Chapter 139
My head was foggy.
“…With this, I declare the two of you husband and wife.”
‘…Looks like soone’s getting married.’
Even as I listened to the words of Bishop Hille, who was officiating, I just stared blankly at the guests.
“Please bless the newly born couple, Shion and Serena.”
‘Shion and Serena… Serena? But I’m Serena?’
A thunderous applause erupted.
There were many guests.
Not just in number, but they were individuals who were nothing short of being called the dignitaries of the West.
It was enough to make Guildmaster Veranio, who prided himself on walking with his shoulders squared in rion, feel intimidated.
Facing so many guests, I was simply bewildered.
I couldn't imdiately recall why I was here, why I was in a white dress, or why I was holding Shion's hand so tightly.
Shion took my hand without hesitation and led .
The gold-based wedding suit suited him very well.
“Let’s go, my lady. We have to greet the guests.”
“…Yes? Yes……”
It was only as I was being led away that I slowly ca to my senses.
‘…That’s right, I married Shion?’
A lot had happened.
Del Conti had fallen, and Verchello had been revived.
I was still nineteen, but as of today, I was a married woman.
My partner was Shion, a man whose intentions I still couldn't fathom.
‘How did it co to this?’
I didn’t dislike it. No, in fact… It was quite nice.
It would be a lie to say my favorable feelings weren’t inflated by the various benefits Shion had brought to my family.
He had, after all, returned things to Verchello that were unimaginably large.
However, that wasn’t the decisive reason I felt favorably toward Shion.
Then, if asked why I felt favorably, well, even thinking about it myself, nothing specific ca to mind.
Except for one thing: I never felt uncomfortable.
Whatever we did, it always fit well.
Our tastes in food and hobbies were similar.
From how we enjoyed our leisure ti to even the way we buttered our bread, we were strangely alike.
It was as if he was soone who had already lived with for several years.
Of course, that’s common sense-defying nonsense.
We grew close without any room to feel strangeness.
Living busily as the head of Verchello, I had no connections with the opposite sex.
But then Shion suddenly made his move, and while I was flustered, we got engaged, I received the Del Conti family as a wedding gift and when I opened my eyes, it was now, with the wedding ceremony over.
‘Why is this person so calm?’
While my mind was in turmoil, Shion showed no sign of wavering.
I couldn't help but feel a little sulky.
However, I didn’t realize that I hadn’t sulked at anyone since I lost my father and beca the family head.
Nor did I realize that I had unconsciously squeezed Shion's hand tighter.
Shion seed very accustod to playing the part of a husband.
He led by the hand, introducing guests, being introduced, exchanging polite greetings and promising to et again, then on to the next table.
“Mushat. Thank you for coming, h. Serena, you should say hello too.”
“I am Serena de Verchello. It’s a pleasure, Mr. h.”
I greeted him with ‘Mushat’, and h also greeted with ‘Mushat’.
Thanks to having stayed up almost all night morizing the faces and nas of the guests, I avoided any embarrassnt.
“You must have had a hard ti morizing so many guests. You did well.”
Shion whispered in my ear.
“Could you bear it for just a little longer? Princess Masiet has been very eager to see you.”
“I’m fine.”
I answered in a small voice as well.
But I couldn't help being nervous.
Masiet mo Maesh.
The one and only daughter of the king of the powerful nation of Maesh.
Fad for her brilliant mind and outstanding talent, she was often compared to the Empire’s Leniar de Volmark.
‘What kind of person is she?’
Shion walked with long strides, still holding my hand. He stopped in front of a table. It was packed tight with plates of at dishes.
“Thank you for coming, Princess Masiet.”
“Oh my, Viscount Rampo.”
It was a freckled girl.
“It’s so hard to see your face, you know?”
“I dared not look upon the princess’s face.”
“For friends, you say such disappointing things.”
Brown hair and brown eyes.
A chicken leg in one hand, a mug of beer in the other.
Laughing cheerfully in a manner so different from a princess in a fairytale, yet strangely exuding an air of dignity—she was Princess Masiet, the first in line to the throne of Maesh.
“So you are Serena? I’m Masiet mo Maesh.”
“I was greatly indebted to you during the Harvest Festival, Your Highness. It is an honor to et you.”
“It’s fine. It was because of a debt I owed Viscount Rampo.”
Princess Masiet grinned.
When she pulled up the corners of her mouth, her freckles stood out even more.
She had a very tomboyish impression.
I asked cautiously.
“You call him Viscount Rampo?”
“Because he absolutely refused to tell his na was Shion.”
The princess snorted and raised her beer mug.
She offered a glass to Shion as well, and seeing the princess practically fuming, he couldn't possibly refuse and took the glass.
After downing the beer in one gulp, Princess Masiet shook the empty mug over her head and said.
“He ntioned in a letter that your raspberry-colored eyes were beautiful. I rembered how he wouldn't fall for my advances no matter how much I flirted, so I wondered just how beautiful they were.”
The freckled princess stared at . The pure white dress suited well.
“Congratulations. They are a truly beautiful raspberry color.”
“Thank you.”
I realized I had many things to ask Shion.
Just when had he been talking about ? Shion awkwardly avoided my gaze.
“Anyway, you must co visit Maesh. A friend of Shion is a friend of mine.”
“I certainly will.”
“If you don’t co within half a year, I will send soldiers.”
“Haha……”
“Oh my. You think I’m joking?”
Shion and I left the giggling freckled princess behind.
It was because soone at the next table was calling Shion’s na over and over.
“Shion, Shion! The groom of the day!”
“Why do you keep calling ? I was talking with Her Highness the Princess.”
“How disappointing. Is talking with the princess of Maesh more important, or is having a drink with more important?”
“Do you have to ask?”
The red-nosed old man giggled.
He was clearly already quite drunk.
Five empty wine bottles were rolling around under the table.
I wondered where in that skinny, frail body there was room for five bottles of wine.
The old man did not hesitate and held up a glass in each hand.
Both were full of wine. He offered one to Shion.
“Anyway, have a drink, co on!”
“Please spare . I still have much to do.”
“Ah, but you drank with the princess of Maesh……”
The old man sniffled.
“Then I’ll just drink them both.”
Without hesitation, he downed the wine in both hands in one go.
His already red nose turned even redder.
Along with the sll of alcohol, a tipsy cheerfulness emanated from the old man’s mouth.
Shion held his nose and shook his head.
“Serena. This is Master Madwir.”
“A pleasure to et you, Madwir… Madwir?”
I snapped my head up.
My eyes were trembling as if in disbelief.
“Could it be, could it be… are you the Master Madwir I know?”
“Well now, how do I know which Madwir the new bride knows?”
“Master Madwir Mol der, the court painter of Erta……”
“Then that’s .”
Though I’m not one to be called Master.
Madwir quickly downed another glass of wine.
He gulped it down without any snacks.
“Oh my goodness!”
I raised my voice without realizing it.
“I’ve read your art catalogues countless tis! It’s been my lifelong dream to see your works with my own eyes!”
“Ehem?”
Madwir Mol der tilted his head.
He chortled with his flushed face.
He looked more like a street drunkard than the great master who had painted countless masterpieces, including , but to , he just looked like an infinitely noble artist.
“Is there any work that remains in your mory, new bride?”
“Uh, they’re all good… where should I start……. That’s right, ! And, and…
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