It was a wedding ceremony that not only had never been seen anywhere before, but also one that would certainly never be seen again even if one lived for hundreds more years.

Not only the indecent black ceremonial dress, but even the groom carrying the bride while walking down the virgin road.

Perhaps because of that, Elaina’s face stung from the pouring gazes.

“……”

Elaina, held in Sinclair’s arms, lifted her head to examine his face.

Even now as they were walking, people were still unable to contain their shock.

Or they were looking at them with expressions of disbelief, but Sinclair’s face looked as calm as ever, no different from usual.

…Could it be because he’s someone who’s received such stares far more often than I have, so he’s used to it? Because it’s such a natural thing for him.

“Enjoy it.”

Suddenly, Sinclair spoke in a low voice, almost whispering.

“Everyone is looking at you, aren’t they? So put on an expression to match.”

I already know that. But it’s not something I can control at will. While grumbling to herself, she had such thoughts.

If I show signs of being intimidated here, it might cause trouble for Sinclair. That’s probably why he’s saying such things.

But the words Sinclair uttered next were completely unexpected to Elaina.

“I’m the one who has Eden Bell’s scoundrel in the palm of my hand, to the point where he doesn’t even have to walk. Smile confidently like that.”

“…What?”

“You’re too precious to just be nervous.”

You saw yourself in the mirror, didn’t you? How you look right now. Sinclair said with a grin.

“So enjoy it to your heart’s content. People’s gazes aren’t directed at your damaged legs, but are captivated by your beauty.”

Only then did Elaina realize for certain.

The fact that Sinclair was going to the trouble of carrying her in was his consideration, having noticed her heart that would be secretly intimidated on its own.

Not just for show.

“I understand.”

So Elaina replied in a small voice, as if in return for his thoughtfulness.

“Whether I’m called a scoundrel or a noble royal that everyone should emulate… the misunderstanding that I’ve ensnared such a beautiful man isn’t so bad.”

“Is the word ‘beautiful’ usually applied to men?”

I prefer to be called handsome.

At this uncharacteristically serious mumbling, Elaina couldn’t help but smile.

“‘Handsome’ just refers to appearance, but ‘beautiful’ encompasses the atmosphere a person exudes and their overall image. It could be considered a greater compliment.”

“I see, that’s why I said it. You are truly beautiful today.”

For a moment, Elaina’s cheeks turned slightly red, and Sinclair, who noticed this with uncanny perception, laughed softly.

“No matter how much of a scoundrel I am, I’m not so thick-headed as to not know what ‘beautiful’ means. How disappointing, Elaina Aswald.”

Elaina turned her head away deliberately while taking in his joke. Partly because she’d been caught blushing, but also because if she kept listening to Sinclair like this, she felt she might end up laughing like a madwoman.

“……”

Elaina’s gaze turned to the nobles seated in their places. Although the royals weren’t in attendance, surprisingly, quite a number of nobles had come.

There might be those who came out of curiosity to see if that Sinclair Butler was really taking the crippled Elaina as his bride, and there might also be those who share Sinclair’s intentions.

Elaina smiled brightly towards them on purpose.

Unlike before, without being intimidated at all, with an exceptionally beautiful face.

…Of course, she was secretly feeling awkward on her own.

“This is quite a special wedding, Sir Sinclair.”

As they finally reached the end of the virgin road, they were greeted by the priest officiating the ceremony.

Since all temples align with the imperial family, I thought someone else would be officiating…

I had even heard from Schuler before.

The current high priest of Eden Bell is a highly respected figure, but in fact, he’s Hister’s closest aide… Then is this person, despite being a priest, actually Sinclair’s closest aide? Elaina wore a slightly surprised expression.

“In many ways, indeed.”

“Wasn’t I always a very special existence in Eden Bell to begin with? Everyone gathered here already knows that. Shouldn’t I live up to those expectations?”

Some nobles burst into laughter at Sinclair’s words, while others hardened their faces. As if they thought it was blasphemous.

But Sinclair continued speaking as if nothing was amiss.

