more with a smile.

With the sound of her heels, she got closer and closer to Aria.

Clea asked Aria,

“So, what’s your reason for not accepting this marriage?”

At her relaxed voice, Aria bit her lip.

She felt afraid under Clea’s gaze looking down at her.

Lloyd, who had always said he would protect her, was now quietly closing his mouth and trembling.

Not just him. Even those who had shown her favor were now all turning away from her at this moment.

Aria was fighting Clea alone.

Making eye contact with Clea, Aria tried to raise her voice as she spoke.

“Because you’re not only unable to bear an heir, but your life is in danger right now!”

This was the only card she had left to play.

The curse, the only thing that had bound Clea until now.

In front of everyone, she mentioned Clea’s physical condition for the first time.

But Clea still didn’t lose her composure.

“So?”

“What do you mean, ‘so’?”

“How do you know that I’m not healthy?”

It was Aria who crumbled first.

“What is the young lady saying?”

“Yes, how does she know?”

“Could it be…”

Even if Aria revealed the curse, it was too late for people to believe her words.

She had already lost all popularity and trust.

In this state, even if she disclosed it, people wouldn’t believe her.

Aria knew this too, which is why she deliberately omitted mentioning the curse and only brought up Clea’s physical condition.

But there was something she overlooked.

It was the fact that Clea had never once publicly announced that she was in poor health.

“Take it, my gift for you and Lloyd.”

Clea handed the bouquet she had brought directly to Aria.

The bouquet she had prepared contained only red spider lilies.

Aria knew the flower language of red spider lilies.

Unattainable love.

Aria glared fiercely at Clea, not wanting to accept the bouquet.

But Clea threw the bouquet to her as if it didn’t matter and returned to her place.

With that, the wedding ceremony resumed as if nothing had happened.

Of course, the guests glared fiercely at the people from the Hersher family.