Episode 10
“Hoohoohoo.”
I covered my mouth with a bouquet and chuckled slyly. How long has it been since I haven’t dated? Seems like about two years.
I unintentionally kept my distance from dating due to the fierce and tumultuous current life.
I’ve thought that my love cells have long died. But as I thought of Apollion, a millennium of desire surged again as if it were a lie.
Thinking like this made me feel like I had become quite a pervert. However, my thoughts were definitely not impure.
We’re both adults and starting today, we’re a married couple. It’s strange not to have such thoughts. Besides, this is one of the things I must do to break the curse!
No one tackled me, but feeling restless for no reason, I tried to raise my spirits to justify myself.
“Oh, seems like you’re quite nervous.”
A boutique staff member watching my one-man show spoke to me. The staff were putting shimmering powder on my collarbone and making final adjustments to ensure the dress didn’t wrinkle.
“……Yes? Oh, right.”
I awkwardly replied with a smile. They seemed to think I was acting strange because I was too nervous.
“Very soon, you’ll be in the bride’s position!”
I took a deep breath as I heard voices from outside. I thought I wouldn’t be nervous, but as the time approached, my heart pounded loudly as if it were attached to my head.
With the help of assistants, I kept my posture straight, holding my waist firmly. When the door opened, I would step into the outdoor reception area and see Apollion.
“The bride is entering!”
Soon, the waiting room door opened, and the bright summer sunlight poured onto me.
Outside the waiting room, my father stood neatly dressed in front of Virgin Road, turning the corner. My father was on the verge of tears, and an emperor stood at the officiator’s seat.
No, why is the emperor there…?
Trembling hands due to nervousness, I hooked my arm onto my father’s.
As the orchestra began to play, I walked slowly with my father down the Virgin Road.
“Petyunia… Hm,”
I heard my father mutter something, but it didn’t register in my ears. My mind was as blank as a wedding dress.
There weren’t many guests, but even with a glance, I could tell they were all important people. Their attire, posture, and aura were exceptional.
‘I thought an outdoor wedding would be extravagant, but would it have to be at the Unified Silla Hotel’s outdoor venue?’
That was my misconception.
The venue was filled with flowers rarely seen in summer, and jade stones emitting light hung from the branches. As it was a place of magic, the price of the magic tools must have been enormous.
The dress, reflecting the light from the jade stones, sparkled brightly. Diamonds scattered throughout the dress reflected light in various hues, boasting mysterious colors. It was undeniable evidence that I was the protagonist of this event.
Flower petals scattered along with my steps. Whether they were sprinkled with finely crushed pearl powder or not, the petals floated down emitting a brilliant iridescence.
I wasn’t completely without worries. It was a sudden marriage, and both Apollion and I were perfect fodder for gossip. If it was extravagant, we’d be criticized; if it was modest, we’d be criticized too.
I wasn’t worried about the wedding itself, but about the empty guest seats. I was anxious about Apollion getting hurt again.
But all worries were futile.
The flowers with subtle colors were refreshing, and the gentle breeze was pleasant. It felt like being at a fairy’s wedding in a fairy tale.
The guests all smiled, blessing the couple’s future. Though I didn’t know their names or faces, I felt sincerely thankful.
I looked at my father again as I heard him sniffle. In front of him…
…Right, there was an emperor.
The happiness index, which was close to 100 in satisfaction, plummeted to half in an instant. Even in the original story, there was no scene where the emperor officiated.
I wanted desperately to avoid the emperor’s gaze. However, the wedding veil I had on was not designed to cover my face. It was designed to decorate the hair tied down below, so I couldn’t hide my face behind the veil.
I never imagined I would see the emperor’s face up close… Ever…
It was just a moment when I tried to avert my gaze from the emperor, who was smiling contentedly at me. At that moment, the sight of the emperor, who had been standing tall just a moment ago, was blocked by a large figure. There was clearly no one there just a moment ago, right?
As I raised my gaze a bit higher, I saw the back of a man who had just reached the end of Virgin Road.
Black hair with a purple hue under the sunlight. His wide back seemed to not tolerate a single crease in his tuxedo. His well-defined ears and sharp jawline were visible at a glance.
He was the male protagonist in the novel, Apollion Theabrite deacon, who became my husband from today.
***
As I stopped at the end of Virgin Road, I placed my hand on Apollion’s arm as I had learned in bride class.
