"Should we comnce the marriage ceremony then?" ca the voice from beside , pulling out of my thoughts as I turned my gaze away from the Empress towards a priest who seed to be from the sole religion of this world, part of the only god who was worshipped and had so monasteries dedicated to him.
"Yes, father," I nodded, taking my position, only to see the confused look on the priest’s face, as well as those of the princess and other servants, who kept looking at .
Initially confused, I later realized that I had just called the priest "father," which was not usual to hear here.
"God is the almighty father of us. So indeed, I just referred to him to bestow blessings upon us as a couple to love each other for eternity," I uttered whatever ca to my mind in an attempt to divert their attention towards my words, which seed to have an effect, as the maids were clearly surprised.
The groom had just confessed himself in front of the bride, who, through those sapphire eyes, kept looking at .
"....." Hearing my words made the priest clearly surprised, along with the princess, who seed not to believe what I had just uttered.
Considering there were very few cultivators who subscribed to any religious belief, given there was no holy energy or anything equivalent in this world—to be considered a miracle.
Indeed, this whole religion was just a bland na without any divine power, unlike what so saints or saintesses possessed to heal soone.
It was simply a na worshipped mostly by non-cultivators who wanted to believe in so form of miracle.
"Wow, I am honored that the Prince has interest in our god?!" Another voice, loud enough to cause to reflexively cover my right ear, screeched, as I turned towards the priest.
A mont ago, he appeared composed and clearly professional; now he had stars in his eyes, as if a child had seen candy, looking at with the gaze of an exhausted man who had thirsted for water in the desert.
’You are an adult man; don’t be this excited,’ I thought, looking at the priest who swiftly grabbed my hand, causing to pull it away.
It was natural for them with a religion I only saw as being believed by weak people who wanted the facade, a na of soone in a higher position.
Given everyone was busy in cultivation, here I was, the soon-to-be husband of a princess, stating that I was a theist and believing in theirs.
But to be honest, I just wanted to cover up that mis-lipped "father" comnt while using it to tell those around in the lower nobility, guests, and maids that I was deeply in love with the Princess.
This was to create an image where I had an advantage in this relationship, where, as per my contract with the princess, if I were to engage in polygamy, people would hardly believe it was due to .
Given how, first, I was weaker than the princess, and second, I just showed my love for her in front of so many people.
Naturally, they would have crafted a narrative that the princess, to gain favor with other noble families, was using her husband, or sothing similar, given that here power was supre, not gender.
"Yes, yes, I will visit the monastery soon enough," I stated, ’To take the holy grail hidden there.’
"So, for now, please focus on my marriage," I promised, as I was naturally going to visit the monastery to retrieve an artifact from there, which at least would be secured.
Given until the rise of ascent no one would be able to discover it, but knowing its location as I did with the progeny stone, I was going to claim it for at least its healing powers, which was its primary ability.
Having divinity in it would at least provide so favor to .
"Oh, yes, please as you desire, Prince!" He once again nodded with that excitent.
Even though he was the priest here, it made see how desperate he was, and how foolish not to understand.
Showing such a stance of himself here would only weaken his bargaining power.
I just ignored him before turning towards my bride.
"You look beautiful," I said, finally setting my eyes on Aleriana, with a smile since it was a genuine complint.
It would have made feel good if it had not been for her wanting to kill sooner.
Unlike Olea, I did not expect any future with Aleriana, particularly considering what I could see through her character, which appeared to be filled with hatred for all the n who tried to propose to her, as per the original storyline, and ended in several small pieces.
It was clear that perhaps she was not interested in love, so wasting my efforts on her was futile.
But at least getting a wedding ceremony for the first ti in my life felt different.
Girlfriends, hookups, one-night stands, and whatnot I had done in my past life during my college days.
But they were fleeting and just montary pleasures.
As I grew older and saw everyone settling down with children and wives, I at least understood that no matter how one enjoyed these pleasures.
The feeling of being a groom and having a wedding was different from anything else.
Though one knows they are going to be bound by responsibilities, it felt soothing to be a groom rather than a guest at a wedding.
"You too," Aleriana replied, catching off guard.
From the mont she had arrived here, I never saw her looking in any other direction except mine.
Though it was hard to understand what was going on inside her mind, it was definitely not love or care.
Seeing those softened eyes fixed on without even turning away, I tried to make a la joke to lighten the mood.
"I could be handso, not beautiful—"
’!?’
But before I could complete my words, I suddenly felt her coming forward with speed visible to the eye, grabbing my collar and pulling towards her, not even giving ti to understand what it ant.
Was she attempting to murder in front of so many people?
’Shit—’
"Mmmfhhh—!?"
She pressed her lips against mine, the forceful contact of her soft lips against mine lasting only for a second—just a soft, fleeting touch—before pulling back slightly.
But that second was enough.
"Oh my!?"
"D-did the princess—"
Gasps rippled through the hall, sharp and unrestrained.
The maids had their hands over their mouths, the noblen stiffened, their eyes widening as if they had just witnessed the impossible.
My gaze darted to the side, catching their stunned expressions, and only then did the realization hit .
’She… kissed .’
’Did she really just do that? Right here, in front of everyone?’
My mind stumbled over itself, trying to piece it together.
Aleriana, the cold and untouchable princess, the one who had spent the entire ceremony staring at like I was prey—had just kissed .
It was confusing, as I could not understand why, given there was no ntion of love or interest, nor did this happen in the original plot. Sothing had changed, but what exactly, as I could not recall any butterfly effect caused by my presence.
She had taken the first step on her own, sothing completely unexpected.
I felt her breath ghosting over my lips as she lingered close, her sapphire eyes unwavering, watching like a hawk.
Not a single flicker of hesitation.
Not a single sign of embarrassnt.
She ant to do this.
And to confirm that was her voice, which ca low like a whisper, "Now you look handso with that flushed face, hubby."
’....What?’
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