106. Epilogue (1)

By mid-April, during the season when cherry blossoms were in full bloom, the wedding date had been set.

For months, both the Edelte and Verdun families were abuzz with preparations for the grand union.

The wedding turned out to be far more extravagant and resplendent than the engagement ceremony. The guest list was considerably larger, including not just domestic nobles and affluent individuals but also prominent figures from foreign countries.

Even the emperor and empress, who hadn’t attended the engagement ceremony, were present, along with key noble families and royalty from neighboring kingdoms and duchies.

Given the prestige of Edelte and Verdun, connections extended beyond the empire, resulting in an overwhelming turnout.

“Are you nervous?”

As Owen scanned the tables crowded with guests, Lucia’s voice broke through his thoughts.

He turned his head toward her, meeting her gaze.

The two of them stood together in the garden of the Edelte estate.

Noble wedding customs dictated that ceremonies begin at the home of the spouse leaving their family and end at the home of the spouse whose name they would take.

Thus, the wedding commenced at the Edelte estate before transitioning to the Verdun residence.

In front of a lakeside stage set for the ceremony, rows of tables stretched out, filled with guests. Owen’s eyes moved from the crowd to the cherry blossoms blooming beyond the lake and finally settled on Lucia.

“A little,” he admitted.

“I thought so,” she said with a smile, reaching out her hand.

Her gloved fingers, covered in lace that extended just below her elbows, lightly touched his cheek.

Owen closed his eyes briefly at the soft sensation before opening them as Lucia whispered, “I’m excited. After today, I’ll officially be part of Verdun.”

As her words lingered in the air, Kyle’s voice echoed from the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?”

It was the signal that the ceremony was about to begin.

Owen and Lucia turned toward the stage, focusing their attention on Kyle, who continued his role as the officiant.

“We will now begin the wedding ceremony.”

It was customary for someone close to the bride or groom to act as the officiant for both engagement and wedding ceremonies.

“Before we proceed, the saintess will deliver her blessing.”

Like the engagement ceremony, certain formalities remained, including long-winded speeches and blessings from the church.

Typically, a priest or cleric would deliver the blessing, but having the saintess herself speak was a rare honor.

“I stand here to bless the marriage of Lady Lucia Edelte and His Grace Owen Verdun. May peace and happiness follow their union, in accordance with the divine will….”

Since Bella had expressed a personal desire to give the blessing, neither Owen nor Lucia objected.

In fact, Lucia seemed pleased. While she had often supported Kyle and Bella, Bella had rarely taken the initiative to speak or act publicly. This moment seemed to signify a turning point, allowing Lucia to set aside lingering thoughts about Bella.

Hand in hand, Owen and Lucia listened to Bella’s lengthy blessing.

When it finally concluded, Kyle returned to the amplified podium.

“Next, I will read the imperial laws pertaining to marriage.”

The formalities were far from over.

Kyle glanced down at the script and recited the laws in a steady tone. Given the number of regulations regarding marriage, this took considerable time.

“…These are the imperial laws regarding marriage. We trust that all present understand them.”

After several procedural steps, it was time for the main part of the ceremony.

“I will now ask the bride and groom about their vows. His Grace Owen Verdun, do you accept this marriage and vow to remain with the bride for life?”

“Yes.”

“Lady Lucia Edelte, do you accept this marriage and vow to remain with the groom for life?”

“Yes.”

The exchange of vows was followed by a gesture from Kyle, signaling an attendant to bring forth the ring box.

The attendant handed it to Owen and Lucia.

“Bride and groom, please exchange rings.”

Their wedding bands were crafted from gold with dark red spirit stones, matching the style of Lucia’s existing jewelry. The thin bands and crimson gemstones held a refined elegance.

Owen and Lucia placed the rings on each other’s left ring fingers.

Once the rings were exchanged, Kyle presented the marriage document.

Signing the document would complete the ceremony’s official requirements at the Edelte estate.

Owen and Lucia each took the pen and signed their names.

“With these signatures, the marriage is now formally recognized. Next, we will enjoy a performance by the orchestra.”

As the signatures were completed, the orchestra began to play.

At the Edelte estate, only a lunch and tea time remained. Afterward, the couple would travel to the Verdun estate in an open carriage for the second part of the ceremony, which would include a grand banquet and dinner.

Additionally, Owen and Lucia had scheduled a portrait session, requiring them to spare time after all the festivities.

* * *

“Are you uncomfortable?”

During the lunch in the estate’s garden, Owen and Lucia sat apart from the other guests.

Mingling with the crowd would have been exhausting, particularly for Owen, who didn’t enjoy such interactions.

“Do you mean the dress?”

