"Yes, Good to et you again, King Alexander," the cardinal greeted casually without a hint of respect in his eyes, his heavy staff clicking against the marble floor as he approached.
Then his gaze shifted toward us.
"So this is the new southern family, huh?" he muttered, eyes raking over us in a way that made my skin crawl.
A chill ran through . He was looking at us like inspecting so at, not living beings.
’What is wrong with this man’s gaze?’ I thought, brows furrowing in discomfort.
But then... his gaze changed, his face went pale, color draining from his face.
His confident, arrogant expression suddenly twisted into horror. His face went ashen, as if he’d just seen a monster standing before him.
My eyes narrowed slightly, and then I glanced to my side.
Of course.
Hemiros was glaring Daggers at him like she could murder him with just a stare—and knowing her way of destroying auction, maybe she could.
The cardinal swallowed hard, his staff now trembling slightly in his grasp.
I held back a sigh, my lips twitching. ’Did she do sothing to him with her magic to make him afraid?’
"Do your damn job quickly, Cardinal," Hemiros snapped coldly, her voice startling all nobles, making them sweat again.
I choked on my own breath, coughing into my hand. "H-Hemiros!" I hissed.
Across the room, King Alexander’s face drained of color.
"D-Duke, please behave... H-he is the Holy Cardinal!" Alexander stamred, practically shaking in place. Not wanting to anger both sides.
Hemiros stared coldly at King Alexander, and he visibly flinched under her gaze.
The cardinal quickly cleared his throat, trying to recover a sense of dignity despite the sweat forming on his brow.
"Cough, I-it’s fine. I’m not so petty as to be upset over... such a small thing," he said, forcing a shaky smile.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
’Thank the gods... or else soone was going to get himself killed today.’
Around the ballroom, shocked whispers began to ripple through the nobles.
"He just let it go?"
"Since when is the Holy Cardinal this rciful?"
A middle-aged lady behind leaned toward another noble, whispering with wide eyes.
anwhile, Hemiros didn’t even look fazed. Her arm tightened slightly around my waist.
"Now, Cardinal," she said coldly, "can you start already? I don’t want my wife standing any longer."
The Cardinal’s hand visibly trembled as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Y-Yes, yes, of course. Priestesses, begin preparations for the Duke and Duchess’ marriage."
From behind him, a group of won in elegant blue robes stepped forward, each holding a glowing blue orb in their hands. They moved gracefully, encircling Hemiros and , their face covered with blue veils.
Raising the orbs toward us, they began chanting softly:
"Ma he ma jso ksmf wjr asm jwrj..."
I tilted my head, curious.
’What language is that?’ The words were strange, lodic, and sync with each other.
Hemiros leaned close to my ear, her breath warm against my skin.
"It’s the divine language," she whispered. "A sacred tongue passed down from the gods for prayer, gods get power from this prayer. You won’t understand it."
She paused, her eyes gleaming as she smiled softly.
"But... do you want to translate for you?"
Sothing about the eagerness in her voice made hesitate. Still, I gave her a small nod.
Her entire expression lit up with joy.
"They’re praying for our happiness," she said, voice gentle. "That we have a blessed life together... nothing more."
My lips twitch, seeing stars in her pink eyes.
’Why... why do I feel like she’s lying, even though her eyes are twinkling?’
After what felt like an eternity, the priestesses finally lowered their glowing orbs and stepped back in unison. The strange divine chants faded into silence.
Then the woman with white robes ca near us and encircled us, throwing flowers in the air.
The Cardinal raised his staff high, his voice echoing through the grand hall:
"Now, the two partners may seal their union with a kiss to complete the ceremony."
My eyes widened.
’W-What? A kiss?!’
Around us, the nobles broke into applause, cheering and smiling, their voices blending into a deafening roar. I stood frozen as I felt Hemiros gently tilt my face up with her fingers.
Her smile was soft—but that familiar teasing glint was in her eyes.
"Darling," she whispered, her lips barely an inch from mine,
"we’re officially married now, so why are you so shocked by a simple kiss? Now we are married, which ans... I can kiss you all day, right?"
’W-What?!’ My mind blanked, and I shut my eyes, bracing myself.
But instead of her lips, I felt her breath against my ear as she added playfully:
"You’re too cute when you’re nervous."
Then, warmth, she sealed my lips with hers.
"Mmm..."
Her lips t mine in a firm, lingering kiss dominated by her.
Her hands gently cradled my face, pulling deeper into the mont. It wasn’t just a simple peck, I could feel like she wanted to remain like this forever.
My fists clenched at my sides, unsure if I should push her away or lt into it.
The ballroom roared louder with cheers.
But inside... all I could hear was the frantic pounding of my own heart.
After what felt like an eternity, Hemiros finally pulled away from the kiss. My lips still tingled with warmth. The Cardinal cleared his throat, officially ending both the ceremony and the grand ball.
Later, I found myself sitting inside a lavish carriage decorated with fresh red flowers. The rhythmic clatter of wheels echoed faintly beneath the pounding of my heart. My fingers brushed against my lips—still warm—and before I realized what I was doing, I parted them slightly and ran my tongue over the spot she’d kissed.
My eyes widened.
’W-What am I doing?’
My face turned crimson. Just then, the carriage door creaked open, letting in the night breeze along with the familiar scent of roses and incense.
Hemiros entered gracefully and sat beside .
A strange sensation I nearly forgot appeared in my throat again, my gaze was fixed on her neck, and I wanted to suck her blood.
I swallowed hard, trying my best not to show my lust for her blood.
She leaned her head against my shoulder with a deep sigh, her voice warm and overflowing with emotion.
"Darling... Wait for a while, in bed I will make sure to remove your thirst equally as mine, but rember mine thirst is not for blood."
She winked at and sat straight again.
I turn my flushed face toward the window, letting cool air spread on my face to calm down my frantic heart.
The carriage ca to a gentle stop in front of the Duke’s mansion, its tall windows glowing in the soft golden light of the evening.
A knight wearing silver armor opened the door with a bow.
Hemiros was the first to step out. With a radiant smile, she turned and extended her hand to .
Still flushed and dazed, I hesitated for a second, then placed my hand in hers and stepped down.
The night air brushed against my skin, cooler now, but it did little to calm my racing heart as we walked into the mansion’s grand entrance.
Alicia, the head maid, stood waiting at the top of the stairs, calm and composed.
She descended with graceful steps and bowed slightly.
"Duke," she said, then turned her gaze to , "may I take the Duchess and prepare her for the first night?"
My breath caught.
I froze—staring between Hemiros and Alicia, unsure what I should feel or say.
’First night...?’
Hemiros turned her head slightly, watching with a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Alicia nodded, seeing Hemiros’ gesture that I can’t see because of the daze, Alicia bowed and gestured with her head to take to the room.
Two maids step forward with barely perceptible smiles, leading toward one room.
The maid opened the room, inside was a dressing table and dresses of various kinds with gems, also simple ones hanging on hangers, not carefully preserved like fancy dresses in glass cases.
Alicia closed the door and walked toward one hanger.
"d d don’t tell I’m going to wear it," my mouth started shaking seeing the dress she chose.
The dress was a simple red pajama, but the back was held only by thin laces, and it was tied so briefly it could be opened with one finger.
My throat started itching harder, I could barely control so I won’t go berserk.
Clutching my throat, I winced.
’Is this thirst appearing because I don’t have power? I’m sure I can control it before I lose my power.’
Not wanting to lose control, I quickly pick the pajama from Alicia’s hand and go behind the safety wall to change my clothes.
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