The grand temple’s ceremonial hall was packed with guests.

To the left of the red carpet stretching to the altar stood knights in uniform, while to the right were mages in formal attire.

Adding to the abundance were nobles who had connections or personal ties with both families.

The hall buzzed with chatter as people gathered in small groups before the ceremony.

“Seeing all these knights crowded together, I feel like I can smell their sweat.”

“Look at those swords on their hips. How uncivilized and barbaric to bring weapons to an occasion like this.”

“Those pale-faced bookworms must really stay cooped up in their rooms all day.”

“Tsk tsk, no wonder they lack social skills and end up causing trouble.”

Knights and mages, who rarely interacted, scrutinized each other and gossiped. Disapproving glances were exchanged.

This soon led to talk about today’s newlyweds.

“I heard Arasila said she’s not quitting the magic tower even after marriage. What is she thinking?”

“I don’t know, hopefully she won’t regret marrying a knight later.”

“She called me stupid for having pasta for brains, but turns out she’s the one being stupid about her own life.”

Sally and Rudy, who attended their respected senior’s wedding, glared sharply at those badmouthing Arasila.

Recognizing them as Arasila’s direct juniors, the gossipers fell silent.

“This is so annoying. What do they know about our senior to talk like that?”

“Calm down, Sally. Remember, senior told us not to fight with people who lack basic judgment. We’d just become stupid like them.”

As Rudy tried to soothe the fuming Sally, a similar situation unfolded on the groom’s side.

“How on earth did Lord Vandermir fall in love with a mage?”

“You know Hugo’s second daughter was famous for her beauty. Turns out he’s also someone who judges by looks.”

“Heh, he doesn’t seem to know pretty women don’t last long. Hope he doesn’t end up like Lord Ritterson.”

The snickering knights soon sensed a murderous aura and turned around.

Isaac, vice-captain of the Red Hawk Knights, and Colin, Demian’s aide, stood there with cold expressions.

“Who dares to carelessly wag their tongue about the captain of the Red Hawk Knights?”

“Indeed. Loose lips on such a joyous day? Watch your mouth if you don’t want to get hurt.”

As Isaac flashed his eyes in warning, the knights quickly bowed their heads and left.

Watching their cowardly retreat, Isaac clicked his tongue.

“Tch, idiots. They can’t even speak properly in front of the captain.”

“We’ll have to keep a close eye to make sure no fools cause trouble.”

Colin said, pushing up his slipping glasses. Isaac nodded in agreement.

There was still plenty of time before the wedding ceremony began.

Arasila’s wedding dress was an off-shoulder ball gown adorned with diamonds and lace.

With her curly hair neatly arranged and a tiara holding her veil in place, she sat beautifully in the bridal waiting room.

“Sob, our daughter is really getting married…”

The duke gazed at Arasila with teary eyes, choking up. The duchess lightly smacked her husband’s back.

“If you cry now, what will you do later?”

“But I can’t help the tears, May.”

“You’ve always been such a crybaby.”

With a resigned look, the duchess took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed her husband’s eyes.

If it weren’t for that handsome face that perfectly matched her taste, she wouldn’t have fallen for a man’s tears.

“Stop crying, Ned. You’ll cry again later anyway, so maintain some dignity now.”

“Alright. Can you hold my hand instead? I think I won’t cry if I’m holding your hand.”

“Honestly, where does this grown man get off acting cute.”

Despite her words, the duchess’s lips were already curled up in a smile, and she was tenderly holding her husband’s hand.

Leaving their parents to their sudden display of affection in their daughter’s waiting room, the siblings gathered.

“Sis, congratulations on your marriage.”

Adrian, who took after his father in being easily moved to tears, offered his congratulations with glistening eyes. Arasila gently stroked her brother’s cheek.

“Thank you, Ad. You look very handsome today.”

Arasila smiled softly, finding her little brother adorable with his hair slicked back with pomade and dressed neatly, just like when Demian had visited the duke’s residence.

Her gaze soon fell on her sister standing behind her brother.

“I’m already worried about how boring it’ll be without you, Ari.”

“I’ll visit home often. You’re welcome to come see me at the magic tower anytime.”

The sisters held hands with wistful expressions. It felt empty to be living apart now after spending their whole lives together like twins.

Arasila stood up and exchanged hugs with each family member in turn. Though she knew they would divorce later, somehow this moment still felt touching.

Knock knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the bridal waiting room door. The person who appeared in the open doorway was Frederick.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Surprised by his sudden appearance, the Hugo ducal family straightened up and greeted him.

Frederick nodded slightly with a faint smile.

“I’d like to speak with Arasila for a moment. Could you give us some privacy?”

The duchess hesitated, unsure if it was alright to leave her daughter alone with another man right before her wedding. Noticing this, Frederick spoke again.

“It will be very brief. I just want to say a final farewell as a friend.”