Lucia, holding a knife and fork, glanced at Owen in response to his question.

He nodded.

“That’s why I chose a mermaid silhouette. It’s much lighter than the engagement dress.”

Lucia’s wedding dress was made of lace in a mermaid design. To prevent transparency, pale pink fabric lined the dress from the chest to the knees.

“That’s good to hear, but you’ll still have to stand for a long time.”

Owen’s gaze dropped to her feet.

Lucia’s pale pink heels still felt manageable.

How her feet would fare by the end of the day was another matter.

“That is a bit concerning. I’m fine for typical banquets since I’m used to those, but today’s schedule is much longer,” Lucia said, her brows furrowed. Then she smiled, leaning in with a playful whisper.

“If it gets too bad, you’ll have to carry me away. Let’s run off together.”

Though her tone was teasing, Owen’s response was entirely serious.

“I’ll do just that.”

If Lucia’s feet showed even a hint of injury, he fully intended to leave with her immediately. Though it might lead to all kinds of rumors, Owen found he didn’t particularly mind the idea.

And since her feet weren’t hurting yet, they decided to wait and see how the day unfolded.

* * *

“…Do the other ladies feel the same? How do they all look so unaffected?”

After lunch and tea time, Lucia and Owen boarded a carriage to travel to the Verdun estate.

Other invited guests followed in their carriages, forming a grand procession to the estate.

As the evening banquet progressed, Lucia began to feel a dull ache in her toes after dancing just two songs.

The wedding day had been a long one, starting early in the morning, yet the other ladies in their elaborate dresses seemed unbothered, continuing to dance with poise.

“They were seated during most of the ceremony,” Owen explained, noting her puzzled expression.

Lucia’s face brightened with realization.

Of course. Throughout the ceremony at the Edelte estate, everyone had been seated—except for her, Owen, and Kyle.

“That makes sense…” Lucia sighed.

Owen gently led her off the dance floor, and before she could say a word, he scooped her up into his arms.

Lucia blinked in surprise at the sudden gesture, instinctively wrapping her arms around his shoulders for balance.

Owen carried her toward the exit of the banquet hall, supporting her back and legs with ease.

As the couple of the evening, they naturally attracted attention, and every guest turned to watch the spectacle.

The murmurs of the onlookers grew louder, but Owen ignored them, striding out of the hall with calm determination.

“…Owen.”

Even as Lucia rested in his arms, she couldn’t help but speak up.

“You know people are going to talk, right? They’ll probably say we left early to… spend the night together.”

Her teasing tone was meant to ease his nerves, but Owen visibly flinched, his reaction betraying his naivety. His flushed ears and trembling lashes were almost endearing.

“…Even so, if we stay in the hall, you’ll have to keep standing,” he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Owen carried her through the banquet hall corridor and into a private sitting room.

Waiting for them inside was someone Lucia instantly recognized.

“I thought it would be better to have the portraits done sooner rather than later,” Owen explained as he set Lucia down gently on a chair.

“Emily Watson,” Lucia murmured, her surprise evident.

Emily Watson was her favorite artist, someone she had booked months in advance for their wedding portrait.

“…Weren’t you supposed to come after the wedding events were finished?”

Emily adjusted her glasses and responded cheerfully, “His Grace thought it would be lovely to capture some of the wedding atmosphere as well, so I arrived a bit earlier than scheduled.”

Lucia glanced at Owen, who avoided her gaze with a light cough before stepping back.

“I had originally planned to ask her to capture a scene from the banquet hall, but the circumstances changed. For now, I’ve asked her to focus on the portrait and couple’s painting.”

“I’d be happy to oblige,” Emily replied with a smile, setting up her canvas and easel.

She began sketching Lucia first, using a recording crystal to capture her image as reference. It was impossible to finish a painting on-site, so Emily planned to complete the detailed work in her studio.

After finishing Lucia’s sketch, Emily turned to Owen.

“Your Grace, please take a seat.”

Owen settled into another chair, and Emily sketched him just as carefully, her crystal capturing every detail.

Finally, she asked them both to sit together on a sofa.

“I’ll sketch the two of you now,” she said, pulling out a larger canvas.

Her hands moved deftly as she sketched, her brow furrowing in concentration.

When she finished, she stepped back and admired her work.

“The sketches are done. With subjects as striking as the two of you, I’m confident this will turn into a beautiful piece. Once the painting is completed, I’ll deliver it to you personally,” she said with a polite bow before leaving the room.

As silence fell over the sitting room, it was Owen who broke it.

“Do you like it?”

Noticing how Lucia’s eyes had lingered on Emily and her work, Owen asked the question softly.

Lucia nodded, her face lighting up.

“More than I expected.”

 

 

 

 

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