The entire ducal residence was opened for today.

A structure closer to a fortress than a mansion, with a vast estate spread out.

Guests who entered beyond the massive, antique main gate couldn’t stop marveling as they looked around.

“So this is the famous Heigenberg ducal residence.”

“My… how splendidly antique it is.”

While nobles with passes could enter and exit the imperial palace, the same wasn’t true for ducal residences.

Thus, the guests scrutinized everything in sight as if visiting a museum.

Among them, the main hall where the ceremony was taking place was as majestic as a small temple.

Overwhelmed by the scale and splendor of each decoration, the guests sat down quietly and whispered.

“Look, there’s even an orchestra.”

“The variety of instruments is impressive. I wonder how rich a wedding march they’ll play?”

Some guests recognized the faces of the orchestra members and exchanged whispers.

“The violinist in front, I saw him at Lopez House before. I remember him because his face is cute.”

“Oh my. That cellist, isn’t he the top graduate from Ende Art Academy?”

Dong, dong, dong.

As the clock tower struck the hour, the orchestra began playing the wedding march.

While the guests marveled at the impressively rich performance, the main characters appeared.

“…Ah.”

The guests let out a soft exclamation.

Walking down the wedding aisle was a couple as beautiful as a painting.

A man as beautiful as a prince in a masterpiece escorted his bride, walking out with composure.

Those who turned to look at the bride opened their eyes wide.

The platinum blonde hair wrapped in a veil as transparent as butterfly wings sparkled like crushed opal under the sunlight, and the features filling her small face were elegant and refined.

The wedding dress spread out below her straight neckline was dazzling, as if hundreds of tiny diamonds had been sewn in to scatter fragments of light.

The necklace adorning the bride’s collarbone and the tiara placed on top of the veil also boasted an extraordinary size and delicate craftsmanship.

No one could take their eyes off that sight.

Not only was the bride’s beauty stunning, but just imagining how many carats were draped over that delicate body was dizzying.

Evelyn dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

‘Ah. Today is the best day.’

Seeing her masterpiece, which she had poured days and nights into, shining so beautifully on the bride’s body, tears of emotion flowed naturally.

Next to Evelyn, the craftsman who was in charge of Ariana’s accessories, including the tiara, was also covering his mouth with a face immersed in emotion.

As the two stood in front of the wedding arch, the officiant began reciting the marriage vows.

“Does the groom swear to love and cherish the bride forever?”

Dante turned to look at Ariana with a deep smile on his lips.

“Yes. Gladly.”

The officiant smiled contentedly and then turned to the bride.

A bit of tension crept into the corners of the officiant’s wrinkled eyes.

“Then does the bride swear to love and cherish the groom forever?”

Silence swept over the guests.

No one was unaware of what answer this beautiful bride had given at the wedding a month ago.

After a very brief silence, the bride finally opened her lips.

“Yes. I swear.”

A soft but clear answer was heard.

The officiant nodded and raised his voice.

“I hereby declare that these two have become a complete couple.”

Clap clap clap clap!

Noisy applause filled the hall.

A large hand turned Ariana’s shoulders.

Ariana looked blankly at the face approaching her for the oath’s kiss.

“Don’t forget. Ariana.”

He whispered just before their lips met.

“You walked in here on your own feet.”

There was no time to give an answer.

Feeling her lips being swallowed, Ariana squeezed her eyes shut.

The second time was no different from the first.

It was equally unfamiliar and equally dizzying.

Dong, dong!

The bells announcing the marriage rang out.

The following reception was elegant and extravagant beyond measure.

A soprano standing in front of the orchestra began to sing a congratulatory song.

− At the beginning of winter, I finally realized.

“Oh, that singer is the one who sang at Madeleine Square last time…”

People who recognized Rosalyn and were glad to see her soon opened their eyes wide.

Rosalyn’s tone was just as beautiful as before, but the melody she was singing was somewhat strange.

The scale composed only of whole tones was dreamy and oddly melancholic.

Although it was a completely different atmosphere from a traditional congratulatory song, no one could complain.

The dreamy music soon began to change its rhythm.

‘It’s a completely new form.’

All listeners could tell.

That the one who created this piece had created a new realm of music.

The mire of depression and despair, then the confusion of encountering a new scene afterwards, and finally the joy of embracing change after accepting it.

Isn’t it as if it captured the narrative of how the bride and groom came together after many twists and turns?

The guests marveled at how a single piece could clearly contain such a diverse range of emotional changes.

“But what kind of musical form is this?”

“I don’t know. It’s my first time hearing it too…”

“Have you heard that story? Lady Ariana, no, she’s the Duchess now. They say the Duchess has a talent for composing.”

“Huh? Composing, not flower arranging or singing?”

While painting, flower arranging, and playing instruments were commonly encouraged hobbies for noble ladies, composing was not.

Composing was a field that required extensive artistic expertise.

How could a mere woman take up a field that required mastering complex harmonics as a hobby?

“Ho ho. A lady with quite unique hobbies, I see.”

“No, it’s not just a hobby level. Haven’t you heard that ‘The Mistress’s Aria’ was also composed by the Duchess?”

“Well, I’ve heard of it, but…”

“There’s a rumor that this music was also composed by the Duchess herself.”

“Ho ho, you’re saying some interesting things.”

Some listened with interest, but others laughed it off.

‘No matter what, how could a woman who didn’t even attend art school create such special music.’

‘Do they really believe such nonsense? Hmm. They must be pretending to believe to get on the good side of the Duke and Duchess.’

“No matter what, how can a woman compose? Moreover, the Duchess has never even attended an art school.”

A man with a mustache finally couldn’t hold back and delivered a sharp rebuke.

A lady expressed her displeasure at the tone that left no room for argument.

“Is there a law that says it’s absolutely impossible just because she’s a woman? I hear women can freely release songs in the Ende Kingdom.”

“Well, Ende Kingdom is quite… let’s say, free-spirited.”

“But…”

The mustached man shrugged and said.

“Don’t get too excited, Lady. If the Duchess really had the skills to create that piece just now entirely, by herself…”

Emphasizing ‘entirely’ and ‘by herself’, the man smirked.

“She’ll surely present her work at the upcoming Founding Day Festival.”

Although there was an untimely argument, the reception continued smoothly afterwards.

In the midst of enjoying the banquet and fruit wine to their heart’s content, one guest opened her eyes wide.

She doubted her eyesight and blinked a few times with her handkerchief, but the face she saw in the distance remained unchanged.

“Good heavens!”

“It’s Elena Lopez.”

“My goodness, with what face did she…”

“Was she invited?”

“Surely not.”

“Then who on earth dared to bring that woman?”

Amidst the murmurs tinged with shock, Elena took a step forward.

“Sister.”

Elena opened her lips, carefully tinted rose-pink, and said.

“You’re so beautiful. Congratulations on your marriage. You must be happy.”