Aidan’s touch slowly approached Brody.

In his hand was an ice crystal bracelet he had previously given to Brody. It was a redundant process since she had already received it.

Swoosh. A distinct warmth radiated from Aidan’s hand as it grazed Brody’s.

Was it her imagination? His fingertips seemed slightly tremulous.

A tingling sensation enveloped her entire body from the point of light contact.

She was immensely relieved that her ceremonial robe was designed for winter.

Clang. Only after the bracelet settled on her arm was Brody able to exhale.

Now it was Brody’s turn.

The token for the vow was a pre-given emerald gemstone flower, Gemfior.

Brody took a step towards him and raised her arm high.

“It seemed like a bracelet might be inconvenient, so I tried making it into a necklace.”

Upon hearing that, Aidan bent his upper body forward.

As their faces aligned, Brody’s temple grazed his cheek.

His clean, soft scent and body heat, higher than Brody’s own, overwhelmed her.

As her hand moved past his head to rest around his neck, it trembled with a strange tension.

Could he be… a little excited by this sham of a wedding ceremony?

Considering both had blushed when they first met in their ceremonial clothes, it was likely.

The awkward yet intensely emotional vow exchange was complete.

Looking at the crude craftsmanship of the Gemfior hanging around his neck, Brody spoke.

“I had to hastily find an artisan to complete it, so it’s a bit rough. I’ll make sure to do it right next time.”

The Gemfior, crudely affixed to a gold ring and a leather string, left her somewhat disappointed.

When she expressed her embarrassment, Aidan unintentionally grinned and did not stop there. He lifted the necklace and kissed the Gemfior.

“This is enough.”

“……!”

At that gesture, Brody’s face flushed as if a wine glass was being filled.

But she was not the only one to blush.

The guests also seemed somewhat surprised, blushing in turn.

Especially Mrs. Murphy and Teddy.

“Love does change people.”

Even the ice-cold, once-unmeltable Grand Duke!

“Well, he did go as far as abandoning everything to find her, so that says it all.”

Until now, they had honestly thought Aidan brought her here for strategic reasons rather than love.

Considering the normal Aidan, that would make sense. It was something he executed in agreement with Chief of Staff River.

But looking at him today…

“Maybe it really is all about love,” they thought.

Ignoring the plight of a guest who was supposed to catch the bouquet, the wedding ceremony came to a successful close.

Contrary to what Latua worried, he managed the ceremony quite skillfully.

With the power of the officiating clergyman and the seals of the witnesses, Mrs. Murphy and Teddy, on the marriage vow, the formal ceremony was complete.

“So this is how it gets validated.”

Brody repeatedly touched the symbol on the vow that sparkled with its own light.

“Alright, shall we change and move to the banquet hall?”

Teddy clapped, suggesting the next item on the schedule, apparently satisfied with enjoying the afterglow of the wedding.

A secret wedding and yet a banquet was prepared?

Yes. The banquet was actually a ‘Welcome Party for Brody.’

Since even before entering the fortress, it had been a long-planned surprise. Had it not been for the earlier uproar in front of the fortress, it would have been a grand success. She couldn’t refuse because of him (and the people of the North).

“Although it’s a welcome party for the lady, let’s consider it a secret celebration party for our wedding. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, could it?”
People smiled, but Aidan still looked displeased.

‘Probably because of what I said yesterday. Not to get too involved with the Northerners?’

Your Highness, don’t worry too much. I’ll manage to keep a moderate involvement with the North.

Brody offered Aidan a reassuring smile, but seeing his still worried expression, it seemed to have no effect.

‘What can you do? There’s no solution.’

As she thought this and was about to go prepare, Adonia approached her with a grin.

“Give it to me, ma’am.”

It wasn’t hard to grasp what he was asking for.

He was pointing at the ‘marriage pledge.’

Brody looked puzzled, but Adonia kindly explained as he took the pledge.

“You’ll receive the blessing tonight at the ceremony, and after confirmation the next morning, the final symbol of the clergy will be added. Only then will you be officially recognized as a married couple.”

“…….”

What? Blessing at the ceremony?

Confirmation the next morning?

Brody stared blankly at the marriage pledge slipping out of her hand.

‘I can’t believe it. I didn’t know.’

‘Original Brody’ had no memory of this because she hadn’t been properly looked after in the Duke’s house. All she had seen was the ‘wedding ceremony.’ No one had been there to inform her, so she had thought that was the end of it.

‘This isn’t the issue right now.’

Brody’s mind began to whirl.

Around five in the afternoon.

Darkness fell early in the winter of the North.