“…Very well. Please, have your conversation.”

The Hugo ducal family knew the two had been close friends since their academy days. So leaving them alone shouldn’t be a big issue.

As the ducal family left, the bridal waiting room instantly became quiet.

Frederick slowly walked up to stand in front of Arasila. For some reason, he seemed to have lost weight since she last saw him.

“I thought you wouldn’t come, Frederick.”

Despite sending a gift and letter, there had been no contact from Frederick since the ball.

Arasila had no idea why he was angry, so she had no choice but to leave him be. She needed to know the reason to make amends.

“Did you hope I wouldn’t come?”

“How could I? You’re my friend.”

Frederick laughed dryly and rubbed his face. His usually bright red eyes seemed somehow dimmed today.

“Me too, Arasila. How could I not come to my friend’s wedding.”

“You seemed angry for no reason. But did you go on a diet or something? Why have you gotten so thin?”

Even Arasila, the bride, hadn’t dieted, yet Frederick looked as if he had done it in her place.

He also looked like someone who had been through emotional turmoil.

“Arasila.”

“Yes?”

“No matter what happens, I won’t let you go.”

Frederick said with a serious expression. Arasila tilted her head at his words, which sounded not just abrupt but downright strange.

It’s not like she was hanging off a cliff or something, so why was he suddenly talking about not letting go?

“I still regret your marriage, but… I won’t push you away over something like this.”

“What on earth are you talking about, Frederick?”

Arasila frowned as her friend kept saying incomprehensible things. But Frederick continued speaking with the same serious expression.

“Arasila, someday you’ll regret this marriage.”

“I won’t regret it, you know?”

“We’ll know for sure when the time comes. If you do end up regretting it, come find me.”

Frederick reached out and lightly brushed Arasila’s hair.

“Even if you end up stuck in the mud, I’ll gladly extend my hand to you.”

“Yeah, thanks for being so loyal, but you know you’re saying some really unpleasant things right now, right?”

Arasila gently pushed away his hand. No matter how she thought about it, this didn’t seem like something to say to a friend who was getting married.

Frederick looked quietly at his pushed-away hand, then smiled faintly. It seemed like his usual gentle smile, but there was a subtle difference.

“I’m sorry if I upset you.”

“I’ll let it slide just this once.”

“Mm, thanks. Congratulations on your marriage, Arasila. I’ll be going now.”

After taking one last look at Arasila in her wedding dress, Frederick slowly left the waiting room.

Arasila, not seeing how his expression turned cold as he turned away, was simply perplexed.

What’s wrong with him, seriously, ever since last time.

The Vandermir ducal family arrived at the grand temple’s ceremonial hall.

Though they would have preferred not to attend, even the Grand Duchess had to come up from the duchy due to public scrutiny.

The Grand Duchess, who had pushed aside the Duchess to stand next to the Duke, frowned as she surveyed the wedding venue. With her graying hair neatly tied up, she was a stern-looking elderly lady.

“Getting married in a place far above his station.”

“That’s exactly what I was saying, Mother.”

The Duchess, standing behind the Grand Duchess, quickly agreed to curry favor.

“Demian still doesn’t seem to understand that overreaching leads to trouble.”

“Hmph, he spent all but seven years of his life gallivanting outside the family. How could he have learned anything?”

The Grand Duchess muttered quietly, almost glaring at those wearing the Red Hawk Knights’ uniforms.

“Only trying to get in his father’s way. An ungrateful brat.”

“I know. Just look at how he’s forcing this marriage that he opposed.”

While his mother was busy agreeing with his grandmother, Oscar secretly yawned and rolled his eyes.

Hmm, to get to the bridal waiting room, I need to go that way.

Having roughly figured out the route, he whispered to the Duchess.

“I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”

The Duchess, focused on appeasing the Grand Duchess, just nodded vaguely. Having deceived his mother with a lie, Oscar hummed as he headed straight for the bridal waiting room.

He planned to start implementing his scheme to seduce Arasila and steal her from Demian right away.

Arriving at the slightly open door of the bridal waiting room, Oscar peeked inside.

He saw Arasila standing with downcast eyes, wearing a pure white wedding dress and bathed in sunlight streaming through the window.

The sight reminded Oscar of a saint from a masterpiece painting, making his heart race.

‘Indeed, it’s too much of a waste to give up such a beauty to Demian.’

With a smirk, he pushed open the door and loudly cleared his throat as he entered. Arasila slowly turned her head to look at him.

…What the.

Arasila’s brow furrowed as she identified the uninvited intruder in the waiting room.

Why is this person here?

Her blue eyes, scrutinizing Oscar as he waved shamelessly in greeting, were full of wariness and displeasure.

Oscar Vandermir was a budding traitor with a very dark future ahead and the culprit who drove Iris to her death, so she absolutely could not view him favorably.

“What brings you here? I don’t recall inviting you in, Young Master.”