Chapter 11
Daphne, who had been groaning, staggered and almost collapsed onto the ground.
Just as she was about to fall, her body was lifted.
“Wait a moment…” she said, panicking as her feet didn’t touch the ground. She grabbed onto something nearby.
“Maybe don’t grab that,” a voice from below said, calm and steady.
Daphne squinted and looked at what she was holding. It was a handful of glossy, pink hair.
“Oh my…” she quickly shook the hair off her hands.
“I-I’m sorry…” she said, then wrapped her arms around Theophanes’ neck, clinging to him.
Had she ever been held like this since growing up? Especially by an adult man?
It was an awkward situation, and the embarrassment she felt was overwhelming.
Seeing her bury her face in his arm, Theophanes continued walking.
“Dante!” he suddenly shouted.
Daphne jolted in surprise, her eyes wide as she turned her head quickly.
“Yes, yes, I’m here,” Dante responded.
Daphne turned to where the voice came from. Dante was casting a magic shield while a priest purified the area with a faint power.
‘He’s a magician,’ Daphne realized. The sense of déjà vu from earlier clicked in place.
And then she recognized him—Dante was the old man she had seen at the bookstore.
“We’ll continue the wedding,” Theophanes declared.
“Here?” Dante asked, surprised.
“Yes, here.”
“Don’t tell me… are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ll collapse like this.”
“I’m fine,” Theophanes replied, dismissing his concerns.
Daphne, listening to the conversation, turned her head as she felt a gaze upon her.
“Do you like flowers?”
“Yes?”
“It’s quite a beautiful sight.”
Daphne looked at the floor and finally understood what he meant.
From where they were standing, flowers began blooming around them. The small flower bed grew, covering the corrupted areas. White flowers spread across the temple’s floor, and vines climbed up the pillars and walls.
“This is…” Daphne said, astonished.
“This is my power of purification,” Theophanes explained, casually.
Dante sighed quietly.
“I knew you’d do that, even though I tried to stop you.”
Theophanes, unbothered by Dante’s complaints, raised his empty hand and snapped his fingers.
Swoosh—
Daphne thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. The temple’s appearance had completely disappeared, and they were now standing on a vast field of flowers.
“Did we move locations?” Daphne asked.
“No. This is an illusion created during the purification process,” Theophanes replied.
“Wow…” Daphne was amazed, as she had never seen such scenery before, having lived in Himonas.
“You won’t have to worry about fainting now,” Theophanes said.
“I told you, I’m fine.”
While Daphne was enjoying the view, she noticed another man standing behind Dante, beside the priest. The man smiled and bowed.
“My apologies for the delay in the introduction. I’m Henderson, the head butler of the Duke of Anaxi’s household.”
Daphne opened her mouth to introduce herself but stopped when she realized her current state.
“Please let me down now,” she said.
“But weren’t you about to fall?” Theophanes asked, reluctant.
“Still, I can’t receive an introduction like this…”
“It’s better than having you hurt,” he said, lifting her carefully.
“I think I’m fine now,” Daphne protested.
“You’re not sure if you’re okay, are you?” he asked, giving her a pointed look.
“Lord…” Henderson quietly stepped back, knowing when to give the couple space.
“Let’s begin,” Theophanes said, finally.
Daphne was still in his arms, unable to do much about it.
“Proceeding with the ceremony…?” “Any objections?” Theophanes asked.
“No, let’s begin,” Daphne responded, a little embarrassed.
The priest wiped his sweat and awkwardly smiled as he opened the holy book.
“We’ll keep this brief. Will you both place your hands on the book?”
They did, placing their hands on the holy book.
“I swear before the Lord to be loyal, considerate, and face all challenges together. Will you make this vow?” the priest asked.
“Yes,” Daphne and Theophanes answered simultaneously.
The god of rest was invoked during vows, and after the declaration, Dante handed over a piece of paper.
“This is the marriage certificate that needs to be submitted to the royal palace,” Dante explained.
Daphne signed first, followed by Theophanes.
Theophanes’ handwriting was elegant, despite appearing rushed.
After the signatures, the priest spoke again.
“There’s one last part of the ceremony.”
“What is it?” Daphne asked.
“The vow kiss,” the priest said.
Daphne looked up, surprised.
“Isn’t that something we can skip, depending on the situation?”
The priest seemed flustered as he looked at Theophanes for guidance.
“Why hesitate now? We’re about to become a couple,” Theophanes said, reassuring her.
Daphne hesitated, but his words made sense. They were already having a rushed marriage, so physical closeness was part of it.
“Fine,” she said, resolving herself.
Theophanes smiled slightly at her response.
“Let’s see if you mean that,” he said, his voice a little teasing.
As he closed his eyes, Daphne was confused.
“Shouldn’t the woman usually close her eyes?” she asked.
“But since I’m holding you…” Theophanes began, and Daphne froze.
She gently held his face with both hands.
“Don’t open your eyes.”
“I won’t, even if a knife comes near my neck.”
“Then open them if that happens.”
Daphne could understand why Dante had been grumbling earlier. She stared at Theophanes, noticing how his smooth, sculpted features seemed unreal, especially since his eyes were closed.
“Darling?” he called softly, and Daphne quickly realized she had been lost in thought.
As she lowered her head, his eyes suddenly opened, and their lips met in a kiss.
Daphne was startled by the suddenness. The air between them filled with the warmth of their breath, making her feel dizzy. She tried to pull back, but his strong hand kept her in place.
Something felt odd. She felt as if something deep inside her was slipping away, though there was no pain. It was as if a part of her body was being lost.
The atmosphere was thick, and the surroundings fell silent. Daphne couldn’t help but smack his shoulder lightly.
“Ow.”
He wasn’t hurt, but his mock complaining made the distance between them shrink.
“What was that?” she asked, flustered.
“We’re married now,” Theophanes said casually.
Daphne glanced at the priest, then whispered in his ear, “It’s a ‘contract’ marriage.”
“Right, a contract marriage,” he replied, allowing her clarification.
“Ah, it’s time,” he said suddenly.
“Time for what?” Daphne asked, confused.
Then she understood. Flowers bloomed around them, scattering into the air, and turning into glitter as they vanished.
“Is this the purification?” she asked.
“Yes, this is purification.”
As the petals disappeared, the surroundings slowly returned to the temple’s original form. The dawn light was visible through the windows.
“We need to hurry. The Marquis will be returning soon,” Theophanes said.
“Dante, did you hear that?” he added.
Dante nodded in acknowledgment.
“Let’s give him some time off,” Theophanes said.
The group left the temple, now needing to handle the situation.
“Priest, please come with me,” Henderson said swiftly.
The priest was escorted out, and soon after, they prepared to leave.
“We should stop by the city,” Theophanes added.
“Why?” Daphne asked.
Looking down, she realized she was still in a wedding dress, which could draw attention.
“It would stand out too much,” he explained.
“I know a boutique where there won’t be many customers,” Daphne said.
Dante pulled out a book from his bag.
“Could you write the address down for me?” he asked.
Daphne wrote it down and returned the book.
“Let’s use teleportation,” Dante said, tearing the paper and placing it on the ground. A magic circle appeared as flames consumed the paper.
“You both need to hold onto me,” Dante instructed.
Theophanes reluctantly nodded, but as Dante’s magic circle formed, Daphne realized that her time with him might not be over just yet.
They vanished into the light and wind, with Daphne wondering if she would ever get answers about the person Theophanes had mentioned.
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