“It’s not even a state event, why is everyone flocking here?”

“If I knew you’d be this nervous, perhaps it would have been better to set up the bridal waiting room closer to the greenhouse… I didn’t consider that, I’m sorry, Roel.”

“No, it’s okay…! Really, I’m fine. Don’t worry too much about me… I’m grateful and sorry just to have you by my side.”

“There’s nothing to be grateful or sorry for, Roel. I’m doing this because I want to. If I’ve been of any help, I’m the one who should be thankful.”

Shanette seemed to regret that I didn’t have family by my side at such a time, but I was rather thankful that the bridal waiting room was far from where the guests were. If Peria had been here…

‘Just thinking about it is dreadful.’

I could imagine how much she would have nitpicked over trivial things. No matter what I did, she would have found faults.

Would Peria hit me even on my wedding day?

‘She probably wouldn’t cause major harm, thinking of the wedding night…’

Somehow, I ended up making my entrance with Reus, and Shanette seemed even more concerned about it. Perhaps she wished I could spend such small moments with family too, now that I’d be living at the Duke’s mansion from now on.

“Roel, you’ll be fine. Let’s take a deep breath, shall we?”

“Yes…”

Then the door opened, and Reus entered.

‘How can he remain so unchanged in such a situation?’

Reus was usually so unemotional that sometimes I wondered if his pain in the Silent Forest was just a dream.

“Looks like it’s time to enter the ceremony hall. I should go now, Reus. Roel is very nervous, so please lead her well.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Roel, see you later. Don’t be too nervous.”

After Shanette’s encouragement, only Reus and I remained in the bridal waiting room.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes… a bit…”

“It won’t take as long as you think.”

Soon, Reus extended his hand to me.

‘Right. It’ll be over quickly. Don’t be too nervous.’

This is just part of the contract. I should act as calmly as this man.

I took Reus’s hand, and we left the bridal waiting room, walking through a short garden leading to the greenhouse.

The garden was filled only with white roses, unlike Peria’s garden, which was bustling with various exotic flowers. This gave it an elegant atmosphere.

‘It’s very well maintained.’

A quick glance revealed that the garden wasn’t hurriedly prepared for the wedding, but had been carefully tended over a long time, making me feel heavy-hearted again.

‘Should I really marry Reus in such a place?’

Though Reus didn’t place much importance on the wedding… I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

As I was lost in thought, Reus suddenly stopped.

“You think too much.”

“Ah… um, sorry. I was too caught up in my own thoughts.”

“That wasn’t a reprimand. But maybe you should try to hide such expressions for the wedding.”

I was about to apologize habitually but remembered what Reus said on the way back to the Duke’s mansion in the carriage, so I remained silent.

Instead of apologizing, I quickly banished my thoughts and forced a bright smile.

But my expression soon collapsed, barely moments after, seeing the scene inside the greenhouse.

‘So many people…?’
I had braced myself for it, but seeing the crowd packed so tightly with my own eyes made me nervous again. Suddenly, I found it hard to breathe and stopped abruptly, gripping Reus’s arm a bit tighter.

“Wait a moment, Reus… I’m, I’m too nervous….”

Reus just stared at me silently. Then, unexpectedly, I felt a warm sensation enveloping my body, calming me down as if by magic.

“Are you feeling a bit better now?”

“Yes, a little.”

“I thought verbal comfort wouldn’t be much help.”

He had used magic without warning, then acted as if it was nothing significant. Now that he’s caught the fish, he doesn’t even bother to hide his magic use, this man.

“Now, let’s really go in.”

I nodded and held onto Reus’s arm tightly.

As we entered the greenhouse, Duke Leyvian, who was officiating today, announced loudly.

“The bride and groom are entering. Let’s welcome them with warm applause.”

As he spoke, white rose petals began to flutter down inside the greenhouse. I wasn’t sure if it was magic or some installed mechanism, but the sight was enchanting enough to mesmerize everyone, not just me.

I felt an intense gaze from somewhere and turned my head to find… my former fiancé and the male protagonist of this novel, Casien.

‘I didn’t expect Casien to attend the wedding…’

He was too far away for me to see his expression clearly or to guess why he had attended the wedding amidst all the rumors. However, I wasn’t particularly bothered by it.

After our last encounter in the Ibel garden, I realized how trivial I had been to Casien and how lightly he had taken me. Any residual affection had disappeared.

‘Good. It’s better this way.’

If I had left for Beliata with any lingering feelings, I might have missed him occasionally. But having seen the end of our relationship, I felt relieved that we would no longer be entangled.