“Why are they all flocking here when it’s not even a national event?”

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

“No…! I’m really fine. Please don’t worry too much…. I’m just so grateful and sorry that you’re here beside me.”

“There’s nothing to be grateful or sorry for, Roel. I’m doing all of this because I want to. If it helped, I’m the one who’s really grateful.”

Shanette lamented that it might have been a bit better if Roel’s family was beside her at a time like this, but I was actually grateful that the reception area and the bridal waiting room were very far apart.

If Feria was here because of that……

‘It’s horrible to even think about.’

It was clear even without imagining how much she would have found fault with trivial things. No matter what I did, she would have found a flaw.

Would Feria have hit me even on my wedding day if things went wrong?

‘She probably wouldn’t inflict big wounds considering the wedding night, but……’

Somehow, it was decided that I would enter together with Reus, and Shanette seemed to be even more concerned about me, perhaps because of that.

After all, starting from today, I have to live in the Grand Duchy castle, so she probably wants me to spend even those small moments with my family.

“Roel. It’ll be okay. Come on, shall we try breathing slowly?”

“Yes……”

And then, the door opened and Reus entered.

As expected, Reus had a face that was no different from usual.

‘How can that person be the same as always even in this situation?’

Since he’s a person who hardly shows any change in emotions, sometimes I wonder if Reus being in pain in the Forest of Tranquility was actually a dream.

Of course, this was one of those moments.

“It’s already time to enter the ceremony hall. Then I’ll get going now, Reus. Roel is very nervous, so you’ll have to lead her well.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Roel. See you later then. Don’t be too nervous.”

With Shanette’s encouragement, only Reus and I were left in the bridal waiting room.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes… a little….”

“It won’t take as long as you think.”

Soon Reus reached out his hand towards me.

‘That’s right. It’ll be over quickly. Don’t tremble too much.’

This is just part of the contract. Act calmly like that man.

I grasped Reus’ hand.

We left the bridal waiting room and walked through the short garden leading to the glass greenhouse.

Unlike Feria’s garden, which was filled with all kinds of rare flowers in full bloom, the garden was filled only with white roses. Because of that, it exuded an elegant atmosphere.

‘It’s very well maintained.’

Even with a rough glance, it was clear that it wasn’t hastily maintained for the wedding, but had been carefully managed for a long time. That made my heart heavy again.

‘Is it really okay for me to marry Reus in a place like this……’

Reus says he doesn’t place much importance on marriage, so it doesn’t matter, but…. No matter how much I think about it, I’m concerned.

I heard that Reus always comes here when his thoughts become complicated.

Lost in thought like that, I was heading to the greenhouse when Reus suddenly stopped walking.

“You think too much.”

“Ah… yes. I’m sorry. I was too absorbed in my own thoughts.”

“I didn’t say that for you to apologize. But it’s a wedding, so it might be better to hide that expression.”

I was about to apologize out of habit, but then I remembered what Reus had said in the carriage on the way back to the Grand Duchy castle.

So instead of apologizing, I quickly erased my thoughts and put on a bright smile.

But not long after I put on the smile, my expression crumbled again. It was because of the scene inside the glass greenhouse, not far away.

‘There are so many people…?’

I had prepared myself to some extent, but now that I saw the tightly packed people with my own eyes, the tension started to rise again.

For a moment, my breath caught in my throat, and I hurriedly stopped and grabbed Reus’ arm a bit tightly.

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

Reus just stared at me silently. But suddenly, I felt a warm energy enveloping my body. And as if by magic, I was able to regain my composure in an instant, as if I had never trembled.

“Are you a bit calmer now?”

“…Yes, a little.”

“Verbal comfort doesn’t seem to help much.”

He used magic without warning and then acted as if it was nothing again. Now that I’m a caught fish, he’s not even hiding that he can use magic, this man.

“Now let’s really go in.”

I nodded once and tightly grasped Reus’ arm.

As we entered the glass greenhouse, Viscount Leivian, who was officiating the ceremony today, shouted loudly.

“The bride and groom are entering. Please welcome them with warm applause.”

