My heart pounded and wavered at the sight of Kasion. I couldn’t even look straight at his face, and my eyes kept trembling. The only relief was that people were too busy watching the bride and groom to pay attention to us.
“Su-Suddenly?”
“Yes, I feel like if I don’t say it now, I won’t be able to later.”
His hand brushed the back of mine. The slow, deliberate movement of his thick thumb made my toes curl.
Why now, of all times? This is not something you do at someone else’s wedding. Yet, strangely, I couldn’t bring myself to pull away.
“W-What is it?” I decided I should at least hear him out.
“No matter how many times you tear up my proposal, I want to be the knight who protects your happiness.”
Did that mean I could keep rejecting him in the future? Or was he saying he’d persist in pursuing me no matter what?
I blankly watched as Kasion pressed his lips to the back of my hand. I expected them to be rough, but they were softer than I thought.
“Fwiiit! Congratulations.”
“Wow, that’s bold.”
“Wow, that’s bold!”
“Be happy!”
The cheers directed at Serhen and Lireania sounded strangely distant. It was certainly noisy, but it felt like everything had been wiped clean. Only my heart loudly reminded me of its presence. Soon, the sound of bells—whether real or imagined—filled the temple as if we were the only two people left in this space.
Kasion lifted his head and smiled broadly after pulling away. Just from that smile, I might really fall for him.
…At this rate, I might really fall for him.
I recalled the content of the novel I had read, especially the ending.
“Merry… ending…”
“What did you say, Ariel?”
“Is this… a confession?”
“Not a confession, but a vow. It’s my promise, regardless of what your answer is.”
What kind of vow could hold more power than a sweet confession?
I slowly pulled my hand away and glanced around, wondering if we’d become that clueless couple crashing someone else’s moment. It would be a disaster if anyone had seen us. The ones who were supposed to be in the spotlight today were Serhen and Lireania, not me.
“Huff, this is a disaster.”
Kasion furrowed his brow at my sigh, then followed my gaze. His lips curled into a crooked grin.
Dertis and Diana were watching us intently. Getting on the bad side of a villainess is never a pleasant feeling.
* * *
After the ceremony at the temple, it was time for the reception. The reception hall was also borrowed from the temple. Servants brought in by the marquis’ house busily carried the food. Guests waited for today’s stars to return after changing their clothes, talking about how beautiful the wedding had been. But Kasion and I, still in the same clothes, stood together, arms linked tightly.
“Haaaa.”
“Why do you keep sighing?”
“You really don’t know?”
“You’re the one holding onto my arm.”
It was an unavoidable choice. As the event continued, my makeup covering the bruises began to fade, and the marks resembling a kiss stood out. There was no time to reapply makeup.
With the main couple absent, it was my job to manage the reception hall and handle the guests. It was exhausting, but something else wore me down even more.
“Everyone keeps blatantly looking at my bruises and asking if you and I are next.”
I had already said no, but as the bruises became more visible, people wouldn’t stop asking again and again. Some young ladies even asked about my relationship with Dertis, as if suggesting I had to choose between Kasion and him. These ladies were all close to Diana, and their eyes and questions were full of ulterior motives.
“It’s better than getting tangled up with the crown prince or the second prince.”
That much was true. When the crown prince had made a ridiculous comment earlier, I almost had a strange thought.
“A bold bird needs its wings clipped and to be caged, don’t you think?
It sounded just like the villainous Kasion from the novel I read. But the crown prince could never take on Kasion’s role. He was a womanizer. He could never have a mad love for just one person. That made all the difference.
Without realizing it, I let out a deep sigh.
“Are you feeling unwell, Lady Mellin?”
“Oh, Priest!”
The priest who had officiated Serhen’s wedding approached.
“You seem more fatigued than after your last healing session.”
“I was about to ask for help regarding that.”
Kasion interrupted. “She hasn’t eaten properly for days. She must have had many worries. I’ll make sure she gets help soon.”
His thoughtful words made my face flush, and my heart began to race again to catch up with the faster flow of blood.
Was this absurd excitement clouding my memory? I couldn’t quite recall the ending of that book anymore. It was an old memory from my past life, but I could have sworn I’d remembered it clearly after reading the novel.