Apollion seemed surprised, but soon relaxed his body, allowing me to hook my arm with his.
Glancing sideways, he was also wearing a mask. Nevertheless, for the wedding, instead of the usual black mask, he wore a neat white one.
The mask covered about two-thirds of his face, leaving only the forehead and chin exposed.
With my head bowed, I diligently explored his face with my eyes. I didn’t even hear what the emperor said. Whether I heard it or not, the words about taking good care of my black hair until it turned white…
…Nah?
I remembered that my hair was platinum blonde. Just looking around, there was a variety of hair colors. Everyone from the Incladove family had platinum blonde hair like mine, and among the ministers officiating, there was a girl with crimson hair holding a flower basket.
In fact, it was more difficult to find someone with deep black hair. Among them, Apollion’s hair, which had a purple hue, was the closest to black.
Everyone had a genetic structure where black hair couldn’t turn white, so calling it black hair roots was strange. I thought I should pay close attention to the emperor’s words from now on, and I listened carefully to the emperor’s voice.
“…Do you, Apollion Rain Theabrite, vow to love Petunia Breeze Incladove, the wife of the Grand Duke of Theabrite, forever?”
“I swear.”
Oh, was there chocolate on the emperor’s voice? Apollion’s voice was a smooth and sweet baritone.
“Do you, Petunia Breeze Incladove, the daughter of the Viscount Incladove, vow to love Apollion Rain Theabrite, your husband, forever?”
“I swear.”
Along with a few oaths that were indispensable for the wedding, the emperor’s witty remarks and unexpected humor followed.
In such a cheerful atmosphere, we put the wedding rings on each other’s ring fingers.
The wedding ring, with a large violet sapphire symbolizing the Theabrite Grand Duchy, was delicately adorned with small, transparent diamonds spreading out like waves toward the edges, making it exceptionally beautiful.
I heard that violet sapphires are very rare gemstones. Where on earth did they find such a thing? I marveled once again at the wealth and capabilities of the Theabrite family.
“The two of you shall exchange vows with a kiss, promising to spend your lives together from this moment on.”
At the mention of a kiss, my mind went blank.
Oh yeah, a kiss!
I turned towards Apollion as soon as the emperor’s words fell. Then, instead of just glancing, I looked at his face properly.
At the same time, Apollion also turned towards me. His lips, not covered by the mask, were red and full. The excitement cells that had been dormant began to revive like zombies.
While I was staring at his plump lips, Apollion’s pupils behind the mask were constantly moving.
His eyes, mixed with water in the evening sky, were filled with restlessness.
Don’t worry, my lord. Nuna will take care of everything!
T/N: again a Korean Expression Nuna means sister but it will look weird if I change it so..
I tiptoed towards Apollion, who was much taller than me, to kiss him. But unlike my proactive approach, Apollion didn’t bend down cooperatively.
As I tried to lift my head even higher, I suddenly felt a soft and warm touch on my forehead.
His lips, which had touched my forehead for a moment, returned to their original position after a few seconds.
With a bewildered expression, I looked at Apollion. But as our eyes met, he quickly turned his head away.
“With this, your vows are…”
Wait, he said to kiss. But is this the end?
“Now, to bid farewell to both families…”
Excuse me, Your Majesty! You said to kiss! Is this forehead touching the imperial kiss?!
With a feeling of injustice about to explode, I bowed to the people of the Theabrite family with a bow.
Sob, what is this? What kind of kiss is this! Give me back my kiss.
As if a child had been deprived of candy, tears welled up in my eyes due to the injustice. But the people of the Viscount family seemed to consider my sorrow as common tears often seen in brides on their wedding day.
That’s not it! I said no! No!
I wanted to shout loudly, but there were too many people. Suddenly, the guests stood up and applauded.
I turned my head stiffly like an ungreased robot. Then, as I met Apollion’s eyes, he quickly averted his gaze. His Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably as if he were swallowing dry saliva.
Oh, you know your fault too.
I couldn’t dare to glare at the emperor, so I looked at Apollion as if I were about to kill him. Sensing my burning gaze, he subtly tried to pull his arm away, but I held on to it tightly, not letting go.
Both his face and the arm held by me gradually turned pale.
As I looked at him, I reminded myself of the disappointment just now.
Tonight, you’re dead in my hands. I’ll roll you around on the bed!
