The duke, dressed in formal attire fitting his solid frame, looked even more formidable and majestic than usual.

His bright blue eyes shimmered beneath his prominently exposed forehead.

“Well…”

Caeron chuckled lightly, shaking his head.

If this intense excitement coursing through his veins was nervousness, then it was justifiable.

It felt like he’d been patiently waiting in a trap for a long time, and now, he was about to greet his prey…

He was eager to see how his prey, whom he hadn’t seen for a week, would greet him.

“Your Highness, it’s time.”

Gregory opened the duke’s door to signal him. Caeron nodded lightly and headed to the duchess’s room.

According to wedding customs, after the bride finished her preparations, the groom personally escorted her to the chapel where the ceremony was held.

“His Grace the Duke is here.”

Gregory politely knocked and opened the door to the duchess’s room. Standing by the door, the bride came into Caeron’s view.

The pure white wedding dress flowed down her graceful figure, enveloping her like a freshly bloomed flower bud.

Caeron took a moment to appreciate her breathtaking appearance. A deep smile graced his lips. The woman he had been waiting for exceeded his expectations.

“You look beautiful.”

At his short remark, Idel’s face turned bright red. She had heard this all day from those who had helped her get ready… But hearing it from him made her heart race in an inexplicable way.

‘I’m glad I’m wearing a veil.’

She lowered her eyes under the intensity of his gaze, taking a small sigh of relief. She almost revealed her bashful expression to him.

He slowly approached her. As he got closer, the hand holding the bouquet of lily of the valley that Marilyn had given her with the meaning ‘You’ll undoubtedly be happy’ tightened.

“Your hand.”

He gently took the hand that wasn’t holding the bouquet. It was a hand he had often held for escort purposes, but today, it felt unusually warm.

Whether it was due to her slightly elevated body temperature, the scent coming from her was more pronounced. Holding her trembling hand a bit more tightly, Caeron began to walk with her.

The two, matching their steps, looked like a splendid painting. Their enchanting appearance made everyone watch them in awe.

The same was true for the guests gathered in the chapel. They couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration at the sight of the entering bride and groom.

Of course, there were some with a slightly different reaction.

Lady Fleur, who attended the wedding only to save face thanks to Count Fleur, shook with rage and gritted her teeth at the sight of Idel.
Rozelin, too, burned with jealousy at Idel’s unattainable grace. She glared at her with a sharp, thorny gaze.

Apart from their hostile glances, the grand wedding of the duke’s family proceeded peacefully.

The archbishop of the Jupiter Empire solemnly proclaimed their marital vows.

“In God’s blessing, I declare the marriage of Caeron Roman de Elyos and Idel Fleur.”

With the marriage declaration, the two looked at each other.

Caeron placed the wedding ring, a symbol of their union, on her finger.

Centered around a brilliant green diamond reminiscent of her eyes was the intricately crafted ring bearing the duke’s crest.

This single ring seemed to grant her authority equal to that of the duke, allowing her to make decisions on par with him.

Idel also slipped a male ring, identical in design but different in size, onto his finger.

She took a moment to look at herself and the ring on his hand. Somehow, realizing the new bond connecting them made her heart flutter.

Caeron reached out and gently lifted the veil covering her face.

A freshfaced woman, her cheeks tinted with shyness, was revealed. It was a face he had wanted to see unveiled since he first saw her in the duchess’s chamber.

Past those dewy eyes, reminiscent of damp leaves, his deep gaze settled on her petallike lips.

Contrary to the intensity of his gaze, he leaned in and lightly kissed her lips, as if a butterfly alighted on a petal only to fly away.

She probably didn’t know.

The patience he was barely maintaining, stretched like the string of a stringed instrument ready to snap.

If their kiss had lingered, even with countless guests watching, his overflowing emotions might have become uncontrollable.

Despite the brief, gentle kiss, Idel’s eyes trembled, like leaves swaying in a gentle breeze.

With the duke and duchess’s kiss signaling the end of the ceremony, the ringing of bells filled the air, followed by the applause of the guests.

“Lord Shade, surely you’re not crying?”

Shade was quietly wiping his eyes.

“Cry? Something got into my eye. You, on the other hand, look like you’re about to cry.”

Gregory’s eyes also appeared moist.

“I never thought I’d see such a sight in my life. I even thought while preparing for the wedding, could this be a dream?… This isn’t a dream, right?”

“Don’t worry. I pinched my thigh several times during the ceremony, and it’s reality.”

Shade chuckled and patted Gregory’s shoulder.

“For what it’s worth… I hope His Grace, the duke, will have a good life.”

‘Regardless of a contractual marriage.’

Swallowing those words, Gregory’s gaze, which was capturing the image of the duke and duchess, became unusually serious.

“I hope for the same. He’s been a lonely lad, never knowing what love is.”

Shade nodded vigorously in agreement with Gregory’s heartfelt words.

The duke’s life seemed perfect in every way… but paradoxically, it also seemed utterly empty.

Shade believed the reason was that Caeron had never truly experienced love.

And he clearly saw it. The image of a man hopelessly infatuated with the duchess.

“May the two be happy forever.”

With twinkling eyes and a broad smile, Shade sent a hearty applause of blessing towards the newlyweds.