As the devil approached, Rohas’s face grew tense.
Instinctively, he clutched the beard he had grown all the way down to his chest as if to protect it.
The priests surrounding Rohas blocked Edwin’s path.
“Only those with prior appointments may meet the High Priest.”
Their stern expressions clearly said, Step back if you know what’s good for you. Edwin simply smiled.
“Is that so?”
His gaze shifted to the High Priest.
“There’s something important I need to tell you…”
“………”
“…Privately.”
Rohas swallowed the rising fear that reached his throat.
He couldn’t show weakness in front of the priests.
One of the priests near him shouted at Edwin.
“A private audience with the High Priest? Are you royalty or something?”
No, stop… Don’t provoke him…
Rohas cleared his throat and stepped in front of the priest.
“It’s fine. This man is—”
“Such insolence is beyond measure!”
The priest kept ranting, clearly irritated by Edwin’s calm demeanor.
Rohas tried again.
“No really, it’s fine. Just sto—”
“How dare someone like you try to meet—”
“I SAID, ENOUGH!”
The High Priest, always the picture of dignity, suddenly raised his voice. The shocked priest looked at him in disbelief.
“High… High Priest?”
Something about the desperation on Rohas’s face made the priest examine him more closely.
“What’s the matter? You look like a monkey being chased by a tiger!”
“…Stand down. This man is none other than His Highness, the Third Prince.”
“…What?”
The priest blinked, dumbfounded, looking back and forth between Edwin and Rohas’s beard.
The one who supposedly burned off the High Priest’s beard… That Third Prince…?
The surrounding priests, now panicked, hurriedly bowed to Edwin.
Making sure Dana, hidden behind a large column, couldn’t see what was happening, Edwin casually accepted the greetings.
“We greet His Highness, the Third Prince.”
“What brings you here, Your Highness…?”
Their tone reeked of submission, like they’d offer up everything if he so much as asked. Edwin scoffed silently.
He strode confidently toward Rohas, who stood at the end of the path.
The other priests parted quickly, forming a corridor for him to pass—faces tight with fear, worried he might lash out at them at any moment.
Edwin gave Rohas a gentle smile.
“It’s been a while.”
“Y-Yes… it has.”
Rohas replied, his voice trembling as he clutched his beard tightly with both hands.
This time, I’ll protect it…
But Edwin paid no mind and continued casually.
“I’ve come to ask a favor.”
“W-What is it?”
“I need a priest to certify my marriage.”
Marriage? Just like that?
And from royalty, no less.
Rohas blinked in confusion, clearly not understanding.
Unfortunately for him, Edwin wasn’t known for his patience.
His long eyes curved with amusement.
“I want to get married immediately. That’s why I need a priest—right now.”
In other words: Get me a priest. Now.
Rohas forced a smile and responded carefully.
“Now is… not ideal. The chapel, the golden chalice for the holy water, and—”
Sigh. Edwin let out a short breath.
He hated repeating himself more than anything.
“The marriage certificate. That’s all I need.”
“Still… even for someone of royal blood—”
“The ceremony, the rings, the guests—we’ll handle all that later. In the most extravagantly annoying way imaginable.”
“So for now, you simply want to register the marriage…”
What poor woman could have possibly caught the eye of the Third Prince?
Rohas felt a pang in his conscience, knowing he’d be the one blessing the couple.
“The thing is… there’s no prayer room currently available.”
“There’s the main sanctuary, isn’t there?”
Unlike the small private prayer rooms, the sanctuary was a grand space that could hold over a thousand people.
It was reserved for official events and required the Emperor’s permission to use.
Surely, the Third Prince was aware of that.
He just didn’t care—even his father, the Emperor, didn’t intimidate him.
Rohas spoke with a weary look.
“…Very well. I’ll prepare a simple ceremony. A short blessing and a marriage certificate.”
He was still royalty, after all. Just handing over a piece of paper wouldn’t suffice.
Hearing that a ceremony would be arranged on the spot, Edwin gave a satisfied smile.
“If it’s for my bride, I’ll gladly accept every blessing.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Oh, and one more thing…”
Edwin’s smile deepened.
Rohas had never known such a radiant smile could feel so chilling.
