Chapter 98
“My lady, the weather is wonderful!”
“Indeed. The sunlight is as bright as our young lady.”
Hearing Kina and Vain’s words, Seriniel smiled softly.
They were right. The weather was indeed very nice and sunny.
Spring had passed, and it was now early summer, but the sunlight wasn’t too harsh, and the breeze was pleasantly cool.
She was an early summer bride.
“My lady, how are you feeling? The ceremony is about to start.”
“I’m fine.”
However, despite saying she was fine, Seriniel’s face clearly showed signs of nervousness.
It was quite amusing.
This was technically her second wedding, yet she felt far more nervous and excited than she did during her first.
“There’s nothing to worry about. It’ll be alright.”
Understanding her feelings, Vain spoke gently.
“The master seems to be the one who’s really nervous.”
“Huh?”
“Though he doesn’t show it much, he’s very tense.”
Kina burst into laughter at Vain’s words.
It had been a busy day. Really, it had been a non-stop whirlwind.
They had arrived at the venue together, but Seriniel hadn’t had a chance to see him properly since they were both busy getting ready.
Was he really that nervous?
“But the High Priest is looking after him, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Johan was officiating the ceremony.
He had arrived at the venue much earlier than scheduled, probably anticipating something like this.
“Anyway, the master always acts differently when it comes to matters involving you. They say he didn’t even flinch on the battlefield despite being seriously injured.”
“What can you do! He loves my lady that much.”
Kina laughed like a child, and Seriniel blushed quietly.
“Anyway, it’s time for you to get up, my lady. Our poor master must be waiting eagerly.”
Kina was right. It was nearly time for the ceremony to start.
Seriniel took one last look at herself in the mirror.
Although Lexion had helped choose the dress, he hadn’t yet seen her with makeup and fully dressed, neither had she seen him.
…I hope he likes it.
Of course, he would probably praise her even if she wore rags, but she wanted to look as beautiful as possible.
Today was a very special day for both of them.
“Let’s go, my lady.”
It was really time to go, urged by Kina, Seriniel slowly stood up, trying to calm her overly excited heart.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Seriniel’s efforts were in vain.
Her heart continued to pound wildly as she cautiously walked, as if it might burst at any moment.
And as she reached the front of the venue.
When she finally saw Lexion waiting for her, Seriniel thought she heard it—the sound of her heart exploding from beating too fast.
“…….”
Lexion filled her emerald eyes.
Dressed in formal attire with neatly styled hair, Lexion’s appearance was…
Far more impactful than she had imagined.
Utterly overwhelming.
“…….”
It wasn’t just Seriniel who looked dazed. Lexion had a similar expression, as if he had been struck on the back of the head with a blunt object.
Was it strange?
But from what she could see, he looked fine.
“So….”
Just as Seriniel was thinking that to herself.
“…beautiful.”
“…….”
“It feels like I wouldn’t regret it if I died right now.”
“Pardon?”
“Though I have no intention of dying.”
To an outsider, his words might sound like nonsense, but Lexion’s expression was utterly serious.
But there was nothing to be done.
Seriniel, dressed in an exquisitely detailed dress that matched her snow-white skin, was overwhelmingly beautiful.
I will never forget this moment, even if I live forever.
Gazing at Seriniel, Lexion silently repeated to himself, along with the odd thought that it was a shame he only had two eyes.
“…….”
Finally, Lexion slowly extended his hand to Seriniel.
Seriniel quietly looked down at his now familiar, large, warm hand.
The hand that had always protected her from despair.
The hand that would always lead her to happiness.
Seriniel slowly took Lexion’s hand.
“I was nervous and trembling a little….”
Then, in a small voice, she whispered to Lexion.
“Now that I’m holding your hand, everything feels alright. Almost like a lie.”
And Lexion, smiling gently, responded.
“…Me too.”
“…….”
“I’m just… overwhelmingly happy.”
It wasn’t hard for Lexion to realize, no matter what big or small events happen in the future…
As long as he was holding Sereniel’s hand like this, everything would be alright, just like now.
“Starting this beautiful day…”
And then, from afar, Johan’s voice was heard.
“Please welcome Duke Lexion Rosenvester and Countess Sereniel Verdellete, who will be together forever.”
Shall we go?
Lexion asked softly, looking at Sereniel, and she nodded.
Soon, the two began to walk down the flower-decorated path, holding hands tightly.
It was a wedding that no parents could attend, both had lost their parents long ago.
But the seats were not empty. On the contrary, they were filled to the brim.
“Our lady… How beautiful she is…”
“She’s always been beautiful, so if that’s why you’re crying, you might want to stop.”
Kina, who was looking at Sereniel and Lexion with tearful eyes, was comforted by Vain.