“I understand. Since it took a long time for Lady to recover after the last healing, how should we schedule it?”
“Right after today’s wedding would be fine. Ariel, what do you think?”
“Huh? I don’t really mind…”
“Do you have a guardian with you?”
“No… My brother is planning to leave for the honeymoon right away…”
“Then I’ll stay at your house tonight.”
Ah, I’d been fooled. He’d been so kind and persistent that I’d let my guard down. But this man was the same one who survived the war with strategies and tactics, even on completely isolated battlefields. He’d played the long game, pretending to be sweet and earnest, only to spring this on me now. I was completely caught.
“I-I need to rest in the lounge for a bit! Ah, Priest! I have something to ask you privately. Could we speak?”
The priest was probably on Kasion’s side too. But maybe I could coax some information out of him to figure out Kasion’s plan.
* * *
Ariel entered the lounge with the priest, leaving Kasion alone in the banquet hall, his brow deeply furrowed.
“She can’t have fallen for the priest, right?”
Seeing her suddenly pull the priest aside made his blood boil. Priests were supposed to be devoted to the gods, detached from worldly desires, but…
“Who wouldn’t fall for Ariel?”
Even the second prince had declared Ariel his first love despite having barely met her.
Kasion was already anxious since Ariel hadn’t responded to his vow. He had acted impulsively, overwhelmed by how beautiful she looked watching the wedding couple with such envy. But his feelings were sincere, even if it had become a one-sided vow. It was a promise he’d made long ago, one etched into his heart and blood.
“So frustrating.”
No matter how hard he tried, she remained unmoved.
Could Serhen’s wife have been right? Had Ariel grown tired of his persistence? But every time he pushed, her cheeks flushed. Her heart, too…
“You can’t topple a tower with force alone…”
Thoughts raced through his mind, but Kasion was no ordinary man. He was someone who survived the war with the ferocious neighboring kingdom, known as the warriors chosen by the Golden Forest. It meant his sharp mind and excellent strategy were as well-developed as his impressive muscles.
Of course, this was Kasion’s first time dealing with romantic feelings. While he might appear skilled, he was a complete novice.
“Perhaps I should read my grandfather’s diary.”
He’d always learned what he needed to. And he was a quick study. So, surely, the experiences of a renowned lover would be invaluable. After all, that bloodline was still in him.
Kasion stood guard at the door to the lounge. Without Milk by Ariel’s side today, he would be her guard dog, ready to fend off any unwanted advances from the priest.
With his menacing expression, people avoided Kasion, too afraid to approach despite their curiosity. They had plenty to say, but all they could do was offer their congratulations to the newlyweds from afar—except for one person.
“Duke, may I have a word?”
Dertis approached him, casting nervous glances around, especially at the drunken crown prince rambling beside Serhen.
“What is it?”
Kasion had rid himself of any anxiety. Around Dertis, he needed to be an impenetrable fortress. He couldn’t allow any weakness for him to exploit, especially concerning Ariel.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because Lady Mellin is on your side?”
Kasion shrugged, and Dertis shook his head.
“Is this really the time to be so relaxed?”
Dertis stepped closer and whispered something into Kasion’s ear, making his expression turn deadly serious. He looked as if he might tear someone apart.
“Is this his doing?”
“Was it him?”
“I don’t know. But I do know this is no time to be standing around.”
Kasion glanced at the lounge before clenching his fist, his veins bulging.
“Please… take care of Ariel for a moment.” As soon as Kasion finished speaking, he disappeared at a rapid pace.
Dertis sighed as he watched him go. “Can I really win?”
“Oh my, Dertis.” Diana approached, smiling brightly. “You’ve truly decided to become the crown prince’s dog, haven’t you?”
“…”
“They say men never forget their first love, and it seems to be true. I didn’t expect this from you.”
Diana realized this was the perfect moment to provoke the eagle hiding its claws.
“But that lady seems to have almost fallen for the duke…”
Sure enough, Dertis’s eyes twitched slightly.
“Shall I help you? I’ve learned something interesting recently.”
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