“My bride doesn’t know I’m royalty. Please be discreet.”
With that final warning, Edwin exited the temple.
He walked toward a delicate-looking woman sitting alone in the garden.
After exchanging a few quiet words, the Third Prince gently offered his arm.
He led her away as though handling a precious glass figurine—with care and tenderness in every movement.
The priests stared at him in a daze.
What in the world is happening?
The first to come to his senses was Rohas.
“Quickly, prepare the altar.”
***
What is this situation…?
Dana had never wished for anything like this.
The doors to the chapel, a place said to only be accessible to royalty and nobles approved by royalty, swung open.
“Edwin, why are we here…?”
“There aren’t any other prayer rooms available right now.”
“I’d have been fine with one of those garden spots from earlier…”
“That won’t do.”
Edwin gave her a radiant smile.
“I said I’d give you only the best, didn’t I?”
It was overwhelming—almost suffocating.
And that golden, gleaming altar—what even is that?
The priests busied themselves adorning the altar, preparing for the ceremony.
Two goblets, clearly inlaid with precious stones, were placed symmetrically.
Why are those proud palace priests acting like this?
Dana tilted her head in confusion.
She leaned toward Edwin and whispered.
“Did the High Priest really agree to help with the wedding?”
“Of course.”
“How?”
“Before God, we’re all equal.”
Edwin replied without hesitation.
As the preparations were completed, a priest approached them.
“The preparations are ready. The certificate will be provided afterward.”
His tone was exceedingly humble, and he even avoided making eye contact with Dana.
“Let’s go, Senior.”
Edwin took Dana’s hand and led her up the altar.
With every step, a smile naturally came to his lips.
He couldn’t help but feel overflowing affection seeing Dana, walking hand in hand with him to be wed.
As the two of them stood atop the altar, High Priest Rohas appeared.
Dana’s eyes widened in shock.
A ceremony officiated by the High Priest himself only occurred when both the bride and groom were members of the royal family.
‘This is way too much…!’
Unable to hold it in anymore, Dana turned to Rohas and asked.
“Thank you for blessing our marriage. But may I ask why the High Priest himself is presiding over the ceremony?”
Rohas didn’t answer right away.
Thankfully, his years of experience helped him suppress the discomfort.
He glanced briefly at Edwin.
But Edwin’s expression remained serene, as if silently saying, “Well? Aren’t you going to answer?”
In the end, Rohas had no choice but to lie.
“Haha… before God, all people are equal. I have a duty to bless everyone.”
Ha… hahaha…
Rohas forced out an awkward laugh, pretending to be at ease.
But Dana pressed further.
“Then aside from us, has there been anyone else whose wedding you’ve blessed? Outside of the royal family, I mean.”
“…I intend to do so from now on.”
“Oh? And when did you change your mind?”
“…Today.”
How strange.
Dana whispered to Edwin.
“Today must be our lucky day, right?”
“It sure is. What a sudden change of heart.”
The two smiled warmly at each other, eyes locked in mutual affection.
Meanwhile, Rohas wanted to cry.
He had always lived a life of truth and integrity—lies had no place in it.
Which meant… he’d now have to bless many more weddings from now on.
Swallowing his mixed feelings, he forced a smile.
And so, the blessing began.
“For the holy union of these two, we offer this prayer unto God…”
The blessing was short.
Just in case anything else went wrong.
A priest carefully stepped forward with the marriage certificate and laid it out.
Dana signed first, writing ‘Dana Hartwin’ in clear, neat letters.
Next was Rohas, signing as the officiating High Priest.
Then it was Edwin’s turn.
He wrote ‘Edwin’ and paused. Then he turned to Dana and said,
“The High Priest said he wanted to give you a separate blessing.”
“To me?”
Dana blinked and turned to Rohas in surprise.
Rohas, realizing Edwin’s true intent, suppressed a sigh.
Then, with a look full of pity, he offered.
“…May you always be healthy and may the blessings of God be with you.”
And in that moment, Edwin, swift and sure, finished his signature—
Not as ‘Edwin Lambert,’ as Dana knew him, but as ‘Edwin Hedron.’
The name of the ruling family of the Hedron Empire—a noble name tied to the bloodline of dragons.
