Episode 36
Lu and I became close again, as if we had never been distant.
No, let me correct that.
It felt like we had become even closer than before.
“Charles, Charles.”
The moment he saw me, he ran over and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
“What should we do today?”
He leaned his head against me with a bright smile.
“Of course, I’d be happy just lying around with you all day.”
And he even said things that could easily be misunderstood.
No matter how much this was for show, this was a bit…
‘Too much!’
I pushed Lu’s head away as he leaned on me and glared at him.
“There’s no one watching right now, so cut it out.”
“Hmm?”
Lu tilted his head and looked at me.
“I’m not doing this for other people to see.”
Then, he smiled brightly again.
“I just want to be with the amazing Charles. And for the record, I’m not being sarcastic. I mean it.”
…Was it just me who thought he was completely being sarcastic?
I held my forehead and shook my head.
Honestly, Lu acting all affectionate like this wasn’t new.
Ever since I came to the Empire, he had always behaved this way.
I had gotten somewhat used to it.
But for some reason, today, I wanted to push him away more than usual…
‘Because my heart keeps racing!’
I kept recalling what he had said last night, the sincere expression he had shown me, and the way I had been touched by his words and emotions.
And because of that, my heart kept pounding uncontrollably.
“Okay, I get it, but don’t come so close.”
My heart can’t take it!
Muttering to myself, I pushed Lu’s face away once more. Only then did he let out a helpless laugh and take a step back.
“But you still have to spend today with me.”
He continued speaking.
“Because we need to start planning our wedding.”
Right, he had been talking about the wedding for a while.
Personally, I didn’t think we needed a wedding since I was already a well-known figure, but Lu had a point, so we decided to proceed as originally planned.
After all, the Holy Kingdom wanted it too.
“I think a grand estate would be the best venue. I’d prefer a cathedral, but… you know why that’s not an option, right?”
I nodded.
A cathedral wedding would be traditional, but after the war between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, there weren’t many suitable cathedrals left in the Empire.
The Empire didn’t openly persecute believers, but in noble society, it was better not to draw attention by making religious affiliations too obvious.
So, there was no need to insist on a cathedral.
‘Especially since I don’t believe in God.’
Then what about Lu?
Did Lu believe in God?
‘Since he’s the High Priest’s adopted son, maybe he does…’
But I had never seen him enter the prayer room back in the Holy Kingdom.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
After sorting out my thoughts, I looked back at Lu. He continued.
“I’ve checked out a few estates near the capital. Let’s go visit them today.”
“…Do we really have to go in person?”
I asked, slightly taken aback.
“I mean, it’s just a fake wedding. We could just pick one from the list that looks decent.”
Lu blinked slowly.
Through his eyelashes, his gaze seemed to grow noticeably colder.
Why was he looking at me like that? It was kind of scary.
“What if the lack of preparation gives us away?”
“That… is true.”
“And what if someone suspects that our wedding isn’t real?”
“…….”
That seemed like a bit of a stretch, but it wasn’t entirely impossible, so I had no choice but to agree.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
Then, Lu smiled brightly, like a puppy given a treat.
He looked so happy.
…Well.
‘Maybe I don’t mind it either.’
***
The estate was grand and elegant.
Marble columns stood frozen in time, and intricately carved doors welcomed us.
I pushed open the massive door with one hand and let out a quiet gasp of admiration.
“Wow. It’s huge.”
A dazzling chandelier hung from the high ceiling, shimmering beautifully.
“In a place like this, how many servants would you even need?”
“Hmm. At least thirty?”
“That must cost a fortune to maintain.”
I mumbled as I looked around again.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, gently illuminating the vast hall.
Beyond the windows, a peaceful garden and a fountain stretched out before us.
Then Lu asked,
“Would you like to live in a place like this?”
I turned to look at him.
Standing at the bottom of the staircase, he gazed up at me, his face partially obscured by the slanting sunlight.
“Hmm. I’ve never really been greedy about houses.”
I shrugged.
“Besides, we already live in luxury, don’t we?”
“That’s true.”
Lu let out a small chuckle and continued.
“But haven’t you ever wanted to settle down? I sometimes do.”
Settle down…
It would be a lie to say I had never thought about it.
There had been times when I dreamed of having a small, cozy home to live out the rest of my life.
But…
I smiled bitterly and shook my head.
“You might be able to.”
Guardian agents could retire.
But…
“I can’t.”
Catacle agents couldn’t.
There was only one way to leave the organization.
Death.
That’s why I couldn’t afford to dream of settling down. I wasn’t someone who should even entertain the idea.
“Huh?”
Lu tilted his head, completely unaware of what I was thinking.
“Why can’t you—”
Just then.
“Oh! There you are!”
A voice called out from somewhere.
I turned my head and saw a well-dressed man standing there.
“Greetings, I’m Albert, the manager and agent for this estate.”
With the bright, professional smile of a salesman, he greeted us politely.
“It’s an honor to have the rising stars of high society visit in person.”
Caught off guard, I instinctively returned the greeting.
“This estate boasts a 300-year history. It has hosted royal banquets and countless noble gatherings, and many prestigious aristocrats have held their weddings here.”
Albert passionately introduced the estate’s history.
“Holding your wedding here wouldn’t just be a ceremony—it would be a moment etched into history. If you’re looking for a place where your wedding will be remembered forever, there is no better choice.”
His confidence was almost overflowing.
Lu and I exchanged glances.
It felt like we were thinking the same thing.
“I like it.”
“I do too.”
Albert’s face brightened.
“Excellent choice!”
He took a step closer to us.
“I’ll provide details on the necessary paperwork and rental fees later. Would that be alright?”
“Of course. Just contact us at our estate.”
“Understood.”
Albert nodded as he jotted down notes.
“By the way…”
Then, looking at us, he let out a quiet sigh of admiration.
“Seeing the two of you standing together, you look truly beautiful. It’s as if you’ve always belonged together.”
…Us?
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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