“Let’s proceed like this. I’m surprisingly a scoundrel who cherishes his bride very much, so I don’t want to make her step on dirty ground, Glen.”

“Is that so?”

The priest called Glen answered with a grin.

“Not bad at all. Customs sometimes hold important meanings, but other times they can make people too set in their ways.”

“Yeah. That.”

“As you said, Sir Sinclair, you are a very, very special person in our Eden Bell, so this could be seen as a ceremony befitting you.”

Was there anyone who could say such things to Sinclair’s face?

Elaina wore a slightly surprised expression, but Sinclair replied briefly as if annoyed.

“Yeah. That too.”

“So today, we witness not the birth of a stereotypical sacred couple, but the birth of a special couple, Sinclair Butler and Elaina Aswald. It can be said to be a truly honorable occasion.”

…Is it okay for a priest to say such things?

Elaina thought, and the nobles couldn’t have been thinking any differently. A few cleared their throats and showed signs of displeasure like before, but Glen was smiling brightly on his own, as if unconcerned with others’ reactions.

As expected of someone close to Sinclair. Elaina muttered inwardly.

“Your days together will be as brilliant and splendid as the spring sunshine of today. But the happiness that comes from ordinary life always stems from mutual trust!”

Glen continued speaking, paying no heed.

“This ceremony is to announce that you two have become husband and wife. At the same time, it is also a place to reaffirm how much you trust each other, and to make sincere vows.”

“……”

“So, make your promise in front of everyone.”

Unlike just before, Glen spoke in a serious voice.

“Sinclair Butler, do you promise to take Elaina Aswald as your wife, to love and cherish her unchangingly for life?”

At last, Sinclair’s gaze turned to Elaina held in his arms.

Then and now, Elaina, the only person filling his golden eyes, was still beautiful, and still shining alone. Even if she herself might not have realized that fact.

…The symbol of my guilt.

Therefore, a ghost that endlessly chased after me, but once my shining sun, a benefactor who allowed me to spend even a brief moment of happiness,

The period of my youth. The person who helped me go from being a pitiful crown prince who was always under threat, to bearing the label of Sinclair the scoundrel.

I will always be a sinner deserving death before you.

“Sinclair, answer.”

Glen’s voice quietly settled in Sinclair’s ear.

But Sinclair’s gaze remained fixed on Elaina.

…After a year passes, I will let you go. Before you know everything.

Before you know that Sinclair Butler is Ren, whom you still resent.

So that you don’t come to resent even the current me…

But Sinclair uttered an answer completely different from his own heart,

No, perhaps it might be the same, but one he might not be aware of himself.

“Yes.”

Golden eyes filled with the beautiful Elaina rippled like waves along with countless emotions.

“I promise and vow to love Elaina Aswald unchangingly for life, to cherish her, and to always be her comfort……”

“……”

“…I promise and swear.”

I already know it all. The fact that our relationship is nothing but a contract. So Sinclair couldn’t have taken me to heart, and I know he won’t in the future either.

Why does that sound so sincere to me? The tips of Elaina’s fingers, wrapped around Sinclair’s neck, trembled slightly.

“Elaina Aswald, do you promise to take Sinclair Butler as your husband, to love and cherish him unchangingly for life… and to never leave his side no matter what happens?”

Elaina’s blue eyes wavered briefly for a moment. It was because of Glen’s words, which seemed to know something.

“……”

Elaina, just as Sinclair had done earlier, looked at his face silently, very calmly.

The only path I could choose.

The person who came like an accident and helped me when the whole world turned its back on me.

Such a thankful man.

“Yes.”

“……”

“I swear to love and cherish Sinclair Butler unchangingly for life, and to stay with him no matter what happens.”

We will become strangers after a year.

But I will never be able to forget you for the rest of my life, even after we part.

Then, even if we’re not together, it would be being together in itself.

Even if it’s just my own feelings.

“With this, I declare Sinclair Butler and Elaina Aswald husband and wife.”

As Glen’s words ended, the sound of people’s applause could be heard. Glen also smiled brightly as he looked at the couple.

But Sinclair and Elaina continued to look at each other with expressions full of countless emotions. For a very long time.