With her eyes meeting the Duke’s, Rose smiled awkwardly.

“It was fantastic.”

If there were a video, she would want to record it and watch it over and over again. Now she wouldn’t have to see Eric’s arrogant face anymore.

Without even imagining that Eric would cling to her later, Rose enjoyed the present moment.

Meanwhile, in the temple, a feast was in full swing.
Eric and Belial faced each other. However, Eric seemed unable to focus on the wedding. He gazed at Belial without concentration, lost in his own thoughts.

‘Is he thinking about his former wife?’

Even though he came as a substitute for the real viscount’s daughter, Belial felt awkward witnessing Eric’s disinterest.

‘Viscount instructed the Marquess to make a good impression…’

Belial sighed involuntarily at Eric’s lack of interest in her.

“Viscount Wens, will you accept Belial as your bride, the adopted daughter of Marquess Dicar?”

Eric’s eyes turned towards Belial. His deep amber eyes were coldly set.

“Ahem.”

With Eric remaining silent, the officiant prompted him with a meaningful look, urging him to respond.

Nevertheless, Eric kept his mouth shut, staring at Belial with eyes devoid of any emotion.

“Eric, Eric?”

Teresia, sitting in front, urgently called out to Eric. She seemed worried that Eric might ruin the barely accomplished marriage.

He glanced briefly at Teresia calling him. The bandaged right hand still showed traces of blood.

The venue buzzed with murmurs. People whispered, watching him standing still without any response.

Viscount Dicar and his wife wore displeased expressions at Eric’s demeanor. It seemed like they shared Teresia’s concern that he might not respond.

“Surely, he won’t ruin the marriage like this, will he?”

As Viscount Dicar’s wife whispered to the viscount, he growled in response.

“Stop with the unnecessary words. Even if he’s Viscount Wens, I won’t stand for anyone mocking Marquess Dicar.”

In the midst of anxiety and worry, Eric finally grumbled and opened his mouth.

“……Yes.”

Fortunately, it seemed he had no intention of fleeing the wedding. The officiant nodded and directed the same question to Belial.

“Will Marquess Dicar’s adopted daughter Belial accept Viscount Wens as her groom?”

“Yes.”

Unlike Eric, Belial’s response was swift. The officiant declared in front of the guests.

“The two who love each other have sworn their vows before God. With this, I announce the completion of their marriage.”

With the officiant’s words, applause echoed from the guests. The venue was truly festive.

The orchestra began to play a majestic piece, and lovely ladies, including young flower girls, showered the bride and groom with flowers.

Traditionally, the two should have shared a kiss, but Eric did not lean in for a kiss with Belial.

While Eric, Teresia, and Viscount Dicar and his wife held toasts, the atmosphere in the venue was celebratory, whether the love between the two was genuine or not.

Instead of a vow exchange kiss, Eric extended his hand. Belial hesitated for a moment but eventually took Eric’s hand, swaying slightly.
They walked the long virgin road, receiving blessings from the people. Belial, in response to those cheering for her, gave a grateful smile.

Eric and Belial now had to leave for their honeymoon together. In front of the temple, a splendidly adorned white carriage awaited them.

Eric, without escorting Belial, boarded the carriage first. Belial, struggling with her cumbersome dress, climbed aboard with difficulty.

Belial’s expression stiffened quickly as she got on the carriage. Contrary to her expectations that only Eric would be riding, there was another person inside the carriage.

It was Doana.

It wasn’t just Belial who was surprised. Eric also had a quite astonished expression upon seeing Doana.

“Why are you here?”

Doana glanced briefly at Belial behind Eric. Then, with a mocking smile, she grabbed Eric’s arm as if boasting.

“You said you were going to the South. I want to go too.”

“Why would you go on our honeymoon?”

Despite Eric’s firm voice, Doana, trembling, continued speaking.

“I won’t disturb you two. I just want to get some fresh air. Can’t I go too?”

Of course, it was a lie. Doana planned to prevent the two from consummating their marriage on the first night.

When Eric remained silent, Doana used her child as leverage to speak.

“Traveling is said to be good for prenatal education. Please think positively for our child, Eric.”

‘A child?’

Belial, shocked by the unknown fact, looked at Doana. Perhaps sensing her gaze, Doana’s smirk became even more pronounced.

“I had a new dress made for this occasion… It would be a shame to enter like this.”

It was an audacious attitude. Joining a honeymoon trip with a government official.

“Are you coming along, right?”

Doana swung her tail lightly and clung to Eric’s arm. Belial, experiencing a situation she had never encountered before, couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

“It’s a honeymoon, but you’re not thinking of taking the government with you, are you?”

Who brings a government official on a honeymoon trip?

Even if Eric didn’t have any feelings for her, this was unacceptable.

At that moment, Doana muttered as if talking to herself. Of course, it was intended for Eric to hear.

“I had a new dress made for this occasion… It would be a shame to enter like this.”

When the dress story came up, Eric flinched. Despite Doana’s malicious intent in bringing up that story, in Eric’s eyes, Doana looked pitiable.

“If my wife says to get off, I’ll get off…”

Doana mumbled, pretending to be reluctant, while twirling her fingers.

Thinking of the Doana who was so happy until yesterday, looking forward to her wedding, Belial felt an unexpected sense of sympathy.

‘…She probably thought it was her own wedding.’

Switching her mood to this extent was alright.
Eric glanced at Doana beside him.

“All right, let’s go together.”

Eric decisively spoke without even asking for Belial’s opinion.

“Haha! As expected, our Viscount!”

Doana happily embraced Eric as if she were about to jump. It seemed like she was flaunting her relationship with Eric in front of Belial, who had become the Viscountess.

“Viscount, even if it’s like this, for the honeymoon…”

Belial expressed her displeasure towards Eric, but he ignored it as if he hadn’t heard.

“Don’t be so obstinate. Nothing will harm you.”

Facing Belial with a cold attitude, Eric’s demeanor made Doana’s smile involuntarily widen.

Doana spoke to Belial with an arrogant smile.

“Relax, sister, let’s get along as if we’re siblings. We’ll have to face each other in the mansion from now on.”

She subtly dropped hints to Belial, alluding to their future encounters in the mansion.

Thinking that a newly turned twenty-year-old Viscountess wouldn’t be a worthy opponent, she slyly added.

The carriage departed to the south with Eric, Doana, and Belial on board.

It was a strange honeymoon trip that no one had heard of.