Chapter 97
“For no other reason than to love and be loved….”
“…….”
“Will you marry me, Seriniel Verdellete?”
Completely taken by surprise, Seriniel wore a blank expression at Lexion’s words.
But it didn’t last long.
“Yes.”
Seriniel slowly parted her lips, her voice trembling.
“But this time, there must be no one-year expiration.”
“…….”
“Will you promise me that? Otherwise, I won’t agree.”
At Seriniel’s question, Lexion gave a soft smile instead of an answer.
He then slowly stood up and placed the ring on Seriniel’s finger.
“I hope you like it.”
This wedding ring was arguably the most expensive and meticulously crafted ring in the empire.
Lexion had put great effort into it. He would secretly measure Seriniel’s fingers while she slept and pondered over which gemstone would suit her best.
There were many designers involved in making the ring. Among countless rings, Lexion had painstakingly chosen the one that would suit Seriniel best.
“I know your taste isn’t flashy, but I wanted to give you at least this much.”
“……If it’s something the Duke has chosen for me, that’s exactly my taste.”
Seriniel looked at Lexion with tear-filled eyes, and Lexion gently kissed her forehead.
“Although we could proceed with the ceremony as it is, I didn’t want it to flow that way.”
Even without saying such things, Seriniel would have married Lexion and become the mistress of the Rosenvester family.
But he wanted to make sure, at least once. He wanted to propose sincerely, just like now.
He knew that someday, today’s events would remain a special memory for Seriniel.
He wanted to give her a day that was particularly precious to her.
Perhaps understanding this, Seriniel cried and laughed at the same time, her face so lovely.
“It feels like I’ve gone back to that time.”
Lexion said, gently caressing Seriniel’s cheek.
“I was always secretly here, listening to your voice.”
“…….”
“But now… I can face you directly.”
Lexion still remembered clearly.
How endlessly high the low wall and window, reaching only to his waist, had seemed…
And how far away Seriniel had felt.
But the boy who used to look at the precious only daughter of the Count’s family with a battered body, anxious and worried, was no longer there.
…I won’t be as sad as I was back then. Instead, I’ll be eternally happy.
Because in the end, you chose to hold my hand.
Lexion thought to himself as he looked down at Seriniel’s small, white hand, holding his tightly.
“Do you know how happy I am right now, Duke?”
Seriniel asked, wiping the tears that had dampened her cheeks.
“…It feels like a dream. I’m so happy.”
“It would be a problem if this were a dream.”
Lexion replied with a serious face.
“If all the moments I spent with you were a dream, I wouldn’t be able to live in my right mind after waking up.”
“…….”
“So do not say such scary things.”
At Lexion’s playful words, Seriniel finally laughed brightly. Just like when she was a child, laughing brightly while reading a storybook with Kina.
Lexion also smiled.
“And if you’re that happy…”
Then he carefully opened his mouth.
“There’s one thing I’d like to ask you. A request I want to make.”
“Of course. Please, tell me anything.”
It was the first time Lexion had said something like this, so Seriniel unknowingly widened her eyes.
What kind of request could it be?
Something related to the wedding? Something about the mansion? Or maybe something I didn’t consider while living in the Rosenvester family?
“…My name.”
But Lexion’s next words were entirely unexpected for Seriniel.
“Now call me by my name, Seriniel.”
“…What?”
“Not ‘Duke,’ just my name.”
Lexion’s ears turned red as he continued speaking.
“I still want to get closer to you… even now.”
“…….”
“This is the only thing I want to ask of you.”
When there was no response, Lexion started to murmur to himself.
“Of course, I know changing how we address each other isn’t easy or simple.”
“…….”
“And I understand it might have been sudden and surprising. It’s okay if it’s not right away. I can wait as long as it takes….”
Lexion’s words trailed off as Seriniel suddenly kissed him.
After a not-so-short moment, Seriniel slowly pulled back. With a clear face, she looked at Lexion and said,
“I love you, Lexion.”
“…….”
“You do too, don’t you?”
At Seriniel’s adorable words, Lexion looked momentarily dazed, then smiled warmly.
“Yes.”
He spoke gently.
“Before, now, and forever.”
I know.
With a brief answer, Seriniel beamed, and Lexion, looking at her, smiled brightly as well.
And Seriniel realized.
The Verdellete mansion would be filled with new memories from now on.
With Lexion Rosenvester, who loved her more than anyone else in the world, and whom she loved just as deeply.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
After returning from the Verdellete mansion, Seriniel became extremely busy.
[There’s a lot to see.]
[What?]
[I’ve gathered everything, so you just need to choose what you like.]
Lexion…
He really did everything by himself.
All related to the wedding.
Not wanting to leave any regret or missed opportunity, Lexion prepared meticulously.
Take the venue, for example. He had picked locations that ranged from modest and charming, close to Seriniel’s taste, to grand and splendid places fit for royalty.
He even paid attention to the music that would be played during the ceremony. He had already contacted an orchestra, saying Seriniel just needed to choose the pieces she liked.
[But Lexion, what about what you like?]
Seriniel wasn’t insensitive enough to ignore Lexion’s preferences. She asked him several times about his thoughts, but the answer was always the same.
[What you like is what I like.]
[…….]
[It’s not because I find choosing tedious or cumbersome; I truly mean it.]
That made sense. If he found it tedious or cumbersome, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths in the first place.
In the end, after much deliberation, Seriniel chose a relatively small outdoor venue.
Becoming Lexion’s bride amidst the spring breeze and the scent of flowers seemed like it would be wonderful.
But the biggest challenge remained.
The dress.
[These are the most carefully selected ones, and they all suit you perfectly.]
The designers who brought the dresses to the mansion were right. Every dress she tried on looked beautiful on Seriniel.
And Lexion said very seriously,
[…Maybe we should get married every year.]
[What?]
[I’d be too regretful otherwise, having to choose just one dress.]
Seriniel, not knowing how to respond, blushed with embarrassment.
Anyway, Seriniel eventually chose a dress and accessories.
Just the necklace.
[Because I already have the earrings.]
[Already have?]
[I want to wear the earrings I wore at my debutante ball. I finally found their match, didn’t I?]
The earrings were much older than anything they could have bought new. After all, a lot of time had passed.
But to Seriniel, there was no jewelry in the world more beautiful and meaningful than those earrings, except for the wedding ring.
[…Alright.]
Lexion, understanding her sentiment, smiled quietly, and Kina and Vain also smiled gently.
Time then passed quickly and busily…
Soon enough, the wedding day arrived.