In tune with the viscount’s voice, white rose petals began to fly inside the glass greenhouse. I don’t know if it was magic or something was installed, but it was a beautiful scene that instantly captivated not only me but also the people.

As I was marching without trembling as much as I thought because people’s gazes were less focused than expected, suddenly I felt a stare from somewhere.

When I turned my head reflexively, there was… Casien, my former fiancé and the male lead of this novel.

‘I didn’t know Casien would attend the wedding….’

The distance was greater than I thought, so I couldn’t see what expression Casien had. So I couldn’t gauge the reason why he attended the wedding amid the noisy rumors.

But it didn’t bother me as much as I thought.

When we last met in the Ivelle garden, I found out how ephemeral I was to Casien and how much he looked down on me, so there was no lingering affection left.

‘Yes. It’s rather fortunate.’

If I had left for Veliata with even a little bit of lingering feelings, I might have missed Casien from time to time.

But I unintentionally saw the end of our relationship, and there will be no more entanglements in the future, so my heart felt lighter instead.

So you too should witness our end with your own eyes and….

‘It wouldn’t be bad to definitely accept that we are truly over now.’

I easily took my gaze off Casien, who was still looking at me, and walked forward.

* * *

“The two of you have made a marriage vow in this place of blessing today, and have formed a marital bond through the declaration of the officiant.”

The ceremony proceeded busily and finally the end was approaching.

‘There’s still the evening party, but….’

It’s fortunate that I can catch my breath until the party starts.

But then, Viscount Leivian continued with a joyful voice.

“Now, lastly, there will be an exchange of vows of love.”

At Viscount Leivian’s words, cheers erupted from here and there.

‘I wasn’t even thinking about it…!’

Here, the vow of love means… the bride and groom kissing while pledging eternity at the wedding. No matter how hectic it is, I had forgotten something that absolutely cannot be missed at an Asilite wedding!

At that moment, Reus made me look at him with a gentle touch.

“If you don’t want to do it, we can skip it. Now, no one can say anything to you.”

It wasn’t a wrong statement, as I was becoming the only Grand Duchess in the empire.

But if the two main characters of the rumors that had stirred up high society skipped a step that others easily do, it was obvious that all kinds of words would come out.

‘Yes…. Let’s not cause harm. It was something I had prepared for.’

Reus had given me advance notice that I might have to do light skinship in front of people. I had signed knowing that I could handle that much.

With a firm resolve, I shook my head so that only Reus could see.

But just because I had made up my mind didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous.

During the 4 years I had been engaged to Casien, I had never even lightly kissed him, and I had never imagined that I would do skinship in front of so many people in my life!

“Roel.”

I thought I couldn’t be more nervous here, but my heart was pounding as if it would burst at any moment. Because of that, I answered first without even knowing what he was saying.

“Yes… Yes, Your Highness.”

“The form of address is wrong.”

Before I could answer, Reus’ lips briefly touched my forehead and then lifted. Then the sound of people’s applause and cheers grew louder.

Naturally, my face heated up immediately. In contrast, Reus still seemed unaffected. Feeling embarrassed for no reason, I spoke in a slightly resentful voice.

“How can Your Highness be so unaffected even in a moment like this…?”

“I said the form of address is wrong.”

“…Yes, Reus. Now it’s….”

This time, Reus’ lips settled on my cheek.

Reus’ breath tickled my cheek, making me unconsciously shrink my shoulders. Then, as if to say not to be nervous, a large hand gently cupped my chin and the back of my neck.

Reus, who had detached his lips from my cheek, whispered softly in my ear.

“We can stop here. People seem to be sufficiently fooled now.”

But the vow of love is only complete when the bride and groom kiss on the lips.

Suppressing the urge to run away immediately, I mustered up great courage and shook my head once more.

Then this time, Reus’ hands cupped my cheeks.

We silently gazed at each other for a moment.

Reus’ eyes seemed to say that there was no way to break our contract with this.

I slowly closed my eyes.

Before I could think of anything, a hot breath settled on my lips.

“Everyone! Please give a roaring cheer of blessing to the Grand Duke Rocheter and his wife, who have become a complete married couple!”