“I almost didn’t recognize you, Duke. To think you would look so splendid.”
Paul smiled with a pleased expression.
“Everyone, quietly applaud. If anyone speaks nonsense, I’ll have them thrown out immediately.”
Ernest, who had brought all the branch family nobles, spoke as promised.
“That Duke Lexion can make such an expression.”
“Well, he is human after all. They say he has harbored his feelings alone for a long time.”
“Anyway, it’s a good thing. The duchess has finally found a suitable match.”
Some noblewomen who had heard about the events between Sereniel and them had come to congratulate Sereniel.
And…
“Your Grace!”
Even the children from the temple orphanage who had always followed Lexion around.
“You look so handsome! Just like a prince from a fairy tale!”
“And the lady is beautiful too! Like a princess… But should we call her lady or madam?”
“You idiot. Just call her Countess! Didn’t the high priest say that earlier?”
The guests chuckled at the children’s words. Sereniel and Lexion did too.
“I gladly accepted when asked to officiate, but in truth, my humble words are not needed by you two.”
Looking at Lexion and Sereniel who had now reached him, Johan slowly began to speak.
“You both already know very well what you mean to each other. What kind of presence you are to each other.”
Johan continued with a very kind smile.
“But I will indulge myself for a moment. There is something I want to say to both of you in this place. Some may think a high priest shouldn’t speak so freely, but I will humbly accept such criticism. For a clergyman, enduring such is part of the duty.”
At Johan’s words, Lexion chuckled. Sereniel did as well.
“…”
Johan looked at the two without saying anything for a moment, his face filled with many emotions.
“I hope you will cry and laugh together a lot.”
Then, with a pleasantly soft voice, he spoke.
“And may you live a life that is ordinary but extremely happy, for that is what the deity wishes for you.”
Life is inherently unpredictable, so there will be times of crying and laughing. Lexion and Sereniel would not be able to avoid it either.
But Johan wished that they would always enjoy that life of crying and laughing together, never letting go of each other’s hands.
“It is said that the god of Carteia grants one wish to anyone in their lifetime, regardless of who they are.”
Johan continued.
“My long-held wish will be this, that you both live a simple, forever happy life.”
Lexion, who swallowed his emotions and life while holding onto the name of that noble lady he couldn’t truly know, always pained Johan.
So he wanted to use his cherished wish to pray for them. That they would always be together from now on.
“Being a high priest, my wish will surely be granted by the god.”
Everyone laughed at Johan’s playful words.
Johan looked at them kindly, then took out something.
It was the marriage certificate.
“To me…”
Receiving the certificate, Lexion began to speak, looking at Sereniel with warm eyes.
“Thank you for giving me life.”
…If it weren’t for you, I would have died lonely and forlorn, just a parasite of the Rosenvester family.
It was you who allowed me to take over the family, survive to this day, and know that I can be happy as Lexion.
So it was you who gave me life.
“In front of you, I am still infinitely lacking and insufficient… but I swear. I will always stay by your side, protecting you and your happiness.”
“…”
“Until the end of my life. And even after that, forever. Always.”
He would protect her without promise of anything in return. If anyone asked Sereniel if she was happy, she could always answer yes.
“Thank you for giving me a chance.”
Then Sereniel, holding the certificate, began to speak in a low voice.
“Thanks to you, who always reached out your hand to hold and protect me, I could stand here.”
There was nothing she wasn’t grateful for to Lexion.
Sereniel knew well. This kind of love is something that is never easily received.
So now…
“From now on, I will love you more. Even when I didn’t know your heart, you did so for me.”
She wanted to cherish him much more than Lexion thought of her.
“I swear to love you more with each passing day. Forever, always.”
Sereniel slowly closed the certificate. Then she quietly looked at Lexion.
His black eyes looking at her were as kind and warm as always.
“With this… before the god of Carteia, I joyfully declare that Lexion Rosenvester and Sereniel Verdellete are now married.”
The sound of applause was heard, and Johan spoke again.
“Before we conclude, please share your vows with a kiss.”
Sereniel’s cheeks quietly turned red, but Lexion did not hesitate.
“You say you’ll love me more…”
He approached Sereniel and whispered in her ear with a voice tinged with a bit of laughter.
“That will be very difficult.”
“I think so too.”
Sereniel answered softly.
“But I’ll do my best. As I said before, I always intend to give my best in anything related to you.”
…Alright, fine.
Lexion smiled briefly and slowly reached out.
Then, holding Sereniel’s cheek, he kissed her.
With cheers from the people, gentle music, as warm as Lexion’s voice, filled the hall.
The pleasantly cool breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of the fully bloomed summer flowers, and Sereniel closed her eyes, feeling Lexion’s warmth.
And finally, the matched earring sparkled brightly in the sunlight, as if blessing their future.
